It is hard to view the nearly deadlocked Minnesota budget talks with anything but disgust.

Monday, June 18, 2001

It is hard to view the nearly deadlocked Minnesota budget talks with anything but disgust. After months in session, lawmakers have let party differences over how to reduce taxes bring Minnesota to within weeks of a budget shutdown. While they offer many glib excuses, the reality is our elected officials have failed to do their jobs.

There is a time, certainly, for Republicans and Democrats to work hard at establishing positions consistent with their ideology. But there is also a time for both sides to recognize that they are posturing rather than producing – and that is the case now.

No one will win if there is a government shutdown. Indeed, thousands of Minnesotans – including many in Mower County – will be big losers because they will effectively be out of work during the shutdown. Further, critical services will not be available to some of our most vulnerable residents.

Is trifling with that possibility a service to constituents? Certainly not.

The likelihood, of course, is that the legislative leadership will patch up their differences and reach some budget and taxation compromise in time to avert a shutdown. Given that is the case, why could they not have done so in a timely manner?

The answer is that they appear to care more about individual agendas than about getting the job done.