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PRESS RELEASE: SENATE AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR ACTION
By Michael B. Brodkorb | March 29, 2007
SAINT PAUL – (March 29, 2007) – Minnesota Senate and House Republicans today stood united in calling for an end to the tax and spending spree that has dominated the 2007 legislative session.
"It's time to get real with the voters of Minnesota, who expect us to live up to the promises we've made," said Senate Republican Leader Dave Senjem. "Those promises included finding reasonable ways to fund our priorities without huge tax increases."
Democrats have introduced more than $4 billion in tax increases this session. Within the past week, the transportation package fueled by four new taxes passed the Minnesota Legislature. Democrats in the Minnesota House are using their proposed income tax increase to fund their initiatives. Senate Democrats are expected to introduce a $1 billion income tax increase on Friday.
"Fiscal responsibility is more than a campaign slogan. It is a principle by which we govern," said House Republican Leader Marty Seifert. "We have a $34 billion budget. There is room in this budget to fund education and healthcare, and there is room to provide tax relief. Minnesota taxpayers should not be asked to shoulder the burden of multi-billion dollar tax increases."
Citing Governor Pawlenty's clear direction that he will veto any tax increase, Senate and House Republicans said any bill that uses revenue from a proposed tax increase is a waste of time.
"We have spent weeks funding legislative priorities with money that doesn't exist. We stand firm with Governor Pawlenty that government growth should not exceed the growth of family income," Senjem said. "The Democrats need a back-up plan because Governor Pawlenty's vetoes will be upheld in both bodies of the Minnesota Legislature."
Republicans said the Democrats have failed to address the "bread and butter" issues they campaigned on during the fall elections.
"The legislative session is nothing more than a shell game. The bread and butter agenda has been replaced by tax increases, increased spending and government regulation," Seifert said. "The taxpayers of Minnesota have fallen prey to the slight of hand by the Democrats. It is time to end the partisan games and focus on the real work."
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34 Responses to “PRESS RELEASE: SENATE AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR ACTION”
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March 29th, 2007 at 11:19 AM
‘Bout time the Repub collective grew a pair. They also need to scream it from the rooftops. Too few outside the Metro know about any of this.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:35 AM
To the tune of “A few of my favorite things”:
Ever high taxes and al Queda leaders
Punish the wealthy and become retreaters
Cowards and thieves, lazy reprieves,
These are a few of liberals favorite things…
Beholden to unions and failed educators
Firing firemen and hamstringing policers
Fund the abortions and wed the gays
These are the favorite games liberals play
When inflation spikes
When the terrorists attack
When the economy shrinks
I think of the laws that the liberals pass
And that makes me feel so sad….
March 29th, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Too bad, nobody cares what the minority thinks.
March 29th, 2007 at 1:55 PM
“Too bad, nobody cares what the minority thinks”.
A comment you NEVER heard out of a republican’s mouth for the lengthy time we were in the majority. And an attitude that will be the undoing of fringe liberalism as we know it.
When are the decent and respectable liberals going to stand up and say enough is enough with their ridiculous fringe agenda?
Minnesotans never forget this type of blatant nincompoopism.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:38 PM
This is perfect. Let them shoot themselves in the foot. This is what you get when your average idiot thinks voting democrat in the state legislature will make a statement towards the war in the middle east.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Tom Jenkins I assume you will be just fine when the democRats become the minority again that we dismiss any of their idea’s yes??
Funny thing is your side was crying like little babies when they were in the minority for how many years?
I say let them dig their hole. Eventually the voters will say enough is enough it does seem true that every time you elect democRats you get big tax hikes!
DFL = “Dirty Filthy Liars”
“God bless the troops and forgive the democRats”
March 29th, 2007 at 2:55 PM
All you have to do is look is look at the federal government when it was under Republican control to see how much they respect the minority. Bush managed to “change the tone in DC” from poor to total horseshit. Republicans gave up “legitimate discourse” on just about any issue long ago. Let me know when the wing-nuts stop running your party and then let’s talk.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:30 PM
Bush changed the tone? No. Bush haters changed the tone, and not for the better. George Bush rarely lets loose with partisan rhetoric. It’s the left that calls him a Nazi, a warmonger, a terrorist, the devil and worse. Meanwhile, real terrorists are referred to as “enemy combatants”
March 29th, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Looks like Tom escaped from rehab and is back on the liberal blogs again. Cleary he’s getting his crap from space because he’s sure not breathing our air.
It used to be that democrats claimed to be for “the minority”, the “little guy”. Now they’re all about crushing opposition and opposing viewpoints. The very idea that one would think those words, much less say them publicly, shows an arrogance democrats used to cringe over. Today it’s their mainstream view.
It’s shameful, Tom. And it’s more shameful that you attempt to blame others for the hate and venom you and your friends inflict on the “discourse”. Republicans aren’t going around trying to squash your views and they sure didn’t do it when they were the majority.
