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kickysnana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-29-11 05:02 AM
Original message
Dear Governor Dayton,
I am a disabled grandmother who cares for my wheelchair bound Aunt because she took care of me for over a year when I was too ill to care for myself while waiting a diagnosis and helped me raise my two boys. We will be heavily hit by a shutdown but we will be hit harder by the outrageous proposals of the GOP. We have prepared. We live in a low income senior building and we will all take care of each other during this time. Please do not let the evil progress. Gov Pawlenty held the line and so can you. They will blink when their constituents feel the pain and better now than later when nothing can be done. Thank you for your service to our State. You are in my prayers.
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MineralMan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-29-11 08:27 AM
Response to Original message
1. It's coming down to the wire. Today will probably tell the story.
I'm not sure what will happen. Dayton did not look pleased when he spoke to the press yesterday. I fear that he's going to give in, but I'm not sure. I hope not.
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no name no slogan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-29-11 07:14 PM
Response to Original message
2. As of Friday, I'm out of work
I work for the state, and I've been officially notified by my HR rep that I should not report for work on Friday, July 1.

I work in IT as a system administrator/web developer. I could have worked this shutdown, as my system is 'critical' (I worked the 2005 shutdown). However, I chose to let a coworker (who runs a similar system to mine) take my place, as he needed the money more than I did. Still, I'd much rather be at my job, serving the citizens of this state, than sitting on my ass at home, watching the news, waiting for my recall notice, and collecting unemployment.

I fully blame Zellers and his cronies for not compromising, and properly funding human services. I hope like hell that he and his ilk are sent packing in 2012.

-nnns
state employee, union member, and sysadmin.
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mascarax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-30-11 08:57 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. I'm sorry, but you did a good thing
by choosing to let a coworker take your place because he needed the money more.

Did you get one of the Koch/Zellars letters? Why didn't it go to all state workers--must be how they obtained the database of emails?

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no name no slogan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jul-11-11 08:31 AM
Response to Reply #6
17. Yes, I did get one of the letters
and I've never seen such a patronizing piece of crap in my life. It was a bunch of whiny, excuse-making claptrap the likes of which I've never seen before. And they had the nerve to send it to my work email address, too.

Here's the email I got from them, so you can see for yourself:




-----Original Message-----
From: Kurt Zellers
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 12:12 PM
To: Kurt Zellers
Subject: A Message from the Speaker and Majority Leader

Dear Valued State Employee:

As Speaker of the House and Majority Leader of the Senate, we want to personally let you know that we do not want a government shutdown. Our best opportunity for resolution is in the next 72 hours. This is a serious time for you, for us and for our state.

The budget that passed the Minnesota Legislature in May spent $34 billion. It represents a 12% increase over the $30 billion this same tax structure brought in for the past two years. If we include the $2.3 billion of federal stimulus dollars that supplemented our current budget during the recession, this $34 billion budget represents a 6% increase in spending. All without raising taxes.

The governor vetoed all but the agriculture budget. He originally wanted to spend $37 billion, and later revised his budget. However, he has yet to provide key details for each part of that budget.

Since the governor vetoed the Legislatures budget bills, we have made three substantive compromises. We funded K-12 education, public safety and courts at the governors requested levels; withdrew our request for tax cuts; and allocated additional resources to higher education, environment, and flood and disaster relief. All were rejected by Governor Dayton.

We also asked to be called to special session - something only the governor can do - so that we can pass bills and avoid an unfortunate, unnecessary and potentially costly shutdown. The Governor has said he will not call a special session.

We, like you, know what it is like to sit around the kitchen table, pay the bills and balance our household budget. We know that our balanced budget includes difficult decisions for state agencies. But you can be sure about one thing: Our budget keeps state agencies open on July 1 and state employees will continue getting paychecks beyond June 30.

We agree with the Pioneer Press editorial from Sunday, June 26 that characterized Governor Daytons negotiations as This is not a compromise. This is hostage taking. Governor Dayton promised as a candidate to not shut down government, and he reiterated that pledge during his State of the State Address this year.

We take him at his word, and we will work everyday to help him keep it. We remain resolved to working with Governor Dayton to complete the state budget by June 30 and to keep state government open.

Sincerely,

Speaker Kurt Zellers

Majority Leader Amy Koch



Nice, huh?
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dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-29-11 09:22 PM
Response to Original message
3. Rumor has it that the Republicans snuck out a side door after today's meetings
in order to avoid the press. This tells me that they know they are wrong and aren't up to even trying to justify their position. Not that that means they'll "abandon" the top 2% - it just means they can't look the public in the eye.
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dodger501 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-30-11 10:35 AM
Response to Original message
4. Can someone help me out on this?
I am getting hammered by the wingnuts at work and I am ashamed to say I have not kept current enough on this.
They are saying the Repub legislators have compromised and have increased spending 16%.
And Dayton is beholden to unions, teachers, etc. and that is the reason he is not budging at all.
I was able to swat away the last one (this is what he cmpaigned on, he has agreed to many cuts, etc.) but need help with the rest.
Thanks.
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SomeGuyInEagan Donating Member (872 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-30-11 12:25 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. Mpls-St. Paul magazine has a really nice two-page graphic ...
... of what lead to this in the latest print edition (the "Summer" edition, perhaps June? - not finding the two-page graphic on their web site, however). It covers the past 20 or so years.

