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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2008
Contact: Phil Krinkie
(651) 294-3590
Taxpayers League Releases 2008 Legislative Scorecard
Eight legislators earn “Best Friend of the Taxpayer” award
ST. PAUL – The Taxpayers League of Minnesota this week released their annual Legislative Scorecard for the 2008 state legislative session; a release which marks the 12th time that the Taxpayers League has ranked Minnesota legislators based on their votes on issues related to taxes and state spending.
The Taxpayers League’s annual Legislative Scorecard is Minnesota’s most authoritative ranking of state legislators based on fiscal issues and not only provides a substantial accounting of each year’s legislative record, but also a lifetime score for legislators that have served multiple terms.
“The Taxpayers League Legislative Scorecard is the best device Minnesotans have to determine who’s after their wallet and what lawmakers intend to do with it once they’ve got it,” said Phil Krinkie, President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. Politicians are famous for promising one thing during a campaign and then voting another way during the legislative session. “Our Scorecard is a voter’s guide to hold legislators accountable. This election will be a great opportunity for taxpayers to vote out the people who imposed billions of dollars in new taxes” added Krinkie.
The Legislature’s vote to override Governor Pawlenty on the $6.6 billion tax increase for transit and transportation figures prominently in the 2008 Scorecard. In addition, this year’s scorecard explains the House and Senate’s passage of a Constitutional amendment that would dedicate $300 million in new sales tax to environmental and “cultural heritage” programs (House and Senate Vote #1).
To be named a “Best Friend of the Taxpayer” during a legislative session, a Representative or Senator must score a perfect 100% on the votes selected by the Taxpayers League. The 2008 “Best Friends” are Rep. Bruce Anderson [R-Buffalo Township], Rep. Mark Buesgens [R-Jordan], Rep. Tom Emmer [R-Delano], Rep. Tom Hackbarth [R-Cedar], Rep. Mark Olson [R-Big Lake], Sen. David Hann [R-Eden Prairie] and Sen. Warren Limmer [R-Maple Grove], and Sen. Julianne Ortman [R-Chanhassen].
Print and PDF copies of the 2008 Legislative Scorecard (as well as previous editions) may be obtained at www.taxpayersleague.org or by emailing Mark Giga at markg [at] taxpayersleague [dot] org.
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