People require legislators who can get the job done

Published Thursday, April 5, 2007

Minnesota’s political leaders have, as usual, put themselves at the extremes as this legislative session moves into its final weeks. This year’s scrap pits the DFL-controlled Legislature against Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor is sticking to his “no tax increase” platform, while DFL lawmakers have moved towards making Minnesota’s income tax — at least for big earners — the highest in the nation. On the face of it, there seems little room for compromise — but a compromise is what is needed, and soon.

Pawlenty has long been on record as an opponent of tax increases. Meanwhile, the newly empowered DFL is pushing hard for massive income tax increases, particularly for those whose earnings are among the highest in Minnesota. Both positions are so extreme — no increases vs. gigantic increases — that compromise seems far away. What Minnesota residents must hope for is that both groups are staking out a position at the far ends of the spectrum in order to leave more room for negotiation.

What Minnesota does not need is another squabble in St. Paul that will push the legislative session past its natural conclusion, perhaps cause a government shutdown and, in general, make a mess of things.

Some of the turnover in last fall’s elections arose, no doubt, from voters’ disgust with lawmakers who could not get their jobs done. We hope this year’s legislators and the governor will take that into consideration.

Minnesota needs a government — all branches — that can work together to make wise, long-term decisions for the state. Unseemly squabbles help nobody.

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