Dayton argues his case in St. Cloud

Posted at 1:44 PM on July 12, 2011 by Mike Mulcahy (2 Comments)
Filed under: 2011 Shutdown, Mark Dayton

From Tom Scheck:

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton held a forum in St. Cloud today to make the case to the public that his budget battle with GOP legislative leaders has a wide- ranging impact on the state. The focus of the forum, held at a high school in St. Cloud, was special education funding.

More than 100 people attended the event and cheered when speakers called for higher taxes to help erase the state's $5 billion projected budget deficit. Dayton said his plan would help protect special education funding.

"This is a reminder at what's at stake for children with special needs--129,000 school children around Minnesota who have a need for special education and would experience cuts under the Republican budget proposal. That's why Commissioner Cassellius and I are here today," he said. "It's certainly affirming to hear from those who are making due with even less money already."

Six St. Cloud-area Republican lawmakers said they do not support additional revenue to balance the budget.

Rep.King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, said he won't support new taxes to plug the budget gap.

"I do not believe we need new revenues. We have the most revenues that we have ever had in a state budget from state sources," he said. " We do not need additional revenues in this budget."

Dayton is holding forums around the state as the the state government shutdown continues. He'll be in southeastern Minnesota Wednesday.

Comments (2)

Rep.King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, said he won't support new taxes to plug the budget gap.

"I do not believe we need new revenues. We have the most revenues that we have ever had in a state budget from state sources," he said. "

King Banaian, as usual, has no idea what he's talking about. MN general fund projected revenues for FY2012 are less than actual revenues for FY2008.

Factor in about 3%/yr for combined CPI inflation and population growth, and you have an 11% revenue drop over 4 years. Factor in greater-than-CPI medical care cost inflation and an aging population, and it's even worse.

"Economist" King Banaian doesn't have a clue about this budget stuff.

Posted by Ralph Crammedin | July 12, 2011 3:33 PM

Where can the public find the when/where details for the forums later this week?

Posted by Zebulun | July 12, 2011 4:01 PM

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