Revenue Forecast 2004

The State of Minnesota has a projected $495 million surplus for 2004-05 and is looking at a deficit in 2006-07 of between $700 million and $1.39 billion when factoring inflation. Current projections show the state’s burden of healthcare costs climbing significantly...

How To Cut the Deficit In Half, Or Better

We are not saying it is easy, but dealing the projected budget shortfall for fiscal year 2004-05 using simple math shows a reduction of a significant portion. Interestingly enough the reasons for a large part of the deficit are the changes in tax law last legislative...

The House Position

Yesterday, after nearly every DFL House member spoke against the bill the Republican Majority passed their version to address the $346 million dollar shortfall for the 2003 Budget. There were few big points scored by the minority as they futilely stood before the...

Buy Your Lifetime License

We doubt when the proposal for lifetime hunting and fishing licenses happened people would see the need to rush out and make a purchase, but with the impending budget shortfall and an expected increase in state fees it would seem like a good idea. The Department of...

2003 Legislative Session Expectations

The legislative session opening is always ceremony and procedure.  Each body must elect its leadership for the forthcoming biennium and install the chamber officers.  Families join the new and returning legislators for the swearing-in ceremony and there rarely is any...