In the wake of Governor Pawlenty’s threat to balance the state budget with only program and job cuts, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron today urged Governor Pawlenty to, "step back, cool off, and put the people of Minnesota first."

The Governor’s attitude of it’s my way or the highway disrespects the legislature, working families and communities throughout the state.  Hospitals are laying off workers, families are scrambling to figure out how to keep their loved ones in the nursing home, and 20,000 jobs are it risk.  This is no game. Take a deep breath, think of the workers, families and communities, Governor, and then get back to work.

Photo: MPR