We and others across the state were disappointed to hear

Gov. Mark Dayton’s announcement Thursday that he will no longer seek a special session to pass public works and tax relief bills.

The announcement came after Republican and DFL leaders have not been able to reach an agreement on the bills — in large part because of disagreements about funding for a light rail project in the Twin Cities.

It is unfortunate that a lack of compromise led to a lack of progress on so many large bills.

The $1 billion-plus bonding bill included $7.5 million for Riverland Community College’s Albert Lea campus and funding for sewer infrastructure renovation in the Stables area. At one point, funding for the development of the Blazing Star Landing at the site of the former Farmland Foods plant was also included.

Albert Lea and other cities our size rely on these bills for economic development and wish the Legislature had been able to reach a compromise.

The tax bill would have provided tax relief for veterans, farmers, businesspeople and middle-class residents.

Then, there’s the transportation bill that is crucial for all parts of the state, including Freeborn County.

The Legislature on both sides agreed on the need for $600 million a year to address transportation concerns, but disagreed on the sources for the funding and whether the metro transit should be included in the package.

Meanwhile, roads in Albert Lea and Freeborn County — and across the state — continue to deteriorate.

The county has a $6 million yearly funding deficit for roads, and more than 100 miles of paved Freeborn County highways will be in need of funding in the next 10 years. The longer we wait, the larger — and more costly — the problem becomes.

The Legislature and Dayton must put politics aside for the better of the state.