Emmer opens up a new line of attack on Dayton

Republican Tom Emmer was on MPR's Midday this morning and has opened up a new line of criticism on Democrat Mark Dayton. Emmer said Dayton is withholding details of his budget balancing plan until after the election. He's also suggesting Dayton's plan to increase income taxes will be broader than he's now proposing.

"There aren't enough details and what Sen. Dayton is now suggesting is that we should all just wait until after the election," Emmer said. "Much like we've been hearing out of Washington, we should wait until after the election, after we pass whatever it is to find out whatever is in it. I think people have to ask these hard questions right now. If your budget is billions of dollars short, how far are you going to go?"

Emmer isn't the only one suggesting Dayton will hike taxes on all Minnesotans. The corporate backed PAC, Minnesota Forward, is running an ad suggesting Dayton will hike income taxes on everyone/

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"Dayton will raise job-killing taxes by $5 billion," the ad says. "That's more than $2,300 in new taxes per Minnesota family."

MN Forward spokesman Brian McClung acknowledged to WCCO that the tax would be "per family" not every family.

Dayton has called for increasing the income tax rate on Minnesota's top earners -- single filers with an after tax income of $130,000 a year and joint filers earning $150,000 a year (after taxes). He also admitted his budget balancing plan is $1 billion short and is looking for additional cuts or revenue to make up the difference.

Dayton spokeswoman Katie Tinucci says it's unfair for Emmer to suggest Dayton will extend his income tax hike to others. She said he's never proposed what Emmer is suggesting.

"Mark Dayton has always been honest with Minnesota Voters and he has promised to make taxes fair in Minnesota again," Tinucci said. "He's the only candidate who has promised to protect the middle class from carrying a heavier tax burden."

Tinucci says Emmer's budget plan would result in higher property taxes because he's making significant cuts to LGA. She said IP candidate Tom Horner's proposal to lower the sales tax rate but extend it to services and clothing would unfairly hit lower and middle income Minnesotans.