« MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: “REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA COMMENDS GOVERNOR PAWLENTY’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS” | Home | NOT EXACTLY A PROFILE IN COURAGE: FRANKEN ADMITS HE STAYS AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT GAY MARRIAGE WHEN HE CAMPAIGNS IN GREATER MINNESOTA »
STATE OF THE STATE: PAWLENTY’S VETO PEN IS INKED UP AND READY
By Michael B. Brodkorb | February 13, 2008
During his 2008 State of the State Address delivered today in St. Cloud, Governor Tim Pawlenty had a clear message for DFL legislators: don't even think about raising taxes on Minnesota families and businesses. It's clear that the Governor is fired up and ready to fight for taxpayers. The only surprising thing is the DFL's extraordinary desire to hit Minnesotans with a number of tax increases — gas tax, license tab tax, sales tax, income tax, etc. — when citizens are already facing $3 a gallon gas and other burdens.
I encourage all of the dedicated readers of Minnesota Democrats Exposed who support the Governor's tough stand against tax increases to email him today at tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us and thank him for protecting Minnesota taxpayers…and email your state legislators and ask them not to attach the "jumper cables to your wallet."
Here are some excerpts from the Governor's State of the State Address today:
"As we tackle the deficit, we must remember that Minnesota'shardworking families are already squeezed enough. They're paying morefor gas, food, and health care. The last thing they need is government rummaging around in their pockets looking for more. Government must learn to live within its means. We should not add to the burden on Minnesota families by raising their taxes."
"The well-being of the people we serve depends on their ability to have good-paying jobs. That, in turn, depends upon the willingness ofcompanies to invest, stay, and grow in Minnesota. However, Minnesota's tax policies, job climate, and large government discourage economic growth. We need to reduce taxes and regulations thatdiscourage job growth, income generation, investment, entrepreneurialactivity, research, and exports."
"I still have an important tool to restrain taxes and spending. I call it the taxpayer protection pen, otherwise known as the veto pen. As you know, I will not hesitate to use it to stop government fromdigging into your wallets."
"We should also protect homeowners from unreasonable property tax increases. So once again, I call for Minnesota to join the many states that have capped property taxes."
###
This is cross-posted at Party of Pawlenty.
Topics: Tim Pawlenty | 28 Comments »
28 Responses to “STATE OF THE STATE: PAWLENTY’S VETO PEN IS INKED UP AND READY”
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Is that the “veto” pen Pawlenty borrowed money to buy?
February 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
actually eight putt a lot of people gave him lots of veto pens because they wanted them used. The only thing being borrowed is he has to waste his time using it since the dfl foolishly keeps raising the taxes.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Ya know, Walter, what you guys haven’t explained yet, is how all them evil ol’ democrats manage to get elected, if they aren’t doin’ the will of the people.
Why, so many of those evil democrats got elected in the senate, by NOT doin’ what the people want, that the DFL has a VETO-PROOF MAJORITY.
How does that happen, Walter?
February 13th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Mike:
You might want to check out the David Strom show from last Saturday (2-9). Apparently the DFL is going to play games with the money that the federal government is giving the state to pay for the 35W Bridge. Here’s how the scam works:
* The state of Minnesota has to pay the contractor whenever the contractor bills the state.
* the state than sends the bill to the federal government where they review it to meet the criteria of the bridge payment bill.
* The federal government than writes a check to the state to reimburse the expenses.
* The problem is thanks to the State Senate a special committee has been approved that must approve the use of “special” funds. This committee considers the highway money special funds and is holding up the state receiving the money to spend.
The end result of this game. The state to assure they have the funds to pay the bridge bill has been holding up temporaily projects which would have been approved. We’re having a slow down in road construction because the state doesn’t have the right to spend money that this committee has no business holding up. The lawmaker interviewed thinks it’s being held up as a gimmick to get a gasoline tax passed!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Tommy:
The house isn’t veto proof. And come this fall if the DFL keeps up what they’re doing the house will basically not only go back to Republican control the Republicans might have all time high in state house reps.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 13th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Wishful thinking, Walter.
Seems to me that that noted pinko/commie organization, the Chamber of Commerce, WANTS a gas tax increase.
