DNC: Pawlenty Calls for Changes That Would Hurt Our Economy While Misrepresenting His Failed Fiscal Record in Minnesota

Please see below for a fact check of Tim Pawlenty’s op-ed in the Des Moines Register this morning…

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is being issued by the Democratic National Committee:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100929/DNCLOGO)

In the Des Moines Register this morning, Pawlenty insisted Congress not raise the debt ceiling without conditions that would threaten our economy while repeatedly misrepresenting his record as governor. He portrays himself as a frugal tax-cutter, when in fact his irresponsible budgeting left the state with the largest deficit in its history and higher taxes for 90 percent of its citizens. Here are the facts:

Pawlenty’s Conditions For A Budget Agreement Would Hurt Our Economy And Could Cause Problems For Social Security. Pawlenty suggested Congress draw a “line in the sand” and only raise the debt ceiling if accompanied by a balanced budget amendment, cut in current spending and caps on future spending. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this proposal would have negative consequences for our economy and potential problems for Social Security. “A balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution [...] would be a highly ill-advised way to address the nation’s long-term fiscal problems. It would threaten significant economic harm while raising a host of problems for the operation of Social Security and other vital federal functions.” [CBPP, 6/6/11]

Under Pawlenty, Taxes Increased For Middle Class Families But Were Cut For The Top 10 Percent. Pawlenty claimed that he did not raise taxes, yet his record shows that the average tax rates for the bottom 90 percent increased while average taxes for the top 10 percent went down. [PoliGraph, MPR, 4/29/11]

• “During Pawlenty’s Tenure, Property Taxes Have Increased By $3 Billion, Or 65 Percent.” [MinnPost.com, 2/15/10]
• “During Pawlenty’s Tenure… Fees Have Doubled, Reaching A Total Of $1.25 Billion.” [MinnPost.com, 2/15/10]

Pawlenty Increased Cigarette Taxes To End Government Shutdown. Pawlenty now urges Congress to reject any tax increases as part of an agreement on the debt ceiling, yet as governor, Pawlenty ended the government shutdown by proposing to raise taxes on cigarettes. [Wall Street Journal, 7/2/11]

Pawlenty Left Office With A Projected $6.2 Billion Deficit. In the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty claimed that he left Minnesota with a budget surplus, but in fact, he left office with a projected $6.2 billion deficit. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/2/10]

SOURCE Democratic National Committee