With the one year anniversary of the federal government shutdown tomorrow, Sen. Torrey Westrom’s role in shutting down the Minnesota government makes it clear that he would only make Washington worse. Westrom’s Minnesota shutdown lasted even longer than the federal government shutdown and caused enormous economic uncertainty.
“Sen. Westrom helped lead the charge to shut down the government in St. Paul and cost the state millions, all to protect tax breaks for the wealthy,” DCCC spokesman Brandon Lorenz said. “It’s clear that by keeping his paycheck while shutting down the government in St. Paul to protect tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, Sen Westrom would only make Washington worse.”
BACKGROUND:
2011: Westrom Accepted Pay During the Minnesota Shutdown. In 2011 Torrey Westrom during the Minnesota government shutdown, was one of 87 state house representatives to collect a paycheck. [Star Tribune, 7/10/11]
- Headline: 139 legislators are collecting paychecks during shutdown [Star Tribune, 7/10/11]
Minnesota State Government Shutdown for 20 Days. In June 2011, the Minnesota state government shut down for 20 days from July 1 to July 20 after the 2012-13 budget was not signed into law following the adjournment of the legislature. On July 20th, budget bills were signed into law and the shutdown ended. [State Government Shutdown Executive Summary, Minnesota Management and Budget Office, October 2011]
- 19,000 State Employees Laid Off As a Result of Shutdown. As a result of the shutdown, 19,000 state employees were temporarily laid off. The state paid $10.42 million in unemployment compensation. [State Government Shutdown Executive Summary, Minnesota Management and Budget Office, October 2011]
- “Longest and Most Expansive” Shutdown in State History. To date, the 2011 shutdown was the “longest and most expansive” in Minnesota state history to date. [State Government Shutdown Executive Summary, Minnesota Management and Budget Office, October 2011]
- State Lost Total Revenue of $49.69 Million. During the shutdown, the state lost total revenue of $49,690,876. [State Government Shutdown Executive Summary, Minnesota Management and Budget Office, October 2011]
- State Paid Over $25 Million in Transportation Contractor Claims. In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Transportation was in the process of paying $25.5 million in contractor claims related to the shutdown. Because of the shutdown, work on 165 transportation projects was impacted. [Finance and Commerce, 6/20/13]
- Some Bars Unable to Buy More Alcohol Due to Shutdown. In 2011, some bars were unable to buy more alcohol because their buyer’s cards expired and they could not be renewed as a result of the shutdown. [St. Cloud Times, 7/14/11]
- Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF Programs Remained Funded Through Shutdown. During the shutdown, the state of Minnesota authorized spending for Medicaid, the SNAP program (food stamps), and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. [State Government Shutdown Executive Summary, Minnesota Management and Budget Office, October 2011]
- Minnesota Post: “Government Shutdown Leading Factor in Minnesota Losing 19,800 Jobs Last Month.” In 2011, the Minnesota Post ran a headline: “Government shutdown leading factor in Minnesota losing 19,800 jobs last month.” During the shutdown, the state unemployment rate rose .4 percent to 7.2 percent. The state lost 19,800 jobs due in large part by the government shutdown. [Minnesota Post, 8/18/11]