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Politics & Government

Rep. Linda Slocum: Possible Government Shutdown the Result of 'Unwillingness to Compromise'

Richfield legislator still holds out hope that a deal is struck before the state government shuts down.

As an continued to loom in Minnesota last week, political jostling at the State Capitol heated up. Gov. Mark Dayton and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) both promised to forgo their salary if and when a government shutdown occurs; members of the DFL took to the phones trying to convince vulnerable Republican legislators to compromise on the budget, while in the event of a shutdown emerged more clearly. 

Rep. Linda Slocum (DFL-Richfield) took a time out to reflect on the current budget stalemate at the Capitol and tell constituents in Richfield what they can do to aid in the process.

Richfield Patch: What are the origins of this crisis?

Rep. Linda Slocum: I think the fault lies with an inflexibility and unwillingness to compromise. The [legislative] majority continues to dig in and won’t compromise, and Dayton won’t come down from his [budget] number ... The federal stimulus money saved us from this state three [legislative] sessions ago; it kept the state from going bankrupt. Many of the 50 states are involved in the same kind of problems, with the stimulus money gone. [State] departments have cut and cut and cut for a decade, so we’re kind of at bare bones already.

Richfield Patch: If a government shutdown occurs, where will people see it?

Slocum: If you need to renew your driver’s license, if you need to stop at a rest stop–in fact if grandma is in a nursing home, she may have to move back in with you! Highway projects will come to a screeching halt, and I would say most city services will be pulled back considerably. I think people have a hard time delineating between city, state and federal [services] ... [Minnesota is] going to lay off 36,000 people. The courts will pretty much come to a screeching halt too. The prisons might go to some kind of catch-and-release program, where maybe someone would be caught and since there’s no prison guards, there’s no one to care for them in a prison. You might see more community crime, but I don’t know. We haven’t had a full-out shutdown in recent history. Minnesota had a partial shutdown in ‘05 and a partial shutdown in ‘01, but those were partial. I think everyone is going to feel this. I cannot tell you how badly I feel that we’re even at this point.

Richfield Patch: What is your opinion of the budget currently being proposed by the legislature?

Slocum: These cuts [being proposed] are horrendous. When people figure out what the cuts are going to be like, they’re not going to like it, even if they don’t like government. They’ll notice it with MnDOT, sheriff departments, money provided for medical assistance, money [that goes] to disabled people. It’s expensive and it [the proposed Republican budget] is ridiculous ... This is Economics 101. We had stimulus money in the last budget. We had 10 years of shifting [state funds] around and 10 years of magic money with [former Gov. Tim] Pawlenty, and so that’s where we are [now]. And this guy thinks he can run for president? That’s really scary, because he messed up Minnesota pretty good.

Richfield Patch: What has been the reaction of your own constituents to the possible government shutdown?

Slocum: I’ve gotten nothing but concerned state employees who say, "We’re really unhappy about going on furlough, or losing our paychecks, but please hang tough." I would urge [constituents to] write the governor’s office, write [House Majority Leader] Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) and [Senate Majority Leader] Koch, because they’ve got to hear that people want compromise and it’s there. They’ve just got to do it ... Stay in contact and let me know what you’re thinking. And my constituents are doing a pretty good job with that. I’ve been out and about in the community, knocking on some doors. Dayton’s already compromised; the deal’s there, let’s go.

Richfield Patch: Do you think a shutdown can be averted?

Slocum: Laws are messy and this is a messy process. Once the logjam breaks, it all falls into place. I’m very hopeful still. I hope we get to a deal.

Richfield Patch will continue to follow this issue and report as more information becomes available.

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