Governor Pawlenty “owns” this Transportation Bill

Five years of failed Republican policy resulted in this law

Monday, the Minnesota Legislature overrode Governor Pawlenty’s veto of the Transportation Bill enacting $6.6 Billion in tax increases over the next 10 years. The governor lamented the new law by stating “I am more than happy to say this is a DFL product and a DFL result.” He is wrong on both counts. “This outcome is a clear derivative of the Governor’s failure to develop a coherent transportation plan over the last five years.” said Independence Party chair Craig Swaggert. “He missed his chance to promote a more efficient transportation funding plan that addressed our overwhelming infrastructure needs” continued Swaggert. “It should come as no surprise once the legislature started tilting DFL, we’d hop back on the same old teeter-totter of ‘no new taxes’ vs. ‘more taxes’”.

“Just watch…despite all of their protests, the cash starved Governor and Lt. Governor will feed ravenously at the trough of new taxes.” commented former Independence Party Chair Jim Moore.

While the Independence Party cringes at the bill’s penchant to nickel and dime taxpayers at each turn (the gas pump, license tab renewals, etc.), we welcome the long overdue funding to address the critical needs of public safety for all Minnesotans.

More disturbing is the age old game of party leaders strong-arming their fellow caucus members: stripping members of committee chairmanships, staff support and research resources. Placing partisan advantage ahead of constituent needs is epitomized by House Minority Leader Marty Seifert’s statement that “We expect Republicans to follow other Republicans…” “This back room throat-slitting highlights that no single legislator who remains part of the two entrenched parties can effectively be an ‘agent of change’ if it conflicts with the agenda of their respective parties’ leadership” observed Moore.

Some legislators courageously voted in favor the best interest of their constituents instead of their respective party’s agenda despite a fusillade of threats from party leaders and criticism from partisan commentators “Perhaps those legislators who continually place the interest of their constituents ahead of their political party’s agenda will find safe refuge with us” concluded Swaggert. The Independence Party recently adopted a resolution allowing the cross-endorsement of candidates of other political parties.