How would you grade the performance of the governor and Legislature this session?
Posted at 5:00 AM on May 23, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(55 Comments)
Filed under: Politics/Government
By law, the Minnesota Legislature must adjourn by midnight tonight. The governor could call a special session to address any unfinished work. Today's Question: How would you grade the performance of the governor and Legislature this session?
Comments (55)
v6f75H comment3, watch movieslink .net, [url="http://watch-movieslink-net57.blogspot.com"]watch movieslink .net[/url], http://watch-movieslink-net57.blogspot.com watch movieslink .net, 8-D,
a0Arpn comment1, watch movies online for free no downloads, [url="http://watch-movies-online-for-free-no-42.blogspot.com"]watch movies online for free no downloads[/url], http://watch-movies-online-for-free-no-42.blogspot.com watch movies online for free no downloads, 996,
dsNNWd comment2,
OkLMfI comment5,
Here's an idea: For each day the legislature has to have additional time to do their job, they get docked a day of pay. They have to start giving back what they were paid for not doing their job. If they're so concerned about the impact of taxes on the citizens of this state and how that affects the businesses that create those jobs, I'm sure they'd be thrilled with this plan to make it intolerable not to finish their work by the appointed deadline.
Alas my prediction after the last election was over, "expect more of the same". And sure enough, it's gridlock and yet another special session. Seems like there's nothing "special" about special sessions anymore. Let's just not even bother to adjourn the Legislature and let them bicker back and forth non-stop all year long. Since nothing gets done anyway. I give both parties and all sides an F. F as in failure to get the job done on time. Or how about F as in F for you are all fired!
Majority in legislature should be suspended and left on the streets to mime the wishes of the wealthy elite until a down pour washes them into the depths from thence they came.
A goes to Dayton, a statesman and gentleman.
As to the Republicans, I'm sure that somewhere the Angels are weeping.
Gov Dayton, B-
for almost being willing:
The award winning documentary
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeocZjrnh-g&feature=youtu.be
Legislators, almost a C for being capable
http://www.votehemp.com/
http://rosenlake.net/er/hempinfo.html
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/downs2.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynmSZRmcr4
but instead, a D for acting so dumb...
eg. House approves same-sex marriage ban; sends amendment to ballot
and
HF57 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=House&f=HF0057&ssn=0&y=2011 and SF1166 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF1166&ssn=0&y=2011 were passed on Friday and Saturday after being completely rewritten by the 6 republican members in the conference committee for these bills.
They removed the language:
"The state Board of Pharmacy, after consulting with the Advisory Council on Controlled Substances, shall annually, on or before May 1 of each year, conduct a review of the placement of controlled substances in the various schedules."
And replaced it with:
"The Board of Pharmacy may not delete or reschedule a drug that is in Schedule I"
Apparently banning drugs is important. It was tackled instead of our state budget, even though it was the 3rd to last day of the session. It's funny that the state of Minnesota now only has one type of synthetic THC that can legally be prescribed, and it's only available in pill form. Talk about a monopoly! Government regulatory bodies should not be run by individuals who currently work in the field that they are regulating. This breads corruption.
Gov Dayton, B-
for almost being willing:
The award winning documentary
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeocZjrnh-g&feature=youtu.be
Legislators, almost a C for being capable
http://www.votehemp.com/
http://rosenlake.net/er/hempinfo.html
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/downs2.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynmSZRmcr4
but instead, a D for acting so dumb...
eg. House approves same-sex marriage ban; sends amendment to ballot
and
HF57 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=House&f=HF0057&ssn=0&y=2011 and SF1166 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF1166&ssn=0&y=2011 were passed on Friday and Saturday after being completely rewritten by the 6 republican members in the conference committee for these bills.
They removed the language:
"The state Board of Pharmacy, after consulting with the Advisory Council on Controlled Substances, shall annually, on or before May 1 of each year, conduct a review of the placement of controlled substances in the various schedules."
And replaced it with:
"The Board of Pharmacy may not delete or reschedule a drug that is in Schedule I"
Apparently banning drugs is important. It was tackled instead of our state budget, even though it was the 3rd to last day of the session. It's funny that the state of Minnesota now only has one type of synthetic THC that can legally be prescribed, and it's only available in pill form. Talk about a monopoly! Government regulatory bodies should not be run by individuals who currently work in the field that they are regulating. This breads corruption.
'Do WE have a recall option????"
No. And given the mischief that's done with such provisions in other states, I'm glad we don't.
The Governor is limited by what he can do other advise direction and veto unacceptable bills.
