Press Release from Rep. Laura Brod

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 19, 2007
ENERGY BILL HAS THE "LIGHTS TURNED OFF BY"THE DEMOCRATS AND WAS NOT DEBATED "IN THE LIGHT OF DAY"
ST PAUL - Following several hours of debate, the Minnesota House has approved legislation that accelerates Minnesota's renewable energy standards. There was bi-partisan support for the bill, but the process was particularly flawed. State Representative Laura Brod (R-New Prague) said she was disappointed that the House Democratic leaders decided to debate the bill in the evening when most Minnesotans wouldn't be as available or paying as much attention.
Typically, evening floor debates aren't held until the end of session, when many bills are returning from House-Senate conference committees. Brod said this evening session was done to punish Republicans.
"The Democrats are complaining that Republicans are wanting to debate the bills that are coming forward and are proposing too many amendments to the bills, so as punishment, they changed the floor session time to force time pressures due to a late hour that is outside of the typical floor session," Brod said.
"What they don't seem to understand is that we're not trying to waste time; we're only trying to improve what we see as flawed legislation," Brod continued. "Every lawmaker can and should offer amendments that they believe will make a bill better. Once again, the Democrats have an 'all or nothing legislative approach.' They seem to think that the definition of bi-partisan is when we agree with them, but when we disagree they claim that we are being partisan rather than debating the merits of the bills. It is unfortunate that they are not allowing Republicans to help improve the legislation that is being brought to the house floor."
While it appears that the Democrats seem to think that holding night sessions early in the year will deter Republicans from speaking up, but it won't. By not holding floor sessions during the day at regularly scheduled times, they're telling the average Minnesotan to not take an interest in their state government - and what a sad message that is. "We should be encouraging the open and honest debate so that the bills that are enacted into law are as good as they can be." Brod concluded.