How can that be, Walter?
Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers 2007 Legislative Agenda Letter
The Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers (MCC), an association of 24 metro area chambers of commerce representing business in more than 60 communities, was formed five years ago as an advocate for significant investment and improvement in the Twin Cities’ transportation infrastructure.
This past year, MCC was successful in taking a strong first step toward a solution with the passage of Minnesota’s Transportation Amendment. This year, our first priority is to finish the job that voters approved by statutorily dedicating sixty percent of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) to highways, and forty percent to transit. MCC supports a further division of thirty-eight percent of the transit dollars to metro area projects and two percent for out-state transit programs. Use of the metro transit funds should be balanced between new starts and existing operating costs in order to best leverage available federal matching funds and should be based on existing long-term regional development plans.
Passage of the Transportation Amendment was only the first step toward solving Minnesota’s transportation challenges. MCC also supports the following moderate increase in on-going transportation investment:
$160 million 5 cent gas tax increase
$125 Restore vehicle tab fee cuts
$ 50 MnDOT efficiencies savings
$ 40 MVST on leased vehicles (to transit)
——————
$375 million annually
***
Personally, I’m saying if Governor Pawlenty uses that pen on transportation bills, you’ll see a veto-proof majority in the House next year, too.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
hey Tommy. You talk big. Why don’t you write the check for $375 million. Or maybe Al Franken and his donors can.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 13th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Two-Putt-Tommy
You sure know more about this than I do, which is a good thing.
I heard on TV last night that there would also be an additional sales tax in the metro area, set aside for transit. And with no vote by taxpayers.
I opposed the Twins stadium because they didn’t allow people in Hennepin County vote on the tax; the same may be true here – we should at least get to vote on raising funds for this bus tax.
I won’t say democrats are evil – because in my view they are not. However, I remember a year ago the state was running a surplus and now they’re in the red. And as any family knows, when money is tight, that’s not the time to spend lik crazy.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
As long as the public schools keep failing to graduate 42% of the kids entrusted to them while turning out “graduates” that can’t read, write or identify their own navels without a map Democrats will continue to get elected.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Two-Cylinder Tommy,
Seems to me that that noted pinko/commie organization, the Chamber of Commerce, WANTS a gas tax increase.
The CoC is neither Conservative nor Republican.
PLENTY of businesspeople are perfectly happy to have government pay for things using other peoples’ money.
The CoC doesn’t speak for Conservatism.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes ‘on those who can afford to pay more’ and firmly believed that the Bush and Reagan cuts of marginal tax rates did nothing but make the rich richer.
She was, therefore, ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on everything she’d learned in college, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father.
He responded by asking how she was doing in school. Taken aback, she answered that she still had her 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened and then asked, ‘How is your friend Audrey doing?’
She replied, ‘Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She’s always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn’t even show up for classes because she’s too hung over.’
Her wise father asked his daughter, ‘Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.’
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father’s suggestion, angrily fired back, ‘That’s a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I’ve worked really hard for my grades! I’ve invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!’
The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, ‘Welcome to the Republican party.’
February 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptCloud, Governor Tim Pawlenty had a clear message for DFL legislators: don’t even think about raising taxes on Minnesota families and businesses. It’s clear that the Governor is fired up and ready to fight for taxpayers. … [...]
February 13th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Good one hottip.
In a 1988 Saturday Night Live skit called “Dukakis after Dark,” Lloyd Bentsen asks Dukakis, “You were going to raise taxes, weren’t you?” Dukakis shiftily looks around to make sure no one is listening and whispers: “Through the roof.”
How times have changed!
Now Democrats are exposing their tax giddiness enthusiastically and in the light of day.
Tax hike are the Democrats’ gift that just keeps on giving.
The liberals in that party just can’t control themselves – they keep on proposing one new tax after another.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hey Super Rich Tommy:
How about before a single tax gets increased every law maker in Saint Paul repeals per diem payments to themselves plus they return the money. If they wants us to sarcrifice let them sacrafice first.
That seems fair according to your logic.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 13th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Hey, Walter – how ’bout we take away lawmaker’s salaries in St. Paul, in addition to the per diem?
