In Minnesota, 'pro-business' GOP costing state businesses millions
by Leigh Pomeroy
The political war in Minnesota is not just between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republican controlled legislature. It is even more so between the arch-conservative, tea party-leaning, no-new-taxes faction of the GOP legislature with the party's more moderate members, and the former are clearly winning.
One Democratic state house member recently told us that Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers, whom he termed "intelligent" and "reasonable," nearly lost his leadership position three times within his own caucus during the legislative term. In order to keep it he had to capitulate to the ultra-conservative, mostly newly elected faction within his party. "These people are truly crazy," this Democratic legislator, a recognized moderate, told us.
While the "Minnesota Nice" media has characterized the shutdown as the result of an impasse between two unwavering sides, the truth is that Gov. Dayton has moved a long way from his original position at the beginning of the session, making it clear all along the way that he was willing to negotiate toward a middle ground where both sides got something — and lost something — of what they wanted.
Nevertheless, the GOP controlled legislature insisted on passing social issue and budget bills they knew would never get past the governor's veto. The inevitable vetos came, and the Republicans predictably were unable to muster enough votes to overcome any of them.
Thus, except for a handful of bills, the legislative session was primarily a treadmill operation with little results to show for all the sturm und drang.
Thus, Speaker Zellers and state Sen. Amy Koch, in representing the most conservative elements of their party, have drawn a line in the sand: no tax increases. And while Gov. Dayton has continually cut from his proposed budget — threatening vital services to the elderly, poor and disabled; job creation measures, public transit and environmental services; and public safety — the Republicans haven't budged. In fact, they have brought new demands to the negotiating table.
What is the result? Ironically, the shutdown is clearly hurting Minnesota businesses, which the GOP claims to represent. It's also throwing Minnesotans out of work — ironic, since both parties at the beginning of the legislative session proclaimed a major goal of the session was to create jobs.
As for the shutdown's effect, below are a sampling of a few of the headlines around the country detailing the economic damage of the impasse:
"How Much Is Minnesota’s Government Shutdown Costing The State?"
"Minn. shutdown causes added pain, costs millions"
"Minnesota government shutdown costly to state and businesses"
"Minnesota shutdown costing millions"
"In Minnesota shutdown, workers who calculate the cost are laid off"
The political war in Minnesota is not just between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republican controlled legislature. It is even more so between the arch-conservative, tea party-leaning, no-new-taxes faction of the GOP legislature with the party's more moderate members, and the former are clearly winning.
One Democratic state house member recently told us that Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers, whom he termed "intelligent" and "reasonable," nearly lost his leadership position three times within his own caucus during the legislative term. In order to keep it he had to capitulate to the ultra-conservative, mostly newly elected faction within his party. "These people are truly crazy," this Democratic legislator, a recognized moderate, told us.
While the "Minnesota Nice" media has characterized the shutdown as the result of an impasse between two unwavering sides, the truth is that Gov. Dayton has moved a long way from his original position at the beginning of the session, making it clear all along the way that he was willing to negotiate toward a middle ground where both sides got something — and lost something — of what they wanted.
Nevertheless, the GOP controlled legislature insisted on passing social issue and budget bills they knew would never get past the governor's veto. The inevitable vetos came, and the Republicans predictably were unable to muster enough votes to overcome any of them.
Thus, except for a handful of bills, the legislative session was primarily a treadmill operation with little results to show for all the sturm und drang.
Thus, Speaker Zellers and state Sen. Amy Koch, in representing the most conservative elements of their party, have drawn a line in the sand: no tax increases. And while Gov. Dayton has continually cut from his proposed budget — threatening vital services to the elderly, poor and disabled; job creation measures, public transit and environmental services; and public safety — the Republicans haven't budged. In fact, they have brought new demands to the negotiating table.
What is the result? Ironically, the shutdown is clearly hurting Minnesota businesses, which the GOP claims to represent. It's also throwing Minnesotans out of work — ironic, since both parties at the beginning of the legislative session proclaimed a major goal of the session was to create jobs.
As for the shutdown's effect, below are a sampling of a few of the headlines around the country detailing the economic damage of the impasse:
"How Much Is Minnesota’s Government Shutdown Costing The State?"
"Minn. shutdown causes added pain, costs millions"
"Minnesota government shutdown costly to state and businesses"
"Minnesota shutdown costing millions"
"In Minnesota shutdown, workers who calculate the cost are laid off"
Labels: Minnesota shutdown
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