As the deadline for a state budget looms, the afterburners on both sides are kicking in. The governor and legislators are taking their respective cases to the people through news media and even social media. Sometimes the behind the scenes dialogue gets testy.
On Thursday, there was this Twitter exchange between Kevin Watterson, director of media services for Minnesota House GOP (aka Twitter's "kwatt"), and Bob Hume, senior communications adviser for Gov. Dayton, (aka "bobhume").
It all started with this "tweet" from Carrie Lucking, director of public affairs for Minnesota House DFL Caucus, regarding Local Government Aid to Cities.
(For the purposes of publishing this exchange and make it more readable I have taken the liberty of expanding the truncated dialogue that often happens on Twitter with its limitation of 140 characters per "tweet.")
"Think @repmattdean will talk about the millions of LGA cuts for Mankato?"
Kwatt responded "Mankato would get exactly what they got in 2010"
Bobhume: "Actually, the GOP budget has Mankato looking at a 12.6% property tax increase to absorb the cuts in LGA"
Kwatt: "Mankato received $6,228,727 in 2010; in 2011 $6,228,727; Change from 2010 to 2011 = 0. In 2012, $6,228,727, Change from 2011-2012 = 0
Bobhume: "In 2012, Mankato will get cut by $1,608,937. How can an entire party think this budget exists in some kind of vacuum where consequences don't exist?"
Kwatt: "So you're saying $6,228,727 is $1,608,937 less than $6,228,727? No wonder you can't put together a list of spending cuts?"
Bobhume: "Zing? 2012 current law =$7,837,664. 2012 budget with GOP cut - $6,228,727. Your total cut = $1,608,937."
Kwatt: "Oh, so we're going by the increase that's never happened as being what they should get. Got it."
Well, they're both right -- kind of.
For the record, Mankato didn't budget for the $7.8 million because it knew the state would likely cut back but not decimate LGA.
I asked Tanya Ange, assistant city manager for Mankato, for some history of LGA allocations to put this discussion in perspective.
As a point of reference to where the city was at one time,, in 2002, Mankato received $9.3 million in LGA.
In 2005, $7.4 million; 2006, $7.97 million; 2007; $7.8 million; 2008, $6.5 million, 2009, $6.95 million.
But in 2010, after certification to receive $7.8 million, it actually received only $6.2 million after then Gov. Tim Pawlenty's unallocations. In 2011, it was set to receive $7.9 million but the city budgeted $6.4 million and in 2012, it was scheduled for $7.9 million but who knows what will happen between now and then.
Last year, Mankato City Manager Pat Hentges told the council he was budgeting the lesser amount in part on a political analysis of how much the the Legislature will cut from LGA amid the huge budget deficit being forecast by the state. He was already preparing to live with declining state aid by cutting staff levels 15% over the last three years. But the city also approved a 1.9% hike in the tax levy to soften the impact of lower property values.
Of course, other Twitter followers of "kwatt" and "bobhume" don't have that on-the-ground perspective and history and that's not the purpose of such heightened dialogue. However it does show the inherent danger of getting your information solely from social media.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Drop the Molotov and pick up a plow
In the mid-1980s, unionized Hormel meat packers in Ottumwa, Iowa, went out on strike in support of their counterparts battling it out in Austin, MN. Rather than work on compromises between the workers and the company, the mayor threw his unbridled support to the union. Hormel responded by shutting down the plant and the city continued to re-elect that mayor for his "principled stand." The city residents felt they won and showed their appreciation by re-electing the major. In the ensuing years, population dropped 11% and the downtown became a collection of closed businesses. The city lost a lot of tax revenue from both the plant and workers who were laid off and the replacement company, Cargill, set up shop paying much lower wages. Unemployment rates there consistently led the state. The high school dropout rate was double that of other Iowa cities.
I'm thinking of all this because of conversations I'm hearing over the "principled stand" that many in the Minnesota GOP are taking spurred on apparently by constituents who sympathize with the tea party. I've talked to some of those constituents (especially after they read my column) and they are so fed up with government overspending, "entitlements to the lazy," and higher taxes they just want it all to stop. They don't care how and they don't care what gets cut; they just want it to end - now.
