Issue Position: Government Spending and Reform

Issue Position

FY 2012-2013 Budget
Beginning of Session : $5.8 Billion Deficit Today: $1.2 Billion Surplus

Minnesotans can't afford state's spending growth. We need to reduce spending and cut back during lean times like this. A slash and burn approach to reducing spending isn't practical, either. We need to have a thoughtful approach and honest debate about wants versus needs, and what taxpayers are willing to pay.

Rep. Schomacker started with himself, cutting his housing allowance by 25%, per diem by 15%, and the entire House of Representatives budget by 15%.

With jobs being created, we see fewer people on public assistance and more people paying taxes - saving the state money and generating more revenue.

Reforms

*Approaching the bonding bill with competitive grants versus pork for politicians.
*Privatizing of some publicly subsidized health insurance.
*Creating the Sunset Commission to review the purpose of groups within the state
*Consolidating IT functions
*Outlawing use of welfare money to buy cigarettes and alcohol, EBT cards can only be used in Minnesota and bordering states
*Offering cash incentives to state employees who find ways to save their department money
*Closing the funding gap between rural and metro schools with the small school addition in the funding formula

Further Reforms: Greater collaboration between departments to allow systems to run more smoothly; combine health and human services

Source