| For Immediate Release | For More Information Contact: |
| February 26, 2002 | Dan Wolter (651) 296-0640 |
St. Paul, Minnesota - Hopes for a swift answer to the state's $2.3 billion budget deficit were squashed today by the Democratic minority in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Just one day after Governor Ventura vetoed the bipartisan balanced budget agreement, House and Senate leaders sought to override the veto. Ninety votes would have been required to override the Ventura veto, but the House fell three votes short with House Minority Leader Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. Paul) voting in support of the Governor's position.
"House Democrats have just empowered the governor to slash funding for schools, nursing homes and to force dramatic increases in property taxes," said House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon). "The House and Senate - Democrat and Republican - worked together to reach this agreement. It is ironic and tragic that the only legislative caucus to not put forth a budget balancing plan is the one derailing the entire process."
Early last week, Senate Democrats and House Republicans announced the bipartisan agreement which prudently taps state reserves, cuts spending and the state workforce, and takes state spending off of "automatic pilot." The bill passed by significant margins in both the House and Senate. Failing to sustain the veto empowers Governor Ventura to use his constitutional authority to cut spending without legislative approval.
"This is a significant blow to the entire process of balancing the budget," said House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan). "I hope Minnesotans will show their appreciation to House Democrats. Thank them for leaving the door open for tax increases, thank them for causing cuts to schools and nursing homes. Thank them for driving up local property taxes. Thank them for defending the state bureaucracy at the expense of the financial well-being of families all across this state."
In addition to the Governor's plan to raise taxes and cut school spending to balance the budget, plans were also offered by Senate Democrats as well as both House and Senate Republicans. House Minority Leader Tom Pugh and House Democrats are the only ones to offer no plan.
"Tom Pugh and his caucus are one-word wonders," Sviggum said. "When the Governor put forth his plan, they said 'no.' When Senate Democrats and House Republicans put their plan on the table, House Democrats said 'no.' It seems the only time they say 'yes' is when Governor Ventura asks for their support in slashing funding for schools, nursing homes and local governments."
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