Posted on 06/19/2011 3:46:34 AM PDT by rhema
During the gubernatorial campaign, Mark Dayton said he would not shut down government. In his State of the State address, Gov. Dayton said: "It should not happen; it need not happen - not as long as we are willing to work together and to compromise our individual views for the common good."
We couldn't agree more.
As Republican leaders in the Minnesota Legislature, we have no interest in shutting down government. We want to get down to brass tacks and resolve the state's budget before the June 30 deadline. But we are currently the only party to this negotiation.
Despite what you may have heard, a government shutdown is not necessary. The Republican budget as passed by the Minnesota Legislature in May funded government operations, providing an increase in spending. Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed it.
At $34 billion, the Republican budget is the largest in state history. It is $4 billion more than the state raised in revenue for the current biennium. But it's not enough for Gov. Dayton. Gov. Dayton wants to raise taxes to grow government.
The problem with Gov. Dayton's budget is that it does not exist. Since revising his tax proposal a month ago, the governor has failed to identify how he would spend the $1.8 billion in additional revenue. Thus far he has not proposed any reductions in spending to close the budget gap. Even with his increased tax burden on small business owners and job providers, Gov. Dayton still doesn't have the money to fund his proposed spending.
His non-existent plan isn't anything he or his administration is apparently worried about. During a recent Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy meeting, the Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner said a plan did not exist. That simple statement defines the governor's. He has no plan. He just wants to raise taxes, and he is getting ready to shut down government in a careless attempt to force the issue.
Since the end of the legislative session, Republicans have pursued compromise. In our first offer, we proposed to fund the state's core priorities - schools, cops and courts. We met Gov. Dayton at his proposed funding level for 50 percent of the state's entire general fund budget, providing an additional $80 million for education and $30 million for public safety.
This past week we amended our offer with a major concession. We sacrificed our commitment to providing tax relief to small business owners and property owners. This was not an easy decision, but one made in the spirit of compromise. In addition, we proposed additional funding for higher education, the environment, transportation, and flood and disaster relief.
We are putting our individual beliefs aside to reach an agreement with Gov. Dayton. We hope he will do the same and give up his tax increase.
We again have a choice: 1. Shut down government in an attempt to raise taxes or 2. Support a balanced budget with new revenue, spending cuts and government reforms that provide a more stable, sustainable fiscal future for the state of Minnesota.
We can't negotiate a budget when only one side has a complete budget on the table. The Republican budget includes all revenues and expenditures. Gov. Dayton's budget is nothing more than a tax increase.
Once again our cards are on the table. It's time for Gov. Dayton to show us his budget. Both sides of the ledger: revenue and expenditures.
Minnesota taxpayers have a right to know what his fiscal priorities are and how he plans to spend the largest budget ever in Minnesota.
Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, is the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, is Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate.
The problem with Gov. Dayton's budget is that it does not exist. Since revising his tax proposal a month ago, the governor has failed to identify how he would spend the $1.8 billion in additional revenue. Thus far he has not proposed any reductions in spending to close the budget gap. Even with his increased tax burden on small business owners and job providers, Gov. Dayton still doesn't have the money to fund his proposed spending.
His non-existent plan isn't anything he or his administration is apparently worried about. During a recent Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy meeting, the Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner said a plan did not exist. That simple statement defines the governor's. He has no plan. He just wants to raise taxes, and he is getting ready to shut down government in a careless attempt to force the issue.
If you’re not getting a tax cut, you’re getting a pay cut.
To an outsider, me, they sound like they’re whining.
And who is this Alita Messinger who has contributed so mightily – over $1.46 million over the past four years! – to the cause of disinforming Minnesotans about Republicans? Other than the youngest daughter of John D. Rockefeller III?
Mark Dayton: Buying Minnesota With Daddy’s Money
So how are the local media framing this as the fault of the Republicans, as I’m sure they are being blamed?
The media are on message with the Dems, and there's been somewhere between 1.2 and 3 million dollars worth of media buys by unions and other fellow travelers blaming the Republicans. Where's the MN GOP? I'm not sure, but it'd be nice to have our side have a strategy and a message and the ability to spread it.
Your communist allies don’t control the legislature anymore Dayton! No tax hikes.
Election stealing bastard should be removed from office along with Franken.
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“And who is this Alida Messinger who has contributed so mightily – over $1.46 million over the past four years! – to the cause of disinforming Minnesotans about Republicans?”
Believe it or not - she’s Mark Dayton’s former first wife.
The daily/nightly sob stories about someone now reliant on some goobermint program you never knew existed.
I learned we even have a state owned bison herd.
Yep, we’d never survive without that.
Repetition for retention. Needs repeating.
How many times must I say it? When good compromises with evil, it is only evil that will profit. DO NOT COMPROMISE WITH THE ENEMY!!! You see what they do, again and again and again. As far as the Democrats are concerned, they have already won since they got a Republican legislature to pass the biggest budget in state history. And you really want that as your legacy? Minnesota Republicans, you have already been PWN3D by Dayton. Never begin negotiations from your point of compromise. Start at zero and work your way up.
I got a pre-written letter from a staffer:
Thank you for taking the time to send our office a letter. We appreciate your sharing your thoughts on a solution to balancing our state budget.
Budgets are about dollars and cents, but they are also a reflection of our values and priorities, and how we choose to close this budget gap will speak volumes about the kind of state we want to be. Governor Dayton has made it clear that he cannot support the all-cuts budget that came to his desk from the Legislature. He believes the negative impacts are just too great on Minnesotans and our communities.
Governor Dayton has put forward a different choice – one that combines tough but responsible cuts with new revenue, by asking the top 2% of income earners to pay more. This is in stark contrast to a Republican proposal that would raise property taxes, cause thousands of Minnesotans to lose their health care, and deliver deep cuts to higher education, our schools, and services to seniors and the disabled.
From the beginning of the legislative session, it has been clear that compromise would be necessary to balance our state’s budget. Minnesotans, in their wisdom, voted for a divided government because they want each party to work together and compromise. With more than a week to go in the Legislative session, the Governor offered a fair and balanced compromise to meet the Republicans half-way. So far, the Legislature has not agreed to the governor’s offer to meet halfway.
Minnesotans now have the opportunity to judge for themselves the choices that were made at the Capitol. The Governor will continue to work towards compromise in the hope the Legislature is willing to take even one step towards the middle and a balanced solution.
Thank you again for your letter. Please continue to contact our office with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hill
Office of Governor Mark Dayton
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