I can sympathize with their feelings. I too am dismayed by some of the things that have gotten sorely out of control - we're finding generations who know no other existence except reliance on government supports -- from welfare to farm subsidies. While private sector employment has dropped, public employment has risen and with better benefits. And many feel that adherence to morals and tradition has eroded. Even last week, new data show that married couples are not the majority anymore. The income gap is widening between the rich and the poor.
We all want a day of reckoning. I get that. But there is no simple solution. And all actions have reactions, some not pleasant and many not planned for as my Iowa example attempts to show.
The best solution is often the messiest. It requires negotiation with many voices. And then it requires patience to make it happen. We've all seen what happens when things are done in haste.
Let's stop electing people who throw political Molotov cocktails in order to make you feel better. Stick with those who can make things happen, who can plow the ground and plant the seeds making things better rather than promise to bring things down. Because in the end, not unlike Ottumwa, you'll be asking yourself "Now that I did it, what did I do?"
I'm thinking of all this because of conversations I'm hearing over the "principled stand" that many in the Minnesota GOP are taking spurred on apparently by constituents who sympathize with the tea party. I've talked to some of those constituents (especially after they read my column) and they are so fed up with government overspending, "entitlements to the lazy," and higher taxes they just want it all to stop. They don't care how and they don't care what gets cut; they just want it to end - now.
I can sympathize with their feelings. I too am dismayed by some of the things that have gotten sorely out of control - we're finding generations who know no other existence except reliance on government supports -- from welfare to farm subsidies. While private sector employment has dropped, public employment has risen and with better benefits. And many feel that adherence to morals and tradition has eroded. Even last week, new data show that married couples are not the majority anymore. The income gap is widening between the rich and the poor.
We all want a day of reckoning. I get that. But there is no simple solution. And all actions have reactions, some not pleasant and many not planned for as my Iowa example attempts to show.
The best solution is often the messiest. It requires negotiation with many voices. And then it requires patience to make it happen. We've all seen what happens when things are done in haste.
Let's stop electing people who throw political Molotov cocktails in order to make you feel better. Stick with those who can make things happen, who can plow the ground and plant the seeds making things better rather than promise to bring things down. Because in the end, not unlike Ottumwa, you'll be asking yourself "Now that I did it, what did I do?"
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Is it caveat emptor or venditor for GOP?
It is indeed curious how lawmakers differ in how they see their roles even within the same party.
In Minnesota, state lawmakers are pushing to expand -- not limit -- the sale and distribution of raw milk even though proponents acknowledge unpasteurized milk cannot be 100 percent risk free. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly said raw milk is one of the riskiest ways to get foodborne illnesses. In fact, it can be fatal. But State Sen. Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) and chief author of the bill told Minnesota Public Radio "No food product of any sort is absolutely safe." So buyer beware.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate Commerce Committee passed through legislation that prevents restrictions on the sale or transfer of etickets. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Chris Gerlach (R-Apply Valley), said if a ticket holder wants to get a better price for his ticket "that should be allowed and should not be aced out by restrictions. Minnesota Twins president Dave St. Peter however said "There's a battle being waged here...between the scalpers and fans and the scalpers are winning." Concert promoters warn that top artists might bypass Minnesota if they can't ensure their fans can get good seats. Free enterprise unfettered?
Across the Potomac, U.S. Sens. John McCain and John Kerry are floating legislation creating an "online privacy bill of rights." in order to curb the internet-tracking industry. The bill would provide companies to seek permission before sharing data about a customer with outsiders. And it would give you and me the right to see the data collected on them. In other words, we're watching out for your interests.
Interesting juxtaposition. Freedom to get sick and freedom to gouge, so buyer beware. But track my keystrokes on the internet, seller beware.
In Minnesota, state lawmakers are pushing to expand -- not limit -- the sale and distribution of raw milk even though proponents acknowledge unpasteurized milk cannot be 100 percent risk free. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly said raw milk is one of the riskiest ways to get foodborne illnesses. In fact, it can be fatal. But State Sen. Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) and chief author of the bill told Minnesota Public Radio "No food product of any sort is absolutely safe." So buyer beware.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate Commerce Committee passed through legislation that prevents restrictions on the sale or transfer of etickets. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Chris Gerlach (R-Apply Valley), said if a ticket holder wants to get a better price for his ticket "that should be allowed and should not be aced out by restrictions. Minnesota Twins president Dave St. Peter however said "There's a battle being waged here...between the scalpers and fans and the scalpers are winning." Concert promoters warn that top artists might bypass Minnesota if they can't ensure their fans can get good seats. Free enterprise unfettered?
