Here in Minnesota the democratic controlled legislature passed budget bills that left nearly a $3 billion budget shortfall. The legislature proposed closing the gap with tax increases.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) vetoed all of the tax increases. So, in order to balance the budget he is using the line item veto. Just prior to the end of the legislative session this year he told the legislators the following:
NOTE: In Minnesota the Democratic Party is named the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party.
“A key principle is that the DFL-controlled legislature shouldn’t spend more money than the state has available. Unfortunately, they have done just that and now I’ll fix it.”
“Passing a balanced budget is the legislature’s most fundamental job. Unfortunately, so far this year the DFL majority has failed to get the job done. In January, I outlined a balanced budget that prioritized important areas like public safety, military and veterans, and K-12 education. Now we’re in the final days of this legislative session and it’s time to let the people of Minnesota know that this will be resolved. It should get done on time and I’m saying it will get done on time."
“If the DFL cannot balance this budget without reaching into Minnesotans’ pockets and increasing our already uncompetitive taxes in ways that will kill job growth, I’m prepared to make the tough decisions they’ve avoided and take action to balance the budget.”
“I’m willing to work with the DFL on a reasonable plan, but I’m not willing to let them squeeze more money out of taxpayers and further burden job creators and employers in the midst of the toughest economy in more than 60 years. One way or another, we will get the budget situation resolved, keeping taxpayers and families first in our minds.”