Wringing Out Every Last Cent

Podcast Audio: https://commsolutionsmn.libsyn.com/episode-295-wringing-out-every-last-cent

YouTube: https://youtu.be/daSrX9IGkwc

Our fantastic legislature passed a 1% increase in the sales tax this year that just took effect. This pushes Minneapolis’ sales tax up over 9% and St. Paul is almost at 10%! Of course, the DFL wants to claim that this increase is “for the kids”, yet the kids never seem to be any better off. Our taxes keep going up, and it’s getting harder to keep up with the increases. Part of this money is set aside for “affordable housing” and the rest is for transportation. They want to build affordable homes, rental units, and provide rental assistance. It’s part of the $0.50 tax on deliveries and pegs the gas tax to inflation.

As if that wasn’t enough, Golden Valley wants to go over and above that to implement another 1.25% sales tax (along with further bonding) to go toward public buildings because they haven’t saved a single red cent. If the sales tax isn’t approved by voters, Golden Valley says they will find another way to make you pay it. The cost for these projects is $190 million over 30 years, but inflation will push that number. Just for a comparison, Hudson, WI has a 5.5% sales tax. Pretty sweet, huh?

We also discuss the removal of (former) Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. There’s a lot of ideas going around regarding who should be next. We set the Republicans straight.

Have you checked out our Spotify playlist? At the beginning of each episode, Jason quotes some song lyrics that have to do with the subject matter of the podcast. Andrew never knows what they are, but now he can… and so can you! We’ve launched the Spotify playlist: “Community Solutions Music From the Podcast!” You can listen to Roundabout from Yes after listing to Episode 30 on Roundabouts… or kick back and enjoy a rocking playlist just for the thrill of it. We add a new song every week. Subscribe and enjoy!

Don’t forget that you can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify!

Don’t forget that you can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify!

Failing To Thrive

Podcast Audio: https://commsolutionsmn.libsyn.com/episode-228-failing-to-thrive

YouTube: https://youtu.be/akskd-5yHGM

The Metropolitan Council keeps pushing metro cities around, incorrectly projecting growth and trying to make cities build high density housing and transit systems in the middle of a changing model. The Thrive MSP 2040 plan not only forced metro cities into unwanted development, but it also contributed to changes in Greater Minnesota, as the Minnesota Association of Development Organizations (MADO) took many of these ideas for their Develop MN Plan, help cities and towns in writing comprehensive plans, and rolling these ideals down to their ten Regional Planning Organizations. Well, it’s time to begin planning for 2050!

The Met Council believes that the Metro area will grow to 4 million people by 2050! Who do they source for all of this growth? Themselves, of course! Keep in mind that they are never, ever right. They also say that the white population will level off and decline. They are proposing that the majority of growth with be with the minority populations due to migration. They are projecting huge job growth, despite there already being 11 million unfilled jobs in the U.S.A. They will try to push more high density housing in order to make room for all of the migration that they are projecting. They want to run transit through all of the areas that haven’t seen any growth because they are already fully developed. How do we stop this from destroying Minnesota’s cities?

We also discuss the failing economy under a failing president. Inflation and a suffering supply chain are teetering on the brink. Interest rate increases are being discussed alongside tapering the purchase of our Treasury Bonds. Combustion engines are going away, and we don’t even have a good alternative yet. Everyone had better take cover! Of course we have to update you on the lingering mystery that is the Robbinsdale Public Schools School Board appointment. What happens when they get to pick one of their own? This may have been one of the least transparent processes we’ve seen, but we’ve got a name… and a completely expected agenda.

Have you checked out our Spotify playlist? At the beginning of each episode, Jason quotes some song lyrics that have to do with the subject matter of the podcast. Andrew never knows what they are, but now he can… and so can you! We’ve launched the Spotify playlist: “Community Solutions Music From the Podcast!” You can listen to Roundabout from Yes after listing to Episode 30 on Roundabouts… or kick back and enjoy a rocking playlist just for the thrill of it. We add a new song every week. Subscribe and enjoy!

Don’t forget that you can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify!

Fire Up The Printers

Podcast Audio: https://commsolutionsmn.libsyn.com/episode-203-fire-up-the-printers

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sNCJK3EI-ck

We’ve doled out $5 trillion over the last three relief bills. $5 billion will make its way to Minnesota governments. St Cloud is getting almost $16 million. Over $1 billion is going to Minnesota’s 87 counties. $595 million is earmarked for just metro cities. $420 million is to be divided between Greater MN cities and townships. $420 million has been set aside for state capital projects. $245 million is going directly to Hennepin County. $281 million is going to Minneapolis over and above the amount going to Hennepin County… and we’re just getting started. This money seems to be able to go to just about anything, except for reducing taxes, that is. There is so much money being thrown at each of the 50 states. Where are we coming up with this? We’re printing all of it!

While we have almost no idea how this money will be spent, we have an idea of who is getting what. Businesses, farmers, and minorities are getting a chunk of this money (outside of the $1,400 stimulus checks). Farmers are getting debt relief… but only minority farmers. Will there be any kind of accountability or will it be hidden in cryptic entries on some balance sheet? It is time to make sure that we keep an eye on what they do before it’s come and spent.

Walzy has been doing a bang up job with the whole COVID thing, at least if we listen to Minnesota media. Yet, things seem to be in shambles across the state. Dr. Scott Jensen is the first Republican to jump into the race for the Republicans, and he has been lambasted for his stance on masks, among other things. Once again, the media is carrying the Governor’s water and running cover for him. Surprise, surprise, surprise…

Have you checked out our Spotify playlist? At the beginning of each episode, Jason quotes some song lyrics that have to do with the subject matter of the podcast. Andrew never knows what they are, but now he can… and so can you! We’ve launched the Spotify playlist: “Community Solutions Music From the Podcast!” You can listen to Roundabout from Yes after listing to Episode 30 on Roundabouts… or kick back and enjoy a rocking playlist just for the thrill of it. We add a new song every week. Subscribe and enjoy!

Don’t forget that you can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify!