DFLer invites Republicans to walk the talk

I recently read a commentary by Senate Majority Leader David Senjem ("Republicans invite DFL to stay on task," March 23), in which the Republican leader describes a 2012 legislative session that bears little resemblance to reality. At least not to the one in which I, and the vast majority of Minnesotans, are living.

Senjem wants us to believe that "since the beginning of session, Senate Republicans have taken action on important issues like jobs, the economy and government redesign."

If only.

In reality, the 2012 session has been defined by the majority's focus on an partisan agenda that attempts to "redesign" our state's Constitution to look like the Republican Party platform.

Senjem says, "Our focus in the Legislature is on what is important for Minnesotans -- and in the best interest of Minnesota."

Yet, the crowning achievements of the Republican-controlled Senate sound nothing like the priorities of Minnesota families, certainly not the ones in my community.

So far, Senate Republicans have pushed a "right to work" proposal that has been proven to bring lower wages and unsafe workplaces in other states.

And just last Friday -- the same day that Senjem's commentary directed DFLers to stay on task, the Republican majority in the Senate passed a constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult for thousands of law-abiding Minnesotans to exercise their right to vote.

None of that legislation would create a single job, help a single family nor fund a single school in our state.

Even the Republicans' so-called jobs bill is centered on tax breaks for multinational corporations, with little relief for homeowners and renters who have seen skyrocketing property taxes in recent years.

I'm no exception. After a long week at the Capitol, I arrived home last Saturday to my 2012 property tax bill, which contained a 23 percent increase!

Adding insult to tax injury, the Republicans' corporate giveaways are paid for by draining the state's budget reserves, further delaying repayment of what Republicans borrowed from Minnesota schools to end the government shutdown that they caused.

Perhaps this is a signal that Senate Republicans will stop stalling and take a vote on the "Jobs Now Tax Credit," a proposal that would provide tax incentives to businesses that create new jobs here in Minnesota.

Maybe there's hope that Republicans will join DFLers in supporting the "Pay Back Our Kids" Act, which would pay back what was borrowed from Minnesota schools by closing tax loopholes on corporations stashing money overseas.

We could even hope that the Legislature will restore the homestead credit that Republicans eliminated last year, resulting in double-digit property tax increases across the state.

And certainly Sen. Senjem will work with DFLers and the governor to pass a fair bonding bill that addresses our state's most pressing infrastructure needs and puts tens of thousands of unemployed men and women back to work. Mother Nature has been construction-ready for more than a month now.

These ideas solve real problems and make people, jobs and the economy our top priority. I know that Senate Democrats will be active in advancing these bills to the governor's desk.

I strongly urge the majority leader to consider his own advice: "Now is the time to join together, stop the political games and do what is right for our state."

A good start would be reworking the Republican's highly partisan bonding bill, which Senjem assembled as chair of the capital-investment committee. In its current form, the bill rewards $45 million (13 percent) of the spending to Senjem's and vice chair John Pederson's home districts, while leaving next to nothing for St. Paul, Minneapolis, Mankato and my own city of Duluth.

DFL members of the Senate are committed to growing good-paying jobs, investing in our schools and strengthening our middle-class economy. If Senjem and the rest of the GOP Senate majority agree, we can come to a constructive conclusion of the 2012 session.

_________