Sandra Masin's Blog

The government shutdown in Minnesota is getting national attention.  View the  New York Times article on ” Antitax Controversy in Minnesota.”    This is hardly welcome attention.    The writer clearly brings out the negative outcomes associated with the antitax obsession.

Knowing that  legislators are willing to allow a shutdown for an ideology fetish will certainly  not bring businesses to Minnesota.  As a matter of fact, there is little reason for visitors to come to Minnesota now.  And this is prime vacation time.  How will the Republicans ever justify the damage being down to Minnesota’s economy and  image because of their juvenile behavior?   I thought they were elected to manage the state, not bring it down.  The state is in such a vulnerable position because the previous governor made good policy impossible, and to have current Republican leadership try to force through the same ill-advised policies is unbelievable.  Don’t they learn anything from their mistakes? Previously the state had been warned that the inappropriate accounting tactics being used during the Pawlenty administration could result in lower ratings for the state.  One company did lower their rating this week.  How many more will follow suit until the Republicans start paying attention and act in a professional manner?

A meeting took place  on Thursday evening in Eagan to discuss the state shutdown. Senator Daley, Rep. Anderson, and Rep. Wardlow were invited, but eventually they declined. It was held in the mezzanine room in the arena and about 130 people came.

People were encouraged to make their comments and they would be forwarded to the legislators.

Rebecca was concerned about cuts to health care. She had been a nurse in the psychiatry field, she said they weren’t able to do everything that needed to be done because of all the cuts. She quit because of the horrific situations. She  suggested that there be caps on the HMO reserves.

Another speaker asked why the stonewalling on the HMO reserves.

Stan asked what is wrong with the wealthy 2% paying a fair tax. Wayne thinks the Governor’s proposal is reasonable. In that same vein, Greg held a sign that read “Tax the richest 2%.” He also asked “Why do you prefer the one-half percent of the population to the ninety-nine and one-half percent?” Kelly asked “Why do the wealthy get to pay less.”

Eileen said she read about the drop in taxes for the rich. Then reported that 25% of Minnesota kids live in poverty.  She doesn’t feel her representatives hear her. “It is like being taxed without representation.” She went on to urge taxes on the rich and also said “I’m willing to pay higher taxes.”

Mark asked “How will cuts to transit attract good paying jobs to Minnesota?” He went on to say that we are already behind cities like Seattle and Portland.

Joe, a MAPE business agent, reported that DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) figures show 21,00 filings of unemployment since last Friday. He also said that Food Inspections and Water Inspections have come to a halt since the shutdown.

Wayne asked “Where is the art of negotiation when there is no compromise?”

Joe, an Eagan High School student asked “At what point does making cuts to higher education hurt the job situation?” He wondered if he would even be able to attend college in Minnesota.

These are just a sample of the comments.

The overall consensus was for ending the shutdown and for a balanced approach to maintain the Minnesota we have enjoyed.

In comments to the Property Tax Comittee in the spring of 2010, Governor Wendy Anderson talked about the Minnesota Miracle. They were facing difficult times then, but he and the legislature  decided to invest in Minnesota as the solution.   We are fortunate they did.  That decision provided for a prosperous economy  and made Minnesota a leader in many areas.   With that example in mind, why are the Republicans so set on doing the opposite now?  From all the experts I have heard, a top-level education system is critical to  jobs and a prosperous economy.     Investing in infrastructure is also essential.  The current Republican leadership doesn’t get that either.  What is their ultimate goal?

After the testimony, people were encouraged to contact their elected officials about finding a compromise and also to write down their suggestions to help end the shutdown.

It looks like it will take the massive action of citizens to bring about a settlement.

The question about who controls the Republican Party is worth debating.   I know I am being repetitious, but those that  seem to be making the calls now are either extremists or eccentric.  The reasonable or rational members have left or been pushed out.    In Minnesota, we have come through eight years where the Republican governor refused to really negotiate or compromise so that Minnesota could plan for a bright future.    The sad part is that the Republican legislators backed him in these misguided policies.   Even sadder is the that Republican legislators are trying the same tactics this year, even though those policies put Minnesota in a very vulnerable position.  They now have a governor who is open to compromise and is trying to protect Minnesota, and yet they are sticking to the same tactics they have been using for years.   To make things even worse, there is little in fact or historical precedent to even back them up.   David Brooks does a great job of covering the current Republicans in the New York Times article “ The Mother of All No-Brainers.”   The article says that Republicans  are so attached to their philosophical ideals that they have lost all capacity for compromise and governing.  In essence, they have no sense of responsibility for the office they hold.

