Kowabunga

It's the first full week of business in the Minnesota State House of Representatives, and already, the DFL is shooting down tax cuts, this time tax cuts that would help those on the lower end of the income scale. The amendment that the DFL shot down was put forth on a tax bill called for a .5 percent cut in the rate for those in the lowest income brackets. This after all their claims of wanting to help the poor. The DFL labeled "germain" five other amendments to thier tax bill.

It is becoming obvious that the DFL agenda includes tax increases across the board.

One plan to watch out for is an expansion of the Transit Taxing District. The word floating around is that Shelly Madore (DFL - St.Paul), is pushing to expand the taxing district to include all of the counties in the 7-county metro area, eliminating exemptions for portions of counties that lay in more rural areas, such as Lakeville, Farmington and all rural townships.

Also being floated is a change in the levy to allow property taxes raised for transit to be used for operating expenses as well as investment for infrastruture. Currently, these levies can only be used for infrastucture. If this lna goes through, watch out, as the amound of tax monies needed to operate light rail will escalate the property tax burden on all home owners in the taxing district.

This week, DFL Representatives voted themselves a pay increase by using rules to increase per diem. For many representatives, per diem is not taxed. For those members that live more than 50 miles from the capitol, this also includes a housing allowance change, from the historical January-June period, when the House is in session, to a year round allowance. At a rate of $1200 per month, TAX FREE.

I'll try and get more info on this in the next week.

Democrats, gotta love 'em. Tell you they are there for the little guy, and they are the little guy that they are looking out for.