Taking a shower with a raincoat on

"Why even venture down this pathway as it always seems to end up in a dead end?"

I have been reading through social media and e-mails all morning. I am searching for the first "Bravo Zulu" (that is well done in Navy speak) for those involved in this session. Bottom line - it was a huge waste of time and money. And it did not have to be that way. Long before it even started, ground rules should have been agreed upon. But no - in every session we seem to get ourselves in the same old pickle. Late nights at the conclusion, and then ending up with an omnibus bill full of gobble gook.

Some (myself included) kind of wonder what was the point? Why even venture down this pathway as it always seems to end up in a dead end? Don't get me wrong - this might have been a knife in the heart for SWLRT.  And I am VERY pleased about that. But at what expense? In Anoka County we also pay road taxes. We have needs. Bridges all over the state have maintenance needs. All those needs were sacrificed because the train lovers in the DFL would not let go of the SW lemon express.

There is an old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Well, I hope to shout about one thing. This process is VERY broken - and needs fixing badly. I will say again - the Minnesota House should hold the cards. That is where things are supposed to start. That is where the purse strings are.

Prior to session start, the Speaker should advise the Senate Majority Leader and the Governor what the agenda is going to be. If the Governor has some items on a wish list, the Speaker may or may not bring any of those up to the body of the House. If any of those items pass the House, they then may go to the Senate. If they pass the Senate, then the Governor may sign them into law.

At the start of this past session, the Speaker was VERY clear with both the Senate Leader as well as the Governor that the House did not have the votes to fund any part of SWLRT. That should have been good enough to take SWLRT off the table. There is NO WAY that the SWLRT issue should have been alive and kicking at 5 min to midnight on Sunday.

We have a very bad system right now in St. Paul. We have important legislation being held up (or held hostage) by a very ill Governor. Social Security is a slam dunk issue for both sides of the aisle. It should be as easy as falling off a log. Same is true to exempting military retirement from state tax. Instead the Governor is using them as bargaining chips. And for that, both he and Tina Smith are going to pay a HUGE political price.

So how did this session feel? About as refreshing as taking a shower with a raincoat on. And also about as effective. Message to our elected officials - get your poop in a group. Every year there are more and more of us that are paying very close attention. And that, you can take that to the bank.