Letter to the Editor: Why Can't Legislators Work Together?

Dear Editor,
 
I have lived in Eden Prairie since 1973. I have seen the city grow from 6,000 to over 60,000 citizens. People came because of the education system, the parks, and in general the quality of life. I have seen that quality of life in Eden Prairie, and throughout Minnesota, begin to erode during the past few years.
 
The Republican-led majority promised to focus on jobs and other things that would again bring prosperity to our communities. Instead they have gutted our schools, destroyed programs that made our state prosperous, made cuts that resulted in increased property taxes and have done nothing about jobs. This session they passed 17 license plate bills and designated an official state dirt.  They have proposed costly constitutional amendments to solve problems that don’t even exist.
 
The worst part is there really should be some issues that our legislators can work on in a bipartisan fashion. For example, why can’t they work together to put a plan in place to fully pay back the billions that have been borrowed from our kids? Why can’t they support things like light rail which would create jobs and address our transportation needs?
 
When we go to the polls in November we need to keep in mind that Rep. Stensrud, Rep. Loon and Senator Hann have voted with and are part of that devastating Republican-led majority. It is time to elect legislators who will represent the people.
 
Norbert Gernes, Eden Prairie