You, on the other hand, demonstrate exactly why you and your friends are dangerous to a free society. You oppose freedom and everything America stands for. You attempt to wrap your brownshirt ideology around “patriotism” but it’s really a fascism like the world saw in Nazi Germany.
You don’t care about the minority because you’d rather see those with opposing views silenced (camps, Tom?). You’d prefer to live in a world where those who disagree with you didn’t exist. You think you’d be happier.
The problem is, eventually those you put in power would eventually come calling at your door (probably your parents door, actually, because I’m sure you live in their basement, unable to afford your own place) because you’d eventually disagree with one thing or another. And then you’d be the minority and you’d be silenced.
That would be the system we’d have if we listened to people like you, Tom. Like it?
Deny it all you’d like but that’s what you’re all about and we all see it.
Grow up, read your constitution, and open your mind to some facts instead of leftie blogs and liberal hate radio.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:45 PM
“You, on the other hand, demonstrate exactly why you and your friends are dangerous to a free society. You oppose freedom and everything America stands for. You attempt to wrap your brownshirt ideology around “patriotism†but it’s really a fascism like the world saw in Nazi Germany.”
So Democrats are about hate, but you linking me to Nazi ideology is not? Your cute Rover. As for freedom… I don’t know if Republicans quite understand the meaning of that word. They believe freedom is illegally tapping your phone, detaining you without trial indefinately, exposing CIA agents for shits and giggles, equiping our troops with outdated horseshit equipment made by corrupt companies who mysteriously fund their campaign coffers, and can’t seem to account for billions of dollars lost in Iraq yet demand millions more.
What’s shameful is that you actually call yourself a political party and have a President that uses the Constitution for both target practice and toilet paper (which is quite an accomplishment in itself!)
March 29th, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Tom has been completely owned by Roving!!
It is very true that it is the democrats and their followers who have changed the tone. Ever since Gore lost by such a close margin the left has been on a hate spree. They cannot stand that they came so close yet failed. I still get a kick out of the liberals who actually believe Gore won.
In no way under any law did good Al win. We are a republic and he did not win the electoral votes. At least he took it like a man. 
:þ
March 29th, 2007 at 3:52 PM
RR – good post.
Tommy boy – watch out the black helicopters are circling your basement!!
March 29th, 2007 at 3:56 PM
Yet, another reason to be at the Capitol /Tax Cut Rally on Saturday April 14th, 2007 at noon!
March 29th, 2007 at 4:27 PM
Tom,
You’re throwing a lot of accusations out there. Has the Supreme Court ruled the surveillance illegal? Because if they did, I missed it — and I read their opinions regularly.
As for the rest of your argument, it’s so full of holes it’s hard to begin. That outdated horseshit military equipment you mentioned. Well that was all purchased during the Clinton administraion, which gutted our military. Prior to the Bush administration, we did not have one single armored Humvee. As for indefinte detentions, you’re damned right. How long would you detain Khalid Sheik Mohammed? That guy should be detained for the rest of his life. Finally you mentioned outing CIA agents for shits and giggles. Well Ms. Plame sent her husband, who was a bureaucrat in the Clinton State Department who knew nothing about WMDs, to Niger on behalf of the CIA. Wilson never released a report to the CIA, but rather wrote a false op-ed in the New York Times. Even the Washington Post reported Wilson’s op-ed was bogus.
March 29th, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Seifert is once again clueless:
“The taxpayers of Minnesota have fallen prey to the slight of hand by the Democrats. It is time to end the partisan games and focus on the real work.”
Marty what do you call the signing of a pledge to not raise taxes but supporting the largest increase in “fees” that we have seen? That Marty is slight of hand! And for you to stand and call for the end of partisan games is perhaps the funniest thing that you have said yet! Marty Seifert is biggest partisan player in St. Paul!
March 29th, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Tommy you have been so smacked down!
Chris, great post!
March 29th, 2007 at 9:04 PM
Wow, Tom and Rosie O’Donnel… those two ignorant fat asses would make a lovely couple…
Tom, for the record, “Freedom” is not steeling money from people who earn it and giving it to those who did not. That’s theft.
Additionally, no body illegally tapped anyone’s phone. The NSA program was perfectly legal. In fact, I demand the Government continue to listen in on phone calls originating from or destined to known terrorists. I fucking demand it. It’s legal, and it’s expected.
“Outing” Valerie Plame was not a crime, so who gives a shit. In fact, when it was disclosed that Joe Wilson’s wife sent him to Niger, the record was set straight. Wilson lied and said Cheney sent him. Moreover, Wilson’s listing the the “Who’s Who” directory lists “Valerie Plame” as his wife. Wow, what a covert agent… shit.
Clinton made sure our troops weren’t equipped. His only military priority was “don’t ask, don’t tell.” I’m not sure at this point if that was directed at the orientation fags or about whether the troops had the right equipment.
