Dayton argues his case in St. Cloud
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
From Tom Scheck:
Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton held a forum in St. Cloud today to make the case to the public that his budget battle with GOP legislative leaders has a wide- ranging impact on the state. The focus of the forum, held at a high school in St. Cloud, was special education funding.
More than 100 people attended the event and cheered when speakers called for higher taxes to help erase the state's $5 billion projected budget deficit. Dayton said his plan would help protect special education funding.
"This is a reminder at what's at stake for children with special needs--129,000 school children around Minnesota who have a need for special education and would experience cuts under the Republican budget proposal. That's why Commissioner Cassellius and I are here today," he said. "It's certainly affirming to hear from those who are making due with even less money already."
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Six St. Cloud-area Republican lawmakers said they do not support additional revenue to balance the budget.
Rep.King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, said he won't support new taxes to plug the budget gap.
"I do not believe we need new revenues. We have the most revenues that we have ever had in a state budget from state sources," he said. " We do not need additional revenues in this budget."
Dayton is holding forums around the state as the the state government shutdown continues. He'll be in southeastern Minnesota Wednesday.