The key to me in that was that overall income tax is at a 20-year low and that if we (the state) taxed income at the same rate as 2000, there would be no deficit. If we (the state) taxed at 1990 levels, we would have a surplus right now.

Dayton wants to add another level of income tax for Minnesotans for everything over $125k for single filers, everything over $250k for couples(at least that was the proposal at one time, which would affect five percent of Minnesotans paying income taxes) to create more revenue. Note that the income tax is a progressive income tax - many Republicans spin this as if you earn more than $125k (single), you will pay a higher rate on every dollar you earn - that is a lie.

And note that this is only on income taxes.
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SomeGuyInEagan Donating Member (872 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-01-11 09:59 AM
Response to Reply #5
10. Found the article ....
It is the June 2011 "Best of Summer" issue of Minneapolis St. Paul magazine. I cannot find the article online. It is titled, "Where Did All the Money Go" by Britt Robson (pages 65-67).

Basic theme is that a dozen years ago, the state was swimming in cash. The big take away for me is:

The percentage of personal income of Minnesotans spend on state and local government:

1991 - 18 percent
2001 - 15.5 percent
2011 - 15.2 percent

Quote from the graphic:

"IF MINNESOTANS PAID THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF PERSONAL INCOME TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS WE DID IN 1998, THERE WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $6.62 BILLION/YEAR IN REVENUE. BYE-BYE CRISIS!"

Since this is the "Best of Summer" issue, I bet it is still on newsstands. The libraries certainly have it. Get it, read it, copy it, post it on your door.

Also, Dayton's got some pretty big balls. His "Millionaires over Minnesotans" speech is brilliant. We all need to be contacting his office today and everyday to let him know that we are behind him.
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dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-30-11 09:32 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. I thought they had increased the budget 6%, not 16% -
Edited on Thu Jun-30-11 09:33 PM by dflprincess
maybe that's just the education portion. At any rate, the budget "increase" doesn't keep up with rising costs and programs will have to cut even with the increase.

Ask the wingnuts at work why they think it's wrong to raise the income tax on the top 2% but it is okay to cut the Renters' Credit that helps low and moderate income people. There are a lot of elderly people who need that rebate every year.

Also, Dayton's tax increase doesn't kick in until a person's taxable income exceeds the limits he's set. So, if you are a couple whose taxable income exceeds $250K, you'll pay the same amount you have been paying up to the 250K, it is only the amount over that that will be taxed at a higher rate.
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The Velveteen Ocelot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-30-11 10:44 PM
Response to Original message
8. The GOPers have the upper hand because they really don't care
that people will be hurt by the state shutdown. They can hold out indefinitely because they aren't bothered by people being out of work or unable to obtain government services - after all, government services shouldn't even exist, in their view. Dayton and the DFL legislators, on the other hand, will feel pressure to do something to get the state going again so people can get their paychecks and the help they need, so they'll probably want to find a way to compromise to get at least some results.

I hope this at least raises some awareness of what the government actually does that people usually don't notice.

Have I ever mentioned that I hate Republicans with the intensity of a thousand suns?
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glinda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-01-11 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. +1
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kickysnana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-01-11 05:43 AM
Response to Original message
9. Well the judge spared the folks who need PCA service.
The GOP certainly won't.

Auntie's PCA is a Pastors wife from the UK who took an assignment in the US so their teenage kids could experience another country, and they certainly are. Unfortunately she developed a wonky gall bladder and type 2 diabetes and her medical bills are climbing. She bought health insurance but it is expensive and paltry and a trip back to the UK is quite expensive too and she has many duties here. She cannot afford not to work. She works overnights 5 days and for my Aunt 4 hours 3 or 4 days a week and for the church for free many, many hours. In the UK she was an LPN many years but she would have to retrain here.
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CatholicEdHead Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jul-11-11 10:56 AM
Response to Reply #9
18. And now some Republicans are going after the judge
to shut everything down, even the "essential services", saying she overstepped her bounds. They would prefer zero government if possible.

I cannot find the link anymore but most of the reps and senators were in the greater west metro.
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Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-01-11 12:55 PM
Response to Original message
11. The righties are out in force on the Strib's website obviously repeating AM
radio talking points as if they are stunning witticisms (that's the dumb posters) or letting their greed and racism shine forth for all to see (that's the posters who aren't quite as dumb).
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glinda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-01-11 01:22 PM
Response to Reply #11
13. Yup. Also exactly "who" requested this cone of silence garbage?
Let me guess.....
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Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-01-11 10:23 PM
Response to Original message
14. If you have a Facebook page, go to the I Support Governor Dayton page
and "like" it.

At 4PM (Fri., July 1), there were about 1,000 "likes." Now, at 10:30PM the same day, there are over 3,000.
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SomeGuyInEagan Donating Member (872 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jul-02-11 09:07 AM
Response to Original message
15. Minnesota's Election process ...
I am so happy we live in a state with a paper trail for elections. Imagine where we would be with Emmer as governor.

So happy.

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Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jul-02-11 11:08 AM
Response to Reply #15
16. And the Republicanites tell their zombies that Dayton is governor only because
Edited on Sat Jul-02-11 11:09 AM by Lydia Leftcoast
the DFL "cheated." And that's their rational for advocating voting restrictions. They have convinced their zombies that whenever the DFL wins, it's because people on welfare voted at several precincts.

Can you say "projection"?
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