|
| Date: | June 14, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
|
| SENATE ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER DAVE THOMPSON STATEMENT ON FALSE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED BY DEED |
(St. Paul) -- Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville) issued the following statement regarding false information contained in a letter from Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Mark Philips.
In the letter to contractors, vendors, and grantees, dated, June 10, 2011, Commissioner Philips stated “…the Minnesota State Legislature adjourned May 23, 2011, without appropriating money to fund the operations of state government for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2011.”
“DEED’s lie is shameful. The Minnesota State Legislature adjourned on May 23, 2011, having passed the largest general fund budget in state history, which appropriated money to fund the operations of state government for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2011. It is inconceivable that the Department of Employment and Economic Development, under Governor Dayton’s direction, did not know this fact. Therefore I must assume this is a deliberate attempt by DEED to spread misinformation about the work product of the Minnesota legislature. DEED Commissioner Mark Philips should issue a new, corrected letter to contractors, vendors and grantees reflecting that truth,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Thompson.
“Whitewashing by members of Governor Dayton’s administration won’t change the fact that the legislature passed a complete, balanced budget by the constitutionally required deadline. It won’t change the fact that we offered a compromise that would fund priorities like education and public safety at the Governor’s levels to prevent his decision to shutdown government. It won’t change the fact that, if signed, our budget would keep Minnesota government open and operating. Governor Dayton is preparing to shut down government to raise taxes, something, as a candidate, he said he wouldn’t do. The decision to shut down government is on Governor Dayton and on him alone,” concluded Senate Assistant Majority Leader Thompson.
Click Here To Read DEED's Letter
