A coalition of organized labor has joined with Alliance for a Better Minnesota to provide Minnesotans with a broader picture of the ongoing debate at the Capitol to create jobs, provide health care, strengthen public schools and invest our future.

The first ad, which focuses on the need for a fair tax structure, will air tomorrow during the Governor’s hour-long radio show. The ad features Tim Koester, a middle-class Minnesotan, asking the Governor why he pays more in taxes than the richest Minnesotans.

We’ve been hearing a lot from the Governor about his budget and seeing him a lot on Fox News.

I don’t have a radio show, like he does.

But I do have a question for him – why do I pay more than the richest Minnesotans in taxes?

See they pay only about 10 percent, and I pay about 12 percent.

It just isn’t fair, he should be looking out for me.

Call the Governor and tell him to look out for Minnesota’s needs instead of his own political ambitions.

Listen to the ad an get the facts at http://allianceminnesota.org/radioads.

Here’s the press release announcing the ad campaign:

Saint Paul, Minn. — A coalition of organized labor has joined with Alliance for a Better Minnesota to provide Minnesotans with a broader picture of the ongoing debate at the Capitol to create jobs, provide health care, strengthen public schools and invest our future.   

"For far too long, Governor Pawlenty has been given an open microphone on local radio to set and further his agenda. It’s time Minnesota taxpayers hear the rest of the story, especially in these tough economic times," said Glen Johnson, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.

"We’re proud to join this coalition of Minnesota’s unions and progressive voices to help balance the governor’s rhetoric with the truth about how his policies will affect working families," said Todd Pufahl, Legislative Director for Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota.

"Minnesotans deserve to know the real cost of Pawlenty’s policies on their families," said Julie Schnell, president SEIU Minnesota State Council. "It’s too important to just let one side be told."

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, The Minnesota State Council SEIU, the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota, and Alliance for a Better Minnesota are sharing the costs of the 30-second radio ads which will run during the Governor’s hour-long Friday radio show.

Each ad will feature middle-class Minnesotans talking about the way the Governor’s policies affects them and their families. Listeners will be urged to contact the Governor with questions and comments about his policies.

Longer podcasts, scripts, and more information about the issues raised in the ads will be found at http://allianceminnesota.org/radioads.

People can find more information about each organization’s stand on critical state and national issues the following websites: International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, www.Local49.org, SEIU, www.seiumn.org, and the Laborers Union, www.mnldc.org.