An Update on the Minnesota Shutdown

[MineralMan]

As most people know, there is no budget in Minnesota, so the state is shut down, with something like 23,000 state employees furloughed and many essential services not available.

The news is that the legislators and the Governor have not met for four days to even address this situation. I find that to be unconscionable. What surprises me even more is that Democratic (DFL) legislators are not showing up every morning at the state capital and asking where the Republicans are. This strategy, if done every day there are no discussions, would inform the voters of Minnesota of exactly who is causing this shutdown. The media, which is covering the shutdown almost nonstop in its news coverage, would be there.

C'mon DFL legislators and Governor Dayton. Show up at the capital and demand to know where the Republicans are. Don't let this opportunity slip by to place the blame where it belongs.

This same strategy should be used on the national level, as well, if the Republicans block necessary increases to the debt limit by refusing to meet with the Obama Administration in coming days.

Note: My emails are going out this morning.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. So the legislators and the Governor are not drawing a paycheck, right?

right?

[MineralMan]

2. The governor isn't taking a paycheck.

In the legislature, though 69% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans are continuing to take their paychecks.

The frustration here is growing on a daily basis. 2012 is going to be a very interesting legislative election.

[woo me with science]

4. Minnesota lawmakers not accepting a paycheck this month (as of July 7)

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/07/minnesota_house_legislators_not_accepting_salary.php

MN House members who declined paychecks this month:

Paul Anderson (R)
Tom Anzelc (DFL)
Joe Atkins (DFL)
John Benson (DFL)
Kurt Bills (R)
Kathy Brynaert (DFL)
Lyndon Carlson (DFL)
Tony Cornish (R)
Roger Crawford (R)
Denise Dittrich (DFL)
Connie Doepke (R)
Keith Downey (R)
Steve Drazkowski (R)
Sondra Erickson (R)
Andrew Falk (DFL)
Pat Garofalo (R)
Mindy Greiling (DFL)
David Hancock (R)
Melissa Hortman (DFL)
Sheldon Johnson (DFL)
Phyllis Kahn (DFL)
Debra Kiel (R)
Kate Knuth (DFL)
Carolyn Laine (DFL)
Ann Lenczewski (DFL)
Diane Loeffler (DFL)
Kathy Lohmer (R)
Jennifer Loon (R)
Tim Mahoney (DFL)
Pat Mazorol (R)
Carolyn McElfatrick (R)
Carol McFarlane (R)
Terry Morrow (DFL)
Joe Mullery (DFL)
Erin Murphy (DFL)
Mary Murphy (DFL)
Rich Murray (R)
Kim Norton (DFL)
Michael Paymar (DFL)
Bev Scalze (DFL)
Steve Simon (DFL)
Linda Slocum (DFL)
Peggy Scott (R)
Chris Swedzinski (R)
Paul Thissen (DFL)
John Ward (DFL)
Doug Wardlow (R)
Ryan Winkler (DFL)



http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/07/minnesota_senators_not_accepting_salary_full_list_senate.php

MN Senators who declined the paycheck this month:

Michelle Benson (R)
John Carlson (R)
Roger Chamberlain (R)
Ted Daley (R)
John Harrington (DFL)
Bill Ingebrigsten (R)
Amy Koch (R)
Ted Lillie (R)
Tony Lourey (DFL)
James Metzen (DFL)
Jeremy Miller (R)
Carla Nelson (R)
Julie Rosen (R)
David Senjem (R)

Three senators -- Gary Dahms (R), Kathy Sheran (DFL), and John Pederson (R) -- requested that their pay be withheld, but the checks were already processed, according to Eileen Lunzer with fiscal services. If the shutdown drags on past July (God forbid) they will not accept checks for August.

[MineralMan]

6. Thanks for the list!

[raccoon]

3. Are your highway patrol on the job? nt

[MineralMan]

5. Yes, they are. The State Patrol was one of the agencies

exempted from the shutdown. Oddly enough, Conservation Officers for the DNR were another. I guess giving tickets to anglers is a critical need.

Heaven help you, though, if you rely on state programs to help care for your disabled child or parent with Alzheimers. Those things were chopped.

One commentator opined that if this shutdown goes on until the State Fair in late August, it will still be there in January.

[Brickbat]

14. DNR officers do much more than that, and can be a big part of first response, esp. up north.

[MineralMan]

15. I understand. It's just that what got named a critical resource

and what did not was pretty strangely done. I have no beef with COs. I enjoy chatting with them, especially when I'm fishing a lake that's new to me. Very helpful.

[Brickbat]

16. The "critical need" of the DNR officer is the role in first response, not fishing regulation.

No "strangely done" about that one.

[MineralMan]

7. Note: This is in GD, rather than the Minnesota Forum because

the parallels between this and the federal stalemate are so obvious. It's a similar thing, with a similar cause.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Do you mind catching me up?

State government did not PASS a budget?
If so, was that because of Republicans?

And Dems are not making hay out of this election gift?

[rbixby]

11. That's correct

Republicans are against any budget that raises any kind of taxes, even a tax on alcohol and tobacco sales.

[WhiteTara]

9. kick

:kick:
Thanks for your work!

[MinneapolisMatt]

10. I wish Dayton would address the State.

Get on the teevees and shout from the roof-tops "I'm rich as hell and will pay more taxes. Stop being selfish wimps!"

[kickysnana]

12. I followed you and sent emails. Hope it makes a difference. n/t

[MineralMan]

13. It can't hurt.

Thanks!