Minnesota's grassroots are getting activated

There's no doubt that something transformative is happening in Minnesota literally as we're speaking. Earlier this week, 98 mayor of cities across Minnesota signed onto Jackson Purfeerst's stinging rebuke of a letter to Gov. Walz and the legislature, though I think the letter was mostly directed at the DFL Trifecta legislature of 2023-24 than to the GOP. According to the letter, "property tax increases 'stem directly from state policies, mandates, and cost shifts that leave cities with no choice but to pass these burdens onto homeowners and businesses.'"

What the letter is is a call to return to capitalism and growth. It specifically cites Minnesota's anemic GDP and job growth. This isn't a call to tinker around the edges a little. When he was interviewed on Fox, J. Andrew Mullin, Wayzata's mayor, talked about macro economics, suggesting he needed a more dynamic economy that would take pressure off people's property tax bill. These DFL legislators are perfectly comfortable with any type of tax increase, whether through inflation, regulations, property taxes, sales taxes or income taxes. Here's the videotaped interview:

. As mayor, he signed onto a letter that opened with this:

As mayors representing cities of every size across the State of Minnesota, we are on the front lines of delivering essential services, maintaining public safety, and ensuring that our communities remain places where families and businesses can thrive. It is from this position of direct responsibility that we write to express deep concern—and growing frustration—about the fiscal direction of the state and its increasing impact on our cities and the residents we serve.

Minnesotans watched an historic $18 billion surplus disappear in a single biennium, only to now face an updated projected $2.9 billion-$3 billion deficit in the 2028-29 biennium." As mayors, we see firsthand how these decisions ripple outward. Fraud, unchecked spending, and inconsistent fiscal management in St. Paul have trickled down to our cities—reducing our capacity to plan responsibly, maintain infrastructure, hire and retain employees, and sustain core services without overburdening local taxpayers.

This establishes that Minnesota has been fiscally mismanaged. This Chamber report strengthens that argument:

• 33rd in GDP growth
• 39th in job growth
• 40th in labor force growth
• 33rd in per-capita income growth
• 46th in median household income growth
• 44th in tech job growth
• 44th in overall tax competitiveness

That isn't the last of the grassroots activism. This article highlights a petition being circulated by a mother whose child has autism. When this mother heardd about the autism care fraud, she took action:

After seeing a story on X about a fraud case involving $14 million for a fake autism center, one Minnesota mom was fed up and took action.

"I’ve never really been political, but I had to do something," said the mom, who goes by Minnesota Lady America First on X. "Having a child on the spectrum, I was angry. For something this big to happen in our state, Tim Walz had to know about it. I’m just hoping enough people wake up."

The petition:

Citing “financial mismanagement and a loss of confidence among the state’s citizens,” she recently launched a Change.org petition calling for Walz’s resignation.

"Sign this petition if you believe that Minnesota deserves better leadership, accountability, and a government that truly serves its people. Your voice is crucial in making a change that could benefit generations to come. Join us in demanding Governor Walz, Peggy Flanagan, Keith Ellison, Ilhan Omar and Steve Simon resign for the betterment of our beloved state and its hardworking families."

More than 11,000 names have been added to the petition, “Demand Governor Tim Walz Admin Resign in Minnesota,” which lists issues of questionable integrity of state leaders, a faltering state economy, widespread fraud, betrayed public trust and denying aid to Minnesotans truly in need. The petition has been active for only a month after being created on Nov. 21.

Fraud is just the high-profile scandal. The chronic fiscal mismanagement by Gov. Walz and the DFL legislature is disturbing, too. Mix in a little fraud against children that legitimately need help and you've got quite the toxic stew.