According to the Census Bureau, Minnesota has the 7th highest per capita tax burden in the nation. Believe it or not, some people in our state don’t think the answer to being overtaxed is to increase spending, then tax some more.

Yet yesterday our elected officials voted to raise our taxes nearly $7 billion dollars in gas tax, license fees and sales taxes.

Instead of cutting spending on pork project “wants” (e.g., ski jumps, bike paths, polar bear exhibits and State Fair fish aquariums) and using that money for “needs” like roads, they raised our budget to $35 billion and climbing.

And since our state budget was already slated at a deficit (remember that surplus last year? where’d that go?), you can bet there are more taxes coming.

I know I’m in the minority here, but 7,000 people showed up at last year’s Tax Cut Rally ^[1], and this year’s is expected to top 10,000.

Here’s the event on Upcoming ^[2], otherwise, just show up:
2008 Tax Cut Rally, St. Paul on the Capitol steps, noon, Saturday April 12th

Meanwhile, next time you see a story on the local news about high gas prices, people not able to afford necessities or the shiny new ski jump you’ll never use, thank your local legislator.

2007 Tax Cut Rally picture from Kowabunga ^[3]