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| Date: | May 25, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE REPUBLICAN CLEAN-UP CREW TAKES OFFENSE TO "EXTREMIST" LABEL |
(St. Paul)-- Members of the Senate Republican Clean-Up Crew assembled at the State Capitol on Wednesday to respond to recent criticism from Governor Mark Dayton. In interviews and news conferences in the last 36 hours, Gov. Dayton has repeatedly characterized members of the Legislature's freshmen class as "extreme, right-wing caucus members."
"Governor Dayton and I share a few things in common; we're both children of hardworking business owners and we're both fathers. Yet, he calls me an extremist, saying I don't understand government and care about it even less. I'll be the first to admit I'm new to this title but I'm not stranger to the job," said Senator Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo). "Voters in my district elected a business owner and a father passionate about education and health care. I'm committed to representing my constituents on the terms they elected me on, as a citizen legislator."
Lillie added: "And I am not alone. My colleagues, who stand with me today, are first-term legislators with real world, private sector experience who were sent here to clean up decades of runaway spending and government growth by DFL majorities. The Minnesota families and businesses we represent don't think responsible spending and balanced budgets are extreme, to them, it's mainstream." Senator Lillie is the publisher of Lillie Suburban Newspapers, St. Paul's oldest and largest weekly newspaper publisher.
"Labeling members of the Legislature for their convictions and principles is just as insulting to our constituents, who sent us here to represent their philosophy of smaller government and responsible spending," said Senator Pam Wolf (R-Spring Lake Park). Senator Wolf is a teacher.
Senator Lillie and Senator Wolf were joined by other members of the Senate Republican Caucus who are also serving their first year in the Minnesota Senate.
- Sen. Dave Thompson from Lakeville is an attorney in private practice.
- Sen. Roger Chamberlain from Lino Lakes is a Senior Corporate Tax Accountant with Ameriprise.
- Sen. Michelle Benson from Ham Lake is a Certified Public Accountant.
- Sen. Benjamin Kruse from Brooklyn Park is a Real Estate Agent.
- Sen. Al DeKruif from Elysian is a camp ground owner.
- Sen. John How from Red Wing owns a real estate company.
Senator Lillie at podium with (L to R) Senator Howe, Senator Chamberlain, Senator Benson and Senator Thompson behind.
