The Taxpayers Legaue of Minnesota

Four of them defeated in primary or endorsement and not running as a Republican

ST. PAUL – The primary election held Tuesday produced another defeat to a legislator who voted to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the Transportation bill that included a gas tax increase.  Rep. Neil Peterson (R-Bloomington) lost the Republican endorsement and then challenged the endorsed house district 41B candidate, Jan Schneider, in the primary.  Peterson came up short with 43% to Schneider’s 57% in part thanks to groups like the Taxpayers League of Minnesota who have been at the forefront of holding legislators accountable for their vote in favor of overriding Governor Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the $6.6 billion transit and transportation tax bill.

“The Taxpayers League of Minnesota has consistently taken a strong position in opposition to the gas tax increase bill and when legislators like Rep. Peterson voted to override the veto, we committed to holding him accountable,” said Phil Krinkie, President of the Taxpayers League.  “Today, I am pleased to announce that we have been successful in following through on our promise.”

As of the primary election, four of the override six legislators have either announced they were not running or were defeated in their endorsement or primary and will not be on the ballot as a Republican on Election Day.

“It is interesting that many legislators were so proud of the $6.6 billion in tax increases that the legislature passed during this legislative session,” Krinkie continued.  “Now come election time, a whole lot of tax and spend legislators are worried about their records and we will be reminding voters everyday until November 4^th how their legislator votes.”

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