Politics & Government

(UPDATED) Simon, Latz Support New Budget Committee

A diverse group of political leaders are tackling the shutdown issue.

Some of Minnesota’s brightest political minds have put together a bipartisan committee tasked with devising a solution to the state’s nearly $2 billion budget gap and ending the state shutdown.

The committee, which will aim to come to a conclusion by the end of the week, was created by former Minnesota politicians Vice President Walter Mondale, Gov. Arne Carlson and U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger.

“We were trying to find people with superb professional backgrounds and exemplary roles in impartial public leadership,” Mondale told reporters Tuesday morning at Minneapolis City Hall.

Members of the committee include:

  • Steve Dille; Co-chair (former GOP state senator)
  • Wayne Simoneau; Co-chair (former DFL state legislator)
  • John Gunyou (city manager of Minnetonka)
  • Jay Kiedrowski (former finance commissioner under Gov. Rudy Perpich)
  • Jim Campbell (former CEO of Wells Fargo)
  • Kris Johnson (former vice president of Medtronic)
  • Jim Schowalter (current Minnesota Management and Budget commissioner)


“This is as good a group as could have been assembled," Carlson said. "With John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski, in particular, we certainly have two of the best finance people in Minnesota history, as far as I’m concerned."

Carlson and Mondale each stressed the importance of finding a quick solution to the budget impasse—both for the state and people of Minnesota.

“Our fear is that large sums of money, large interests will come into Minnesota and cause a freezing of attitude and make it very difficult for compromise to become a reality,” Carlson said.

Mondale added: “We understand that thousands of people depend on Minnesota’s ability to resolve this crisis quickly.”

Neither Mondale nor Carlson will serve on the committee. Their role was one of creation and sponsorship.   

“We’re not in this to negotiate,” Carlson said. “We’re in this to provide a third solution. I would anticipate the ultimate support of both parties.”  

Carlson said he expects the committee to come up with a workable solution no later than Friday. Whether legislators and the governor will heed any recommendations offered from the group is an open question.

St. Louis Park Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A) said he for one certainly welcomes what the committee can bring to the table.

Find out what's happening in St. Louis Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I welcome and encourage the move," he said. "I think anytime you get smart, accomplished, experienced people in a room to offer an alternative, that's a good thing."

Simon said that doesn't necessarily mean the governor and legislators will adopt what the committee proposes, but they should at least get some good ideas that could go toward a solution.

Find out what's happening in St. Louis Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I don't see the harm in trying," Simon said of bringing the committee together. "The key thing is to resolve this in a mature, responsible way. If that helps advance that cause, then great."

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) also said he supports the committee, but offered more stinging criticism of Republican lawmakers than Simon in the process.

"I would say the formation of this committee represents that the legislative majority has failed to do their job," Latz said. "The majority controls the legislative agenda and the outcomes," adding that Republicans were tasked with producing a budget for Gov. Mark Dayton to sign during the session, which ended in late-May.

Latz was also critical of Republicans that have dismissed the committee over concerns that Carlson is no longer a Republican.

The senator said the committee's impact will be determined by whether Minnesotans get behind whatever the committee proposes.

"Ultimately, that's the reference point for all elected officials," Latz said.


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