The Minnesota House DFL caucus Tuesday blasted their Republican colleagues' legislative priorities, particularly the focus on "unnecessary" constitutional amendments like Right to Work and photo identification for voters.
The minority was equally unhappy that the House GOP caucus has offered a pared-down borrowing bill that includes $5 million to repair the moldy dolphin tank and other assets at the Minnesota zoo, but nothing the jobs programs the governor requested.
"With all the issues to pick and choose, the Republicans are back with another constitutional amendment," said House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, flanked by House Democrats.
"I would invite anyone to go down on any street corner in Minnesota and ask the first 100 people walking by what are the most important issues on their mind," Thissen said. "I bet you would hear a lot about jobs and the economy. I bet you might hear a lot about how we're funding our schools. I bet you'd hear a lot about rising property taxes and tuition and healthcare costs, but what you won't hear is any discussion, I believe, about constitutional amendments, and particularly you're not going to hear someone coming up to you and saying, 'We absolutely have to get this voter ID amendment passed.'"
The DFL event was staged hours before the House was set to begin debate on the photo ID constitutional amendment. Thissen said there wouldn't be a single Democratic vote in favor of the proposal.
"Anybody remember when amending the constitution used to be a big deal?" said Rep. Steve Simon, DFL-St. Louis Park.
He warned that the GOP is risking a "political arms race," where interest groups on both sides try to sidestep the Legislative process write their pet projects directly into the state constitution.
"They'll be launching a missile I think they'll wish they could take back," Simon said.
