Governor Mark Dayton released his budget proposal last week, providing a blueprint for the state’s revenue and spending over fiscal years 2014-2015. This proposal is a starting point, not a finished product. I am eager to work with the Governor on a fair and sustainable budget based on Minnesotans’ shared priorities — a growing economy, a prosperous middle-class, and common sense reforms that give Minnesotans’ a better value for their tax dollars.

The Governor’s plan raises $2 billion in new revenue through several reforms aimed at bringing fairness and stability to Minnesota’s revenue stream. The addition of a fourth income tax tier for the top 2% of wage earners along with a broadening of the sales tax base and a dramatic 20% cut of the sales tax rate is meant to provide the state with a more stable revenue stream without increasing consumers’ overall sales tax bill. The plan also cuts the overall corporate tax rate by 14%, providing the business community with the lowest rate in 26 years.

The new revenue in the budget is targeted for investments in high priority areas. Most notably, funding for all-day kindergarten will ensure that more Minnesota children have access to education. Investments in our state’s colleges and universities will provide for a trained and educated workforce ready to keep Minnesota’s economy on top in the 21st century. Additional funding is also allocated to several other important areas, including economic development and job growth initiatives, public safety measures, and expanded access to affordable, quality healthcare.

The largest investment in the Governor’s budget addresses property tax burdens that have been passed on to middle class homeowners, farmers, and small businesses. Governor Dayton proposes to provide nearly $1.5 billion in property tax relief by restoring state aid payments to local governments and providing up to $500 in property tax rebates to most Minnesota property tax payers.

Since he took office, the Governor has found $5.1 billion in cost savings and reductions in state government. In addition to the $2 billion in cuts in the last budget, there are $225 million in proposed cuts in this budget.  Outside of public safety, this year’s proposal does not provide additional funding to compensate state agencies for inflation, asking them to absorb another $890 million in inflationary costs, and therefore to provide the same service with fewer resources.

We deserve an open and honest discussion about the difficult choices before the legislature this year. I look forward to those conversations and hearing from you.