Across the Potomac, U.S. Sens. John McCain and John Kerry are floating legislation creating an "online privacy bill of rights." in order to curb the internet-tracking industry. The bill would provide companies to seek permission before sharing data about a customer with outsiders. And it would give you and me the right to see the data collected on them. In other words, we're watching out for your interests.
Interesting juxtaposition. Freedom to get sick and freedom to gouge, so buyer beware. But track my keystrokes on the internet, seller beware.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The good ole boys?
The Blue Earth County Board is pondering how to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of Dennis McCoy who served as county administrator after 30 years. He was promoted from his position as the county's human resources manager.
Rather than seizing this moment as an opportunity, the board seems to be focused on whether to just give it to the in-house interim or open it up to other county employees. Our editorial board has been trying unsuccessfully to have it give serious consideration to opening it up to outside candidates.
Our argument is a lot has changed in 30 years. Demands on the county have increased and state government funding is at a crisis. We've argued this might be the time to get a professional administrator to give the board different perspectives. Alas, the plea fell on deaf ears. Its excuse was time, expense and inexperience in outside searches. What it seems to be missing is --how does this affect the integrity of the process or the credibility of the candidate?
In the past, it was a widespread practice that civil service jobs in the U.S. went to relatives or friends of existing employees or elected officials. The American Civil Service Act was passed over 125 years ago because patronage jobs and favoritism weakened the perspective on government service. "It's not what you know, but who you know."
This, in turn, undermined the faith in government itself.
I am not questioning the motives of the BEC board members but rather trying to get them to understand their actions have consequences. You want to be above board in everything and avoid the possibility of false perceptions.
It is common practice that elected officials get perspectives on issues from all sides and not just those from people they know. We're asking nothing less in hiring for the most important position for the county.
What do you think?
Rather than seizing this moment as an opportunity, the board seems to be focused on whether to just give it to the in-house interim or open it up to other county employees. Our editorial board has been trying unsuccessfully to have it give serious consideration to opening it up to outside candidates.
Our argument is a lot has changed in 30 years. Demands on the county have increased and state government funding is at a crisis. We've argued this might be the time to get a professional administrator to give the board different perspectives. Alas, the plea fell on deaf ears. Its excuse was time, expense and inexperience in outside searches. What it seems to be missing is --how does this affect the integrity of the process or the credibility of the candidate?
In the past, it was a widespread practice that civil service jobs in the U.S. went to relatives or friends of existing employees or elected officials. The American Civil Service Act was passed over 125 years ago because patronage jobs and favoritism weakened the perspective on government service. "It's not what you know, but who you know."
This, in turn, undermined the faith in government itself.
I am not questioning the motives of the BEC board members but rather trying to get them to understand their actions have consequences. You want to be above board in everything and avoid the possibility of false perceptions.
It is common practice that elected officials get perspectives on issues from all sides and not just those from people they know. We're asking nothing less in hiring for the most important position for the county.
What do you think?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Another voice enters
Back in the "old" days (yes, when I started out), newspapers had manual typewriters, hot metal presses and something called a rewrite desk. Reporters in the field would call in from pay phones (remember those?) with notes, observations or updates to the rewrite editor who would string together a comprehensive, readable story that combined all the elements and try to put those elements into perspective. Well, as I interact with different people in our communities, read analyses and trends and most importantly listen, I get a wide range of news, reliable tidbits and informed opinion. I've had the good fortune of living in a number of different communities and certain contrasting perspectives start to emerge. Hence, the title of this blog. These perspectives can be altered over time with new information and I hope to share the originals and their adaptations when I can.
I would enjoy very much hearing your perspectives and, hopefully, we can have a civil (I underline "civil") dialogue and learn from each other.
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I would enjoy very much hearing your perspectives and, hopefully, we can have a civil (I underline "civil") dialogue and learn from each other.
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