This rift between Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Governor Tim Pawlenty on Central Corridor funding is getting interesting. A McCollum staffer just stopped by the State Capitol Press Room to distribute some background information. Their press release says "Pawlenty Administration Seeks $165,000,000 in 'Pork' While Decrying 'Pork'." McCollum says "Minnesotans deserve straight talk from Governor Pawlenty about his misleading position on Congressional earmarks."
The governor sent McCollum a letter stating "I believe the earmarking process is in need of reform." Pawlenty says only Ellison and McCollum are seeing statements certifying an administration's support of a project. He says "It would be disappointing if you decline to support these projects or that you hold Minnesota to a different standard than requests from other states." McCollum just wrote back "It is indeed perplexing that you feel you deserve to receive earmarked federal funds while refusing to agree to the accountability measure put forth by my office." She also points out the positions taken by Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain would result in "zero federal funding" to several Minnesota projects.
This infighting from two former state lawmakers is particularly interesting considering they once got along as fellow House members. In fact, on Almanac back in 1993 we selected McCollum and Pawlenty for a panel of freshmen stars. Boy do we know how to pick them? (Or maybe we just got lucky!)