Tag: Rep. Paulsen

Shifting wealth to the super rich

To the Editor:

The problem with politics today is that the truth is often hidden with half-truths.

Mr. Beaudette’s letter “Supply-side economics works” (Nov. 16) is a perfect example. He is correct that the federal tax revenues did increase dramatically during President Ronald Reagan’s years in office, and also during the term of President George H.W. Bush.

What he fails to mention is that national debt rose even faster during this period. Looking at the ratio of federal debt to the nation’s gross income, or gross domestic product (GDP), we see that it fell from 125 percent at the end of World War II to 30 percent by 1980. It rose during Reagan’s term, with the tax cuts, from 30 percent to 50 percent. Continue reading “Shifting wealth to the super rich”

‘We Are Angry’

The following article by Sean Miner was posted on the Eden Prairie Sun-Sailor website November 23, 2017:

Retirees protest Rep. Paulsen’s support of tax overhaul legislation

More than 0 men and women, most of them retirees, gathered outside Third District Rep. Erik Paulsen’s office in Eden Prairie Nov. 16 to protest Paulsen’s support of the tax overhaul bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives later that same day.

The demonstrators, organized by the Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, delivered a letter voicing their displeasure to the letter. Continue reading “‘We Are Angry’”

Letter: A simple tax plan isn’t always better

To the Editor:

Congressman Erik Paulsen has been urging us to support the Republican tax plan because it is simpler. He even promised we can spend more time with our families instead of having to do our taxes. However, simpler isn’t always better. Life is complex, and sometimes our tax returns reflect that complexity.

In eliminating complexity, this proposed law eliminates some important deductions. Congressman Paulsen called these “loopholes.” I call them important financial strategies to help us some of us while we are in economic hard times. Continue reading “Letter: A simple tax plan isn’t always better”

As Rep. Erik Paulsen votes for tax bill, his staffer stonewalls concerned seniors

The following article by Susan Du was posted on the CityPages website November 17, 2017:

The U.S. House passed the Republican tax bill Thursday afternoon along party lines, though 13 Republicans broke ranks to vote against the proposal.

All three Minnesota Republicans in Congress voted for the tax bill.

The bill contains big tax cuts for corporations and millionaires, which it pays for by eliminating deductions for student loans, medical expenses, and on state and local sales and income taxes.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would raise deficits by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, which Congress will have to pay for. One way to find extra money: cutting the cost of supporting America’s most vulnerable. If the GOP tax bill passes both chambers, the Office of Management and Budget would be required to seize $136 billion from mandatory spending programs like Medicare, which could be slashed by $25 billion in 2018.  Continue reading “As Rep. Erik Paulsen votes for tax bill, his staffer stonewalls concerned seniors”

Letter: GOP tax plan isn’t good for everyone

The new tax rates proposed by the Republican House will increase what a typical Eden Prairie homeowner pays in income taxes. Rep. Erik Paulsen is pitching this deficit-busting plan by saying it’s good for everyone. It’s not.

Fortunately, it’s not too hard to check the facts. The median household income for Eden Prairie is $97,600. The median Eden Prairie home value is $303,000. The typical property tax for this home value is about $4,000.

If one assumes a 240,000 at 4 percent interest for 30 years, the interest for one year is $9,500. Continue reading “Letter: GOP tax plan isn’t good for everyone”

Shocking: Erik Paulsen backs a tax plan that helps his corporate supporters

The following article by Cory Zurowski was posted on the CityPages website November 14, 2017:

The ink on the Republican tax bill blueprint was still wet when Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) shared morning coffee with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer.

What’s in the GOP tax plan for you? According to Rep. Paulsen, it’s making filing returns so simple you will “complete it on a postcard.” Credit: Star Tribune/Glen Stubbe

It was late September. GOP leaders had unveiled what could become the most significant tax code overhaul in generations, the centerpiece of which is slashing the corporate rate by around 43 percent.

