Editor’s note: This letter was written prior to the convening of a special legislative session.

Whose shutdown is this? As a candidate, Mark Dayton said he would not shut down government for any tax increases. As governor, Mark Dayton vetoed almost the entire budget compromise passed by the GOP Legislature, even though it increased state spending by 6 percent, and was the largest general fund budget ever.

Let’s see, April-May, the GOP Legislature passed a balanced budget, which was the first compromise that included the largest general fund spending ever in Minnesota. Gov. Dayton offered what he said was a compromise, but he wouldn’t release any details on his spending or revenue proposals. The governor is focused solely on tax increases on “the rich” and expanding sales taxes to more services at a lower rate which impacts the middle class. He is ignoring spending and reform. The GOP Legislature has made three detailed budget compromises, and Gov. Dayton zero. In the last 100 plus days the GOP Legislature has made a total of 10 offers. Gov. Dayton has made five offers.

Only Gov. Dayton can call a special session. From the beginning the GOP Legislature has been asking Gov. Dayton to call a special session to approve a short-term funding bill to continue operations while negotiations are held. GOP Leaders have made requests to Gov. Dayton five times for a “lights on” bill to get Minnesota back to work. Whether you agree with proposals from the governor or the GOP Legislature, it is Gov. Dayton who is holding the state budget hostage by shutting down the government. Gov. Dayton needs to call the Legislature back so they can pass a lights-on bill, get the government open again and end the shutdown.

Sybil Broskoff

Albert Lea