That way, only those wealthy enough to work for nothing, can represent the people.
That work for you?
February 13th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
“I opposed the Twins stadium because they didn’t allow people in Hennepin County vote on the tax;…”
Hey, Walter – me, too.
It’s refreshing to see you actualy got something correct….
February 13th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Why would the DFL controlled House/Senate waste their time on Legislation that they know will never be signed into law?
This is another huge waste of time, money and resources. If we had a GOP majority then we could get something accomplished that the people actually need done.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Tommy, if the DFL is doing the will of the people, then why didn’t they run with the “we’re going to raise your taxes” theme instead of the “we’re not going to raise your taxes” theme? You do realize they were all saying “we don’t forsee having to raise taxes” when they were up for election.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Good question, Honeydog.
Kinda like how all the things Gov. Bush campaigned on, hasn’t happened, eh?
Or kinda like how Mayor Young ran on a “Stay The Course”, but then tried to rule in a “Core Mission” method, eh?
But actually, anyone that has been paying attention, KNEW that the DFL wanted to increase the gas tax.
You were paying attention, weren’t you?
February 13th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
“Bait and switch” is the traditional DFL motto. Too bad that there are so many who don’t understand it means they will do exactly the opposite of what they say they will. I for one alway read the fine print because that’s where the other foot will usually be found.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Eight Putt:
I’m saying that lawmakers should get a salary. The point is last year the DFL legislature which is saying we have to raise all kinds of taxes raised the per diems. It seems only fair if we have to sacarifice they should take the lead and give up the per diem increases they gave themselves. That by itself shows how silly it is for Senator Murphy to say I have to increase my gasoline taxes I pay when I buy gas and he gets more per diem payments. If I have pain he should get pain!
You should pay attention to the posts. The person who was making the argument on the metro area sales tax who mentioned the Twins stadium was Newton.
So Tommy if you can’t read simple posts that shows the lack of the credibility of your arguments.
And Tommy those lawmakers were saying before the election that they weren’t going to increase taxes so that people wouldn’t vote against them before the election. Now you as a true communist liberal knew they were lying, but a lot of people didn’t know that. That’s why come November the house DFL will go from about 90 lawmakers to about 60 or less.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 13th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
You’re comparing apples to Toyotas Tommy. Sure, many of the things Bush ran on haven’t come to fruition. But many of them have, and he pushed pretty hard on many of the others. The rest were … well, the country was disrupted sometime between November November 2000 and November 2001. You may have read the newspapers that year.
In Minnesota, in November 2006 and the months leading up to the election, Minnesota Democrats ran as fiscal conservatives, pledging no tax increases and promising to work with Republicans…
For months later, they violated House and Senate rules to stifle Republicans, and at the 11th hour tried to ram-rod over $5 billion in tax increases through the house, blowing completely past all of the compromises Pawlenty had put on the table.
Democrats lied their way in to office. So far this year, Democrats relative honesty about their intentions to tax the shit out of Minnesota is at least refreshing.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Win goes to the conservatives – sorry twopudd, you lost again. Better luck next time. Maybe when you finish high school.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
“You should pay attention to the posts. The person who was making the argument on the metro area sales tax who mentioned the Twins stadium was Newton.”
Well, walter, it’s hard -mighty hard – hard work, workin’ hard- to keep track of which rightwinger is sayin’ what….
February 14th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Tommy, paying attention meant knowing the DFL candidates were LYING. And yep, any conservative knew they were lying. I didn’t believe them for a minute, which is why I will never ever vote for a Democratic candidate.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:56 am
I’m going to really enjoy watching the GOP minority slap the Democrats around like a red-headed step child again this session.
I’m reminded of a quote from Conan the Barbarian: “To crush your enemy and see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of those whiny, b*tch slapped Democrats”
Ahh, good times, good times.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Eight putt:
If you can’t pay attention to the simple details how can we trust you on the rest. By the way see that poll. If the idea was so simple and moderate people will be flocking to support it.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Honeydog, I came up with a fool proof way of telling when the DFL is lying. All you have to do is watch them very closely. Then, if you notice that their lips are moving and sound is coming out they are lying. Works everytime…