Nearly 6 weeks after the tragic collapse of the I-35W bridge, Minnesota's government still hasn't done anything about its crumbling infrastructure. This morning the Minnesota Legislature finished up a short special session Governor Tim Pawlenty had called to deal with flooding in southern Minnesota. Governor Pawlenty made the legislature promise they would NOT deal with the transportation and bridge problems in the special session.
Why the delay? Governor Pawlenty who in the days after the bridge collapse said he would consider raising the gas tax to fund bridges changed his mind once the national TV cameras left. Now to please his "no new taxes" supporters the Governor wants to delay the issue until next year. In this video from just before the legislature adjourns, MN legislator Phyllis Kahn, whose district includes the bridge, talks about the frustration of not solving the problem.
Posted by Minnesota Stories on September 13, 2007 12:29 AM
Comments
You are using the video out of context with the rest of your post. Rep. Kahn was speaking in regards to the manor of adjournment for the special session, expressing her desire to adjourn to a specified time rather than to adjourn sine die. Furthermore, had you taken the time to read the bill, you would see that it does in fact address the pressing state needs regarding the bridge collapse.
Posted by: Kevin from Minneapolis at September 16, 2007 09:28 AM
