Obviouslythe big news all week was the continuing government shutdown inMinnesota. NTU sent out an open letter to the Minnesota Legislature tocontinue to oppose Governor Dayton’s multi-billion dollar tax hikescheme.
Thelatest development is the somewhat predictable call for higher taxation from a bi-partisandeficit commission. The Carlson-Mondale panel called for billions innew taxes, ranging from a cigarette tax increase to an across the board 4% incometax hike. Overtaxation does not and cannot fix an overspending problem.
NewYork
Inbetter news, Governor Cuomo officially signed legislation cappingproperty-tax increases. The new law caps increases at the lesser of 2% orrate of inflation. Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Cuomo stated;
"What government has to realize is it can't justcontinually raise taxes because the taxpayers can't pay it anymore. People areleaving the state, businesses are leaving the state."
NTUsupported Governor Cuomo’s efforts when he included a property tax cap in hisbudget proposal and this week marks a solid victory for Empire State taxpayers.
NewJersey
Onthe other side of the Hudson, Assembly leaders have called for hearings to examineGovernor Christie’s $1 billion in line-item cuts to the $30.6 billionbudget. While Democrats in the legislature lack the necessary numbers tooverride the vetoes without Republican support, these hearings will be worth tracking to gauge what sortof a path the state is heading down going into this year’s elections.
NewHampshire
Inanother big win for taxpayers, NTU supported legislation was signed into law grantinglocal municipalities the ability to once again cap property taxes. NTUtestified on behalf of SB 2 and it is good to see local taxpayers back in control.
Elsewhere
Cut, Cap, andBalance is gaining momentum with another Governor, Scott Parnell, signing the pledge. Governor Parnelljoins Rick Perry in Texas, Nikki Haley in South Carolina, and Gary Herbert inUtah in opposition to an unconditional increase of the debt ceiling. Ifyou haven’t already, take a few minutes and sign thepledge yourself.