For the past 12 weeks, Freeborn County has been very blessed to have both Rep. Peggy Bennett and Sen. Dan Sparks working hard for Freeborn County in St. Paul.    

The Legislature is coming down to the final few weeks of the legislative session, and it should be no surprise that the governor still hasn’t signed any of the major spending bills. The Senate and the House have both been very diligent in passing those bills and are working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions. Many of the spending bills have passed with Democrats and Republican voting for the bills.

No transportation bill signed, no tax bill signed, no bonding bill signed, no agriculture bill signed, no jobs bill signed.

Gov. Dayton is refusing to be involved in the negotiations now and instead he is choosing to wait till after all the work is completed to start negotiating — and then will want to start all over. What a waste of time!

How frustrating is this process for everyone affected? From the area schools looking at budgets and teacher contracts, to Freeborn County road projects, to the Shell Rock River Watershed District sales tax, these organizations and their ability to budget projects is on hold. How frustrating for all affected. 

Let’s hope the governor can stay engaged and keep everyone informed of what his priorities are, and that they can stay consistent day to day. That’s been a real problem in the past. What must change in St. Paul for the Legislature and governor to do their job? The state has over-collected from taxpayers for the past three years. It’s time to either cut taxes or invest in the future of Minnesota.    

Brian Hensley

Albert Lea