Cutting Off A Nose To Spite Our Face
It is becoming sad to watch how political agendas/interests have supplanted any hope of attaining good policy in the upcoming legislative session.
I remember listening to a good friend that works at the legislature recount how Rep. Rukavina was chiding Republican's in the hallway on how their "special interest" allies had abandoned them on an important vote a few years ago. He went on to mention that their "special interest" allies would never pull such a stunt. Rep. Rukavina, sadly, is right!
Had cities and counties been smart they would have, in fact, joined with Governor Pawlenty in supporting his right to unallot us out of the latest budget crisis. They did not need to agree, but rather realize and support the fact we had closure. The remedies and injustices could have been worked on with the next legislative session a few short weeks from now. Instead they chose to sit back and let DFLers stir a pot that puts cities and counties in position that is not in our interest from any way you want to look at it.
It makes you wonder what "special interest" groups Rep. Rukavina was referring to when he made that statement. I had a representative of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and another person from the League of Minnesota Cities tell me how our groups are "non-partisan". How they work both sides of the isle to bring about reform and solutions.
I asked one of the representatives to tally up a public report counting the times they have criticized the Governor and other Republican leaders. Then count up the times they publically criticized DFL leaders.
I am still waiting for this report. However, Rep. Rukavina knows the answer, and so do a lot of legislators, mayors, and hopefully a few more citizens reading America's Small City Mayor.
Comments welcome: America's Small City Mayor
Share this post
