Wright County Legislator Hosts Intimate Town Hall

For a freshman state representative, hosting a town hall-style meeting just a few weeks after a knockdown, dragout session and a "senseless" government shutdown isn't the ideal situation.

But Rep. Joe McDonald, a Republican from Delano, used his ideals and his hometown to fend off most confrontation last week.

The "rookie rep," and Delano photographer, welcomed about 30 constituents from around Wright County to Delano City Hall Thursday night, the vast majority from right in town.

"I hope this is an informal, casual gathering," McDonald said at the start of the meeting. "I know many of you, and recognize some faces here. It's good to be with you tonight."

McDonald recapped the Republicans' list of reforms from the 2011 session. The 33 freshmen represetatives and senators "were seen and heard," an learned a lot about the process.

"It always comes down to that last, political dollar," McDonald said. "For six months and change, it came down to that final dollar."

Republicans held firm to their $34 billion budget, McDonald said (though he preferred the 2008 level of $32 billion), and fought off Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed $39 billion level.

But that wasn't enough for conservative Andy Motzko, who said the "games" of how the state budget is projected allowed the governor "to get everything he wanted."

That was news to Delano Superintendent Dr. John Sweet, who said schools are going to suffer with the latest budget.

"There's an equity problem," Sweet said. "The state gives the same payment to each district, but after that, the way the forumla is set up for operations levies from district to district is a real problem. Their favorite line is that the state has a spending problem. My district has a revenue problem."

Other issues tossed around included welfare spending (EBT cards now require a photo I.D.) and the failed voter I.D. bill.

"We're bringing that back, and we're going to have that on the ballot in 2012," McDonald said.

St. Michael's Hollee Saville, who was in attendance, raised the issue of the state employees' union and the SEIU working toward unionization of the state's thousands of daycare workers.

"I'm hoping you'll help us fight against that," Harris, who is President and Training Coordinator of the Wright County Family Child Care Association (WCFCCA), said.