Deal or no deal?
That's the big question in St. Paul as Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders try to reach an agreement on calling a special session. Left undone is a $1 billion public works bill and a $260 million package of tax cuts. The governor and leaders are slated to meet Tuesday to resume negotiations. But hopes that a deal can be reached are beginning to dim.
Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, said the DFL governor's requirements for a special session are unreasonable. Dayton has said he wants lawmakers to agree to $183 million worth of additional projects in the public works bill. Quam said he is particularly upset that the governor wants lawmakers to remove all earmarks for transportation funding. That would include getting rid of a provision setting aside money to help expand U.S. 14 between Dodge Center and Owatonna.
"He is being outrageous," Quam said. "There's a difference between a dictatorship and a governor, and he needs to learn that. That's the problem."
Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, is also frustrated by the situation but she said House Republicans are the ones to blame for the political gridlock. She said GOP lawmakers have not shown a willingness to work with the governor toward a solution.
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"They are not coming forward with any new proposals. They are not continuing to negotiate on anything. They are just kind of standing firm that what we did is what we did and we need to come together and do that," Poppe said.
House Taxes Committee Chairman Greg Davids, R-Preston, said the major roadblock to a special session deal is funding for Southwest Light Rail in the Twin Cities. He said the governor is insisting that funding for the project be part of any deal. Davids said that is a "non-starter" for House Republicans.
"The governor is holding up tax relief and transportation funding for Highway 14 and all the other highways because he's not getting his train. That's his decision," Davids said. "If he can back off the train, there's 100 percent chance we'd have a special session."
Red Wing DFL Sen. Matt Schmit sees things differently. He said the amendment to fund light rail added to the failed $1 billion borrowing bill in the final moments of the legislative session would have allowed Hennepin County to boost taxes to pay for the train. As a lawmaker from greater Minnesota, Schmit said he sees that idea as a "no-brainer."
"From a rural state legislator perspective, I think it's a great idea for us to take metropolitan transit off of the agenda of the state Legislature every year, free up more dollars and resources in the state for rural roads and bridges," Schmit said.
The Red Wing Democrat said he would like to see a special session called so lawmakers can pass the $1 billion bonding bill and tax cuts, but he fears the slow pace of talks will make reaching a deal difficult.
"I think the deeper we get into campaign season, the less likely it is that we'll find common ground," Schmit said.
Davids agrees.
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He added, "Every day that goes by, there's less of a chance that there'll be a special session."
