Minn. Senate GOP To Dayton: We Won't Raise Taxes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Republicans in the Minnesota Senate have put in writing what they've been saying publicly about Gov. Mark Dayton's budget plan: They don't like it and won't go along with his call for higher state taxes.

In a letter signed Thursday by all 37 GOP members, the majority party senators tell Dayton that they think he is increasing spending too much. They declared they "all are opposed to raising taxes" to fix a $6.2 billion deficit.

The first-term Democratic governor is pushing $3.3 billion in new taxes, primarily by raising rates on top earners.

The GOP senators make a case for government downsizing but don't provide details. Republicans at the helm of the House and Senate have given committees until the end of March to come up with budget bills.

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