Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

DFL Chair Ken Martin issued a statement today in response to the Campaign Finance Board’s ruling on the complaint filed last Monday regarding $70,000 paid by the Republican Party of Minnesota to Sen. Dave Thompson that was not disclosed in Thompson’s campaign finance reports.

"The ruling by the Campaign Finance Board draws attention to a legal loophole that has allowed elected leaders like Senator Thompson to sidestep disclosure requirements that are there to make campaigns and government more transparent.  This loophole needs to be closed immediately.”

“A bill introduced in the House by Representative Ryan Winkler would close that loophole. In the last year, we have witnessed a Republican Party pushing ethical boundaries and forcing Minnesotans to ask if the Minnesota GOP is paying their candidates to run for office.  Rep. Winkler's bill would eliminate that practice by forcing elected officials to disclose all sources of income.

Nationwide health care law helped 2.5 million young adults

St. Paul – Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided state-by-state numbers showing that the Affordable Care Act continues to significantly increase the number of young adults who have health insurance,  helping 32,000 young adults here in Minnesota and 2.5 million around the country.

Before the Affordable Care Act, more young Americans lacked health insurance than any other age group – accounting for more than one in five of the uninsured.  Going without insurance put the health and finances of millions of young people at risk.  Contrary to the myth that young people don’t need health insurance, one in six young adults has a chronic disease like cancer, diabetes or asthma.  Studies show that nearly half of uninsured young adults reported problems paying their medical bills and others forwent regular care, like checkups or recommended screenings, due to cost.

ST. PAUL (December 1, 2011) –Today, the Minnesota Management and Budget office released the November budget forecast. State DFL Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

"The economic forecast that was released today does not reflect the irresponsible borrow and spend tactics that the Republicans have used to balance our state's budget. In spite of the surplus, Minnesota still has a $2.9 billion debt to our children and schools because the Republicans decided it was easier to take money from education rather than raise taxes on the rich. Middle class families are shouldering higher property taxes because the Republicans refused to make millionaires pay their fair share. Last summer's state shutdown was completely due to the Republicans refusal to give an inch on taxes, a move which cost the state $60 million. The Republican budget strategies rely on one-time borrow and shift methods that have maxed out our state's credit card; their celebration of today's budget news is misguided." 

Republican majority's irresponsible budget gimmicks force downgrade of Minnesota's bond rating

ST. PAUL (September 23, 2011) — Today, Standard and Poor's downgraded Minnesota's bond rating from AAA to AA+. State DFL Chair Ken Martin released this statement:

"Today's downgrade of Minnesota's bond rating is a direct result of the fiscally irresponsible policies that the Republican majority forced upon the people of Minnesota.

"Governor Dayton had a plan to raise revenues fairly, sustainably and permanently to help fix our state's budget deficit in the long term. But Republicans vehemently opposed the balanced approach and insisted on one-time shifts and borrowing instead of asking the rich to pay just a little more. Now the GOP's chickens are coming home to roost.

"First it was tax hikes on homeowners, then it was struggling schools and now it's a blow to our state's fiscal health. However you look at it, this downgrade and its effects are just the latest in the series of ways that Minnesotans have to bear the brunt of the hurt because of the Minnesota Republicans' misplaced priorities and irresponsible choices."