Minnesota Republicans: Session missed opportunities

Minnesota state Rep. Tom Emmer, Republican-endorsed candidate for governor, speaks Tuesday in Moorhead about the recently ended legislative session. He is joined by Republican House Leader Kurt Zellers, far left, and Republican Senate Leader David Senjem. Dave Olson / The Forum

By David Olson

May 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM

The recently ended legislative session in Minnesota achieved a balanced budget, but it failed to address the state's long-term financial health, according to Republican lawmakers who visited Moorhead on Tuesday.

"We missed an opportunity to have permanent structural change in our government," said Rep. Tom Emmer, the Republican-endorsed candidate for governor.

His sentiments were echoed by Republican House Leader Kurt Zellers, who lamented unsuccessful efforts to reduce the size of Minnesota government.

Stating that Minnesota has four agencies that deal with water issues, Zellers said: "Maybe we could bring it down to two agencies. Or, God forbid, just one agency."

Republican Senate Leader David Senjem said lawmakers also missed a chance to improve the state's job climate.

"We never really got to jobs, from the standpoint of government and the kind of environment the government needs to create to entice jobs," Senjem said.

"That was a colossal failure on the part of the Minnesota Legislature this year," Senjem added.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555

By David Olson

I'm a reporter and a photographer and sometimes I create videos to go with my stories.

I graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead and in my time with The Forum I have covered a number of beats, from cops and courts to business and education.

I've also written about UFOs, ghosts, dinosaur bones and the planet Pluto.

You may reach me by phone at 701-241-5555, or by email at dolson@forumcomm.com