I often wonder why I even try to write about this. Although I have been away from the Budgeteer pages for a spell, my feelings and intuitions simply cannot be contained. Our government today, at the state and national level, has gone berserk. Money is the driving force -- never mind the reality of survival that our fathers and forefathers dedicated their lives to so you and I might have a better shot.
The Minnesota Legislature is a classic example and, although I have been writing about this for years on end, too many simply refuse to accept the facts of life. Like Congress, state legislators hang their hats on a principle and forget the meaning of their mission: to represent all the people within their districts.
Without question, it's politics first. That's where the power is, though too often one must sacrifice his or her principles in order to play the game.
Although I don't have a crystal ball, I am pretty certain the legislature will not get the job done and will be back in special session to finish its primary responsibility: to approve a two-year budget and provide a taxing formula to accomplish the task. Its past track record supports my prophecy.
Right now, at this stage, legislators are exhausted and frustrated, and most are kept out of the loop waiting for the powerbrokers to put together an appropriations and tax package that will fund the state of Minnesota for the next two years, beginning on July 1.
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No small task, but it happens every other year. There is a method to the madness, and it is about to be thrust on the taxpayers of the great state.
It's cute, it's cunning and it is an acceptable process that ignores the taxpayers who pay the bill, aka real majority.
Here is how the system is supposed to operate: During the odd-numbered session years, the legislature convenes to fund state spending for a two-year period. It is called appropriations and taxation.
During the even-numbered session years, the legislature convenes for a shorter session to handle local issues, eliminate obsolete laws (and refine others) and work for local community concerns.
The DFL majority put the "dream package" together during the 1973 session and it had possibilities. The problem was -- and continues to be -- one of challenge.
Smart legislators and lobbyists have had their own way far too often and the system remains broken because, in the rush to end the session, cleverly written legislation too often slips through the cracks unnoticed. Thus, new laws don't always provide the solutions to existing people issues.
Minnesota has always had a reputation for good, clean government, and many legislators past and present are to be commended for their sacrifices and dedication to the process of responsible government. However, party loyalty is too prevalent today, especially in the state legislative process.
Our system has been dubbed a citizen legislature and, for years, that was indeed the case.
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Today, the process is a professional enigma, pitting ideological differences against the logical process of responsible government.
I could go on here, but I have a suggestion: Recess now and keep the appropriations and tax committees of both the Senate and House in session to hammer out the two bills.
Then call the legislature back into session and vote the bills up or down.
Too simple, you suggest? I've been there; I know the frustrations of most of the members who are hanging around the halls waiting for the powers that be to present something for them to vote on, up or down.
Enough.
Too many of you simply don't believe it.
And on the lighter side
Ole says that Americans are funny: "First dey put sugar in a glass to make it sveet; den, a tvist of lemon to make it sour, gin to make it varm dem up, add ice to cool it off. Den dey say 'Here's to you' and drink it demselves."
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-- Red Stangland's Ole and Lena
Dick Palmer is a former owner, editor and publisher of the Budgeteer. Contact him at rpalmer341@aol.com .