How long until people understand this and give up on the Republican Party ?   How long before everyone starts paying attention to the actions of the Republicans rather than the message?   They  may have good  entertainment value, but there is little evidence that the Republicans are fiscally conservative or care about the greater good.  Just look at the fix Minnesota is in.   It is hard to believe that the past governor refuses to accept responsibility for the current problems and is encouraging the Republican legislators to stand pat.

Instead of working on jobs and the budget, the Republican majority  spent the session working on a host of low priority issues that are divisive and will put the state deeper in debt.   Example, the cost of Constitutional Amendments doesn’t come cheap.  The cost of demeaning segments of the population doesn’t help the economy or the image of Minnesota.      The fact that Minnesota has a government that can’t work could hardly be considered an attraction for business.   The current group of Republicans legislators are extremely  narrow-minded and short-sighted.   How will they ever justify the damage they have done? A bigger question is do they care?

Recently Senator David Hann (R)  expressed his dissatisfaction with the Archbishop’s concerns about budget cuts and the  impact on the poor.   The MPR summary provides details on the exchange.   Bottom line, it is okay when the Archbishop agrees with him, but disagreeing is  not acceptable.   In reading Senator’s Hann’s comments, it is easy to see why the Republican majority  has such a difficult time trying to govern.

I attended the Town Hall Meeting at the Burnsville Library on Wednesday evening.   Senator Dan Hall, Representatives Diane Anderson, Mary Liz Holberg, and Pam Myra were at the front.   Representative Pat Garofalo was the facilitator.  The room was overflowing with people.  The legislators’  answers were pretty much the same lines we have been hearing since the beginning of the year.   Representative Holberg did say the legislative majority and Governor Dayton were very close on a number of issues and believed the state shutdown could be averted.

The plain fact is the Republican majority  has not been flexible  in addressing the budget and they have done little to improve the job situation.  From my perspective, they have wasted a huge amount of money by not getting the budget done during the Session. Think of the  time and money that is going towards the preparation for the state shutdown, in addition to the money that will be used if that does happen.    Add to that all the time and money that  is going  towards putting inappropriate and unnecessary  constitutional amendments on the ballot next year.   Yet these amendments seemed to have been more important to the Republicans than the budget or jobs.  This group  failed to do the work they were elected to do and their actions  have added to Minnesota’s fiscal problems.    Their irresponsible  behavior certainly hasn’t  done anything to improve the image of Minnesota or its economic situation.

It is time for legislators to stop playing their political games and get down to business.  Their priority should be on governing and helping all people in Minnesota.   We have seen the Governor compromise several times, it is about time for the legislature to do so.  The Republican majority needs to focus on negotiating  a settlement before the end of the month.   We all need to encourage them to  do so.  The stakes are high!

The failure of the 2011 Minnesota legislature to address the budget prior to their adjournment is absolutely irresponsible!   This legislature was fortunate to have a governor that was consistently available to work  with them and has shown a  willing to compromise.   The resulting  stress placed on Minnesota citizens is totally unnecessary and shows questionable behavior and priorities by this legislature.   Many of the Republican legislators made clear again and again that their personal priorities were more important than getting the job. 

The fact that the Republicans consumed large amounts of time on divisive and unnecessary legislation attests to either the immaturity or the self-serving tendencies of the majority.   Remember,  the Republican Party  has been forcing out the more moderate and rational members  for the last few decades.   As a result, the leadership or active core now seems to be dominated by the extremists or eccentrics who are insensitive to the needs of the average citizen.    Their concern with governance is totally lacking, it is all about games or winning their short-sighted objectives.  

The question is why any of the general public  condones these narrow-minded individuals when so much is at at stake and so much needs to be done.   The focus needed to be on the budget and jobs.  Not only did not  resolve the budget,  some of their petty legislation will probably result in job loss.

This “excerpt” shows the discrepancies between what Rep. Doug Wardlow proposes and what most Minnesotans want.  It is clear that Wardlow wants to drag Minnesota down rather than chart a positive course for the future.

The Shoot First bill is getting substantial attention right now and so are cuts to the veterans’ programs.   The following ” article” provides some things to consider as the legislature goes forward with these very serious  issues.

The current Republican leadership is so off base when it comes to solving  health care issues, not to mention the budget crisis.   In an “ article” in the Star Tribune, former Republican Governor Carlson explains some of the reasons.

Here is an excerpt from an outrageous  speech on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives regarding abortion.   It is hard to believe that someone in this day and age has such thoughts, let alone says them publicly.   What does this say about the credibility of the new representatives?  He does look old enough to remember the “back-alley abortions.”