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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2007
Contact: Phil Krinkie
(651) 294-3590 ext 202
Democrats Pass Largest Tax Increase in State History
Six Republicans defect
St. Paul - DFLers are playing high-stakes poker at the Capitol these days, and the only thing certain is that taxpayers will be the losers.
The DFL leaders in both the House and the Senate have insisted that the transportation bill that was voted on and passed today would be the only opportunity legislators would have to pass funding for vital transportation projects.
That threat, along with cajoling by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and other lobbying groups, helped garner some Republican votes for the passage of the $6.6 billion tax increase. It is unclear, however, how many Republicans who voted for the bill will side with the Governor if he follows through on his threat to veto the bill.
“We always knew that a large tax increase would pass the legislature, just as one did last year,” said Phil Krinkie, President of the Taxpayers League. “We are counting on the legislators who voted to sustain the veto last year to do so again this year.”
“I’m shocked that the legislature is seriously considering a huge tax increase during these challenging economic times. This bill will cost the average Minnesotafamily of four over $500 a year in higher taxes,” Krinkie added.
“Poll after poll has shown that Minnesotans oppose gas and sales tax increases. It is the height of arrogance to simply ignore that fact,” Krinkie concluded.
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