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GOP legislative leaders reach budget agreement to end shutdown without tax increases

(St. Paul)-- Republican Legislative Leadership met with Governor Dayton today for over three hours and agreed to a conditional budget offer to end the longest state government shutdown in recent history.  The budget deal reached spends $34 billion from the General Fund, without raising taxes.

“The budget agreement in place does not raise taxes, makes targeted reductions in eight budget areas and slows the exponential growth of state spending,” said Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo).  

“Republicans have said all along that we do not need a tax increase to balance the budget and today Governor Mark Dayton agreed,” said Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove).  “The best thing we can do to improve Minnesota’s economy and create jobs is keep the tax burden down.  We appreciate Governor Dayton’s willingness to compromise in the best interests of the state of Minnesota.  Our agreement today will result in a budget that is balanced without tax increases and a state that is back to work.”

“I am pleased that we were finally able to come together with Gov. Dayton and agree to a plan that gets Minnesota moving again,” said Senator Koch.  “This government shutdown had a rippling effect of individuals, families and businesses all over Minnesota.  Having an agreement in place is a certain sign of relief for those most adversely affected by the shutdown.”

Speaker Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Koch expect to finalize details of the agreement over the next few days and have bills ready for a Special Legislative Session as early as next week.

 

GOP leadership makes compromise budget offer

(St. Paul) -- Republican Legislative Leaders met with Governor Dayton

on Thursday to offer a new budget compromise to prevent a government

shutdown.  The new proposal eliminates the Republicans’ request for

tax relief in exchange Republican leaders have asked Governor Dayton to

drop his request for a tax increase.  By recognizing the dire fiscal

condition the state is in, the decision to give up tax cuts demonstrates

the Legislature’s commitment to reach a budget agreement by June 30,

2011.   

 

 “The offer we presented today represents a major compromise on

behalf of Republicans to resolve the state's budget.   We are giving up

100 percent of our tax cuts.  We ask Governor Dayton to give up 100

percent of his tax increase and work with us to prevent a government

shutdown he pledged would never happen,” said Speaker of the House

Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove). 

 

“This is a principled, substantive offer which appropriates

additional funds to areas where Governor Dayton has specifically cited

concerns,” said Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo). 

“Moreover, this offer demonstrates our commitment to the state’s

priorities and spends appropriate amounts of available revenues.  This

builds on the June 6 offer that met Gov. Dayton’s funding levels and

concerns for kids, courts and cops as outlined in his veto message,

which represented agreement on nearly 50 percent of the state’s

budget.”

 

The new offer appropriates additional funds for higher education,

environment, transportation, local government aid, flood and disaster

relief.  This is a significant compromise that recognizes the value of

efficient and effective services and does not increase the tax burden on

working Minnesotans and job providers.  

 

Republican legislative leaders are expected to continue to meet with

Governor Dayton in order to agree to a budget that is affordable to

taxpayers and that will provide the services and reforms that citizens

expect from state government.  The offer made Thursday will expire at

5:00 PM on Monday, June 20. 

Tax increase vote fails...AGAIN

State revenues are growing by $3 billion, yet Governor Dayton and Minnesota Democrats want to raise taxes to spend more. 

"There are no votes for a job-killing tax increase."