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Socialism? Seriously?

GOP candidate for governor has long record of standing against hardworking Minnesotans - called $1 wage increase "socialism"

St. Paul (July 9, 2010) - This week, Tom Emmer came under fire for his desire to slash the wages of service workers if he's elected governor. But Emmer has stood against hardworking Minnesotans before. In 2005, Tom Emmer opposed the first minimum-wage increase in over eight years, calling it "a true form of socialism." State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:

"Socialism? Seriously? It's clear that Tom Emmer has never worked in the service industry and doesn't understand the economic realities that face working Minnesotans."

Yesterday, the DFL Party launched www.ServersAgainstTomEmmer.com to help hardworking Minnesotans spread the word about Tom Emmer's plans to slash wages for service-industry workers.

Background:

Emmer stood against a minimum wage increase that helped 100,000 Minnesotans.

· On May 2, 2005, Emmer opposed a bill that raised the minimum wage by $1 an hour. The bill passed the House 84-50. [Minnesota House of Representatives, SF 3 2005, House Journal 3417]

· According to Minnesota Public Radio, supporters of a minimum wage increase estimated that 50,000 Minnesotans make the minimum wage and another 60-70,000 make less than a dollar more. [MPR Vote Tracker, accessed 5/29/10]

Emmer called a $6.15 minimum wage "socialism"

· "Republicans opposed to the measure said it...would drive more jobs elsewhere. The measure makes Minnesota even more hostile to entrepreneurs and job creators, said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delando. ‘This is a true form of socialism,' Emmer said." [Duluth News Tribune, 5/3/05]

Now, Emmer wants to impose a tip penalty and cut the wages of hardworking Minnesotans. "Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer says Minnesota should factor tips into the hourly pay for minimum wage workers in restaurants and other gratuity-based jobs. After visiting a St. Paul restaurant Monday on a listening tour, Emmer advocated for a so-called "tip credit" to the state minimum wage." [Associated Press, 7/5/10]

Statewide office: 
Governor

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