One thing right!

"However, the much bigger plum was left on the branch. The Social Security issue, which is driving seniors out of this state as fast as I-35 can take them, was left unattended to."

Well, I suppose I better get this over with right up front. I was wrong, and I need to apologize to the authors of the House Bill which eventually made it to the Governor's desk and was signed. When it was first disclosed to me what had happened, it made no sense. None. Plus it was buried so deep in the spending bill, that only some super sleuthing and help from friends finally revealed it. The Military Retirement fix is now law. Thank the Lord and pass the potatoes, something good came out of this session!

Even though common sense dictates that this very important change should have been in the tax bill, it was not. For if it had been, it would be in great jeopardy right now. Why? Our somewhat impaired Governor has threatened to veto the tax bill if a special session is not called by early next week. True, he is the one to call it. But he has laid down the gauntlet describing in agonizing detail all the candy he now wants agreed to in advance. 

As good as that fix was for us military retired folks, it only affects roughly 15,000 in the state. Somewhat small potatoes. However, the much bigger plum was left on the branch. The Social Security issue, which is driving seniors out of this state as fast as I-35 can take them, was left unattended to. And that one affects somewhere between 800,000 and 1,000,000 seniors. All races, religions, and political persuasions.

Guess what Governor? You are not the only one who can make demands for a special session. You want a do over because some of your pet rocks did not get any attention? So do we. If I were the Speaker or Senate Minority Leader Hahn, I would put the Social Security fix on the agenda front and center. Period. And Governor, please don't give us this crap, "Well I would like to, but we can't afford it." Really? Maybe I will start to go through all the wasteful spending you like and pick our what we really can't afford!

Last night in our Met Council Forum, we heard over and over again how the Council is trying to force people into living and/or working downtown. That is where the choo choo trains go. The reality is most of use live in one suburb and work in another. The trains we have built to date have been huge losers. The SWLRT will be the biggest loser to date. So no Governor - SWLRT will NOT happen. Get over yourself. But the 15% of this state who are seniors do need the government's help in fixing this tax injustice. Most other states have figured this out. We should also be able to.

Again, I am sorry I did not believe the Military Pension fix was in the spending bill. A clever way to get it done. Too bad we could not have hidden the Social Security fix in there as well.