A coalition of non-profit, faith and labor groups say they'll be at the governor's office today -- the last day of the 2005 legislative session -- to ask him to support funding to stop a "decline in Minnesota's quality of life."
Members of "Minnesota's Watching" will gather at 11:30 a.m. outside Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office in the state Capitol. Spokeswoman Marcia Avner says the demonstration is about the governor's pledge not to raise taxes, under any circumstances, and the impact that's had.
"We're going to be in front of the governor's office because, we are deeply concerned, he is putting 'the pledge' before people. And, what we want to say is, it really is time to compromise and negotiate, to make taxes part of the solution," she said. "Meet the immediate and long-term needs of the state of Minnesota. Put people ahead of an old, tired promise."
Time is running out. The session must end by 7 a.m. Tuesday. A special session is likely in order to meet the end-of-June budget deadline.
Avner said she understands the politics behind the "no tax" pledge, but economic realities have changed since it was made, and the state's surplus has been replaced by a deficit. She said policymakers have to be flexible and realistic, because without new revenues, the state's quality of life will continue to decline.
"We're going to see cuts that are even deeper, in the impacts on child care and housing, health care, education, transportation," Avner noted. "We've made cuts that have eroded that which has made Minnesota a No. 1 place to live and do work."
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A coalition of non-profit, faith and labor groups say they’ll be at the governor’s office today — the last day of the 2005 legislative session — to ask him to support funding to stop a “decline in Minnesota’s quality of life.”
Members of “Minnesota’s Watching” will gather at 11:30 a.m. outside Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s office in the state Capitol. Spokeswoman Marcia Avner says the demonstration is about the governor’s pledge not to raise taxes, under any circumstances, and the impact that’s had.
“We’re going to be in front of the governor’s office because, we are deeply concerned, he is putting ‘the pledge’ before people. And, what we want to say is, it really is time to compromise and negotiate, to make taxes part of the solution,” she said. “Meet the immediate and long-term needs of the state of Minnesota. Put people ahead of an old, tired promise.”
Time is running out. The session must end by 7 a.m. Tuesday. A special session is likely in order to meet the end-of-June budget deadline.
Avner said she understands the politics behind the “no tax” pledge, but economic realities have changed since it was made, and the state’s surplus has been replaced by a deficit. She said policymakers have to be flexible and realistic, because without new revenues, the state’s quality of life will continue to decline.
“We’re going to see cuts that are even deeper, in the impacts on child care and housing, health care, education, transportation,” Avner noted. “We’ve made cuts that have eroded that which has made Minnesota a No. 1 place to live and do work.”