Minnesota Legislature: No deal

So ... Pawlenty has made himself the Czar of Minnesota ???

well - trying to increase revenue by new food and other taxes didn't work, I guess

On Sunday evening, as I attempted to adjust my new TV antenna, I stumbled into the live MN legilature broadcast. This was nominally 28 hours before the deadline. As I watched a porcine middle-aged woman blather on and on about her family history--for god knows what reason; it seemed to be a rationale for spending for special interest programs--I could only marvel, in horror, at how out of touch this person was with the actual task at hand. Nero should have been there to hand her a fiddle, and she could have done a Finnish jig.

Given the fact that the Governor presented his (initial) version of a budget in January, and the Democrat-controlled legislature piddled around until May, I have no sympathy for the Legislature's position, and the Democrat's role in this fiasco in particular.

While there does seem to have been a seismic shift to more realistic perspectives on protecting their special interests (who'd a thunk a DFL proposal to limit union-controlled education expanese), the current dog-and-pony-show they run is still silly. Further, their legislative efforts remain too political--but that's another discussion, I think.

As I write this, it's been reported that the Leaders--Democrats, at least--are flying around Minnesota today to explain this. No doubt the flying is at taxpayer expense. This kind of behavior matches up well with the unreal world they live in.

What grade would I give the legislature this year? EE for Excellent Effort. A for willingness to compromise. A for legislation passed and sent to the guv.

What grade would I give the governor this year? I for Incomplete; he failed to show up. 133 (calendar) days preening oneself for a position in the Federal Government may pass as leadership, in a sense, but he should have taken four months off from the 2010/2012 campaigns and paid some attention to the plight of his Minnesota constituency, especially those of us out here in Greater Minnesota.

No, he's not the CZAR.

EVERYTHING HE'S DOING IS LEGAL AND PER MINNESOTA LAW!

They had 5 months to come up with a solution, they didn't. Now State law says he can do this. So he will.

"E-85? What's this? Quiz Bowl?" Remember that?

Increased taxes when times are good and increased taxes when times are bad.

For all those folks who like to use the word "sustainability", well our current government system is unsustainable.


Here's a great one!

http://www.scsuscholars.com/2009/05/civility-took-beating-in-act-of-defiant.html

Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.

Hey,

How much money did MPR get out of this years session? Are they considered "arts" as part of the "arts and wildlife" amendment.

IMAGINE THAT!

California residents are tired of the more taxes mantra!

Could the tea parties be working?

What do you guys think about the governor's projected budget cuts as he's slated to balance the budget on his own?