I thought that after a tough and divisive Legislative session in 2011 resulting in a shutdown of government for about 20 days, significant cuts to local government aid and very little help from the state to help Minnesota citizens recover from a deep recession that this year would be different. In the last session, regular working people including public employees that keep operations running throughout the state as well as teachers who instruct our future generation in those highly needed skills in Math, Science and Engineering found their wages frozen. Local government aid was cut while property taxes were increased through the elimination of the Homestead Tax Credit and business taxes were reduced.
On day one of this session, where the Minnesota Senate met for approximately 30 minutes, the Senate Rules Committee approved a new Senate budget that eliminated about 1/3 of the Senate DFL staff from 43 permanent members to 29 while the Senate Republican permanent staff was untouched remaining at 75 permanent staff members. An amendment was introduced to reduce both staff members equally in order to reduce the costs, but this amendment was defeated by the Republican majority.
Does anyone else see this is a divisive, partisan move that does not allow for bi-partisan representation of the views of both parties as they represent their constituencies? Government should be concerned about all Minnesota’s citizens, not just those who agree with the majority party which has temporary power.
Sen. Gazelka, can you please explain this move?
Terry Sluss
Baxter
SLUSS formerly ran for the District 12 Senate seat.
We often hear the word “big” used to describe something we don’t like or feel is oppressive. Examples of this are “big oil companies,” “big pharmaceuticals,” “big banks,” and “big unions.” Unfortunately, this feeling is sometimes true because “big” organizations can wield a lot of power both justly and unjustly.
Perhaps we should spend some time, however, thinking about all of the good things that we have accomplished in areas that require “big” organizations. It takes “big” companies to drill for oil and gas and pipe it into our houses at a reasonable cost. It takes “big” companies, and the organization of thousands of people to make things like airplanes, electrical generators, computers, railroads, and the medicines that keep us living longer.
We should be thankful that these “big” organizations have been allowed to flourish. It is in countries that don’t have them where people are living primitively. Remember, if Government gets oppressive enough these can disappear, and if they ever do, we will all be in “big” trouble!
Chuck Hagberg
Crosby
Comments (7)
Add commentMN Senate GOP vote
Thank you to the Senate GOP for exhibiting more crappy leadership. I think most people will see this for what it is. Why was there no story on this in our local paper?
Big Things
Like Chuck, I love big government too.
snowda and sluss
without trying to get into any bickering here, i can give you a bit of a perspective if you'll let me, but you can look all of this up for yourself, it's public info, so you can look at the budget for the repubs and the dems for yourself.
the gop budget, not counting committee staff (which is needed to run the Senate, the dems don't need committee staff when they're in the minority, just as the repubs didn't need them when they were), the gop budget is $2,470,000. the dfl budget is $2,600,000.
what papers and news sources, and mr sluss are not saying is that the dfl budget is in fact larger than the gop budget. what they don't like is that some of their staff are making $70-$90,000 for jobs that most Senate staff make $30-$40,000 doing.
in my personal opinion, the blame lies with the staff with the bloated salaries and the minority leader tom bakk (senate district 5) who doesn't want to cut his wife's salary, laura bakk, who just so happens to work for sen tommassoni (senate district 6, neighbors, coincidence?) in the dfl caucus.
Minnesotans should be asking why they didn't take a pay cut like so many others have had to do so other staff can keep their jobs...it's a fair question.
I find it interesting
that when presented with facts, the liberals have nothing to say about the issue.
I beg to differ,
"the dems don't need committee staff when they're in the minority, just as the repubs didn't need them when they were"
Then why have both parties had staffs continually, no matter who has the majority? And try telling that to the US Congress. I agree, there are too many of our tax dollars spent on support staff as the candidates seem to be always running for office and not attending to the duties of the office they hold. I don't think they have to have bloated staffs either. Obviously that has led to too much hanky panky lately.
some staffing is necessary...
Minnesota already runs a 'skeleton crew' of staff, compared to states like Wisconsin. Wisconsin state legislators have multiple people in their capitol office and even people working in district offices from what i understand. one staff member per senate office has been very efficient from what i've seen down there. keep in mind, we spend a lot of time throwing mud at our state legislators, but they can do very good things for us too like help with issues we have with state agencies, insurance companies, etc. they have been very good in our district about helping with those kinds of things and making sure citizens don't get pushed over by bureaucrats, etc. it's a very important function of their job. remember, just because they're government employees, doesn't mean they don't work hard on our behalf. the legislature i've found is the best customer service around because they know they're up for reelection! :)
Gold Star for doubleX42 and walleyhunter,
None for lake!!