Congresswoman McCollum Responds to the Draft Budget Deal Reached by Governor Dayton and State GOP Leaders

Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement, regarding the draft budget deal reached by Governor Dayton and State Republican Leaders.

"Residents of Minnesota have endured the longest state government shutdown in both state and U.S. history – an unacceptable crisis that was entirely avoidable if not for Tea Party--Republican ultimatums that put jobs at risk, put our economy in peril, and ignore the needs of middle class families.

"I share the belief with the Governor and the majority of Minnesotans that a lasting budget deal should include a balanced mix of responsible cuts and reasonable revenue increases. However, Tea Party Republicans running the State Legislature have made clear that their extreme agenda has little room for this fiscal common sense. Given this reality, Governor Dayton made the difficult choice to get state government working again and keep Minnesota from further slipping backwards.

"It's clear this is not the deal that Governor Dayton, DFLers, or most Minnesotans wanted. However, it is the agreement that Republicans legislators forced onto Minnesotans and it is their deal to pass."

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

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