Republicans share in budget victory

Party works with Democrats to finish off session in timely manner

By Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — It appears to be all-but-unanimous, from Republicans and Democrats, from the executive and legislative branches, from political commentators and average Minnesotans: It was a legislative session where stuff finally got done.

It was also one where the stuff got done on time — no special sessions required. And it was the first one in years where the desire to tackle problems seemed to override the appetite for partisan conflict.

“We had a hug-fest at the end,” said Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center.

With an election coming up on Nov. 4 where all 134 House seats will be on the ballot, that doesn’t seem to leave a lot of ammunition for challengers.

“I would say it’s harder for anybody to knock off an incumbent right now,” Cornish said.

A challenger probably is going to have to show voters that the incumbent is lazy or inept, Cornish said. “Because they’re not going to be able to say ‘you’re stubborn,’ or ‘obstinate’ or ‘not able to get anything done.’”

With Democrats holding big majorities in the House and Senate, an advantage for incumbents means an advantage for the DFL. That was exacerbated by the retirements announced by House members late Sunday night. Even though 85 of the 134 seats in the House belong to Democrats, eight of the 12 people not seeking re-election are Republicans.

Possible ammunition

Incumbent lawmakers can crow this fall about more money for K-12 schools, for nursing home workers and for property tax rebates.

They can talk about providing subsidized health care coverage for 12,000 low-income working Minnesotans, about creating jobs through a big construction bill and about a lot more.

But Republican lawmakers said there are a few bullets for GOP challengers running for House seats this year. For one, they say the budget agreement between Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFL leaders solved an immediate deficit of $935 million but leaves more red ink looming after the election and a depleted reserve fund.

Checks and balances

While Republicans have a few complaints about the session, they mostly applaud the work done in the session and claim a role in the positive outcome — noting their insistence on a cap on property tax hikes, the preservation of the JOBZ economic development program and the creation of a $750 tax credit for veterans.

They also talk about the tax increases and excessive spending that might have occurred if House Republicans weren’t there to keep Pawlenty’s vetoes from being overridden.

“I do think we played a significant role in making sure things did come out right for the taxpayers of Minnesota,” said Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague.

The Democrats have a veto-proof majority in the Senate, but Democrats need a handful of Republicans to side with them in the House to overturn the governor’s vetoes. Only on the gas tax increase were Democrats able to persuade enough Republicans to defy their governor this year.

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