Accessibility menu
State Representative Joe Mullery
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4262
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
GOVERNOR CHOOSES BOXING OVER CRIME VICTIMS
To the Editor:
Take one look at Governor Tim Pawlenty's supplemental budget proposal and you'll get a better understanding of what his priorities are. In his attempt to balance the budget, Pawlenty would increase spending for the Boxing Commission while putting some of our state's most vulnerable citizens on the back burner.
It's true – among a long list of irresponsible proposals, the Governor's new budget plan kicks 20,000 Minnesota kids off health care, raises tuition at our colleges and universities, eliminates $30 million in metro transit funding, shortchanges long-term care facilities that serve our elderly and most vulnerable citizens, and slashes essential services for disabled adults.
As Chair of the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee, I also have serious concerns about the Governor's deep cuts to victims of violent crime. He would cut over $630,000 every year from the Minnesota Center from Crime Victims Services – a program he already raided in 2003.
Pawlenty's governorship has hardly been a glimmering example of responsible leadership. In an effort to preserve his conservative image, the Governor has neglected schools, allowed roads and bridges to fall apart, jeopardized economic stability, and continues to shortchange public safety efforts.
Minnesota is facing a $935 million budget deficit because of the state's recent economic downturn. At a time when hard decisions must be made, we need the strength of real leadership to guide us. I hope the Governor will rethink his priorities and reconsider his misguided commitment to professional boxing at the expense of innocent crime victims.
Joe Mullery
State Representative
Minneapolis
News Items
- Reminder: Primary - August 14; Some Voting Locations May Have Changed - (Posted: 2012-07-08 00:00:00)
- Passing of Dr. John Williams - (Posted: 2012-07-09 00:00:00)
- Rep. Mullery: 2012 Legislative Report - (Posted: 2012-07-10 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.