The Legislature has WAISTED time on non-important bills.... They have IGNORED the budget, and instead wasted time on amendments and 'nut job' birther related bills. They seemed afraid of the people of this state to the point of making it harder to vote, and with the excuse of a paranoid unfounded chicken little claim of voter fraud!! (What? we might have had.. maybe ... 4 cases last year?? Out of the entire state?! This from the clueless Mary Kiffmeyer, who did not know how to run the job of Secretary of state...)
Kinda a sad thing to do when we are left with a MESS from Form Governor Tim Pawlenty.... What a mess he left us in!
And worse the Legislature has done SQUAT for jobs and employment, and actually they are proposing FIRING people! Laying people off when we need to have people employed the MOST!
The election to remove these guys can not come soon enough!
Do WE have a recall option????
Gov. and Leg. both get F's. At most of the jobs I know of - you get only a specific amount of time to get your job completed - no overtime. They can't get their job done - so they should not get their jobs back at the next elections.
Dayton gets an A! This is a good job for him. He has been thorough and reasonable.
The legislature gets -- both the House and the Senate -- a big fat F for failure to compromise, care for the poor and negotiate in good faith. I was at the legislature about 40 times over this session -- as a volunteer-- and I have never seen such tension. The IR folks in leadership positions are not in their first year or second year, so they know the protocols and rules and should follow them. They did not manage testimony sessions with the result that testimony on some issues was barely head. This was particularly egregious when disabled people came from greater Minnesota, sat for hours and then did not get to speak or only had a minute vs. the 5 or 10 minutes of the speakers on previous issues. They were not responsible to all of us, and after the election supposedly they work for all of us. It is a sad, sad day.
I would give Governor Dayton an A-
He's held tough, compromised, met opposition on their own turf, been principled, even-tempered, and committed to representing and serving all Minnesotans, including those who oppose his policies.
He's exceeded my expectations (I voted for Horner) and I believe been a great public servant. Shortcoming: he could sell his message better about how wealthy Minnesotans have a history of being willing to pay a fair (and above national average) share state a better place to attract and maintain business by valuing investment in schools, environment, arts, and infrastructure.
The GOP gets a D- because I'm an easy grader. They have shown no leadership, but fall back on the shrill national GOP mantra of "no new taxes" and adherence to the failed "trickle down" theory that has protected the wealthy at the expense of the other 95% of the population. This policy has been the true job killer as we are seeing right now in our schools, roads, and communities. They have not been flexible, reasonable or creative, and I look forward to the worst of them getting thrown out on their ears in the next election cycle.
Gov. Dayton gets an A- I did not vote for him but I am impressed by his willingness to compromise yet staying firm to his beliefs that those with salaries above $250, 000 can afford to pay more in taxes.
Legislature- Dems a C- With the exception of a few, they did not fight as hard as they could. The Republicans - a resounding F- for both not listening to All Minnesotans, refusing to compromise and especially for the total lack of decorum by the House and Senate Leadership and the new Republican Senators and Representatives. How many times has the House majority had to apologize for their mis-steps and down- right nasty public statements. The Senate leaders are no better- before the next session ( special or otherwise), I hope Sens Michel and Koch convene a mandatory class on good manners!!!
Governor Dayton deserves an "A" for handling things properly. The legislature, has flunked in their attempts during the current session -- an expression of the ignorance that tends to be displayed by newcomers, and particularly Republicans.
I appreciate the governor for demonstrating how to stick to the mandate that got you elected while still compromising. I would like to say I appreciate the Republican legislature for the same thing, but if I could, then we wouldn't be headed to an extra session.
So my grading is a bit lopsided:
Governor - A
Legislature - F
Gov an A, he's at least willing to talk about what should be talked about and offering to make compromises.
Legislature...Dems a C. Reps a F(ailures), what a pathetic group of mean, bossy, agenda driven individuals.
I feel that the GOP leaders in the Legislature deserve a D-, Gov. Dayton a B. He's moved and offered a comprimise position, that the GOP wont' even look at. GOP leaders are so entrenched in how they look and how they think they can get re-elected that they are foregoing their responsibilities to propose and pass legislation. Vote the incumbants out, demand resonsible leadership and limit terms so politicians aren't so bent on getting re-elected. Boo to the GOP controlled legislature.....shame.
It seems to me that this new flavor of Republican believes themselves to be elected to a term of dictatorship as apposed to being representative of all of their constituents. I fear that the legislature does not have the skill set to negotiate any sort of compromise and shudder to think what the next two years will look like. I am grateful that we have a principled governor, who will stand firm against the incompetence of the legislature.
Governor B
Legislature F
Governor Dayton tried to focus on the 2 big issues--budget and jobs. The legislature veered off into policy issues before taking care of their primary responsibility.
The Governor gets an A for doing everything reasonably possible to avoid this.
The Republicans in the Legislature get an F for their "my way or the highway" approach. Pawlenty was the same way. He caused the only government shutdown in the state's history in 2005. How soon we all forget.
