politics

In an unusual use of political resources in the first year of his new term as governor, Tim Pawlenty's campaign committee has released a new radio ad decrying DFL tax-increase proposals in the Legislature.

The ad, which is airing statewide, is fueling the now-customary speculation about Republican Pawlenty's ambitions and is a sign of the intensifying policy battles in St. Paul.

DFLers, including Senate leaders taking advantage of the Legislature's Easter-week recess to travel on a statewide marketing tour to promote their tax plan, criticized the ad as inaccurate posturing that divides rather than mediates.

The spot will run for two weeks on major statewide radio stations.

How often it will air will depend on the level of support that Pawlenty's campaign receives from other donors, said Pawlenty campaign spokesman Michael Krueger. The money for the initial round of ads comes from leftover funds from the 2006 election and additional funds raised since then.

The ad begins with a woman's voice echoing a phrase Paw- lenty has used to warn of tax-and-spend programs now that the state has recovered from its budget crisis.

"When you finish a diet program you don't celebrate with a trip to the all-you-can-eat buffet," the voice-over warns. It speaks of Pawlenty's proposal for what the ad calls tax relief and "reasonable increases in priorities like health care and education" and warns of gas-tax and income-tax increases proposed by DFLers.

"We just dug ourselves out of a big budget hole. Let's not spend ourselves back into one," says Pawlenty, who urges listeners to contact their legislators.

Tax impact disputed

The advertising campaign came under quick criticism from DFLers, who said Pawlenty's claims of not raising taxes fail to mention $2 billion in property-tax increases, $1 billion more in fees and tuition increases of as much as 83 percent for the state's colleges during Pawlenty's first term.

"Rather than having another political campaign over the airwaves, we should sit down and govern together," said House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm.

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, said the ad misleads listeners into believing DFL income-tax plans increase taxes on all Minnesotans. The income-tax proposals would increase taxes on a small percentage but reduce taxes for the vast majority, she said. Eighty-two percent of those who would pay more under the Senate DFL plan earn over $500,000 a year, Clark said.

"It's unfortunate and disappointing that he's trying to talk to legislators through paid ads instead of talking directly to us," she said.

Last week, the DFL-majority Senate approved a nearly $1 billion income-tax increase that would create a top tax rate of 9.7 percent for the state's wealthiest 93,000 tax filers. House DFLers have a similar income-tax proposal pending, although their suggested top rate is only 9 percent and is designed to fall mostly on incomes above $1 million.

Both chambers also have approved a dime-a-gallon increase in the gas tax and authorized a metrowide sales-tax increase to fund roads and transit.

Pawlenty has threatened to veto the measures.

Broader signal?

While not unheard of, it is unusual for a campaign committee to ratchet up its visibility so soon after an election. Typically, governors rely on the inherent visibility of their office to get their message heard.