The DFL's Leadership Pickle
This Winona Daily News op-ed does something that Judge Kathleen Gearin didn't do and what the Strib won't do. It appportions blame to the DFL for not putting a serious budget proposal together:
On Wednesday, a judge ruled Gov. Tim Pawlenty had overstepped his authority when he "unalloted" budget items in order to keep the state financially afloat. The ruling, which only pertains to a $2.7 million portion of budget, has huge implications for Pawlenty, the Legislature and the state. While it could mean that a governor may not use unallotment as a budgeting strategy, it might also mean the state won't have enough money to pay the bills.
Think government shutdown.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Speaker of the Minnesota House Margaret Anderson Kelliher hailed the ruling as a victory for Minnesotans, further showing how out of touch she is with the state.
A potential shutdown is now a victory?
Even worse, she's willing to celebrate the fact that her own party was unwilling and unable to solve the budget crisis.
The problem seems to be one of leadership, the DFL, especially in the House, was outmaneuvered when it sent the budget bills to Pawlenty. Only a judicial technicality seems to be stopping Pawlenty from doing what he had to do, balance the budget.
While we find fault with many of the decisions Pawlenty made as he cut his way to a balanced budget, he was, after all, doing what the Legislature wouldn't do. The problem with the leadership in the Legislature is that no one is willing to say "no."
The DFL didn't put together a budget that balanced. They threw a bunch of things together, got a ruling that said there'd be a tiny, almost invisible surplus left at the end of the biennium, then fled the scene of their crime. The proof is there for Minnesotans to see.
The DFL refused to say no to their special interest allies. They tried to manipulate their Misery Tour hearings so that newspapers would report that a grassroots swell of support was forcing them to raise taxes instead of cutting spending. When that didn't happen, the DFL panicked.
After the failed Cherrypicked Testimony Tour ended, Speaker Kelliher couldn't even keep her people together on raising taxes:
I've just confirmed that Rep. Poppe and Rep. Pelowski were the DFL legislators who voted with all 47 House GOP legislators to sustain Gov. Pawlenty's veto of the Tax Bill.
During a conversation with the Lady Logician, I had a 'lightbulb moment' when I said that the DFL's highest priority was to figure out how to fund government and that the GOP's highest priority is to build a 21st Century economy.
Thanks to Derek Brigham's graphics and my collaboration with Derek on the wordsmithing, we now have a great visual reminder of the difference between the two parties:
That's what's possible when a little innovation is mixed with some leadership. You won't see that type of leadership or innovation from the DFL because the DFL doesn't have leadership. They just have leading voices.
It's important to point out something else from the Winona Daily News op-ed, namely that the DFL refuses to say no to their special interest allies. If the DFL won't say no to their allies, then Minnesota votes will elect people who will represent their priorities and their policy preferences.
I'd bet the ranch that small businesses aren't happy with the DFL's tax increases directed right at them. I'll bet that same proverbial ranch that there aren't many Minnesotans who'd support all of the health insurance mandates if they knew about them.
During the next month, this blog will feature op-eds outlining the GOP's vision for Minnesota. Soon, I'll demolish the DFL's ability to accuse the Republican Party of being the "Party of No." Soon, the GOP's leadership will be on full display.
Finally, the DFL can't tell Minnesotans their vision, partly because the DFL isn't a party of ideas, partly because what few ideas they have aren't appealing. This year, especially during the session, the DFL's shortcomings will be exposed.
Comments welcome at LFR.
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