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Political parlay among state leaders goes over easy, mostly
Over breakfast, DFL legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty met for the first time in months to discuss health care and the budget.
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DFL legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty had pancakes, bacon and a hope for health care on the docket at a meeting Tuesday morning in St. Paul.
In their first meeting since the testy end of the 2009 legislative session, the lawmakers and the governor worked to sketch out their goals for the 2010 session, which starts in February.
No one left singing "Kumbaya" but neither did the powers-that-be spit insults at one another.
"We offered a hand of -- friendship is a little strong -- but a hand of cooperation," said Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, after the breakfast meeting at the governor's residence on Summit Avenue.
Pawlenty said it was good, positive meeting.
"We explored some common areas of interest, or at least common agenda items, that will likely come up during the session," Pawlenty said.
They made no breakthroughs, but did offer a glimmer of hope that more than 30,000 very low income Minnesotans could continue to get some kind of health care next year.
During the 2009 legislative session, Pawlenty vetoed funding for the General Assistance Medical Care program, which covers adults who make about $8,000 a year or less, for the 2010 budget year. If the veto stands, the program would end early next year.
The move saved the state about $381 million, but according to hospitals, advocates for the homeless and many DFL legislators, may also lead to sicker people, more expensive care and hospital cutbacks.
"For the individuals who are currently on GAMC, it is a disaster," said Rep. Paul Thissen, a Minneapolis DFLer and chairman of the House health policy committee. Thissen was not one of the legislative leaders in the Tuesday meeting where the program came up.
Pawlenty told reporters after the meeting that he was willing to explore alternatives to completely eliminating the program.
He said his staffers are working on proposals that would provide "some reform and some cost savings" as well as relief to those who would be harmed if the program evaporated.
Rep. Erin Murphy, a St. Paul DFLer and nurse who has studied the program and its population, said she is working with others on a thriftier, more targeted way to serve those now on General Assistance. Murphy said she was cautiously optimistic that an agreement could be reached.
"I'm going to take him at his word," Murphy said of Pawlenty, "until proven wrong."
Lawmakers and the governor seemed less likely to come to détente over the structure of the state's budget. Over the last several weeks, DFL leaders have met on what they consider a long-term budget problem. Last month, they held a "budget summit" with former governors and state finance officials to examine possible solutions. Pawlenty was invited but did not attend.
"We don't know at this point if the governor is willing to participate on work on the long-term problem," Pogemiller said after the breakfast meeting.
The governor doesn't see dire problems in the state's budget future.
"If you only spend what we are spending now, there is no deficit," Pawlenty said.
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger • 651-292-0164
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Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
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