REPLAY: Gov. Mark Dayton Reveals Plans for Minnesota Budget in Speech
Gov. Mark Dayton, in his first appearance since having back surgery late last year, will outline his proposed budget for the next two years.
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Laying out financial plans for the next two years, and with a Democratic controlled Legislature out in front of him, Gov. Mark Dayton will address both the public and public servants at the Minnesota State Capitol this morning.
You can watch streaming video, live, courtesy of the UpTake right here as Dayton will lay out a series of tax hikes, line-item increases and an expected payment shift for Minnesota schools in his address.
It's the first public appearance for Dayton since he had back surgery in Rochester, MN last month.
Media outlets such as Minnesota Public Radio are saying the budget could have a big impact on Dayton's political future. The first-term governor has not hinted whether or not he will run again for the state's top seat in 2014.
Dayton left the United State Senate after serving one term, which ended in 2006.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the budget speech will aim to increase some spending across the board while increasing spending in areas that were cut under a Republican majority over the last bieunnium.
Joshua
10:50 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
$0.94 tax increase on cigarettes. You know, the *real* deterrent would be to ban tobacco altogether in this state. It is an undisputable killer. Instead, the state wants to pretend to be concerned about the health of Minnesota by digging deeper into their pockets. Tax increases do not deter people from addictive substances. It just makes them poorer.
You've just guaranteed a tobacco revenue boost for Wisconsin.
Smokin' Joe
2:18 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
It's hilarious that everytime the state needs a bit of money they hit up the smokers, and more smokers buy somewhere else. Reportedly, somewhere between 20% and 40% are already bootlegged. Wanna go for 75%? Bring it on Dayton!
Annie S.
12:47 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Don't be silly Joshua, if they made smoking illegal, they'd have to raise taxes on something socially acceptable, like alcohol. Otherwise, the state would go bankrupt.
Annie S.
12:47 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Not sure how many people in MN smoke, but for the heck of it, let's say it's 50 thousand. 50,000 x 94cents is $47,000. Most regular smokers buy a pack a day. So, that's $47,000 a day the state would lose - about 17 million a year. Totally rough math, based on a random number with no factual basis. Oh and forget the fact that much of the cost of cigarettes is already tax. Super America itemizes the tax for you (or at least they used to). </endrant>
rob_h78
12:47 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Doesn't Wisconsin already have a tax on cigarettes? Dayton mentioned that the new MN tax will mean that the MN and WI will have the same tax now.
But I agree in the long run if we could just get rid of tobacco so much the better for smokers and the health care costs in this country that everyone ends up paying for either through medicare or health insurance plans that have to pay for the costs of tobacco usage...
Smokin' Joe
2:19 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Careful what you wish for Rob, the key phrase there, besides the same old "fair share" crap, is that they're looking to tax unhealthy behavior into oblivion. Not just smoking, but anything that they decide is unhealthy. Better enjoy that cheeseburger now, Daddy Dayton is going to save us all!
yomammy
3:04 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
yep--- salt, fat, soda, alochol, sunlight, etc, etc, etc, etc,
it will be labeled "for the children or keeping the children safe" and one by one...gone.
Rick D
12:47 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Just a note: Dayton really has hinted he will run for a second term. In fact, he told KARE 11 News that in 2011: http://www.kare11.com/rss/article/946522/391/Dayton-tells-KARE-11-Sunrise-hell-run-again-in-2014