FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2015
Contact: Greta Bergstrom, 651.336.6722, greta@takeactionminnesota.org
St. Paul, MN – TakeAction Minnesota released the following statement at the conclusion of Governor Dayton’s 2015 State of the State address:
“Governor Dayton made it clear tonight that an economy that works for all Minnesotans, an economy that puts working families first, continues to be his vision for our state. With a nearly $2 billion budget surplus, the Governor’s priorities are to invest our shared resources into the people of our state including all day pre-K, more affordable higher education, increased transit funding that strives to catch up with increased demand, and ensuring that higher wages for workers are protected.
“In stark contrast to Governor Dayton’s investment in broad prosperity for the people of our state stands a corporate-backed legislative agenda that would eliminate MinnesotaCare for 95,000 working Minnesotans, increase tax breaks and loopholes for big businesses, and reduce wages for tipped workers. An economic agenda structured by corporate special interests, for the benefit of big corporations, at the direct expense of workers whose wages have stagnated and are being forced to work harder and harder for less and less. An agenda that refuses to improve the lives of over one million Minnesota workers by providing basic middle-class benefits like earned sick and safe time, fair scheduling, paid family leave and protections against wage theft.
“Tonight Governor Dayton demonstrated that he understands that the best use of our public resources are more investments in education, transportation and quality job creation for the working families who have fallen behind over the past decade — not more breaks for the richest and biggest businesses.
“The Governor was forceful in articulating that widening economic and educational disparities are harmful to our whole state, and families must be given the flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities. Governor Dayton is focused on our future, and on investing in the people and public institutions that will continue to make our state great, leading the nation in quality of life.”
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