Governor Pawlenty: Read the Constitution, Do Your Job

08/31/2007

At 150th Anniversary of Minnesota Constitution, DFL Party Says Pawlenty Should Play Constitutional Role and Call Special Session


St. Paul, MN (August 30, 2007) A day after Minnesotans celebrated the 150th anniversary of their state constitution — and nearly two weeks after flooding devastated southeastern Minnesota, and a month after the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis — the Minnesota DFL Party said today that Governor Tim Pawlenty should play his prescribed constitutional role and call a special session of the Legislature on this “extraordinary occasion,” not try to manipulate and dictate every detail of that session.

“The governor has exclusive constitutional powers at the front end and the back end of a special session, to call it and sign or veto legislation. But during the session, the governor isn’t the only player — the people’s elected legislators also have a constitutional duty to pass the laws that the people’s interests require,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez. “Minnesota is a constitutional democracy, not a dictatorship, but Governor Pawlenty’s stubbornness is blocking our constitutional processes from working for the public good.”

“DFL legislative leaders have clearly said that they are united and ready to get to work with the governor,” Melendez continued. “But even while they agree with the governor’s clear principles for a special session, Pawlenty continues to sit on his hands, and now even suggests that a special session might not be necessary.”

Melendez concluded, “The time for playing politics with Minnesota’s urgent needs is over. The constitution provides for a special session ‘on extraordinary occasions,’ and there have been few occasions in Minnesota history more extraordinary than now. The governor pledged action with all options on the table, but he and his partisan stand-ins keep backtracking. Governor Pawlenty: stop dithering and do your job. Call the special session.”

Pawlenty Now Casting Doubt on Special Session Despite Minnesota’s Urgent Needs for Bridge Safety and Disaster Relief:

Minnesota Constitution Clear: Governor’s Job Limited to Calling Special Session, Not Dictating Agenda: Article IV, Section 12. “A special session of the legislature may be called by the governor on extraordinary occasions.” “In Minnesota, governors have the power to start special sessions while lawmakers have the power to end them.” [Constitution of the State of Minnesota online; Pioneer Press 8/30/07]

Pawlenty Now Publicly Casting Doubt on Special Session, Blaming DFLers as He Sits on His Hands. “Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty raised questions this week about lawmakers' willingness to focus a potential special legislative session on emergency issues only…’I want it limited and quick,’ Pawlenty said in a brief television appearance Wednesday. ‘If (lawmakers) can't agree to that, and I hope they will, then it will have to wait until February,’ when the Legislature meets in regular session.” [Pioneer Press, 8/30/07]

As of 11 Days Ago, DFLers Ready to Work with Governor... “At week's end, DFL leaders were preparing to send the governor a letter ‘saying we agree to accommodate everything the governor is asking for,’ said Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. ‘We're taking the governor at his word’ that he still wants to call lawmakers back, Pogemiller said.” [Star Tribune, 8/19/07]

… But Governor Continued to Dither. “[The governor] implied that a serious effort to strike a deal with legislators was in progress. ‘We don't have all of them on the same page ... but we'll keep working on it,’ he said. That work has been hard for the press corps to detect. Last week produced no summit sessions or stakeouts outside the governor's office.” [Star Tribune, 8/19/07]

Molnau Questioned the Need for a Special Session. Pawlenty’s lieutenant governor questioned the need for a special session. “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 Special Session. “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 Special Session 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 Comprehensive 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]