Senator Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks)
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Senate Republican Minority Leader Mark Johnson says his biggest disappointment in the 2023 session was the lack of bipartisan cooperation, with Democrats controlling both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature plus the Governor’s Office.
Johnson said voters asked lawmakers to compromise and work together.
“What you saw was the most partisan session, not just in my memory but in the history of the state,” Johnson said.
Democrats – claiming a mandate from voters – pushed through a controversial agenda of social issues and government programs, but Johnson points out both parties have nearly equal numbers at the legislature, particularly in the Senate.
Johnson said Democrats cut Republicans out of the process.
“The Senate is known to have that collegial feel, where you can work across the aisle to talk to people,” Johnson said. “There just wasn’t that this session, which was a huge disappointment for us.”
Funny, seems to me the same complaint was made when the GOP had control. What a drag the way these things work out. Compromise is a two way street. One look at most of the votes point out quite clearly intransigence. Ironic that the same group making this complaint when confronted with this issue from the other side responded with, “elections have consequences.” How tragic that either side sees elections results as a competition instead of a cooperative venture. The consequences for members of either party is to be punished if they don’t follow party lines.
One need only look at the circus that was the election of McCarthy to be Speaker of the House. That had nothing to do with the greater good of the citizens of America and all about the “mean girls” caucus of the GOP.