Politics & Government
Local Legislators to Remain in Background for Next Round of Budget Talks
Ron Latz and Steve Simon are happy to communicate with constituents, but say those who have been negotiating should continue to do so.
With budget talks expected to resume later today, two St. Louis Park legislators said they expect to remain largely in the background during negotiations to end the state shutdown.
“I have no plans to try and agitate or launch some kind of PR campaign with my constituents,” Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A) said. “I am happy to answer people’s questions or provide information.”
“I’ve been out in the community all during this and am always available to meet with constituents or answer any questions,” Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) added.
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Both legislators said the same team that has been meeting all along would be continuing to try to reach a solution. But that doesn't mean the local politicians will be taking a vacation.
“We are being told by the Democratic leadership in the House to stay put and don’t go too far away,” Simon said.
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Latz added that it was probably good that the holiday weekend provided a brief break.
“Often times in arbitration, arbitrators will call for a cooling off period," he said. "That might be good in this situation, although I know the governor has said he would be willing to meet anytime.”
“Finger-pointing can only go so far,” Simon added. “What everyone needs to do is commit to a solution.”
Simon himself GOP legislative leaders last week for failing to reach an agreement with Gov. Mark Dayton.
“Clearly, the Republicans were willing to have the people of Minnesota go through not just inconveniences," he said, "but actually hardship for some, so as to not ruffle one hair on a very wealthy person’s head.”
Still, Simon said he feels there is a growing consensus, even among a number of Republicans, that some revenues are going to have to be generated in order to balance the budget.
“That would not necessarily have to be in the form of increased income taxes, but other possibilities like the tobacco bonding approach made by former Gov. Pawlenty or through gaming expansion," he said.
The tobacco bonding approach would have the state borrow the annual amount the tobacco settlement of 1998 provides and then pay that back as the annual settlement funds are put into the state coffers.