Pro-tax capitol rally set for today

By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune

Last update: May 11, 2009 - 11:53 AM

A coalition of non-profits, labor unions and faith-based groups are inserting themselves today into the middle of the continuing state government standoff over taxes and spending.

The Invest in Minnesota group planned a noon rally at the state Capitol rotunda, in which members plan to call for "fair revenue raising."

"Legislators need to hear that their constituents want fair taxes to be part of the solution in order to adequately fund services," according to the group's flyer.

That position places the organization firmly on the side of the DFL, which has proposed a raft of tax increases as part of the solution for the state's budget crisis.

It also places them firmly against Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is adamantly opposed to tax increases and has already vetoed a $1 billion tax hike plan sent to him at the end of last week.

At the end of the rally, members of Invest in Minnesota plan to attempt to buttonhole legislators to advance a pro-tax message.

As a draft letter to legislators states, "I am contacting you to let you know that I support raising revenues fairly. We cannot solve the current budget shortfall without adequate funding for public services that Minnesotans count on to make ends meet."

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