The Senate budget is out (now for real, not just leaked) and it does indeed included $2 billion in revenue (or tax increases) and a 7% across the board cut. That cut had a representative from Education Minnesota ask Sen. Pogemiller "Larry, what the hell are you doing to us?" The teachers union is not happy and says that cut means cuts to the classroom and if the numbers aren't real it's a "dangerous game of politics." Democrats pretty much admitted the revenue will come "based on ability to pay" and that means income taxes. Sen. Tom Bakk said sales tax increases to clothing and services are not on the table. The candidate for governor also added that they need to balance the budget out into the future for the next governor, he's hoping that's him.
But the Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem shocked everyone in the room when he didn't know about the most significant bill signed into law this year--one that requires the governor and legislature to balance the budget for four years (instead of just 2 years). Senjem asked reporters if that was law and we all had to tell him, yes it is law. Yes, his chamber passed it as well. The gasps were audible. Surprise over that got in the way of Republicans saying this DFL budget would result in the largest tax increase in Minnesota history. They said unlike the governor's budget which has various business tax cuts, the Democrats don't have anything about jobs in their budget.
Now, there's hallway talk if Sen. Geoff Michel wouldn't be a better spokesman. He's the best soundbite in the caucus and he seemed to be the only leader in the front of the room who knew about the new law for a four year balanced budget which we should point out was a Republican amendment. I know Michel has a large young family at home that has made interest in higher office difficult for him. Frankly, Dems like having Senjem around because they think he's easy to manipulate and they don't want someone smooth like Michel to deal with.