Dear Friends,
The holiday season is upon us. This will likely be my last message to you this calendar year, and I wanted to pass on a heartfelt “Merry Christmas” greeting from my family to yours.
Recently in St. Paul it was reported that our state will have a projected $825 Million dollar surplus after raising taxes on Minnesota consumers, farmers, small business owners, and more. This “surprising growth” of our revenues shouldn’t surprise anyone. With the Majority raising $2.1 billion in new taxes last spring, which I did not support, a “surplus” could be expected with such a hefty increase in taxes.
With about $825 million in the new surplus and with the public’s interest in repealing the new repair tax on consumers and farmers, the small business tax, along with over $1 billion in spending promises, the 2014 session will prove to be interesting one – especially given one party rule that currently exists in the Minnesota legislature.
More troubling news came out this week when 13 DFL senate members or 2012 candidates were levied a large fined for illegal campaign activity in the 2012 campaigns by the Campaign Finance Board (CFB). These were the controversial campaign outcomes where the DFL swept back control of both the Minnesota House and Senate. This complaint had been filed against the DFL before the 2012 general election, but the investigation and the CFB just concluded its investigation this week. It was no Christmas present for the DFL senators/candidates caught up in this illegal campaign activity. You can read more in this article (http://strib.mn/18Un5X7)
As always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Senator Torrey Westrom
District 12
107 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-3826
(855) 407-7386
Douglas County Republicans 