The State of Minnesota Hurting Cities

We have learned a lot about state government the last couple years. As the State has been unable to balance its budget it has stolen money for schools, counties and cities. The billions of dollars that were paid in taxes to the state intended for local government entities has been kept by the state for their priorities and has caused wide spread devastation to schools, counties and cities.

Then the State in a never ending search for money decided to start forcing localities to pay taxes and use fees on such things as the water we use to put out fires.... I guess the State thinks a person's house burning down is a prime time to tax us even more. Many do not know that even though the City drills its own wells and treats our water - all paid for by our Citizens and businesses - the State charges us a fee for the privilege to bring the water from the ground. 

Now the latest in State money grab is in refinancing cost. Isanti is looking at refinancing some of the cost associated with the rapid eastward expansion which has the potential of crippling our sewer and water funds. This was caused by several poor decisions made by previous Councils - I voted against these rapid residential growth schemes at the time but must fix the problems we have inherited. So back to the State's latest negative impact on localities.... we as many other cities are looking to refinance our debt at the historic low rates we are experiencing.... The State has decided to add fees and excessive cost to this refinancing potentially making it to expensive for us to do. 

It would be nice if once in awhile State government worked with us.... at this point I would be happy if they just stopped working against us....