Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Politician's claim is no surprise given his out-of-touch record

St. Paul (June 19, 2010) - This weekend, Rep. Randy Demmer revealed the reason he believes people are out of work in Minnesota: Minnesotans just refuse to work. Rep. Demmer claimed to know business owners who want to hire workers but have been turned down because people receiving unemployment benefits refuse to work.

"Rep. Randy Demmer has opened a new line of attack in his campaign - this time against unemployed Minnesotans," said DFL spokesperson Kristin Sosanie. "First he opposed increasing the minimum wage, then he opposed unemployment insurance, and now Rep. Demmer is blaming unemployment on the very Minnesotans struggling to make house payments and feed their families. It's disgusting. But unfortunately, that's exactly what we've come to expect from this typical politician."

This weekend, while Rep. Randy Demmer was blaming the unemployed for their refusal to work, Tim Walz was working on a new tax credit for businesses looking to hire veterans.

"Leaders like Tim Walz are doing all they can to create jobs for Minnesotans, while politicians like Randy Demmer are simply out looking for the next person to blame," Sosanie said. "Minnesota needs innovative leadership during these difficult times, not just another politician like Demmer who's playing politics as usual."

Background:

Walz, Demmer: Big differences, small agreement "Unemployment checks serve as competition with private employers seeking to hire, Demmer said. He's talked to business owners who want to add employees but have been turned down by those who choose to stick with their unemployment benefits." [Mankato Free Press, 7/18/2010].

Rep. Randy Demmer voted repeatedly against the minimum wage. In 2004, 2005 and 2008 Rep. Randy Demmer continuously voted against the minimum wage. [HF 102, KVA p. 26, 4/14/04; HF 48, KVA p. 38, 5/2/05; HF 456, KVA p. 76, 5/8/08].

Rep. Randy Demmer opposes unemployment insurance. For those who reach the end of their benefits, Demmer is confident a job will be found. "People are resourceful," he said. "When they're put in a position to really go and find something, I think they will." [Mankato Free Press, 7/18/2010].

Congressman Walz has a plan for unemployed vets. Tim Walz's legislation will provide a job tax credit to small businesses that hire veterans [KEYC TV, 7/17/2010].