DFL legislative leaders came down to the Capitol Press Room to criticize the GOP for failing to get a budget deal with the DFL governor as the session comes to a close. As Minority Leader Tom Bakk walked away he added the following comment to reporters:
“I’m worried about it. It seems we have a group of elected officials right now that their principles are so burned into their soul, it’s almost like a religion or a cult. You can’t compromise on that, those kind of strong-held feelings, that’s problematic for the legislature going forward.
Within minutes, Republicans lawmakers headed down to the press room to react to Sen. Bakk. Assistant Majority Leader Dave Thompson said Bakk’s comments “are bizarre…we are sick and tired of people who don’t have their principles burned into their souls.” Sen. Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo) found the comments frustrating, especially right at the end of session. They said leadership will be flying around the state tomorrow, but didn’t provide any more details. Thompson said he wasn’t excited about the taxpayer expense of a now likely special session.
The word “compromise” is, unfortunately, not only not burned into the R’s souls, but not even in their vocabularies.
This is an innocent question, I truly don’t know the answer… Who pays for leadership “flying around the state”?
At one time I used to believe in strong majority and or minority whips. I no longer do. I think there are well qualified political scientists or lawyers out there who could introduce the public to new ways of seeing things. I don’t know use some game like musical chairs where representatives are induced to jump to a compromise or third position. Don’t laugh, many politicians the world over talk about a third way but the realities of getting there are much more difficult than the rhetoric. The state of Minnesota basically has a long simmering (12+ years) middle east type of situation. Time to bring in Jessie, at least he kept a helmet on, even if he did overslim taxes and reserve funds.