Update: Political Statesmen Look to Break Budget Impasse, State Shutdown

Some of Minnesota’s brightest political minds have put together a bipartisan committee whose task is to devise a solution to the state’s $1.7 billion budget gap and ending the state shutdown.

The committee, which will begin its work as early as Thursday, was created by former Minnesota politicians Vice President Walter Mondale, Gov. Arne Carlson and U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger.

“We were trying to find people with superb professional backgrounds and exemplary roles in impartial public leadership,” Mondale told reporters Monday morning at Minneapolis City Hall.

Members of the committee include:

• Steve Dille; Co-chair (former GOP state senator)
• Wayne Simoneau; Co-chair (former DFL state legislator)
• John Gunyou (city manager of Minnetonka)
• Jay Kiedrowski (former Finance commissioner under Gov. Rudy Perpich)
• Jim Campbell (former CEO of Wells Fargo)
• Kris Johnson (former vice president of Medtronic)
• Jim Schowalter (current Minnesota Management and Budget commissioner)

 “This is as good a group as could have been assembled," Carlson said "With John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski, in particuar, we certainly have two of the best finance people in Minnesota history, as far as I’m concerned."

Roseville state legislators -Sen. John Marty and Rep. Mindy Greiling-said they support the formation of the bipartisan committee.

"I think any ideas are welcome and helpful," said Greiling, a Democrat from House District 54A. "What is needed now is compromise." 

Greiling added that the next week or two is going to critical to get a solution to the budget impasse before the sides become too entrenched in their positions.

Marty, District 54 senator and a DFLer, echoed similar thoughts.  "I think it (bipartisan committee) will be a good idea," he said. "But whether it leads to anything constructive or whether anyone pays attention is not guaranteed."

Carlson and Mondale each stressed the importance of finding a quick solution to the budget impasse—both for the state and people of Minnesota.

“Our fear is that large sums of money, large interests will come into Minnesota and cause a freezing of attitude and make it very difficult for compromise to become a reality,” Carlson said.

Mondale added: “We understand that thousands of people depend on Minnesota’s ability to resolve this crisis quickly.”

Neither Mondale nor Carlson will serve on the committee. Their role was one of creation and sponsorship.   

“We’re not in this to negotiate,” Carlson said. “We’re in this to provide a third solution. I would anticipate the ultimate support of the both parties.”  

Carlson said he expects the committee to come up with a workable solution no later than Friday. Whether legislators and the governor will heed any recommendations offered from the group is an open question.