True North

I'm a critic of choo choo train transit. Sure, in some places it works and is a needed form a of transportation, my problem with it is that Minnesota is not one of those places. We have neither the population, density, nor centralized destination to warrant billions of taxpayer dollars for a few thousand people's free ride. Look, if they are simply economic development tools, then just be honest and say so, take the money to build them from some place besides transit and call it a day. I think the various ponzi schemes for siphoning money from roads to lay the rails and buy the choo choos is criminal.

I wish I could have help building a legal case against MNDOT for complete incompetence, the left wing special interests who lobby for choo choos so they can be hired to build the boondoggles, and County boards for taxation with out representation. I think there are grounds for a lawsuit against various levels of Government and governmental leeches for fraudulent spending and abuse, but unfortunately I am merely a citizen who wastes too much time stuck in traffic and paying taxes and don't have the legal expertise to prepare a case or hire a lawyer.

My biggest problem, is that I am not in the DFL's "victim" classification.

There are 6 people the DFL has drug up who are suing the State of Minnesota (Pawlenty) for his un-allotment. They claim to be harmed by his spending cuts, as I am harmed due to the stolen funding for my roads. Now these 6 people can claim anything they want. As with me, but it is their responsibility to prove wrong.

Enter the DFL's Legislative leadership of Pogemiller, Keliher, Sertich, & Clarke.

Did you know that there are non-partisan worker bees at the State Legislature that just do research and analysis with no axes to grind or partisan agenda at hand. These people are called on by the politicians to research and draft information with out any party agenda and deserve most of the credit for what does actually happen down there. The elected officials don't actually write the laws, these non-partisan staffers are who polish and craft what ends up becoming law.

Well, that non-partisan research group has been hijacked by the DFL and turned into partisan hitmen in the DFL's war against fiscal restraint. Normally the cost and resources for a partisan witch hunt or dare-I-say frivilous lawsuit would be the responsibility of the plaintiffs, political operatives raising charges, or the deep pockets of a special interest group with a political axe to grind.

Again, that's where Kelliher, Pogemiller, and Clark come in.

Under their unilateral reign, Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature the traditionally impartial research staff has been forced to do partisan revenge work for what is simply a DFL attack on Republicans and Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The DFL has been abusing power and utilizing the Legislative process for cheap political parlor games for years, but this may their boldest move yet to waste taxpayer dollars on official DFL party operations and legal work. Who know's maybe the DFL lawyers were too busy on that in depth and exhaustive internal audit of ACORN.

The fact of this - is simply the DFL trying to seek revenge for Pawlenty outfoxing them last session by protecting Minnesotans from the DFL's multi-Billion dollar tax increases and binge spending spree with his unallotment. You see, the DFL thought they could waste the entire Legislative session, then at the twilight hour pass mega tax and spending increases and force Pawlenty to sign them into law.

Thank goodness for Checks and Balances

You see, What Pawlenty, more accurately, the Pawlenty administration did, was perfectly legal, not to mention required by state law.

MN Statute -16A.152 BUDGET RESERVE AND CASH FLOW ACCOUNTS.

Subd. 4. Reduction.

(a) If the commissioner determines that probable receipts for the general fund will be less than anticipated, and that the amount available for the remainder of the biennium will be less than needed, the commissioner shall, with the approval of the governor, and after consulting the Legislative Advisory Commission, reduce the amount in the budget reserve account as needed to balance expenditures with revenue.

(b) An additional deficit shall, with the approval of the governor, and after consulting the legislative advisory commission, be made up by reducing unexpended allotments of any prior appropriation or transfer. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner is empowered to defer or suspend prior statutorily created obligations which would prevent effecting such reductions.

The Pawlenty administration was required to unallot, plain and simple. Legislative Democrats failed to ensure the funding was in place and that revenues were spent properly and responsibly and most importantly - effectively. Afterall, they do hold massive majorities in both house. They should know that anytime the passed budget has a surplus or shortfall, the administration is required to do certain things. Save or cut. It is required by law.

I'm sure you saw the budget forecasts last week, yep, our Government came up another $1.2 Billion shy of their pipe dream for revenue collection in a recession. A shocker or monumental proportions. Who'd have thought a selfish government would estimate on the high side? Well since each biennium MUST, by law, end in balance and when the Legislature is not in session, the administration shall automatically take action.

Well, not only has the DFL party gotten as much as $55,000 in free legal partisan research and aid at the taxpayer's expense. Lawyers and researchers don't work for free, and the DFL has forced taxpayers to not only pay for, but to provide legal aid in a lawsuit ostensibly against themselves.

The end goal of the DFL is to emasculate the powers of the Governor and his administration. You see the DFL is in the midst of a 26 year drought on occupying the Governor's Mansion. Despite his shortcomings as a rock ribber conservative, Pawlenty has gotten the best of most battles with the Democrats in the Legislature. They tried to tie his hands and remove his powers.

Today, while this post was stewing in draft mode, Pawlenty unfortunately decided not to cut from the Municipal Welfare program or unallott. The DFL called his bluff and he blinked.

Shame on both parties (Pawlenty and the DFL) for holding the taxpayers hostage on this one. Enough is enough. Government needs to learn to live with in its means and when their means are smaller due to economic downturn, that means they need to prioritize spending.

You know, if they were smart (stop laughing, they may be legislators, but they are still human), is if the Legislature had to pass a balanced budget, but one with ranked spending so if there is a shortfall..... oh nevermind.

The DFL is looking for a lawyer to mandate spending increases. I'm waiting for a challenge to the balanced budget amendment..... hey, maybe they can get the non-partisan staff in St. Paul to work up another amicus brief while they are at it. Hey, consolidate and maximize efficiency. :D

Crossposted at Residual Forces

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