Comparing state government to a broken-down jalopy, Republican legislators announced a campaign Thursday to reform it and ask Minnesotans what they think would be the best way to overhaul it.
"It's time to engage the voters of Minnesota" in a discussion that goes beyond a tired debate over raising taxes and cutting government services, said House Speaker Kurt Zellers in a press conference attended by more than a dozen House members.
"We need structural change -- real change," said House Majority Leader Matt Dean.
Legislators plan to solicit voters' opinions during the State Fair and will set up a website, a Facebook page and a Twitter feed to collect ideas.
Voters, Zellers said, are "sick about the fight about the money" and are demanding that government officials tell them "what are you doing to make government work?"
Nearly six months before the start of the next legislative session, the lawmakers unveiled what they call their "Reform 2.0" campaign, a day after Gov. Mark Dayton announced he will conduct a tour around the state to listen to Minnesotans' ideas about spurring job growth.
The Republicans' agenda will include what they describe as limiting government "overreach, improving the state's business climate, lowering taxes and streamlining government functions. They also plan to push for constitutional amendment that would require a supermajority vote in both legislative chambers to increase taxes.
Any such effort will likely run head-on into Dayton's pledge to continue pushing for higher taxes on the state's wealthiest residents to stanch Minnesota's near-chronic budget problems.
