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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL)

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House DFL Leader Thissen: Republicans give $2 billion surplus to corporate interests on a silver spoon while shortchanging Minnesota kids, workers, and most vulnerable

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Saint Paul, Minnesota- House Republicans unveiled their budget targets today, which cut taxes by $2 billion, includes less than a 1% increase in funding for education, and would cut more than $1 billion in health care that serves Minnesota workers, seniors, and our must vulnerable.
 
House DFL Leader Paul Thissen released the following statement:
 
“Republicans were given a $2 billion budget surplus on a silver platter, and now they want to give it all back to their corporate special interests with a silver spoon. They are wasting our opportunity to expand economic opportunity for all Minnesotans, in order to cater to the priorities of their corporate backers.
 
The biggest loser in the Republican budget is Minnesota kids. With a $2 billion surplus, we can do better– especially for our students on both ends of the spectrum, from our earliest learners who need a head start, to college students seeking an affordable education.
 
With a $2 billion surplus, it is unacceptable that Republicans would cut Minnesota workers and our most vulnerable by $1 billion. Two years ago and facing a $600 million deficit, House Democrats proposed $150 million in health and human services cuts. Republicans were apoplectic. Now with a $2 billion surplus, Republicans want to slash our most vulnerable Minnesotans by $1 billion? Cutting taxes for corporate special interests while cutting services for our most vulnerable should offend our sensibilities as Minnesotans. It’s the wrong priorities. And frankly, it is mean-spirited.
 
With a $2 billion surplus, we shouldn’t need shifts and gimmicks to balance our budget – but it appears that’s where Republicans are headed. Already, they have shown their cards on massive shifts within the transportation budget. It resembles the budget tactics they used in 2011 and it’s a recipe for another shutdown.
 
With a $2 billion surplus and growing economy, we should embrace this chance to create more opportunity for all Minnesotans to get ahead. But instead, the Republican budget puts the priorities of their corporate backers ahead of working Minnesotans, kids, and our most vulnerable Minnesotans.”
 
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