Emergency Action Alert - MN Government

07/01/2005

Dear DFLer,

Governor Tim Pawlenty has been preparing the state for a government shutdown for nearly a month, grandstanding about how the budget impasse is the DFL’s fault, when he should have been truly leading and working out a compromise with the Legislature at the negotiating table.

As you know, Minnesota highway rest stops and other critical government functions like homeless shelters, victim assistance centers, health care services and job centers, among others, have closed down around Minnesota. So we have prepared a direct action package for you to send a message to Gov. Pawlenty that HE – “GOVERNOR SHUTDOWN”—CLOSED STATE GOVERNMENT and we are holding him accountable.  What better way to celebrate our nation’s independence than by exercising our rights of free speech on the July 4th weekend!

Click here to find a list of rest stops around the state, as well as a flier that you can print off and take to a closed government site.  Take a photo of you and friends or family with the sign: “CLOSED by Governor Pawlenty .”

Please send your digital photos in as soon as possible to or send printed photos to: Minnesota DFL Party, 255 E. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107.

Also, you may want to take a moment to write a letter to the editor and/or call in to talk radio today. As you write your letter, keep these talking points in mind:

Pawlenty has accused DFL legislators of inaction, saying, “they would rather do nothing.” That’s nonsense. To the contrary, DFL legislative leaders have offered several compromise budget plans and ideas throughout the 2005 legislative session and have made major concessions to the Governor. But to no avail.

Under Gov. Pawlenty Minnesotans have faced perennial budget deficits and cuts to schools, health care and transportation and huge increases in property taxes, “fees,” and college tuition.

Pawlenty should stop trying to put words into his opponents’ mouths, and start speaking for the people who elected him - the people of Minnesota who want a fair budget and a functioning state government that takes care of the people’s concerns about schools, transportation and health care.

Thank you for all your help in holding Gov. Pawlenty and the Republicans accountable for the mess they have made of Minnesota.

Thanks,

Brian Melendez
Minnesota DFL Party Chair