Paulsen, who represents a district that wraps around the western metro from Chanhassen to Wayzata to Coon Rapids, sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, the body tasked with banging out the bill’s details.

“That’s a great question,” Paulsen told Wurzer after she asked how “big tax cuts for everyone” would benefit low-income and middle class earners. Continue reading “Shocking: Erik Paulsen backs a tax plan that helps his corporate supporters”

House Panel Approves GOP Tax Measure

NOTE:  Rep. Erik Paulsen serves on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.

The following article by Ryan McCrimmon was posted on the Roll Call website November 9, 2017:

Chamber’s version differs markedly from Senate proposal

From left, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, ranking member Richard E. Neal and California Rep. Mike Thompson attend a committee markup of House Republican tax bill on Thursday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday approved the Republican tax plan after making key changes such as raising repatriation tax rates on corporate cash held abroad, restoring the adoption child credit and changing the bill’s treatment of “pass-through” businesses.

Committee members voted along party lines, 24-16, to approve the legislation setting up a likely House floor vote next week. The substantive changes Thursday came in a so-called manager’s amendment from Chairman Kevin Brady who unveiled the package less than an hour before the panel took it up, prompting an outcry from Democrats.

After the four-day Ways and Means markup, the legislation will next head to the House Rules Committee — likely early next week — where any final changes could still be made by Republican leaders before the bill goes to the House floor later in the week. Continue reading “House Panel Approves GOP Tax Measure”

This is Medicaid Coalition warns Paulsen: Medicaid cuts would depreciate life for many

The following article by Lara Bockenstedt was posted on the Lakeshore Weekly website November 3, 2017:

People with signs joined storytellers at the press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Credit: Lara Bockenstedt

WAYZATA — When representatives told stories of people who depend on Medicaid to live comfortably, each had the same message: cuts to Medicaid would depreciate life for many in Minnesota.

Representatives from Hammer Residences, Lutheran Social Service, Jewish Family & Children’s Service and St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development spoke Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Hammer Residences.

It was part of the This is Medicaid Coalition, calling on 3rd District U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Continue reading “This is Medicaid Coalition warns Paulsen: Medicaid cuts would depreciate life for many”

Emmer, Paulsen, and Lewis decide the deficit isn’t so important after all

The following article by Susan Du was posted on the CityPages website October 27, 2017:

Credit:  Jared Yamahata

Minnesota’s three Republican congressmen — Tom Emmer, Jason Lewis, and Erik Paulsen — share an essential creed. Americans are being overtaxed. Government spending is out of control. And the national debt — now at $20 trillion — is an outrage.

Paulsen has called the debt the “single biggest threat to national security.”

Lewis vowed in May to “protect our children’s future from Washington’s unsustainable and reckless spending … by funding programs that actually work for Americans and making sensible reforms to tackle the debt.”

In fact, paying down the debt is so important to both him and Emmer, both voted against spending on hurricane disaster relief. That’s the definition of sticking to your principles. Continue reading “Emmer, Paulsen, and Lewis decide the deficit isn’t so important after all”

Republican Representative Paulsen Votes for Budget Cuts that Will Hurt Minnesotan Families

Credit: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune

Republican Representatives Tom Emmer, Erik Paulsen, and Jason Lewis today voted to pass a budget that will hurt Minnesotan families. The budget makes drastic cuts to vital programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. It eliminates the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which saves Minnesotans thousands of dollars per year. On top of that, it is predicted to increase the budget deficit by at least $1.5 trillion.

“A budget is a moral document, and the Republican budget is a moral failure,” DFL Chairman Ken Martin said. “Minnesotans deserve a budget that ensures financial stability for the country–and for their family. This document does neither. It cuts critical programs that help working families keep food on the table while putting our nation on the path of economic disaster. Republican Representatives Emmer, Paulsen, and Lewis must be held accountable for voting for this misguided budget that will harm the nation’s economy, and Minnesotan’s pocketbooks.” Continue reading “Republican Representative Paulsen Votes for Budget Cuts that Will Hurt Minnesotan Families”