Lawmaker's view: Blue and red make purple, a bipartisan caucus

My political background is neither Democrat nor Republican but rather nonpartisan. For five years I served on the nonpartisan Duluth City Council. During that time, I served with people who could put aside their personal political identity and come together to make concrete progress on issues facing our community. We were Duluthians first, other labels second.

Minnesotans across the state are weary of partisan politics. This is an unproductive style of discourse at the Capitol and unproductive for the citizens who elected us.

It’s time for a “Purple Caucus.”

Why a “Purple Caucus?” As an actively serving lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, I am inspired by “purple units” in the military. These units combine members from different branches of the military, shedding individual affiliation in favor of a joint mission. I served in a “purple unit” early in my Navy career and saw firsthand how people kept an affiliation yet still worked together for larger goals.

How we lead is just as important as what we do. The proposed guiding principles for the “Purple Caucus” I’m proposing come from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation’s “Speak Your Peace” civility project. We will pay attention, listen, be inclusive, not gossip, show respect, be agreeable, apologize, give constructive criticism and take responsibility. We adopted these same rules in City Hall when I was president of the Duluth City Council.

This is not a group to end all disagreements. Rather, we want to improve legislative communication by making it more respectful and ultimately more effective.

Joining me as a co-

chairman of the “Purple Caucus” is Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona. Jeremy and I entered the Senate together in 2010 and were re-elected in 2012.

Members of the caucus will not always see eye to eye, but the discussions possible through a “Purple Caucus” will positively affect discourse at the Capitol and across Minnesota.

Sen. Roger Reinert is a DFLer from Duluth who represents the 7th District in the Minnesota Senate.

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