Boot hockey tournaments, wild rice, state fair foods on a stick,  fishing, snoopy statues, and Joe Mauer behind the plate are just some of the things that make our state "above average."

But this year, the legislature saw an unprecedented $6.4 billion shortfall in the Minnesota budget. True to Minnesota form, our DFL-led legislature at the capitol refused to give up. They rolled up their sleeves and passed a balanced budget to close the gap using a responsible and reasonable combination of cuts, revenues, and one-time funds.

Their plan protected jobs and those hardest hit by the economic recession, and provided adequate funding to our hospitals, nursing homes, schools and communities. It ensured families, seniors, children and veterans would still be able to obtain vital services, and keep their communities safe, even during these tough economic times.

But Governor Tim Pawlenty and his allies had other plans.

Pawlenty vetoed the Legislature's plan, leaving us in the hole again, just before he headed to Washington, D.C. for a string of public appearances to stir up talk about his presidential ambitions.

Help us create a Minnesota that thrives – not just survives.

By signing the petition below you can send a message to the Governor and Republican legislators who supported his veto of the balanced budget:

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

By vetoing (and supporting the veto) the balanced budget, you have attacked the things that make our state great.

Please hold a one-day special session to find better ways to fix the problem, and show leadership during these tough times.

Working together, we can still avoid losing hospital and nursing home services in our communities. We can still prevent overcrowding in the schools in our communities across the state. Together, we can protect the Minnesota that we all love.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
June 11, 2009