(UPDATED) Golden Valley Legislators React to Bipartisan Commission

Golden Valley legislators are impressed with the credentials of members of a bipartisan commission tasked with finding a solution to the state's $1.4 billion budget gap.

The commission, which will begin its work as early as today, was created by former Minnesota politicians Vice President Walter Mondale, Gov. Arne Carlson and U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger. None of the three will sit on the commission.

Those who will include John Gunyou, Minnetonka city manager; Jay Kiedrowski, former Finance commissioner under former Gov. Rudy Perpich; and Jim Schowalter, current state Management and Budget commissioner.

Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-District 45) said the commission members are prominent Minnesotans from both parties who also are "experienced negotiators." 

Their input might provide a needed breakthrough, she said.

"If there are people willing to come forward, that's a good thing," said Rep. Lyndon Carlson Sr. (DFL-District 45B). "I'm pleased that they are engaged and willing to do that."

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) believes there is one caucus that won't be on board with whatever the commission suggests.

"From what I know, the Republicans in the Legislature have already rejected it," Latz said. "It shows how extreme the Republicans in the Legislature see themselves to be: this panel reflects bipartisan broad ideological range and very, very credible experience with the (state) budget." 

He said he hopes the committee will produce "something reasonable and moderate that reflects the middle ground, where Minnesota is."

Former Governor Arne Carlson would like the commission to arrive at a solution by Friday.

"I would hope it would be resolved before that," Rep. Lyndon Carlson Sr. said.

Rest said she still has high hopes that the elected legislative leaders will come to an agreement.

The influence the commission's findings will have on legislators will depend on what they are, Carlson and Rest said.

As for criticism that the commission was formed because the Legislature failed to do its job, Rest responded, "The failure of the Legislature would be if we didn't pay any attention to them. … I would encourage the leaders from the DFL and Republicans to listen to these people."

Carlson said he takes exception to people saying state "legislators" cannot come to an agreement.

"When you're saying legislators, you're really talking about one caucus in the Legislature—the Republican caucus." There has been "little or no movement" on the part of the GOP, Carlson said.

Latz agrees with Carlson. He said Republicans have lost touch with their constituents and have interpreting some narrow election wins as a sweeping popular mandate supporting their positions on taxes and budget cuts. 

 "I think the Republican majority has failed to do their job," he said. "They never passed a budget the governor could sign."

"Dayton has made significant moves," Rep. Carlson said.

"Really what (Republicans) put on the table is more debt," said Carlson, who is a former chairman of the House Finance Committee. "That really doesn't resolve the problem." More borrowing just delays problems for the next Legislature, he said.

Rest talked to some of her constituents at church this weekend and they said they support her as a person. "But they also said, 'Come to a practical solution that harms as few people as possible."

Carlson received several emails over the weekend from his constituents. He said the majority of them support a "progressive tax system and a balanced approach." Others expressed their desire for both sides to compromise. A couple were negative, but he said they were the "distinct minority."

Rest added, "I hope that all of us have learned something about how important it is that people can rely on government to do its job. I hope that that lesson has been learned by all of us, and I hope we can have a positive proposal that most of us can support."

Follow the latest shutdown developments:

July 5: Dayton, Republican Lawmakers Meet After A 'Breather,' But The Shutdown Continues

Commission Seeks To Do What Legislature and Dayton Haven't

(UPDATED) Other News Organizations' Stories About the Shutdown

July 3: Winkler Says Legislators Will Move To The Middle—Eventually

Golden Valley Residents Will Be Able to Go to the Minnesota Zoo During the Shutdown

July 1: Golden Valley Legislators Frustrated by Minnesota Shutdown

Golden Valley-Area Parks Open This Holiday Weekend

Golden Valley Braces as Minnesota Government Shuts Down

Golden Valley Nonprofits Say the Shutdown Will Hurt the Vulnerable

June 29: 

June 28: 

June 23: 

June 17: 

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