It is day 30 of the Metro Transit bus strike/lockout. Metro Transit is asking the Federal government for permission to delay the opening of light rail line for a full YEAR.
Here is the story by Laurie Blake of the Star Tribune: http://startribune.com/stories/368/4700679.html Peter Bell says that Metro Transit is NOT trying to send a signal to the union or the public that they are preparing for a long strike. No, no, no, a thousand times no! Who would anyone think such a thing? Is light rail being held hostage? Do the Republicans who control state government hate all forms of mass transit? The budget bills the Republican House is passing are so bad that the best thing the Senate can do is go home. Don't agree to anything-just adjourn for the year! The House may adjourn first, which will make it easier for the Senate to adjourn. Here is a Star Tribune editorial which describes House Republican budget writers as a "wrecking crew": http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/4700468.html There is a witches' brew of constitutional amendments being pushed in the Republican House-gay marriage, death penalty, the Rich Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. There is no need to pass any budget bills this year. The projected deficit is less than the budget reserve. It is quite possible that the Republican House will adjourn for the year and leave the DFL Senate in a take-it-or-leave it position. Adjourning until a new Legislature is elected is called adjournment Sine Die Here is an interesting article from the political newsletter Checks and Balances: You will need to page down until you see the article "Sine Die Strategy": http://www.checksandbalances.com/players.asp Ed Fesler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minneapolis Corcoran __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway http://promotions.yahoo.com/design_giveaway/ 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
