GOP Legislators Failed to Do Their Jobs

As the deadline for a budget agreement expired and Minnesota’s state government began to shut down, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knuston issued the following statement:

“After having nearly seven months, Republican legislators have failed to do their jobs and come to the middle on a budget agreement.

“Their insistence on protecting millionaires has now resulted in a government shutdown that leaves thousands of public and private sector workers without a job.

“While this shutdown will be harmful in the short-run, it is only a preview of what the GOP’s all-cuts budget would look like.

“Governor Dayton has met Republicans halfway with a balanced solution that will hold the line on taxes for 98% of Minnesotans.

“We call on Republican legislators to join Governor Dayton in the middle and forge a compromise that will create jobs and protect the middle class.”