Minnesota Independent

GOP offers ‘no-tax’ pledge, DFL cries foul

By Andy Birkey | 02.25.11 | 12:39 pm

Senate Republicans sent a letter to Gov. Mark Dayton Thursday stating that all 37 members of the GOP caucus have taken a “no-tax pledge” in response to the governor’s proposed budget which would increases taxes for the wealthiest Minnesotans. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk responded with a letter of his own questioning the pledge and its implications, while Dayton told the GOP to stop “the game-playing” and come up with a budget of their own.

Dayton unveils budget with program cuts and tax increases

By Andy Birkey | 02.15.11 | 1:16 pm

Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget proposal, unveiled Tuesday, includes a tax hike for the wealthiest Minnesotans, cuts to health care for 7,200 low-income adults, an increase in spending for K-12 education, a 6 percent decrease in the state workforce,and steady funding for local governments. “I have always said that a budget is about values and priorities, as well as dollars and cents,” Dayton said. “My budget represents my values and priorities, one of which is to keep my promises that I made to the people of Minnesota last fall.”

Emmer releases new television ad: ‘Balance’

By Andy Birkey | 10.06.10 | 11:29 am

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer released a new television ad on Wednesday called “Balance.” In it he vows to “limit the growth in state spending to the amount of taxes we collect, so government does not spend money we don’t have.” It’s the third television ad by the campaign this election season.

Paulsen releases first television ad: ‘Kids’

By Andy Birkey | 09.09.10 | 12:00 pm

Rep. Erik Paulsen released his first television ad of the 2010 campaign cycle on Thursday. The ad, titled “Kids,” highlights Paulsen’s math skills and features his four daughters. “Balancing the budget can be achieved by spending less,” he says.…

Former Gov. Carlson: Pawlenty ‘avoiding the law’ on budget

By Andy Birkey | 05.31.10 | 10:30 am

Former Gov. Arne Carlson, Republican governor from 1991 to 1999, is launching a “Paul Revere Tour” to spotlight Minnesota’s budget problem and what he sees as a lack of courage from state leaders. While Carlson is hitting DFLers and…

Pawlenty responds to Supreme Court ruling on constitutionality of unallotment

By Andy Birkey | 05.05.10 | 11:27 am

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s unallotment of a special diet program for low income Minnesotans was beyond the scope of the law. The executive…

Plategate update: Legislators criticize Pawlenty’s office funding scheme

By Andy Birkey | 03.19.10 | 11:51 am

Representatives from Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s administration defended the governor’s decision to pay his faith-based office coordinator out of a license plate fund for veterans during a legislative hearing on the issue on Thursday. But legislators criticized Pawlenty’s…

‘Devastating’: Pawlenty’s budget proposal draws criticism statewide

By Andy Birkey | 02.16.10 | 9:00 am

Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s supplemental budget proposal, released on Monday morning, includes large cuts to state-sponsored health coverage for low income Minnesotans, reductions in local government aid and tax breaks and incentives for businesses and corporations. The plan pleased few,…

Communities brace for unallotment’s effects

By Andy Birkey | 07.02.09 | 2:48 pm

Communities around the state are struggling to deal with the budget cuts imposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s unallotment authority. Pawlenty signed into law $2.7 billion in cuts to local government aid, human services grants, higher education and medical assistance for the poor. Many parts of the state are bracing for the impact.

Pawlenty opposes plan for same-sex partner benefits

By Andy Birkey | 05.05.09 | 11:00 am

In a letter to Sen. Don Betzhold, DFL-Fridley, and Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he wouldn’t sign a bill that contained health benefits…