While Minnesotans may have taken their well-deserved vacations and Fourth of July holiday, their leaders are still giving them reason to be annoyed as they wait for the governor and Legislature to come to agreement on a special session.

Gridlock on solving very key and basic issues of tax relief and bonding have given Minnesotans reason to be unhappy during their happy season.

Summer is the time for all to kick back, reflect on the hard work that was accomplished earlier in the year and enjoy the progress made by our above average leaders.

Not so this summer. We’re all a little hot and bothered. Let’s hope we can resolve these issue before the election, when our angst will be amplified by the onset of winter.

Summer is a season not to be taken for granted, especially by maneuvering politicians.

As we’ve reiterated numerous times before on these pages: Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP Speaker Kurt Daudt need to start getting serious about areas of agreement and not just exchange pleasantries over dinner.

The bonding bill that was left at the altar will provide nearly a billion dollars in needed and necessary repairs to state infrastructure, including many critical water treatment projects in outstate Minnesota. It will impact safety projects at Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, another critical need that helps keep state workers safe.

The tax bill would provide all kinds of tax relief to small businesses in outstate Minnesota. It would allow for a sales tax option for Mankato area regional athletic complex projects and other important infrastructure. It would provide relief to farmers as well.

We’ve also long advocated for permanent transportation funding. We still think the Legislature and governor are far behind and negligent in this regard as our state highways continue to deteriorate and cost all of us more.

Both Dayton and Daudt have said they’re willing to compromise. Let’s get it done before we create a whole summer of angst among Minnesotans who deserve better and should be able to enjoy a weekend at the lake without thinking about our underperforming government.

 

— Mankato Free Press, July 11