Fight over taxes on the House floor

Minnesota's great budget reckoning was writ Tuesday in a heated debate on the House floor.

Republicans brought Gov. Mark Dayton's tax plan, which would raise income taxes on the richest two percent of Minnesotans, up for a vote. The Republicans, who are the majority, decried the proposal and Democrats, backing Dayton, said it was only fair.

After hours of debate, the Minnesota House rejected the proposal on a 60-73 vote. All but one Democrat -- Rep. Gene Pelowski, of Winona -- voted for the idea and all the Republicans voted against it.

"We need to trust free enterprise," said freshman Republican Rep. Doug Wardlow.

"We have a choice. Our choice is really about who is going to pay," said Democratic Rep. Erin Murphy. "Please consider, please vote for the governor's proposal."

The Republican decision to force votes on the DFL governor's tax plan is a sign of how far things have melted down at the Capitol. Dayton Monday narrowed from a nearly $3.4 billion hike to a $1.8 billion hike and $1.8 billion in spending cuts. Republicans resoundingly rejected that idea.

That divide leaves lawmakers hurtling quickly toward special session and the governor saying he feels increasingly "pessimistic." The regular session ends on May 23.

After a brief meeting with Republicans, Dayton said Tuesday he will not "surrender" to Republicans' demand that he cut the budget down to their level.

"The governor's proposal taxes everyone that buys something," House Taxes Committee Chair Greg Davids. "The myth is that only the (top) two percent get hit."

"Now is the time to draw the line in the sand," the Preston Republican shouted on the House floor.

Democrats, some of whom had been a bit squeamish about Dayton's previous tax plan, were equally vehement in drawing their lines.

Republican Rep. Mary Franson accused Democrats of using "big, fancy words," so she put her stance in little ones: "We are not going to raise taxes."

DFL Rep. Ryan Winkler retorted: "I'll try not to use big, fancy words like 'shared sacrifice' because they are incomprehensible to your side."

On Tuesday, DFL Rep. Paul Marquart turned that mantra around. The rich should pay their fair share and, he exclaimed "Not a penny more."

Republicans are teeing up their budget bills to send to Dayton's desk. He has made clear he has no love for those measures, which he said would slash health care for the poor, cause property taxes to skyrocket and force public colleges and universities to hike tuition out of reach.

House and Senate members planned to vote on their own plans for education, colleges and university, courts, and economic development plans.