Call the Governor Ask Him to Call a Special Session—NOW
09/10/2007
Dear DFL,
Our legislators at both the Federal and State level have been there for the victims of the flood in SE MN, they have done their job admirably and have publicly demanded the Governor call a special session now to help our neighbors.
Only the Governor can call a special session. The legislators have met his conditions but still he refuses to call a special session.
Lets help our SE MN neighbors, call or email the Governor today and ask him to call a special session NOW.
Toll Free: (800) 657-3717
E-mail: tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
The following is an editorial from Sunday¹s Winona Daily News: http://www.winonadailynews.com
Let it inspire your voice. Thank you,
- Lynn Wilson
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Published - Sunday, September 09, 2007
OUR VIEW: Special session long overdue, governor
By Darrell Ehrlick, editor, on behalf of the Winona Daily News editorial board
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Myron Schober knows what he's talking about. For the past three weeks, he's relived the floods personally and professionally.
In addition to the floodwaters wiping out his newspaper office, the editor/publisher has heard the tales time and time again from the community he¹s covered for nearly three decades. And after three weeks of waiting, and as he sees neighbors and businesses leave Rushford without coming back, he's calling this Pawlenty's Katrina.
For three weeks, we¹ve been waiting for a special session where lawmakers could put a relief package (read: lots of money) to help bridge the gap between FEMA and insurance. Residential property owners need help. Virtually no real help has been offered businesses.
There is but one man who could make a difference and that's Gov. Tim Pawlenty. And as hundreds of Minnesotans' suffering slowly boils into rage, Pawlenty has been doubly bad.
His trips to the affected areas now number in the double digits. He's talked to those who have lost everything. He's seen the tears, promised a special session. And it seems like every time he wanders back to St. Paul, he intimates that a special session will not have to be called.
We have to wonder what beyond petty political motives is going on here. Is it because of some worry he might be forced into signing a tax increase? Well, if it's an increase in taxes to help our fellow Minnesotans rebuild their lives, it's money well spent. It seems like Pawlenty cares more about political ideology than people.
If Pawlenty is reluctant to call the Legislature into session because the DFL controls both houses - Pawlenty would be well advised to grow a thicker skin and find a better excuse. The need in places like Rushford, Hokah, Stockton and St. Charles isn't partisan. Do the right thing - politics be damned.
And if Pawlenty hopes to tack on a couple pet projects before he convenes a special session, then he is holding the livelihood and the future of places like Rushford hostage to fit his own political agenda.
This leaves us with only one conclusion: It is cruel and heartless not to help those who need it. Pawlenty should borrow an idea championed by his own party and put a little compassion into his conservative beliefs.
Yet what may be the most amazing part of the conspicuous absence of state money is what Pawlenty did Friday. By administrative order, he reshuffled funding of different agencies, something he, as the chief executive of the state, has the right to do.
While $32 million will come to southern Minnesota, this isn¹t new money. It's just taking it from already cash-strapped state agencies. It's robbing other Minnesotans and playing politics in St. Paul.
It won¹t be long before these agencies, some of which will have millions shifted around, will report their inability to provide essential services to other residents. That's more than unfortunate; it¹s unfair.
Many residents who have been affected by flooding need aid, but we believe they wouldn¹t want it to come at the expense of sending equally needy Minnesotans away empty-handed. That's not what we value in this state.
We call on Gov. Pawlenty to authorize a special session so that other funds can be designated for relief. We will continue to remind folks how long it's been since the I-35W bridge collapse, how long it's been since the flooding and how many special sessions have been called.
Since Pawlenty seems impervious to the tearful residents who have lost everything, since he¹s been unwilling to listen to local leaders, maybe the message needs to be sent a little more clearly: Money talks, governor. We trust you know what walks.
The Winona Daily News editorial board also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson.
To comment, call (507) 453-3522 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.