FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: PHIL KRINKIE

PHONE: 651-294-3590

DFL Legislature Fails to Come Up With Budget Solution, Governor Will Send Them Home and Finish Their Job for Them

ST. PAUL – After four and a half months the State Legislature adjourned at midnight Monday without a real solution toMinnesota’s $6.4 billion budget deficit.  As the DFL leadership travels the state today making excuses for failing to get their work done, Governor Pawlenty is at the Capitol working to clean up the mess they left.

Just like the Twins who failed in four attempts to beat the New York Yankees, the DFL controlled legislature went down swinging in their fourth desperate attempt to extort more money from Minnesota taxpayers.  Their last strike out was similar to their previous at bats which contain higher income taxes and a doubling of taxes on alcohol.  “Like a runner trying to steal home, this last ditch effort by the Democrats will be thrown out when it reaches the Governor’s desk,” saidPhil Krinkie, President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota.  “Similar to the Twins returning home after losing four straight, the Democrats are leaving the Capitol after four and a half months, having failed to balance the state’s budget,” added Krinkie.

“House Speaker Margaret Kelliher and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller didn’t accomplish the primary purpose of the session because they refused to discuss with the Governor a real budget solution that didn’t include tax increases.  Now the Governor will have to finish the job they left undone and close the budget gap my making the necessary spending reductions,” added Krinkie.

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