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RESOLUTION NO. 8151 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE SHIFTING OF FEDERAL FUNDING PRIORITIES FROM WASTEFUL PENTAGON SPENDING TO MEETING THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES Whereas, in 2011, Minnesota government was shut down over disputes as to how to address a $5 billion two-year budget shortfall; and Whereas, in 2013, the Minnesota State Budget shortfall was $627 million; and Whereas, this resolution does not seek to cut the Veterans Administration budget, which is separate from the Pentagon budget, as our nation has a responsibility to provide veterans with quality medical and health care services and other supportive programs, including opportunities for training, education, and meaningful jobs; and Whereas, many small towns, cities and rural communities in Minnesota are managing austerity budgets, and/or laying off staff, and/or cutting back essential services in response to cuts in state aid (LGA) and/or federal cuts to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); and Whereas, Minnesota taxpayer spending for war far exceeds the state's budget deficits; Minnesotans were committed to spend more than $26 billion to fund the Iraq and Afghan wars since 2001, with most of these costs having been added to the national debt; and Whereas, in addition to these two costly wars, Minnesota taxpayers spent more than $16 billion in 2012 for our share of the base Pentagon budget, a budget that increased from $290.5 billion to $526 billion between 2000 and 2011; and Whereas, Mounds View taxpayers have spent approximately $24.39 million (or approximately $2000 per person) for the base Pentagon budget in 2012; and Whereas, in 2012, approximately 59 cents of every dollar of federal discretionary spending is funding Pentagon spending; and Whereas, The United States Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution at its 2011 annual meeting, "Calling on Congress to Redirect Military Spending to Domestic Needs"; and Whereas, our nation desperately needs to better balance its approach to security by going beyond military defense to include the economic, social, and environmental needs of our communities, state, and nation.