Speaking of corrupt companies who make the military equipment, have you checked in to Dian Feinstein’s family to whom she steers military contracts? Or Jack Murtha who does the same… in exchange for campaign contributions.
Idiots like you Tom are what scares the hell out of me thinking Democrats are in charge. You liberals are all too damn stupid to vote, so please stay home.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:21 PM
I love how ryan t whines about how “the left” calls Bush a Nazi, then in the very next post “Roving Reporter” all but calls Tom a Nazi and implies that Tom wants to detain dissenters in camps (and spews out some other nasty ad hominem attacks without any basis whatsoever). Since when are democrats trying to “crush” the opposition? Some evidence of such would be nice, instead of just empty rhetoric. Tom didn’t get “owned” or “smacked down” at all.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:46 PM
A special session is in the air…..
March 30th, 2007 at 12:25 AM
If you don’t want to pay your fair share, stop demanding we indefinitely project military force into other countries.
March 30th, 2007 at 7:44 AM
Special sessions can only be blamed on the Governor: He does have a piss poor record in dealing with the Leg.
March 30th, 2007 at 7:46 AM
I’d like to see Brian pay his fair share… My guess is he doesn’t.
March 30th, 2007 at 9:17 AM
I don’t think it was Tom that was owned…
FBI admits to wiretapping wrong numbers
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9546933
Congress eyes lost billions sent to Iraq
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0319/p01s02-usmi.html
GIs Lack Armor, Radios, Bullets
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/31/60minutes/main652491.shtml
U.S. Contractors In Iraq Fined
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/26/iraq/main613880.shtml
Bush admits to CIA secret prisons
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5321606.stm
The Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (Pub.L. 97-200, 50 U.S.C. § 421-426) is a United States federal law that makes it a federal crime to intentionally reveal the identity of an agent who one knows to be in or recently in certain covert roles with a U.S. intelligence agency.
March 30th, 2007 at 9:50 AM
Nice links McCain is Lame… and completely irrelevant. BTW, regarding that statute you cited… the independent council concluded that that law had not been violated. No laws were broken.
March 30th, 2007 at 12:27 PM
I love the Pay Your Fair Share arguments of the lefties. Heh. OTHER people never pay their fare share. Right Brian? If the top 10% paid 75% of the taxes, would THAT be the fair share or is it still too low? What’s fair? 99%?
Hey Brian, If you don’t want to pay your fair share, stop demanding we indefinitely subsidize underage abortions without parental notification.
(That made my brain hurt just attempting to reach down to his level.)
March 30th, 2007 at 9:04 PM
I don’t go through mental gymnastics trying to dodge taxes like the wallet-polishers.
I don’t offshore my corporate headquarters.
I don’t hire undocumented workers, charge them social security taxes, and “forget” to pay them in.
I don’t have a unreported nanny, driver, or gardener.
I don’t make up fake donations to pad my Schedule A.
And I don’t whine about taxes after projecting military might halfway across the globe, borrowing most of it from China.
March 31st, 2007 at 5:37 AM
Brian,
It would be kinda hard offshoring your lemonade stand, wouldn’t it?
March 31st, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Sorry, Dasher, I was helping cure cancer. What did you say?
March 31st, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Hey Brian,
Do you deduct the interest from your mortgage (assuming you don’t live in government subsidized housing)? Do you take your personal exemption and that for your spouse (assuming you have one)? Do you take deductions for your children (assuming you have kids)?
If the answer to any of those questions is yes, you’re not any different than a corporation putting its headquarters overseas. In fact, you’re worse because corporations don’t lobby to raise everyone else’s taxes, but you do.
March 31st, 2007 at 9:30 PM
According to Chris, everyone is a tax dodger.
March 31st, 2007 at 11:02 PM
No, Brian-
I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of you calling for everyone else’s taxes to be raised but yet your own willingness to cut your taxes by claiming deductions and credits. You are not legally required to take those deductions, Brian.
The bottom line is that we are taxed too much as it is and raising the taxes more is immoral and unjustified.
April 1st, 2007 at 1:46 AM
Offshoring a corporate headquarters to avoid taxes is nothing like paying your taxes.
Quit your whining.
April 1st, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Brian,
Taking deductions on your 1040 is also called avoiding taxes because it lowers the amount of taxes you end up paying. I noticed that you said you were a sub-chapter S-Corporation, which means you are taxed as an individual rather than a corporation. That too, is a tax shelter — just like off shoring your corporate structure.
And by the way, there are many valid and legal reasons to off shore a corporation – and tax rates is only one of the reasons.
As for the whining part, Brian, that’s just silly. You’ve been whining for over a year on this blog about the plight of people in Minneapolis, your property taxes, schools, light rail, etc.
April 4th, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Republicans
Some portions of this article sounds interesting. May be you have some links where I could read more about this topic?