Spending Reductions, Not on Opening Session

January 6, 2009

I attended the opening session of Minnesota House on January 6, 2009. Pomp and tradition abounded today along with House opening business.

Included in the House business today was the adoption of temporary rules. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) stepped up and proposed an amendment to the rules. The proposal would reduce per diem and housing allowances for House members to the 2005-2006 support levels. A somewhat heated exchange followed between Mr. Emmer and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm). On the first day of session, Mr. Emmer wanted to show the public that the Minnesota House has a commitment to leadership by a simple reduction of their per diem compensation. Mr. Sertich felt the legislature must consider ideas in committees not on the House floor and asked legislators to reject the amendment.

Unfortunately, for the constituents in Minnesota House 50-A, Carolyn Laine voted with the majority in the House who overwhelmingly voted to reject Mr. Emmer’s amendment to reduce per diem compensation. I consider this first vote of the Legislative session a travesty for the taxpayer and an omen of the session. I would have voted to support the amendment and reduce per diem compensation to 05-06 levels.

Today, the Minnesota House and Carolyn Laine had full opportunity to governance with leadership and financial restraint but chose instead to continue lining their pockets with our tax dollars. How someone votes today reflects his or her intentions tomorrow.

Timothy D. Utz
CCCR Candidate, Minnesota State House 50-A in 2010