|
|
Location: Blogs Dan's Blog |
 |
| Posted by: Dan McGrath |
2/23/2010 |
 Some Representatives and Senators Change Bonding Bill Vote – Despite Veto Threat, Bonding Bill Not Dead Yet
The governor has announced that he will veto the bonding bill in it’s entirety, but House Speaker Kelliher may have one last trick up her sleeve. She said she intends to send the bill back to the Senate for “further consideration.” This is simply a stalling tactic to buy time to pressure the governor into negotiations.
After a conference committee reached agreement on the $1 billion bonding bill, reconciling minor differences between the House and Senate versions, the House took up the final bill for a vote after 7:30 last night, passing it 85-46. Eight Republicans who’d voted to pass the initial bill withdrew their support.
Republican Representatives Bud Nornes (10A), Paul Anderson (13A), Greg Davids (31B), Jim Abeler (48B), Tony Cornish (24B), Tom Hackbarth (48A), Mary Liz Holberg (36A) and Torrey Westrom (11A) changed their votes on the bonding bill to no. Democrats Bill Hilty (8A) and Al Juhnke (13B) also had a change of heart, withdrawing their support for the bill.
Representative Paul Kohls (34A) was home recovering from a concussion when the bonding bill first passed. When he returned to work, he added another "no" vote to repassage of the bonding bill.
The Senate took up the amended bill after 9:00 PM and also passed it, but again, some Republicans changed their votes from yes to no. The final vote in the Senate was 47-19.
Republican senators Bill Ingebrigtsen (11), Joe Gimse (13), Gen Olson (33), Pat Pariseau (36), Mike Jungbbauer (48), and Julie Rosen (24) changed their votes from yes to no. Democrat Tony Lourey (8) also changed his vote to no.
It looks like the bonding bill debate isn’t over yet. How long Speaker Kelliher can keep the bonding bill from the governor’s awaiting veto pen is uncertain. The best case scenario for the taxpayers is no bonding bill at all, but Governor Pawlenty has indicated willingness to sign a bonding bill in the $750 million-range if it includes certain items he considers priorities, like the Moose Lake Sex Offender facility and Vermillion State Park. If legislators rework the bill toward those ends, the governor may still approve more borrowing this session.
Minnesota Majority rejects the idea of any further borrowing until the deficit is solved. Until then, there isn't even money to service the debt we now have. No sane person would take a maxed out credit card they already can't afford the payments on and ask for an increase in the credit limit to borrow more. Why would we allow our state government to do so? In addition, when the deficit is solved, any bonding should only be for genuine, necessary public purpose projects.
Update: Senator John Doll had been erroneously listed as having voted "yes" on repassage. This was an error and we apologize to the senator, who has in fact voted against the bonding bill three times.
Take Action:
- Contact your elected officials and express your opinion on the billion-dollar bonding bill.
- Call the Governor's Office Toll Free at 1-877-37-VETO-IT (877-378-3864). Tell the governor there should be no bonding bill this session unless the deficit is solved first.
|
|
| Permalink |
Trackback |
Comments (2)
Add Comment
|
Re: On Bonding Bill, Some State Legislators Repent |
By Paul Kohls on
2/24/2010 |
| Just to clarify my record on this issue, I actually was not present when the bill was debated and originally passed the House on 2/15. I was home recovering from a concussion and several broken bones in my face. I was in the hosptial Sunday until mid-day Monday and my doctor strongly urged me to stay home and not come in to the Captiol that evening. I would have been a no vote then too had I been present. |
|
|
Re: On Bonding Bill, Some State Legislators Repent |
By dan.mcgrath on
2/24/2010 |
| Thanks for the clarification. I'm updating the article. So sorry to hear about your injuries. Hope you are on the road to swift mending, and thanks for coming down on the right side of the bonding bill. |
|
|
|
|
|