The result of less state aid: Efficiency
By Pat Anderson||Minneapolis StarTribune (3-5-2010)
In other words, less state aid did not prompt local governments to skimp on essential public services; it motivated local governments to be more efficient. Today, overall government spending is down, and our cities are making better choices on how to use tax dollars.
” The City Finances Report does not support the vision of a local government apocalypse, but it does show a system stressed by structural problems that require reform of the relationship between state and local governments.”
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Only a fiscal conservative in the governor’s chair can achieve the reform Minnesota needs
By Pat Anderson||St. Paul Pioneer Press (1-24-2010)
Having earned the respect of the media, Pat is a “goto” quote, not just in her own race for State Auditor, but for commentary on the governor’s race. In this commentary in the Pioneer Press, Pat explains why only a fiscally conservative governor can achieve necessary government reform.
“As the saying goes, “only Nixon could go to China,” and only a conservative governor can credibly apply economic and constitutional principle, free of ideology, to the kitchen table concerns of Minnesotans. Only a forceful and uncompromising fiscally conservative governor can break ideological gridlock and end the long-standing and unproductive “tax the rich/no new taxes” debate. Only a fiscal conservative with unimpeachable credibility can bring left and right together without compromising principle.”
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Reset the debate. Reform the tax system. Make way for jobs.
By Pat Anderson||St. Paul Pioneer Press (11-13-09)
The national unemployment rate hit 10.2 percent last week. Minnesota’s jobless rate was 7.3 percent in September but will doubtless be higher when numbers are reported later this month. Analysis will be spun and politicians will bicker about who’s to blame, but very little will be proposed with the remotest chance to create a sustainable economy that breeds jobs.
Traveling around the state last week, I introduced a tax reform proposal directly targeting job creation in Minnesota. I should say “re-introduced” because the essence of my proposal was made by the Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission earlier this year. That pearl of a report was cast before a governor and Legislature rutting in the “no new taxes/tax the rich” debate and didn’t get the consideration it deserved. I don’t intend to let the commission’s good work go to waste.
Based on economic principles eloquently laid out in the Tax Reform Commission Report, I support moving Minnesota away from our current volatile revenue stream, which is based on taxing productivity — with high personal and corporate income taxes. Instead, we need a more stable revenue stream based on taxing consumption — with a broader-based but ultimately lower sales tax on clothing (but not food) and selected services.
Read more …
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Copenhagen Treaty: bad science, dangerous policy
by Pat Anderson||MinnPost.Com “Community Voices” (10-28-09)
Having read the relevant sections of the treaty, I agree with Monckton that the proposed international cap-and-trade scheme, culminating in the signing of an international treaty that would trump our ability to control energy policy here in Minnesota, is devastating for both our economy and the ideal of America. But that is only part of the story.
In executive style, Pat lays out four key criteria policymakers should consider before imposing any energy or environmental policy.
First, does the problem at hand warrant government intervention? Second, does the proposed solution actually address the defined problem? Third, is an energy or environmental policy politically practical, and can it be technically implemented? Fourth and finally, sound energy policy demands that policymakers do not cause more harm than they alleviate.
Pat contends and supports that much current climate change policy, internationally, nationally and right here in Minnesota meets none of those criteria.
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Who says the center holds the answer?
By Pat Anderson||Minneapolis Star Tribune (10-08-09)
In response to a Star Tribune commentary that criticized the entire GOP gubernatorial field for its conservative posture, Pat responded with a rational commentary outlining a conservative integrated approach to governing. Reminiscent of her convention declaration “there’s gonna be a new sherrif in town ….” Pat shot back at the Strib for the obvious liberal bent of its original editorial.
Making the assumption that a political “hard-right turn” is necessarily undesirable, the Star Tribune editorial “GOP field leaves room for a moderate” (Oct 6) forgoes rational policy discussion for a bullet-point attack on GOP candidates for governor, myself included. The Editorial Board’s prayer for a moderate messiah to redeem the Republican Party assumes that a middle ground between right and wrong is a better answer than “right.” I do not agree.
In executive style, Pat lays out a strategic, integrated approach to tax, spending and regulatory policy that addresses the states number one issue — resolving the budget deficit — in the context of creating a competitive business climate in Minnesota.
