Please contribute a LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Governor Dayton produced his budget, now we need to hold Republicans' feet to the fire to do the same. Can you please take a few minutes to write a letter to your local paper asking Republicans to "show us the money?" Your letter is critical in setting the right tone for the Legislative Session and making sure that people in your community are aware of what's going on at the Capitol.

It's easy, everything you need to know is below.

What to focus on in your letter:

* Governor Dayton is keeping his promise to Minnesotans by producing an honest budget.
* Now it is the Republicans’ turn to keep their campaign promises by producing their all-cuts budget.
* Minnesotans deserve more than a bait-and-switch, the Republicans promised that they could cut $6.2 billion, and they should produce it
* Once the Republicans produce their all-cuts budget, our community should weigh which is better for us. Republican proposals thus far would have raised property taxes on all of us, Governor Dayton's proposal means 95% of us won't pay a dime.

Sample letters:
1 - Last week, Governor Dayton proposed his budget. Regardless of your personal reaction to the budget proposal, it is clear that Governor Dayton kept his campaign promise. He said he was going to raise taxes on the rich, and he did. He said he was going to invest in our school children's success, and he did.

Now it's the Republican's turn to make good on their campaign promises. They said that Minnesota has plenty of money, and that they could balance the budget through an all-cuts approach.

Minnesotans deserve to see the all-cuts budget, compare it to Dayton's budget, and decide which is best for our state. And in our community, we should weigh the consequences of all-cuts on our community - layoffs, fewer snowplows, and poorer schools, not to mention all of us paying higher property taxes against the Dayton budget and decide what is best for us.

It's time for the Republicans to show how their all-cuts plan will make our community a better place to live.

2 - Representative XXX said that Minnesota should live within its means, just like families do. I'm waiting on XXX to put his/her money where his/her mouth is and reveal their budget plan. Governor Dayton put his cards on the table, and now we need to see what Legislative Republicans are holding. Only then can we see who is keeping true to their word.

If you know your local paper email or address, you can send it in on our own. If you don't, simply click here, put in your zip code, type your letter in the text box, and press send.

Thank you for helping spread the word on this critical issue. Every letter counts!