(VIDEO) Rep. Thissen: 2011 Was a 'Colossal Failure' on the Part of Republican Legislators

Rep. Paul Thissen pushed hard for Minnesota House members to vote "no" on the omnibus tax bill Tuesday, accusing Republicans of protecting special interests and not doing the job they were elected to do.

"As the clock ran out of the regular legislative session," began Rep. Paul Thissen (D-Richfield/Minneapolis). "I said that 2011 was a colossal failure of leadership on the part of the Republicans."

However, now that Tuesday marked the 19th day of a shutdown, he said failing to approve a budget by the end of regular session May 23 was just the beginning of the problems.

"Republicans have failed to lead," he said. "They've stubbornly stuck to protecting millionaires ... They went so far to protect millionaires that they actually shutdown our state."

Thissen went on to say that the budget proposal is a "beg, borrow and steal budget" and the "most irresponsible budget" in the state's history and the tax bill was at the heart of it.

"You didn't do your job this year, because you were elected to serve the people of Minnesota and not just the richest few."

Despite Thissen's efforts, the tax bill passed 71-57.

Click the "play" button on the video above to see Thissen's full speech.