DFL Complaints With Gov. Pawlenty

03/27/2005

The DFL have a large list of complaints where Governor Pawlenty is concerned. Most are a difference between what Pawlenty claims and what the DFL Observes. Here is a synopsis of these differences from the DFL website:

CLASSROOMS

Claim:  “Tim Pawlenty will give our children the tools they need to succeed.” [2002, Pawlenty for Governor Campaign Literature]

DFL Observations: Pawlenty’s Decisions to Pass-the-Buck on Education Hurt Classrooms, Increase Costs to Taxpayers.

Tim Pawlenty is the first Governor in Minnesota history to cut funding to Minnesota classrooms – cutting education by more than $185 million in his first two years.

Tim Pawlenty’s supposed “increases” in education in his most recent budget do not even match inflation (which legislative estimates put at $683 million for FY ’06 – ‘07) and fall far short of what he cut over the past two years.

The Association of Metropolitan School Districts estimates that 26 school districts will make more than $88 million in cuts next year (05-06).  In three years, members of the association have eliminated the jobs of more than 2,800 employees, including 2,000 teachers. [The Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Press Release, 12/7/04]

Tim Pawlenty continues to rely on his pass-the-buck leadership on education financing, forcing local property taxes to increase.  Minnesotans will pay an additional $350 million in property taxes for 2004; under Pawlenty’s most recent budget proposal, property taxes in Minnesota would increase 9.2% in FY06, over FY05 levels.

Pawlenty’s pass-the-buck education policies mean teachers are being laid off, kids are in classes with as many as 40 students, teachers don’t have the supplies they need, and districts are having a hard time even paying their heat and electrical bills.

HEALTH CARE

Claim: “Pawlenty Administration officials say the governor’s proposals would maintain core health and support services for the neediest while keeping rising health care costs to the taxpayers in check.”


DFL Observations: Pawlenty’s Decision to Pass-the-Buck on Health Care Increases Health Care Costs for Taxpayers.

The Governor plans to cut an additional $258 million to health care—over 31,000 additional working Minnesotans will lose their health care coverage. 
As a result of Tim Pawlenty’s wrong choices on health care, nearly 80,000 Minnesotans have lost their health insurance since 2003. 

More Minnesotans are ending up in emergency rooms due to no health insurance, costing all Minnesotans more than $329 million in 2004 alone—in higher property taxes, increased hospital costs and even higher insurance premiums. 

The average Minnesotan already pays $11,000 per year for health care.  This amount will double to $22,000 by 2010 if current trends persist.  [Source:  Minnesota Citizens Forum on Health Care Costs; Executive Summary, 2/23/04]

Over half of personal bankruptcies are due to health care bills.  [Associated Press, 2/2/05]

Personal bankruptcy is up 21% since 2000.  Bankruptcieswent from 3.96 per 1,000 Minnesota adults in the 3rd Quarter of 2000 to 4.8 per 1,000 in the 2nd Quarter of 2004. [Source: Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, 11/28/04]. 

JOBS

Claim: “Tim Pawlenty knows the next Governor needs to be much more effected in job creation and economic development.” [2002 Pawlenty for Governor Campaign Literature]

DFL Observations: Pawlenty’s Decision to Pass-the-Buck on Jobs Lead to Lower-Paying Jobs, Slower-than-Nation Job Restoration.

Minnesota has lost 15,000 manufacturing jobs since 2002, a decline of 4.3%. [Department of Employment and Economic Development]

Governor Pawlenty is proposing to cut $13.6 million in job training and retraining programs.

The Governor is recommending major cuts to programs that help businesses.  The Governor’s own staff estimates that the Minnesota Investment Fund would have created 10 projects, 480 jobs, and leveraged $15 million in private investment during the next budget cycle. 

Household income in the state has fallen over the past few years. [8/1/04, Star Tribune]

Minnesota job growth has fallen behind the national pace.  [Source: 
Department of Employment and Economic Development].

TRANSPORTATION

Claim: “Tim Pawlenty understands that the lack of adequate roads and bridges in parts of Greater Minnesota and the congestion in the metro areas is an embarrassment.” [2002 Pawlenty for Governor Campaign Literature]

DFL Observations: Pawlenty’s Decisions to Pass-the-Buck on Transportation Means He Relies on Budget Gimmicks, Bankrupts Minnesota Roads and Highways.

The State Highway Fund, which funds Minnesota’s highways, is in the red for the first time ever – and by $161 million. [Legislative Budget Analysis]

Pawlenty’s transportation loan will cost Minnesota taxpayers $7.15 billion – with 1/3 of the costs going just to pay off the interest on the loan! [Legislative Budget Analysis]

Pawlenty’s transportation plan will force Minnesotans to pay off his debt for the next 28 years—until 2032! [Legislative Budget Analysis]

Pawlenty’s borrowing-spree would compromise the state’s bond rating, making it more expensive to borrow money – for anything – in the future.