DFL leader links budget impasse to tea party politics
Legislators are digging in their heels over a health care proposal that continues to hold up an end-of session budget agreement.
DFL House and Senate leaders want to leverage federal money to expand Medicaid coverage to Minnesotans currently covered by two state programs. But Governor Pawlenty and other Republicans are resisting the move. During a news conference today, House Republican Minority Leader Kurt Zellers repeatedly referred to the federal money as "Obamacare." He said DFLers leaders shouldn't be shocked at Republican opposition to the proposal.
"It shows how much the majority hasn't been listening to us all session," Zellers said.
But DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said Republicans are putting politics before policy. He said their rhetoric could get in the way of a solution to end session on time.
"If people try to take national politics, tea party politics and bring that into the discussion, because that's not what we're talking about," Sertich said. "We're not talking about the mandate. We're not talking about what's going on in Washington. We're talking about a good deal for Minnesotans and getting their tax dollars back to Minnesota."
Sertich added that it would be unwise to hold up the budget and session for a handful of minority members.
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