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Mark Dayton is Minnesota’s liberal Democrat-Farmer Labor Governor.

In an historic election, 2010 brought a tidal wave of Republicans into the Minnesota State Legislature. The Minnesota State House of Representatives and the Minnesota State Senate both have new GOP Majorities, which were formerly DFL majorities for multiple election cycles. But on the flip side, the 2010 Gubernatorial race ended in a recount that the GOP lost by less than 9,000 votes, giving us one of the most Liberal governors in state history.

Dayton is currently holding the State of Minnesota hostage while we await a government shutdown on July 1 if a budget agreement is not reached.  The governor and the GOP-controlled legislature are at an impasse as to how to close a $2 BILLION dollar gap. Dayton’s answer: Tax the Rich. GOP’s answer: Make tough cuts and live within our means.

Note to GOP legislators: NO MORE COMPROMISES. If there are any fee or tax increases, it is a fact that there will be primary challenges. We have to live within our means.

Governor Dayton’s actions are reminiscent of a child in a toy store who is begging and screaming for a shiny new toy. The state of Minnesota is not his toy box. It’s time that we stand up to a trust fund baby who obviously has no concept of what a budget really means, since he has doubtfully never had to live by one.

Below is a fantastic visual timeline from the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus of the budget negotiations thusfar. Minnesota is mere hours from shutting down, but Dayton is digging in his heels and will not give in without a tax increase.  THIS IS MARK DAYTON‘S SHUTDOWN.