Minnesota is Watching, the coalition of faith-based, labor and nonprofit organizations responded quickly Wednesday to the news of the state?s continuing budget deficit.
"The November election proved that Minnesotans are watching the legislature and state budget," said Ray Waldron, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. "With 26 new representatives and a real shift in the make-up of the Minnesota House it?s clear that Minnesotans don?t want any more budget tricks or gimmicks.
"We want the budget to be balanced with integrity. We are looking for leaders willing to work with us on long-term solutions," Waldron concluded.
The state's economic forecast shows a projected deficit of $700 million for 2006-07.
"We must keep all our options open to solve the budget deficit," said Brian Rusche, director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. "This forecast proves bad decisions were made in the past.
"We?re seeing more people in desperate circumstances. We must find ways to improve our state, to give people a hand up. We can?t close doors to solutions, like the Governor?s no new tax pledge does, before we have the opportunity to discuss the possibilities," Rusche added.
"This deficit budget forecast should not signal a downward spiral in our quality of life," said Jim Koppel, director of Children?s Defense Fund Minnesota. "We call upon our legislators to recognize the aspirations of our residents for a better Minnesota and to work toward that vision."
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Minnesota is Watching, the coalition of faith-based, labor and nonprofit organizations responded quickly Wednesday to the news of the state?s continuing budget deficit.
“The November election proved that Minnesotans are watching the legislature and state budget,” said Ray Waldron, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. “With 26 new representatives and a real shift in the make-up of the Minnesota House it?s clear that Minnesotans don?t want any more budget tricks or gimmicks.
“We want the budget to be balanced with integrity. We are looking for leaders willing to work with us on long-term solutions,” Waldron concluded.
The state’s economic forecast shows a projected deficit of $700 million for 2006-07.
“We must keep all our options open to solve the budget deficit,” said Brian Rusche, director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. “This forecast proves bad decisions were made in the past.
“We?re seeing more people in desperate circumstances. We must find ways to improve our state, to give people a hand up. We can?t close doors to solutions, like the Governor?s no new tax pledge does, before we have the opportunity to discuss the possibilities,” Rusche added.
“This deficit budget forecast should not signal a downward spiral in our quality of life,” said Jim Koppel, director of Children?s Defense Fund Minnesota. “We call upon our legislators to recognize the aspirations of our residents for a better Minnesota and to work toward that vision.”