GOP Majority Fails Middle Class Minnesotans

As the gavel fell on the 2011 Legislative Session with the Republican majority failing to compromise with Governor Mark Dayton on the budget and failing to pass any significant job creation legislation, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knuston issued the following statement:

“After five months, the GOP majority has failed to create the jobs they promised and failed to pass a budget that protects the middle class.

“Instead of creating jobs and passing a fair budget, the GOP majority has pursued a divisive social agenda and policies that are harmful to Minnesota’s working people.

“The GOP majority insists on slashing jobs, increasing property taxes, and cutting the services we all rely on just to protect the richest 2% from paying the same share of taxes as middle class families do.

“We applaud Governor Dayton for making tough choices in a compromise budget proposal that is fair to all Minnesotans.

“Minnesota’s working men and women call on legislative leaders to return to the negotiating table and meet Governor Dayton halfway before a Government shutdown hurts middle class Minnesotans and our already fragile economic recovery.”