The Taxpayers Legaue of Minnesota

A non-partisan, non-profit grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization for Minnesota

Taxpayers Lose at the Capitol PDF Print E-mail
Press Releases - Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2008

Contact: Phil Krinkie

(651) 294-3590 ext 202

Taxpayers Lose at the Capitol

Billions in tax increases pass

St. Paul - Governor Pawlenty’s veto was overridden today capping a week of enormous pressure by interest groups and the DFL leadership at the Capitol.

Today’s vote was a huge loss for taxpayers, who in poll after poll have expressed opposition to tax increases. The bill, with a price tag 50% higher than the one rejected last year after a gubernatorial veto, was passed by the DFL majorities in the House and Senate despite the fact that Governor Pawlenty had promised a veto. No attempt to compromise with the Governor was made.

“Special interests carried the day, and taxpayers lost,” said Phil Krinkie, President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. “In poll after poll, taxpayers expressed their opposition to these tax increases but their voices were muted by special interest lobbyists.”

The DFL leadership threatened that there would be only one shot at passing a transportation bill this session, and six Republicans capitulated to their blackmail.

“The tax and spenders took the day at the State Capitol by passing the largest tax increase in recent history. The billions of dollars in new taxes will hurt all Minnesotafamilies,” Krinkie concluded.