Minnesota legislative leaders worked hard and found common ground with Governor Mark Dayton on a number of difficult issues during the legislative session – from streamlining Minnesota’s environmental permitting process to opening new pathways for bringing top tier college graduates and seasoned mid-career professionals into Minnesota classrooms.

Unfortunately Governor Dayton insisted on raising taxes, and the regular legislative session ended in May without a budget agreement.

Now the clock is ticking toward a state government shutdown on July 1. And Governor Dayton refuses to budge.

The Legislature passed the largest budget in state history – $34 billion. That’s a 6 percent increase in state general fund spending and provides more money for our schools.

$34 billion may not be as much as Governor Dayton wants to spend, but it’s as much as Minnesota will have in its checkbook over the next two years. That ought to be enough.

Tell Governor Dayton we don’t need a tax increase and a government shutdown. Tell him we need a responsible, $34 billion budget that protects essential investments without increasing Minnesota’s already heavy tax burden.

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Content with citations:

Graphic: Clock ticking down

Audio:

Governor Dayton and the legislature have been working on the state budget for five months.

The legislature passed a responsible budget that increases spending by 6% (1) - and spends more on education and health care (2) without raising taxes.

That’s the largest budget in state history (3) and spends only what’s in the state checkbook.

But Governor Dayton wants to raise taxes to spend even more.

Time’s running out.

Tell Governor Dayton to accept the Legislature’s plan.

And don’t shut down government.

Citations:

(1) 2010/2011 budget = $32.5 billion

2012/2013 GOP budget = $34.4 billion

5.8% increase in spending

(2) “2012-13 General Fund Budget Summary” from non-partisan House and Senate Fiscal staff: link.

(3) “Historical Expenditures: General Fund and All Funds” from Minnesota Management & Budget: link.