Minnesota Taxpayer Protection

"I still have an important tool to restrain taxes and spending. I call it the taxpayer protection pen, otherwise known as the veto pen."

- Governor Tim Pawlenty, promising to keep liberal Democrat legislators from "digging into [taxpayer] wallets" during his State-of-the-State speech at the St. Cloud Civic Center

The area liberal DFL legislators' response, as reported in the Rochester P-B was predictable:

"I think it's very disappointing that he's got this extreme rhetoric about using his veto pen." - Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-30A)

It is Tina Liebling's performance as a legislator that deserves the label "disappointing."

How far to the left is Tina when she says that Governor Tim Pawlent's promised use of the veto pen to stem the DFL tide of abusive taxation is "extreme rhetoric?"

Tina's embarrasing tenure as a legislator, as well as a voting record that reflects values contrary to those of her constituents, is what's truly extreme.

"Maybe he should talk to farmers in my district who pay large, increasing property taxes," Welti said. "His rhetoric about new sources of revenue when they are paying increasing property taxes, they know where it's coming from." - Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-30B)

Welti is an ignoramus. He is an embarrassment to his district and to himself. Welti's demagoguery on rural property taxes should sicken anyone who understands the pressure under which farmers and rural property owners find themselves.