Letters to the editor at the Pioneer Press

By Bill Jungbuaer

Today, Sunday, May 20th, there are five letters to the editor which air their views about the proposed increase in the gas tax. Problem is they are all in favor of the increase. I do not believe any of these people realize the bill which proposes the increase also includes a one-half percent increase in sales tax within the seven county metro area. This bill also includes increases in the motor vehicle sales tax and licensing fees. One of these letters claims that business groups support the increase in the gas tax. This is wrong! Chambers of commerce last fall supported the Transportation Amendment sighting the need for increased funding for mass transit but do not support the gas tax increase. The gas tax increase and other proposed increases will only drive up the cost of doing business in Minnesota and pass the costs on to us, the consumers.

I ask you all today to pick up your pens and refute these asinine letters in the paper today! It is high time that the Pioneer Press cover both sides of the issues fairly. It seems funny to me that these letters are being printed today, the day before the scheduled end to the regular session at the capitol. Are the editors at the paper trying to influence the outcome at the capitol? I would hope not. I would like to remind you that opinions are just that, opinions. Yours and mine and the writers of today's letters, as well as those of the editors at the paper are just that, opinions. The editors at the paper have been wrong before. They are people too, just like us. Their opinion is no better or worse than yours or mine. Just another opinion.

Send your letters to, letters@pioneerpress.com

Contact the Governor here, tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us

Contact Senator Metzen at, sen.jim.metzen@senate.mn

Contact Representative Hansen at, rep.rick.hansen@house.mn

Contact Representative Atkins at, rep.joe.atkins@house.mn

Locate the email address of your senators here,
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_list.php?sort=a&ls=85#header

Locate the email address of your representatives here, http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/housemembers.asp