DFL legislative leaders and the Transportation Contingent Appropriations Group (TCAG) have shot down MnDOT's request for $135 to complete the 35W bridge. Now MnDOT officials testified that they did have enough money to keep the 35W bridge project on track until February when lawmakers return to session. But afterwards Commissioner Carol Molnau said, "that's politics and poor judgment because the people of the state are not served very well." What's more she said her staff will start to look at delaying and cutting some projects because she didn't get the money. DFLers said there needs to be more oversight and the whole legislature should be making these decisions, not a small group of leaders. The Speaker of the House issued this terse statement:
STATEMENT FROM SPEAKER ANDERSON KELLIHER
Financial and operations managers with the Minnesota Department of Transportation repeatedly told lawmakers today that the agency currently has adequate budget authority to rebuild the 35W bridge and continue with its scheduled road construction program. They offered their testimony during a meeting of the Transportation Contingency Appropriation Group. It is my understanding that following the hearing, Lt. Governor and Commissioner Carol Molnau told reporters she intends to delay some projects.
It is disingenuous and misleading to tell lawmakers one thing and members of the media another. This reinforces my earlier concerns about the current leadership at the MnDOT. If I had not seen the Lt. Governor in the room, I would question whether she actually attended the same hearing I did.
Members of the Transportation Contingency Appropriation Group continue to move forward with an open mind and remain available to consider future MnDOT requests
Another bit a news for Capitol insiders: Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller promised a short session (and early) session because he says Gov. Pawlenty won't invest (tax) so there's not much progress to be made so they'll go home quickly. He told Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson to get the governor's budget bills to the Senate in January and that February would be too late (when the session legally starts). I'm sure this will further anger some of the lawmakers, mostly Republicans, who feel like the new Democratic leadership is turning the citizen-legislature into a full-time legislature. Dems accuse GOPers of not wanting to work hard. Oh, it does feel like the games have already begun!