
I’ve seen some good ones since I posted second on this topic. Ha. Yep I’m the state worker.  Yea, that’s pretty dumb. There are already good reasons written as to why it shouldn’t be shut down – but mosquitos? Come on. Sure, worthy work, however, there are better examples of needed state workers than that.
Blame it all on the Republicans? That’s just as assanine as blaming just the governor. You can go back to blaming the Dem’s for years of spending to get us here. Or Pawlenty for never raising taxes (although he did throw in some fees). I heard more about a Vikings stadium, gay marraige and selling beer at breweries during the session than I did the budget. I watched much of the session on PBS and saw nothing but pissing and moaning back and forth from all of them. Spend money here! Don’t spend it there! Fire the Governor and the Legislature. Fire the voters for having one side Democrat and the other Republican. Yeah, the state does spend too much money though. On bike trails, On fancy equipment for conservation officers, on cable TV in state buildings (I know of at least one), on TV’s (remember the big flat screens at the prison?), on lazy people that don’t work and want handouts, on subsidized busing, on freeway lanes that only people with extra money can drive on, wasted on fancy schools, bus stops with big flowers on top (N MPLS), on fancy sound barrier walls along the freeways, by giving tax cuts to big companys and rich people – all people, on spraying for mosquitos, on fancy trooper patrol cars (give them all Ford Fiesta’s!). The list can go on and on. No we don’t want to end up like California. Yes, government should be providing the essential services. Not trying to beat the Jone’s. There is a lot of waste in government and it isn’t the employees. All the crying about municipalities not getting their share from the state – perhaps the cities and towns are all wasting and giving away money in irresponsible ways as well. Yes, shut it down and we will all see how much the state employees are needed. At the same time bring in some outside auditors to find out where all the money is really being wasted at.
Maybe the Feds can take care of that illegal immigration so all the people not working and getting handouts can have a job? Maybe Minneapolis shouldn’t be spending money on fancy library’s and “art water fountains” then they wouldn’t need a handout from the state? Maybe those in Minnetonka should spend a night in N MPLS and see that perhaps they should give a little more? 
Instead of joining together to support all of the wonderful people and families in our state, our policical leaders (BOTH sides) are making themselves look like stubborn middle schoolers that cannot reach a comprimise. Being in government means supporting and serving those who rely on you even if they didn’t vote for you and this is simply not being fulfilled – the lack of ability and willingness to compimise looks selfish and immature. Instead of cutting out 36,000 jobs that pay much smaller wages, we are going to continue to support and pay for those that have caused this problem in the first place – this is a horrible incentive. It reinforces their behavior because their jobs are not at risk. None of the congress members or the governor, who earn well over the average wage, should be paid until they can learn to do their jobs, which is to compromise and support the families in this state. From an economic standpoint, this could deepen and lengthen the local recession, increase the debt level of thousands, and create an even deeper hole for those already in trouble. Unfortunately, those most in need of help will suffer more than their fair share because of the unwillingness and selfishness of the highest earners in our state and their political supportors to sacrifice some of their pocket change for the greater good and economy of our communities. The conduct of our political leaders is simply immoral and harmful – as Americans and Minnesotans, we should be looking our for everybody, especially those that cannot pay us to do so or do not have a voice. I encourage our leaders to remind themselves that they do not work for a poiltical party or for the lobbyists – they work for the people in this state no matter what political party, race, age, or wage level.
Well,I don’t have a 4th of July trip planned to one of our state parks this year, so me personally not much. But I do know some people that it may effect and it”s not good.
If the legislature doesn’t compromise I think their benefits, pay checks and per diems (daily expenses) should immediately stop, they have failed at doing their job and the tax payers shouldn’t have to pay for failure.
Let’s clear up some misconceptions. This shutdown will be considered a layoff, not a furlough.
State employees CANNOT use their vacation.
They will not be paid while the government is shutdown, and there will be no retroactive pay. Some of them will be forced onto COBRA plans which will cost up to $1400/month. Other terms are uncertain, because the Management and Budget office is still trying to run the numbers. It could mean that the slate is wiped clean. That means that people who have worked here for decades will be considered to be year 0. That has major implications for retirement. Also, vacation would be paid out. That means a gigantic tax hit and if they are called back in a few weeks none of them will have accrued vacation to take for the summer.
State employees have been unfairly demonized for political reasons, but remember state employees are responsible for the safe roads and bridges, warning us when the air quality is unsafe like it was last week, taking care of our elderly, and many other things that the average Minnesotan depends on. Oh, and they do all of this for significantly less pay than their counterparts in the private sector.
Hoping more people will think before posting sound bites here.
For example, suggesting one (not sure who?) “should strive to achieve on your own” instead of relying on “entitlements” and/or “socialism” short-sightedly, stupidly, and mean-spiritedly assumes that no one other than that poster is diligent or hard-working.
Indeed, restricting sound bites might actually help those politicians who seem to Rely on them so much to actually get to work and solve this issue instead of throwing yet another tantrum.
So you would not want libraries, schools, or road construction and maintenance? Because those are funded by state tax payers.
Go Lisa D! I’ll be losing my job with the state. My job that I have worked hard for and have done a good job for the taxpayers. Due to the economy and a previous job loss in the family, I’ll probably lose my home. Don’t worry though. We will rely on ourselves and family to get through it. Not our tax dollars.
I don’t have a guaranteed pension. I have a 401K. And my employer doesn’t match it any more. I have to pay considerably more for my dependants health insurance and have had increases in my out of pocket expenses not covered. People have been let go and put part time status at my company and our customers. The building trades have so many people on the bench that most of them have left the industry or gone non-union. I have no idea when I will be able to retire since I don’t get a guaranteed pension.
The “rich” people I know are very cautious with their businesses because with all the new regulations and threat of higher taxes, it just isn’t worth taking the risk to expand there businesses.
To all the government employees…….
It’s okay if the government shuts down for awhile. It will do the public good to find out what the government actually does and what the impact would be.
After awhile perhaps 90 days, those remaining in government could evaluate and re-instate those areas which are necessary and add value and not re-instate those areas which are not as necessary. Running the government with PURPOSE rather than with ENTITLEMENT – what a concept.
The media, (including MPR) is making too much of this. Let it ride…..
Luke and Lee – Both correct. Thank you for your posts.
Get a Clue – Sorry to hear that you got your pink slip.  See http://www.uimn.org to learn more and apply.
To those participating in the discussion about whether or not higher taxes will drive off businesses: You might be interested in this recent Star Trib article from 50-year Minnesota verteran business leader Roger Hale – Link to article.
Also, it’s worth adding that many people in the upper echelon of wealth in Minnesota ALREADY avoid paying taxes by wintering in other states like Florida and Arizona. The argument that we’ll drive them off because of increased personal income taxes is a bit of a red herring. The ones willing to leave drove off a long time ago. Dayton should resurrect his plan to gather taxes on the wealthy snowbirds that use Minnesota’s resources without contributing their fair share.
I am the epitome of ultimate American laziness. I have had a job since I was 15. Since I was 18, I have always worked at least two jobs, sometimes 3 (even while in full time school). I went to the U of M, accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in student loans, purchased