My Point of View by Peggy Bennet

Most everyone, by now, has heard about the $2.1 billion tax increase that hit Minnesotans last year in 2013. That is a huge tax increase. The Democratic  Party that voted in this tax increase tells us that this $2.1 billion tax increase is coming only from the top 2 percent of wage earners in Minnesota.

Our current District 27A representative told us this very thing during a recent forum hosted by the Albert Lea Tribune and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. She stated, “The only taxes we increased were 2 percent on the top 2 percent of wage earners in Minnesota.”

The problem is, this is not true. We are all paying for this extra tax revenue.

The math just doesn’t add up. You can’t get $2.1 billion from that few people in one year. It’s got to come from more than that. So I did a little research to find out who is really paying this tax increase. I found out a lot — and the ordinary, everyday Minnesotan is paying it. Everyone is paying it.

According to our current representative’s voting record, she voted to add the following new taxes on all of us. (I’ve added the bill number for your reference.) Among these new taxes are:

• New tax on Internet purchases (HF677).

• New tax on telecommunications equipment (HF677).

• New tax on health care premiums (HF5).

• New tax on carpet (HF976).

• New tax on batteries (HF976).

• New tax on paint (HF976).

• New tax on water (HF976).

• Increase on cigarette sales tax by $1.60 per pack (HF677).

• New surcharge on auto insurance and homeowners policies (HF677).

Teenagers, are you downloading some good songs? You’re paying extra now. Parents, are you buying some new books for your children on Amazon? You’re paying more for those books now. Do you buy batteries? Have you bought paint or new carpet for your house lately? You’re paying extra for it. Check out your water bill and your auto and homeowners insurance bills. You’re paying more thanks to new Minnesota taxes on all of us.

This is what turns people off about politics today. There is so much manipulation and partial truths that no one knows what or who to believe. I desire to be and will be a representative who will fully inform the public of the costs and benefits of anything we engage in. Sound research is important to me, and I will make decisions based on that research and the interests of our local communities and state.

As an elementary school teacher, I have spent my entire adult life seeking to make a difference in the lives of my students and their families. I want to make a difference now for the people of 27A. I have no personal ambitions in running for office. I simply believe it’s time to put people before politics.

 

Albert Lea resident Peggy Bennett is a Republican candidate for the House District 27A seat.