For the Strib

In watching the debate over taxes in our legislature, I hear little of what the no new taxes group considers to be an unnecessary investment in infrastructure or expenditure for public services.

I don’t hear anyone claiming our highways or transit system are not in need of attention. I don’t hear anyone arguing against the evidence that investment in early childhood education doesn’t have long-range benefits. I don’t hear anyone arguing an educated work force is not critical to the economic well being of the economy of our state. I don't I hear anyone claiming the status quo at the veterans home is acceptable. Nor do I hear claims our tax dollars are being wasted. By all means if money is being wasted let's identify the waste, stop it and transfer the “wasted funds” to needed areas.

It seems to me the question ought to be: Are we getting value for our dollar? If the various investments to be funded by the proposed tax increases are indeed of value, if not critical to the future of this state, it seems we ought to find a way to pay for them. Doing so shouldn’t be impossible, considering we are now paying a smaller portion of our income in taxes than we were a few short years ago.

Dwaine Lindberg

PS A version of this letter appeared in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.