July 1 marks the beginning of the state’s 2004-05 budget biennium. Under the budget authored and approved by the governor and Republicans, citizens will see a number of cuts in services and increases in fees. Although the governor claims he did not increase taxes, I will always argue that a fee is a tax.The "pay more, get less" budget will impact families’ lives in a number of ways. They might not notice a big change right on July 1, but as they look for affordable daycare, renew their license plates, receive their children’s’ college tuition bills, visit state parks, discuss their parents’ nursing home bills with them, and receive their property tax statements, families will notice that the fees will add up.As the fees increase, services will decrease. Cities are having to cut back on police and fire protection, there is going to be a back log of court cases, 14,000 people are losing health insurance on July 1 and that number is going to increase, and organizations like the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program are drastically cutting their services.I appreciate all the input area residents gave me during the legislative session, and I encourage you to continue to contact me with your questions and concerns. I am interested in knowing how citizens will be impacted by the new budget and I always welcome your comments and concerns. Comments can be sent to my St. Paul office at 226 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, sen.jim.vickerman@senate.mn or 651-296-5094, or I can be contacted at home at 2252 221st St., Tracy, MN 56175 or 507-629-4878.Jim Vickerman, State Senator Dist. 22
