Governor Pawlenty recently authored yet ANOTHER million dollars for the "consultants", the law firm of Smith Parker and Tom Johnson. I've lost track of the running total that has been spent on consultants, but with this million it will be over the $3 million mark, I think about $3.5 million or more. This is an absurd waste of taxpayer money whether or not one supports the project itself. A law firm pushing a project that will benefit clients they represent (according to their own website they represent Allina and others that are trying to get this subsized transportation).
Here's a link to Pawlenty's letter - they also want the city to kick in more money for the "consultant". http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2004-meetings/20040130/Docs/11_Governor_Letter_10-20-03.pdf Ask yourself why a lawfirm would be put in charge of a public process, rather than a public agency. If you ask me, it's because the core strength and mission of a law firm is to distort the truth to their advantage, which is most definately what is happening in this case. Unfortunately, scarce public dollars that could be going into low income housing, public safety, or other worthy causes are instead going into the pocket of wealthy lawyers for promoting a project on behalf of their corporate clients. I hope the FBI hasn't finished their investigation of Minneapolis corruption! David Piehl Central __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
