The Minnesota Legislature's Hegel Problem
State legislative leaders seem determined not to express a contrasting vision, focusing instead on procedural strategy. Given the stakes -a $5.5 billion budget deficit, conservative policy jacking up property taxes- and people's general disquiet, Minnesota needs a focused progressive plan.
John Van Hecke, Minnesota 2020<>
Lately, I've been feeling frustrated with the lack of state legislative policy alternatives to Governor Pawlenty's unrelenting ideologically conservative vision. He has drawn a clear line in the sand, pursuing a policy future that moves Minnesota firmly to bottom middle of the national pack in return for tax advantages for our state's wealthiest people.
State legislative leaders seem determined not to express a contrasting vision, focusing instead on procedural strategy. Given the stakes -a $5.5 billion budget deficit, conservative policy jacking up property taxes- and people's general disquiet, Minnesota needs a focused progressive plan.
I'm pleased that state legislative leaders haven't yielded to conservative demands for a detailed, alternative budget. The first rule of competition is never play your opponent's game; always play yours. Conservative public policy advocates are eager to attack progressive details, carefully choosing to overlook the larger picture.
Judging from the past six years, conservatives don't have our best interests at heart.
Earlier this year, State House of Representatives Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher invited Minnesotans to share budget deficit resolution suggestions via a House of Representatives website. Building on this initiative, the Speaker and State Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller called a series of state-wide town hall meetings, soliciting further citizen in-put.
