OUR OPINION: POLITICS

Legislators have to make many tough votes in the course of a session. Each time they cast a vote they're giving their opponents a potential issue to raise during the next campaign.

Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, a key "yes" vote in the overriding of the governor's transportation bill veto, made one of the tougher votes of her political career when she switched positions after initially voting "no" on the transportation bill.

It's never easy or popular to raise taxes and politicians often take a hit when the wrath of hard-pressed constituents is raised. There are times when we ask elected officials to make the tough call for the long-range good of the state. The much-needed transportation bill, which included a long overdue gas tax hike, was such a vote. We commend Otremba and the other lawmakers who had the foresight to vote yes on the measure.