WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2011 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

In order to fill a record $5 billion state budget deficit, the original Republican all-cuts budget would have...
Cut tax refunds for homeowners and renters and aid to local governments Made historic cuts to the U of M system and Minnesotas State Colleges and Universities Cut K-12 funding for only the second time in state history, including deep cuts to special education Kicked over 144,000 Minnesotans off of their health care plans Reduced funding for services benefitting seniors and the disabled Cut nearly 30,000 jobs, including 21,000 private-sector health care jobs

On the eve of a state government shutdown, Republicans made a list of divisive social policy demands that included
School vouchers A ban on all stem cell research Curtailing laws that protect workers and ensure a living wage Passage of their partisan redistricting map

The Republican budget that ultimately passed and was signed into law
Borrows $640 million in one-time funds called tobacco bonds Shifts an additional $780 from our public schools, a $2.2 billion total loan that steals from our childrens future Makes deep cuts to everything from nursing homes to tax relief for homeowners and renters, begging money from those who dont have it

This Republican beg, borrow and steal approach will

Increase property taxes Close nursing homes and hospitals, particularly in rural areas Raise tuition Cut local services like police and fire protection Cause thousands of layoffs Leave the state with a $2$4 billion budget deficit by relying on shifts and one-time borrowing

ALL OF THIS DONE IN ORDER TO PROTECT

Corporations who hide profits overseas from paying taxes in Minnesota People who make more than a million dollars a year from paying the same taxes middle class families do

CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY AND TELL THEM ITS TIME TO STOP BALANCING THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES!

PASSING THE BUCK: PROPERTY TAXES UP $4 BILLION (or 78%) SINCE 2003
Source: Minnesota House of Representatives non-partisan Research simulations

Actual Projected

9
$8,408,027,000 $7,712,036,000 $7,285,769,000 $6,761,699,000 $7,876,868,000 $8,030,999,000 $8,675,027,000 $8,948,027,000

7
$6,222,951,000 $5,676,041,000

$5,013,769,000

$5,341,239,000

2003

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2011

2012

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2014

Republican policies led by Pawlenty Administration

Policies led by the Republican Legislature