Pawlenty Gets Overridden Like a Dying Pony
February 27th, 2008
By Scott Doane
Let’s move to the local scene for this next post. For the first time since Gov. Tim Pawlenty has taken office in Minnesota, the state house and senate overrode one of his vetoes. Way to finally grow a pair state reps.
The bill that was vetoed and then overridden was a $6.6 billion transportation plan for the state which included the first gas tax increase in 20 years for Minnesota. All of the money will go to rebuilding and repairing roads and bridges in state. The gas tax will increase 5 1/2 cents by fall and go up to possibly 3 cents more. Those living in the seven-county Twins Cities area will also see a quarter-cent increase in their sales tax. Also, low-income families will receive a $25 income-tax credit to “ease the effect of the gas tax increase.”
This historic veto didn’t just happen by coincidence, but by the DFL (Democratic) majority in the legislature. The house overrode the veto with a 91-41 vote, which was only one vote more than the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto. The senate voted 47-20. However, not everyone rode party lines hard. The Star Tribune quoted one Republican representative who voted for the bill initially and also for the override. The party refused to endorse her reelection campaign because of her stance. At least someone can see that even though taxes suck, it’s better than falling into a river and drowning in your car.
“I’m assuming I’ll have several people running against me for the Republican nomination,” said Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, R-Andover, who voted for the bill Thursday and then for the override, two days after her Republican endorsement for reelection was postponed because of her support for the proposal. She said that despite facing what she called her toughest vote in her 12 years in the Legislature, she did “what’s right” and that “I’ll sleep good tonight.”
Rep. Shelley Madore, DFL-Apple Valley, I think, put it the best however and hopefully makes some republicans feel like shit:
“The bridge went down on August 1, and a gentleman from my district died,” she said. “If you’re asking me, is his life worth a nickel a gallon [state gas tax increase, as the plan calls for], I’m telling you it is.”
According to the sensationalists at FOX9, the $6.6 billion will come in gradually over 10 years. The bill will also create nearly 33,000 new jobs per a year for the state. People who purchase newer model vehicles will also have higher registration fees for a longer period than they already have. Rental car fees will also go up from 3 to 5 percent.
What’s sad is that this historic story was buried under a pitbull attack and how Minnetonka wants to ban sex cruising in public bathrooms. Wait. Sex cruising is not illegal in Minnetonka already??? Gov. Pawlenty, there’s a bill that definitely won’t be overrode. Unless Larry Craig is voted into the Minnesota legislature soon.
Comments & Discussion
Dude I believe it was six republicans that voted yea.
I know but what I was saying is “here is one example of a republican who voted to override it.” Not “this is the only republican that vetoed the bill.” Sorry, that’s what happens when I start writing at 1 am. Clarity goes out the window.
Madore put it best?? Put it in the form of a lie you mean.
Nobody in Madore’s district died. She made up a sensational story to cast an emotional cover for the fact that she has never seen a tax she didn’t like.