Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Republican candidate for governor denies Minnesota has budget deficit, implies he will not payback cuts to public education

St. Paul (August 25, 2010) - Tom Emmer reiterated his latest talking point at this morning's debate in Brooklyn Park, saying once again that Minnesota doesn't have a budget deficit.

Emmer has repeatedly denied that the state has a deficit. Just yesterday he said: "Where is the deficit? We talk about ‘You got to raise taxes, government has to invest.' I'll say it again, government in the state of Minnesota is scheduled to get a seven percent increase in the next biennium. Government will have more money to spend in the next two years than it is spending right now. And yet the folks that want to raise taxes want to talk about a $6 billion deficit which is created on paper because government wants to spend $38 billion instead of the roughly $32 billion that we have."

Unfortunately for Emmer, budget experts, elected officials and journalists disagree. By their calculations, the state has a projected $6 billion deficit, and one of the only ways to eliminate that would be for Tom Emmer to stop the state from returning the money that Governor Pawlenty "shifted" from public schools.

"Well, Tom Emmer's at it again - showing every Minnesotan just how out of touch he is," said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. "The state is facing a historic budget deficit and our schools are suffering from Governor Pawlenty's failed policies. Those are the facts. But rather than tell the people of Minnesota what he would do as governor and come up with a budget plan, Tom Emmer is denying that there's a problem and hinting at a future filled with even more cuts to public education. So what will it be, Tom? Will you refuse to pay back the $1.4 billion Governor Pawlenty borrowed from K-12 education?"

Republican candidate for governor puts politics over people once again, skips out on greater Minnesota debate

St. Paul (August 18, 2010) - Tom Emmer dropped out of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities debate this week to "focus on other activities" for his campaign. But just what could be more important than an open forum with leaders from greater Minnesota? For Tom Emmer, it's a closed-door fundraiser with a special-interest group.

"Talk about a day filled with special interests," said DFL spokesperson Donald McFarland. "This would have been an opportunity for Tom Emmer to tell greater Minnesota's mayors and elected officials what his plans are for our state. Obviously, Tom Emmer still has no plan and Minnesotans are still waiting."