Democrats and Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature have once again waited until the last minute to do the people’s business.

They should be cognizant of the messages they are sending.

While many an experienced legislator has said this is always the way it goes — wait until the last minute to get the work done — that’s not a reason, that’s an excuse.

We’re never sure why it has to be this way. Haven’t we been paying them since March to get the job done with a specific deadline? Whenever people know a deadline and miss it in the private or public workplace, a reprimand is in order.

Not at the Legislature. That’s because when it comes down to it, there is no boss.

One can argue the issues are complex, and the politics do not come together unless there is deadline pressure. Again, we doubt the assumptions.

From the day we enter kindergarten, we’re asked to meet deadlines, to get our work done, to turn in our homework. Why is the Legislature exempt?

Is deadline pressure an excuse for not talking earlier? Ironing out the details earlier?

The Legislature needs a manager.

It used to be party leaders would take these roles, but today they seem more interested in holding press conferences to see how much Twitter buzz they can create.

We could blame social media for creating this environment, but we point to leadership. Both parties need leaders to get the job done.

We all know the last-minute business means the public policy suffers. It’s half-baked, a Band-Aid, and voters are always told wait until next year and we’ll fix it.

What’s worse, transparency suffers. Facing deadline on a do-nothing scenario, legislative leaders resort to backroom deal-making with little time for public discussion or, even worse, vetting by the larger legislative membership, those who represent the people.

Any bravado at the end of a rushed legislative session hailing great deals can be likened to someone trying to make a silk purse of a sow’s ear. Voters know a sow’s ear when they see one.

 

— Mankato Free Press, May 18