"Meet Tim Walz" Ad Fact Check

9.29.2006

Rochester, Minn. – The Gil Gutknecht for U.S. Congress Campaign Committee today began airing television and radio advertisements entitled “Meet Tim Walz.” The advertisement highlights Tim Walz’s position on fiscal issues.

Below is a fact check on the claims made in the advertisement:

• “Democrat Tim Walz is attacking Gil Gutknecht” – Walz’s first television advertisement entitled “The Choice” attacked Congressman Gil Gutknecht.
• “…he’ll increase spending on virtually every federal government program” – In the Project Vote Smart candidate questionnaire, Walz called for an increase in spending for 11 of 16 federal programs.
• “He’d repeal the tax cuts…costing the average Minnesota family an extra $2,396 per year.” – If a family of four makes $60,000, the repeal of the tax cuts would cost the family $1,858 (Source: U.S. Treasury). The Average Minnesota family of four makes $77,395 (U.S. Census data), which is 29-percent higher than the U.S. average family income. The Minnesota families’ incomes would be proportionally hit harder if tax cuts were repealed: they would pay $2,396 more, or an amount 29% higher than $1,858.
• “Plus, he’d increase the estate tax, gas taxes, Social Security payroll taxes, and even tax the Internet.” – In the Project Vote Smart candidate questionnaire, Walz called for increases in estate taxes and gas taxes, payroll taxes, and the creation of a tax on Internet purchases.
• “When Congressman Gutknecht called for defending our borders and enforcing our immigration laws, Tim Walz called him ‘misguided.’ And Tim Walz said that increased border security was a waste of money.” - In the January 5, 2006 Pipestone County Star, Tim Walz wrote, “Dumping money into border enforcement is the American equivalent of building a wall and I won’t stand by while taxpayer dollars are wasted on a solution we already know doesn’t work.”

“It’s important for the people of Southern Minnesota to know the real Tim Walz,” said Gutknecht for Congress campaign spokesman Bryan Anderson. “Some candidates just don’t wear well with the voters. Walz’s tax and spend approach to government is out of step with First District voters.”

Gutknecht was first elected in 1994. He is a member of the House Agriculture, Government Reform and Science Committees. He serves as chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition, and Forestry.