Some time since my 10th grade economics class we've decided that progressive taxes are a bad thing. When did that happen?
Most Minnesotans are centrists with a right or left leaning, and we're largely unrepresented over there.
Just think what would have happened if Tom Emmer had won. He almost did.
Those of you reading this that voted Republican on a wedge issue: here's what you get, shame on you, and don't do it again, please.
First of all, I consider MPR a site where intelligent people come to get their information. So let's please restrict these comments to intelligent replies (see Homer's comment as an example of what not to do). Although I did not vote for Dayton I am very pleased with his performance to date. He gets an A-. As one of the people who will be affected by the tax increase, I still support it. The legislature is behaving badly, and deserves a time out, which I think we should give them with a government shut-down if they don't start compromising.
Governor: A-
He's doing what he said he would do and that's what people voted for
Legislature: D
They don't understand compromise...cutting taxes is great if you've got some fat in your budget, but when you've been cutting taxes for 8 years already there is no fat! AND their insistence on all these social issues before the budget is done is ludicrous!!
The majority of the electorate made it clear that we expect the gov to live within it's means hereon.
NO MORE TAXES
D to the legislature for not figuring the proper long-term cuts - perhaps less govt employees?
D- to a gov that still wets the bed.
Governor Dayton: B+, not an A because he has not been able to make it happen like a Reagan or Clinton or Perpich and maybe Arne too!
Legislators have done essentially NOTHING. DO your JOB.
Gov. Dayton: A-
Legislature: F
The legislature has been an embarrassment to the state of minnesota. I would have given the legislature a better grade if they in any way could have done more that push socially divisive bills. It has become obvious to me that there is no way for many of the GOP legislators to empathize with anyone but people exactly like themselves.
Governor C
Legislature D
Governing is about compromise. If you can't compromise you can't govern. The governor has shown willingness to compromise. The legislature refuses to compromise - which, in my book, is refusing to govern.
Gov. Dayton, A
He has far exceeded my expectations for solid leadership and willingness to work across the aisle
Republican majority in House/Senate, F
For focusing on divisive pet issues instead of working on the biggest problems facing the state, and for the refusal to meet the Governor half way on the budget.
Gov. Dayton gets an Incomplete - Failing
House & Senate both get an Incomplete - passing (barely)
Dayton: B, Gov. Dayton seems sincere in his desire to work with the legislature, but the motives of the newbies in the legislature seem focused on failure and non-cooperation. Legislature: F, recall ALL the ones focusing on the Marriage Amendment because clearly they are missing the point as to why they are in office.
Governor Dayton deserves high marks for his professionalism, his decency and his consistent demand that the legislator focus on the long-term interests of the entire State of Minnesota. He represents all us well, not just the special interests of a few.
The Republicans in the legislature all deserve failing marks for their rigidity, their blind adherence to the ideology of the Tax Payer League and their failure to achieve what the State constitution requires: passing a budget that can be signed into law by the end of today. They should be fired for failing to do their job - particularly when spending lots of time pushing their right-wind social agenda. Legislators are supposed to represent their entire districts, not just those within their ideological base.
Governor: B He hasn't done enough to promote and clarify his position.
Legislature: F The GOP has primarily focused on social issues instead of dealing seriously with the state's real problems. They actually got elected on those social issues. Dayton was elected on budget issues, including the "tax the rich" policy. I would also give the non-voters an F for not doing their job last time around.
Gov A-
Legislature D-
Dayton: A-/B+
Legislature: F
Gov B
Leg D minus
Matt and Margaret are right on.
#$ are about right.
(I like that, Indu$trial Hemp and making Cannabis legal $ave$)
Here are some facts that should help people understand Dayton's position:
Contrary to MN GOP's rhetoric, only dollars that exceed $250,000 would be subject to Dayton's 3% tax hike. Therefore, if your taxable income (after deductions) is $251,000, you'd pay $30 more under Dayton's latest proposal. Can a family that grosses $315,000 afford a $30 tax hike? Would they move to Florida or Texas over $30?
Dayton's new tax bracket on taxable income exceeding $250,000 (AGI) would affect less than 2% of all Minnesotans. Families that itemize could make more than $315,000/yr & not be subject to Dayton's 3% tax hike on adjusted gross income (after deductions) over $250,000.
These are facts that are rarely communicated by either Dayton or the press. If Dayton and the press did report these facts and explain the current situation of a $5 billion biennial deficit and what that means to our kids, the disabled and elderly, and our infrastructure, I have a feeling Dayton would be getting more support.
Governor C
+ for idea taxing the rich
and
- for being ignorant to the billion$ to be had from Indu$trial Hemp and Legalizing Cannabis.
