Michel: 'This is the Budget that Can Pass the Legislature'

Three hours before the 2011 legislative session came to a close, State Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) urged Gov. Mark Dayton to either sign some of the Republican budget bills or send a prompt veto message.

Michel wouldn't get his answer until the following morning, when Dayton vetoed all nine bills. Dayton said he felt like he was willing to compromise, while Republican legislators were not budging.

“In the spirit of compromise, more than one week ago, I cut my proposal in half, in the hopes that an offer to meet in the middle would spur action towards the balanced solution the people of Minnesota have asked for," Dayton wrote in his veto letters. “Instead, you chose to present me with an all-cuts approach, one that has serious consequences for Minnesotans, and that I do not believe is in line with our shared commitment to build a better Minnesota.

Michel said Dayton's proposed budget bills have not and will not not have the support of the Legislature.

"Senate DFLers, House DFLers wouldn't even carry these bills and I think they're afraid of some of the same things we are," Michel said. "It'd be the second highest tax rate in the country."

The veto sets the stage for a special session of the Legislature, though Dayton has said he will not call legislators back to the Capitol until he can reach some sort of accord with leaders. 

"We still find it kind of hard to believe that the governor would threaten a shutdown for more spending and more taxes," Michel said.