Minnesotans have chances to share their thoughts on the state budget crisis with Minnesota legislators.

Because we believe strongly in frequent and clear communications between constituents and elected officials, we urge Minnesotans to attend these sessions.

Sadly, though, we don’t believe it will do much good.

While we apologize for any confusion, we simply see little public benefit from these and many other similar “listening sessions” being held across the state this week.

Sorry, we’ve seen enough of these types of political efforts to know their only real purpose is to provide political cover to legislators after they have made that tough decision. Please note, that’s a decision expected to come months later — and perhaps even under the cover of that political darkness known as the party caucus system.

You really think legislators are holding these sessions because they will yield a miracle cure for the state’s money problems?

Then ponder a key point already made by several groups, including the state and local chambers of commerce:

If these sessions were really seeking to find grass-roots budget solutions or even common ground between differing proposals, wouldn’t there be more than just one proposal on the table?

But there’s not. The major focus of these meetings is to examine Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposal.

As we have repeatedly noted the past several months, Minnesota legislators are facing a serious fiscal challenge — one that is their duty to overcome. Doing so will require creative thinking, common sense and the courage to cast votes that won’t always be popular.

Holding statewide “listening sessions” isn’t really a factor in any part of that equation.

— St. Cloud Times, Feb. 18