Legislature D-
for being ignorant (period)
Doesn't anyone get it?
Governor gets an A-
Legislature gets an F. They need to get their conference reports passed in time to negotiate with the governor. Even with all Republicans in the conference, they couldn't come to agreement until the 11th hour, if then.
I give Dayton a B-. I support his position, but I think he and his staff have done a terrible job of communicating that position and explaining the facts and circumstances that support it.
I give Republican lawmakers an F. I think it's been amateur hour at the Capitol. Immature, petty, inflexible, putting pride and political ideology ahead of the best interests of the state, mean spirited, unfair.... Tony Sutton is largely to blame.
So far an A for Dayton, unless he totally gives in to the Republican controlled legislature. A big fat F for the legislature!! They focused on divisive issues and did nothing to come to an agreement with the governor.
I say shut it all down until the legislature is ready to grow up and get serious about solving the budget issues.
I would give the governor a B+ for his hard work in attempting to find a compromise on the budget. I would grade the legislature an F for it's rigid, uncompromising and bigoted behavior during this session.
D minus, for focusing on social issues instead of the important issue: the budget. It's not only my job that will be at stake if there is no budget solution by July 1, but the welfare of the whole state and those that depend on it's services.
Maybe instead of always using the "it's my way or the highway" or "I'm right and you're wrong" mentality that both the republicans and democrats like to use, we should do what needs to be done, and should have been done long ago: compromise. It's not weakness for either side to meet in the middle and come to an agreement. All involved in the budget process should not be paid to work on solving an issue during an extra session because everyone was too stubborn to come to an agreement during the regular session.
If there's a negative scale, my grade would be there. Barring that, the 'incomplete' is the only alternative.
I would grade them with a standard road grader. Like a gravel country road, they develop ruts and pits, and, in the spring, frost heaves.
According to the Mpls Tribune article, the Republican controlled legislature has SUBMITTED a budget to the Mr Dayton, but he has FAILED to act on it, He should either sign it or veto it, not ignore it as he is doing now. I would rate the Legislature a C grade and Dayton a D grade for inaction.
Governor Dayton has done everything that he said he would when he was elected. Likewise, the republican legislative leaders have acted in a way that is consistant with what they said they would do. There will be no agreement until the government has shutdown, the public is frustrated, and polls show that the majority of the public blames one side for the impasse. Then the losing side will have to eat some crow and explain that they are not abandoning their principles but, for the good of the state, they will compromise and that they will regroup for a new battle in at some future time. This is how politics works in this era.
It is clear that the legislature thinks they can just lock their knees and refuse to budge. The Governor is the only one who has made any offer to negotiate. He's doing just what I hoped he would when I voted for him, raising funds through taxes. I hope he sticks to his guns.
Incomplete, and let me say why....
The DFL strategy seems to be to let the GOP push this legislation, hoping it will show the DFL base and swing voters that the GOP are extremists. However, simply hoping the GOP will overreach is not a viable political strategy. It is a defensive one, placing your electoral success on the hoped failures of the other side. This strategy is no different from the failed one of 2010 where Democrats tried to win by labeling the Tea Party as nuts and crazy. We should not underestimate the ability of DFL to screw this up.
The governor is showing himself to be a real stand-up guy just as he was as a senator.
The legislature is being dominated by self-important newbies, trying to kiss up to the ignorant who got them in. The gay marriage issue is being used as a red herring. The newbies are trying to make the governor & more established legislators look bad by stalling until it's too late. I am seriously sick of them.
Informed people need to make more of an effort to vote next time.
D at best. No worse or better than when the DFL controlled the Minnesota legislature. Never understood why both parties wait until the last few days to work through their differences on the budget. DFL did the same thing in 2010 to Gov. Pawlenty. Waste of time pushing through the social issues but this is the result of republicans controlled by far right and DFL by radical left.
I agree with Hiram on the "incomplete." I would also add a hold on their records with no pay until the work is done.
F- for bringing up irrelevant items.
Incomplete.
| May 2011 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
Master Archive
Recent Entries
- Have changes to the airline passenger experience affected your willingness to fly?
- Should marijuana be available for medical use in Minnesota?
- Do the struggles of Minnesota's business icons signal trouble for the state's economy?
- Do you know whether insurance would cover your losses in a major storm?
- What kind of recycling program would you be likely to use the most?
- Would you support paying people for organ or tissue donations?
- Have personal relationships in the workplace ever presented a problem for you?
- Do you think Facebook is a passing fad?
- Will you be less likely to visit the Minnesota Zoo without its dolphins?
- Should authorities in the Twin Cities change the way they warn people about tornadoes?
Public Insight Network
The Public Insight Network draws upon your experiences to help shape our coverage.More
Categories
Services
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock