March 10, 2009: Legislative Report #28

On March 9, 2009 our elected leaders introduced another 134 bills, bringing the total this year to 1,538. A reasonable person must ask the question, have we lost our minds at the capital? The answer is a resounding yes.

In order to balance the $6.4 billion budget shortfall in the 69 days remaining in session our leaders must reconcile $93,753,623.00 a day in shortfalls, 7 days a week. In addition, deal with, review, amend, and hold hearings in multiple committees, drop, table, or pass 22 bills a day 7 days a week.

Total irresponsibility on the part of our state elected leadership and not a possible task. Even more disturbing is after the session ends, just like last year, the same people will tour the state touting all the wonderful actions taken in 2009 for the good of Minnesota.

The fact is, last year, legislators including Carolyn Laine our current House Representative, left our current budget cycle short $935,000,000.00, and then paraded the state bragging of balancing the budget. With a $6.4 billion shortfall, I fear the condition of Minnesota this year when the dust settles at the capital.