800px-minnesota_state_capitol1A $1.1 billion bonding bill that’s working its way through the Minnesota Legislature is becoming a political football for Republicans. On Tuesday, six Republicans joined with DFLers in the House to pass the bill, following votes for the bill by nine Senate Republicans nearly two weeks ago. Those votes have drawn the ire of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota and the state Republican Party.

In an email to supporters, the Taxpayers League slammed those Republicans:

Governor Pawlenty called the House and Senate bonding bills, “unaffordable, irresponsible and filled with local projects.” He has indicated he may veto the entire capital investment bill rather than just line-item vetoes.

With the state facing a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, the right thing to do is balance the budget before ringing up more pork barrel projects on the state credit card.

All 15 of these fiscally irresponsible lawmakers need to hear from you today about their vote for the liberals’ bloated bonding bill.

The Republicans who voted for the bill include Rep. Larry Howes, Rep. Morrie Lanning, Rep. Bud Nornes, Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Paul Koering, Sen. Joe Gimse, Sen. Steven Dille, Sen. Dennis Frederickson, Sen. David Senjem, Rep. Greg Davids, Sen. Gen Olson, Sen. Pat Pariseau, Sen. Mike Jungbauer, and Rep. Jim Abeler.

The Republican Party of Minnesota even went after its own members, perhaps inadvertently. Here’s what Minnesota GOP chair Tony Sutton said after the Senate vote:

Today’s vote by the Senate to add to our state’s debt is irresponsible and it is wrong. Minnesotans can’t afford more wasteful government spending and business as usual pork barrel projects. Instead of providing critical funding for the sex offender facility at Moose Lake, this bill is replete with millions for sculpture gardens and gorilla and polar bear exhibits. Minnesotans deserve better.

Nine of the 22 Senate Republicans voted for the bill. That’s 40.9 percent of the caucus.