Law & Government

Here is a public pension update as we await the end of session. The pension bill was passed by both houses and will be presented to the governor. I have been told that Dayton does not care about the bill. (I kind of felt the same way, mostly, so I kept looking for some kind of trade for passing it but got one.) The pension system is underfunded by at least $13.7 billion.

Otto von Bismarck, famous for unifying Germany in the 19th century, is famously quoted as saying, “Laws are like sausages; it is better not to see them being made.”

It’s now clear the legislature is committed to investing all the time that’s necessary to advance and pass a meaningful set of laws that will move Minnesota forward.

Once upon a time responsible citizen oversight and engagement in local government was considered the cornerstone of a successful democracy. In the 1930’s this notion wasn’t just a philosophical exercise—it had real practical relevance. The great depression was creating extraordinary economic stress on citizens, and local government spending—pretty much the only government that mattered back then—demanded careful citizen attention.