DFL Party to Governor Pawlenty: Why Haven’t You Called a Special Session?
"B-log"08/29/2007
Calls for Immediate Action to Deal with State’s Safety and Infrastructure Needs
St. Paul, MN (August 28, 2007) Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau on Monday questioned the need for a special session after touring flood-stricken southeastern Minnesota. Molnau is the latest in a line of prominent Minnesota Republicans — including House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and Republican Party Chair Ron Carey — to challenge the governor’s previously-expressed desire for a special session. The Minnesota DFL Party called on Governor Tim Pawlenty to keep his commitment to a special session to address the state’s safety and infrastructure needs, and to do so without further delay.
“Governor Pawlenty, Lieutenant Governor Molnau, Representative Seifert, and Chair Carey are playing a political game of good cop/bad cop in an attempt to avoid a special session without tarnishing Pawlenty’s image,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez. “Pawlenty talks a good game about a special session, but he does nothing, while his lackeys Molnau, Seifert and Carey give him the echo chamber to cover up his delay and inaction. But only the governor can call a special session, and if Pawlenty is going to talk the talk, then he needs to walk the walk.”
“DFLers are united and ready to get to work to improve the safety of our state’s infrastructure for all Minnesotans. But after almost a month since the I-35W bridge collapsed and more than a week since southeastern Minnesota was devastated by floods, Governor Pawlenty is still dithering about calling a special session to meet our most pressing needs,” continued Melendez. “The DFL legislative leadership is ready to get to work, and ready to help. Where are you, Governor? Hopefully you aren’t sacrificing our safety and wellbeing on the altar of your national ambitions.”
Pawlenty Still Refuses to Call Special Session Despite Urgent Need to Improve Road and Bridge Safety and Provide Disaster Relief:
Pawlenty Says He Wants Special Session, But Has Yet to Call One. Estimating the damage to southeastern Minnesota at $67 million, Pawlenty said Monday that, “he's willing to call a special legislative session to provide financial relief. But he first wants to set limits on the length of the session and the items that will be discussed.” [Star Tribune (AP), 8/28/07]
Molnau Contradicts Governor, Questions the Need for a Special Session. Pawlenty’s lieutenant governor publicly disagreed with him Monday by questioning the need for a special session. According to a report by Minnesota Public Radio, “Molnau says she doesn't want to rush into a special session without having a complete sense of the region's needs…‘If there is opportunity for us to help, you don't want to miss something significant and needs to be addressed. You don't know that until a full assessment is done,’ she said.” [Minnesota Public Radio, 8/27/07]
Seifert Speaks Out Against Prompt Legislative Action. “Seifert says he would prefer to wait until the November budget forecast before the Legislature deals with any transportation issues.” [Minnesota Public Radio, 8/16/07]
Carey Launches Partisan Attack on Legislative Action to Address Pressing Priorities. “The stampede for a special session is fading away as the Democrats across the state broaden their ever-growing wish list of agenda items and spending projects. Rebuilding the I-35W bridge does not require a special session…” [Republican Party of Minnesota Press Release, 8/17/07]
Pawlenty Quickly Signaled Openness to Responsive Legislative Action. The day after the bridge collapse, the governor said “[e]verything is on the table,” while his spokesman said that “we’re willing to consider all options” and that the governor “will work with legislators on a comprehensive and long-term approach” [AP, 8/3/07; Minnesota Public Radio, 8/3/07; Star Tribune 8/3/07]