On Thursday, Governor Tim Pawlenty held a press conference at the State Capitol saying that "“Politics as usual around this place is over. The people of Minnesota expect and deserve timely and decisive action. I will not let the legislature’s work spill over into a special session. We are not going to waste taxpayer money with a costly overtime or have a state government shutdown, especially in this economy. My preference would be for DFL legislators to work with me on a reasonable budget solution, but if they can’t get that done I will take executive action to balance the budget.” (click here to read the full press release from the governor's office).

Democrats in the state legislature ignored reform ideas such as that offered by the Minnesota Budget Solution Coalition that balanced the state budget without increasing taxes.  Insteady, DFL leaders worked to pass budget bills that raises taxes and leaves a $3 billion shortfall between anticipated revenue and spending. “If the DFL cannot balance this budget without reaching into Minnesotans’ pockets and increasing our already uncompetitive taxes in ways that will kill job growth, I’m prepared to make the tough decisions they’ve avoided and take action to balance the budget.”

The response from Democrats was swift and harsh. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher says that Pawlenty's move is "bullying" and called him "Governor Go It Alone." Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said the governor could take that approach “if he thinks he’s king."  Eliot Seide, the head of AFSCME Council 5, the largest union representing state workers, said "we just saw the suspension of democracy today."

The session is scheduled to end on Monday, May 18 at midnight.  Liberal special interest groups will now be mounting a frontal attack on the governor's office to try to convince him to change his mind and support a tax increase.

TAKE ACTION:  Call Governor Pawlenty NOW and tell him to stand strong against liberal pressure to increase our taxes.