Column: Good government vs. dirty politics at Capitol

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 2, 2002

While the pace of this session has been head-spinning, the work we have accomplished is encouraging.

Saturday, March 02, 2002

While the pace of this session has been head-spinning, the work we have accomplished is encouraging. Weeks of fifteen hour days have kept us all from spending time in our districts, but have produced substantial progress: The Senate has passed a bonding bill that strategically invests in the state, as well as our area; a homeland security package is in the works; and both bodies have overridden the governor’s veto on a budget solution that erases the projected $2 billion deficit without raising taxes or cutting key funding for classrooms or nursing homes.

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On the surface, things are looking good. But, like the child who cleans his room by shoving dirty clothes and broken toys under the bed, some aspects of this session have been deceivingly ugly.

The State Capitol during session – especially a high stakes session like this one – is an interesting place. On a daily basis, good government wrestles with dirty politics in back halls and behind close doors, and all too often, loses.

For an illustration of this point, we need only look as far as our governor. Upon learning of the state budget shortfall in December, Ventura leapt to action. While I disagreed with the tax hikes and education funding cuts he proposed to correct the deficit, I sincerely respected his quick leadership. For once, Ventura seemed willing to be involved in the process and to put the best interests of the state first.

Since he laid his plan on the table, the legislature has done their part. The governor instructed us to move swiftly, warning that every day we stalled worsened the projected budget shortfall by $3.7 million. The legislature took those marching orders to heart – before the session even began, the Senate Republicans had a budget solution based on a hiring freeze and tobacco funds. Within weeks, the Senate Democrats and House Republicans had followed up with their own plans.

Ultimately, in an uncommon display of good government, both bodies were able to reach a compromise. Taking from all three plans, they each sacrificed parts of their personal agendas for the good of the whole.

Now, one would think that Governor Ventura’s response would be positive. Even if he disagreed with our approach, we had met his requests on timing and had for once set aside partisan differences.

On the contrary, Ventura first responded with games. The same leader who urged us to not waste a single day disappeared when we attempted to present the budget bill for his consideration. Once he finally showed up to receive the bill, he still had no compliments for the legislature’s efforts. Immediately, he attacked not only the legislation, but the process and the leaders who helped craft it – going so far as to call its supporters unpatriotic.

Rather than commending the legislature for working in a bipartisan manner, Ventura pouted for being left out. Rather than addressing the issue with dignity, he stooped to name-calling and political attacks.

Obviously, poor behavior and questionable motives are certainly not unique to the governor’s wing of the Capitol. Both parties and both bodies of the legislature have had their hall of shame moments as well. Ventura’s actions are only the most recent example of the proverbial fly in our state government soup.

I believe in the institution of Minnesota government and I deeply respect many of the lawmakers I work beside, but I am sometimes frustrated by the political leap frog and dodge ball that is played here. As long as I am allowed to serve this district, I will work for a more responsible, cooperative, and honest atmosphere in the Capitol. The citizens we work for deserve nothing less.

On a positive note, the public should rest assured that there are enough statesmen and true leaders to eventually get the work done. We may have to put up with a little posturing and one-up-manship on occasion, but ultimately, it seems this session will deliver a balanced budget, heightened public safety and, if we’re lucky, a few more political shenanigans to laugh at.