A Practical Plan to Help Minnesota Pay Its Bills Without Raising Taxes on Working Families
- Bill E Gates JR

- Dec 27, 2025
- 3 min read
Minnesotans work hard. We pay our taxes. And every year it feels like the answer to every problem is the same: pay more.
I believe Minnesota can do better.
This plan is about building income for the state, not squeezing more out of the people.
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The Idea — In Plain English
Instead of relying almost entirely on taxes, Minnesota should carefully explore owning a small number of businesses that:
meet real public needs
compete fairly in the free market
generate revenue to support schools, infrastructure, and essential services
If a family can earn income instead of going into debt, why can’t a state?
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This Isn’t Radical — It’s Practical
Government-owned enterprises already exist:
USPS
Amtrak
Public utilities
State-owned banks in other states
Public broadband and power systems across the country
Other countries use public enterprises to lower taxes and stabilize public services.
The question isn’t “Has this ever been done?”
The question is “Can Minnesota do it responsibly?”
I believe we can.
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How It Would Work (No Guesswork)
1. Study First – Independent feasibility studies before any action
2. Start Small – Pilot programs only, no massive rollouts
3. Strict Oversight – Public audits, transparency, performance benchmarks
4. Profit with Purpose – Revenue locked to education, infrastructure, and tax relief
5. Shut It Down if It Fails – No endless bailouts
If it doesn’t work, it ends. Period.
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What This Plan Is — and Is Not
This IS:
long-term planning
smart investment
reducing pressure on taxpayers
protecting schools from budget swings
This is NOT:
socialism
government taking over private business
raising taxes
eliminating the free market
Private businesses stay private. The state simply competes where it makes sense.
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Why This Matters to You
If we keep doing what we’re doing, the future looks like:
higher taxes
higher fees
unstable school funding
If we plan ahead:
education funding becomes predictable
tax pressure eases over time
Minnesota becomes more self-sufficient
This isn’t about left or right.
It’s about common sense.
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FAQ — Straight Answers
Isn’t this socialism?
No. This is market participation, not market replacement.
The state competes like any other business — and must succeed or shut down.
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Will this raise my taxes?
No. The goal is the opposite: reduce reliance on taxes over time.
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What kinds of businesses are you talking about?
Only areas where:
demand already exists
costs are high for consumers
a public option could compete responsibly
Nothing is decided without study and public review.
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What happens if a state-owned business fails?
It closes. No blank checks. No endless subsidies.
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Why not just tax corporations more?
Because corporations don’t pay taxes — customers do.
Raising taxes often means higher prices for everyone.
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Who watches the money?
Independent audits, public reporting, legislative oversight, and transparency requirements.
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Has this worked anywhere else?
Yes. In the U.S. and abroad — especially where governments treat enterprises like businesses, not politics.
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Is this your only plan to fund education?
No. But it’s a long-term solution that helps stabilize funding instead of constantly chasing budget shortfalls.
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Final Word to Voters
I’m not promising miracles.
I’m promising a serious plan that treats Minnesota like a household that wants to build income — not just raise bills.
If we’re willing to think ahead, Minnesota can become a state that pays its own way and becomes a model others look to.
That’s the goal.

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