Spending Reductions
·
Elimination of pensions for elected
officials, beginning with those elected for the first time in 2010 – Eventual
cost savings of $789,000/year
·
2% across the board cuts in all
departments with the exception of those affiliated with education,
transportation, public safety, Veterans Affairs, and aid to the developmentally
disabled. Includes the elimination of the Arts Board, the Housing Cost Reduction
Initiative, the Homebuyer and Rehabilitation Program, the closure of Ethan
Allen Juvenile Detention Center, and the elimination of the office of Secretary
of State – Estimated savings of $455 million
·
The above number also includes $180
million in savings from state employees paying their share of pensions
·
Eliminate the 5% state income tax
credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings used for income producing
purposes, including residential rental
Government Reform
·
Require all State agencies and departments
to complete Lean training. (Business principles of efficiency developed by
Toyota) Create the Office of Lean that will be charged with overseeing the
implementation of Lean principles. Reports on Lean principles implemented and
the results of those processes shall be published biennially.
Business Climate Reform
·
Phase out the corporate tax in four
years. First year from 7.9% to 6%. Second year to 4%, third year to 2%, and
fourth year to 0%. The corporate income tax is often passed on to consumers via higher prices of products/services and less jobs.
·
By year 3, eliminate all corporate
tax credits and incentives. This eliminates elected officials ability to reward individual companies with special favors.
·
By year 4, eliminate the personal
property tax (for business equipment). The personal property tax hurts manufacturing and is a disincentive to modernize equipment.
·
Require all State/DNR permits to be
reviewed and issued/denied within 120 days of receipt of complete application
·
Require that any new environmental
regulations on businesses have a delayed implementation date a minimum of 3
years from passage of the regulation in order to allow for businesses and municipalities to plan
for the costs.
Entitlement Reform
·
Any State assistance provided to
persons that are both physically and mentally fit for full time/unsubsidized
work must be limited to 3 consecutive years
or periods of time equally 3 years
in a 10 year period of time. In months 25-36 benefits will be reduced by
50%.
·
Waivers will be requested by the
State for any assistance programs funded and controlled by the federal
government and administered by the State in order to implement the same
limitations listed above
·
Require that all state employees
involved in processing applications for state/federal benefits ask applicants
to provide proof of identification and citizenship. Those unable or unwilling
to provide such evidence shall have their information provided on the
application kept on file and reported on a monthly basis to Immigrations and
Customs Enforcement
Paid for by Steineke for Assembly,
Heather Steineke, Treasurer