Half-way to a dead end

"If you take Dayton's offer, if you counter with something even close to what he has on the table, your chances of seeing the inside of the Governor's mansion will be about the same as winning the Power Ball."

The clock is ticking. Hear it? Tick tock, tick tock. This year's legislative session is winding down. Quite a bit has been accomplished - by the House and Senate. Precious little has been accomplished by the Governor, except to veto a fist full of bills. Oh, he will probably sign one - the "Real ID" bill. Or as I call it, the "nothing burger" with lots of pickles and mustard on it. 

The Governor has suggested to the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader that maybe there is a way out on the spending and tax bills. Dayton likes to call it the "Meet Me at Halfway Bill". I call it hogwash.

In this proposal, our "Moonbeam wanna be" Governor thinks it would be "fair" to take half of the people's money (that be our surplus), and divide it. You know - the people that own this money who are waiting to get it back with some modicum of tax relief, would only get half of it. The other half of the people's money, would go to moneybags Dayton, so he could waste it on Pre-K and choo-choo trains which few will ever ride.

So that offer is on the table. Note to Speaker Daudt. The rumors are still circulating that you might throw your hat in the ring for Governor. Even though I am supporting someone else for Governor, I am going to give you some sage advise. If you take Dayton's offer, if you counter with something even close to what he has on the table, your chances of seeing the inside of the Governor's mansion will be about the same as winning the Power Ball. Why? The people know you are playing Texas Hold Em' with our money. Not the house money - our money.

Bottom line - we don't care if there is a special session. We don't care if there is a government shut down. What we do care about is a good deal. Many years ago when I was a young negotiator, one of my mentors gave me some wise advise. "Never be afraid to walk away from a deal which does not smell right. A no deal is always better than a bad deal." 

Mr. Speaker, Senate Majority Leader - this is not a good deal. Not for anyone. Especially those of us who have unintentionally lent this state (interest free) $1.65B. Give it back to the people - all of it. Tell Dayton your counter offer is simple - the people will agree that this loan we made to the state will interest free. Oh, and then tell Dayton this is your best and final offer.