The foundation of the democratic political process is built on compromise. People naturally have differing opinions and priorities of values on the way society should run. Governance by the people, for the people dictates policy should be made in the margins of agreement.
It is concerning, then, to see imminent political standoffs between the state Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty. An unwillingness to compromise between either party would result in an unfortunate outcome for the services in our state.
The Legislature is wrapping up the fruits of its 2007 session with a multitude of omnibus bills. These bills currently have enough po-litical weight to pass, but not enough to override Pawlenty's veto. Democrats lack five representatives and one senator to override a veto along strict party lines.
Pawlenty's main governing principle to date has been a resolve not to increase taxes in any form. For his first term, he upheld his promise, and while he did not renew his pledge during his second term, he has gone on record claiming he will veto any bill this session calling for a tax increase.
Democrats, meanwhile, feel obligated to restore funding to crucial programs and invest in education and health care policies supported by the voters.
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Consequently, several legislative bills will assuredly face the threat of Pawlenty's pen, despite their merit.
The transportation omnibus bill in both houses calls for an eventual 10-cent per gallon tax increase to qualify the state for sub-stantial federal matching funds to rejuvenate a dilapidated transportation infrastructure. For instance, a $600,000 expenditure to re-place outdated town road signs qualifies Minnesota for $3 million in matching federal funds.
Considering the gas tax in many ways measures road usage and is not yet tied to a percentage of gas cost, the proposal seems reasonable. Yet, this measure will almost certainly not pass the governor's desk.
The education omnibus bill provides needed tuition relief to public college students and full-day kindergarten to improve scholasticism. However, a provision in the bill allowing illegal immigrants access to resident tuition fees will likely earn the entire bill a veto stamp.
Lasting property tax relief on an ability-to-pay style basis is a possibility, but may never become reality. Lawmakers proposed creating a fourth tax tier for households earning over $400,000 a year to help pay for school bonding and other localized needs driving city and county taxes upward.
Property tax problems began with former Gov. Ventura's cuts to taxes. Pawlenty's pledge resulted in passing on the burden of funding many programs to local governments. In order to ease the burden off of local government, it seems logical the slack for programs must be picked up elsewhere.
Vetoes toward the end of session bring special challenges to a government. In order to disburse funds for agencies, a special session is often necessary.
Special sessions are usually short, and if politicians fail to reach agreement in a special session, government agencies face a crisis situation up to and including temporary shutdown.
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To their credit, lawmakers and Pawlenty have kept communication lines open. Both have been vocal about their intentions and willingness to speak with one another. Good communication is an essential part of resolving differences.
Another possible, but less likely, scenario involves members of the Republican party breaking party ranks to avoid a stalemate. Session deadlines will add pressure to see results, but minority party leaders are working hard to keep members in line to retain the vestiges of power they keep.
Political leaders with principles are laudable, but principles should not cause government to cease functioning. The foundation of government must not crack, lest the house of governance sheltering its citizens crumbles.
