| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 1, 2000 | Bill Walsh (651-296-0640) |
(St. Paul, MN...) With the members of their caucuses standing behind them, the Republican leadership of the House and Senate made it very clear today that permanent and significant income tax cuts must come out of the 2000 legislative session. They made their announcement on the heels of yet another budget surplus announcement showing once again that Minnesota families are being overtaxed.
"The over-taxation of our working families has got to stop," said Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum. "The only way to do that is to lower tax rates now, not wait until 2001."
The Republican leaders were critical of Governor Jesse Ventura's insistence on keeping the surplus money in the bank until the 2001 session to give him more time to put together a comprehensive tax proposal.
"The Governor has been in office for fourteen months and has had ample time to propose a tax plan," said House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty. "Candidate Ventura said he would end surpluses by 'cutting taxes, cutting taxes, cutting taxes.' Governor Ventura needs to follow through on his campaign promise.
"We are getting tired of prodding and pushing him on tax cuts. He should be leading on this issue."
Another theme struck by the Republican leaders was the complete lack of a permanent tax plan from the DFL majority in the Senate.
"Here we are, halfway through a short session and Senate DFLers have given more time to naming a state butterfly that they have to cutting income taxes," added Senate Republican Leader Dick Day. "We want to know when the Democrats are going to make cutting taxes a priority."
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