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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2007
Contact: Phil Krinkie
Ph: (651) 294-3590
Governor Strikes a Chord for Common Sense
Vetoes pork-laden “emergency” bonding bill
ST. PAUL – Four months of unserious legislative activity was finally given a shot of fiscal responsibility today when Governor Pawlenty vetoed an “emergency” bonding bill that was hundreds of millions of dollars too large.
Presented yesterday with a “compromise” bill that ended up being more costly than either the House or Senate originally came into negotiations with, Governor Pawlenty sent a much needed signal to the DFL leadership that their level of spending is irresponsible.
“This teachable moment by the Governor may be lost on the DFL leadership. I believe the DFL majority is incappable of exercising any restraint,” said Phil Krinkie, President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota and former Chair of the Capital Investment Committee.
The Governor vetoed the bill because of its unusual profligacy. Pawlenty had proposed $71 million in spending for the bill, less than a quarter the eventual size passed by the Legislature. Of that $71 million, only $8 million could truly be called “emergency:” $2 million for flood relief near Browns Valley, and $6 million for repairs at state prisons.
“If there is one thing liberals know how to do, it is spend other peoples’ money,” Krinkie said. “This bill sets the tone for a plethora of bills filled with wasteful spending.”
“The liberals know how to do two things: tax, tax, tax, and spend, spend, spend. Hopefully the Governor knows how to veto, veto, veto.” said Krinkie.
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