The Minnesota Legislature is constitutionally obligated to adjourn in seven days and it has yet to address a $160 million dollar deficit and a bonding bill that contains funding for dozens of public works projects. Over the last few years, our legislators have demonstrated an increasing unwillingness to compromise on major issues. I think this can be attributed to a couple trends. First, the Republican Party has shifted to the right, pushing out most of the moderates who traditionally functioned as negotiators with the other side. Second, the Democratic party has been slow to recognize that it is no longer in the dominant position it once occupied in this state, resulting in some political miscalculations that have weakened the party further. I do hope that they are able to resolve things in the final hours. If not, it doesn’t bode well for the next session, when we will most likely have to confront a more substantial budget shortfall. It’s at times like this when I think that a viable third party might be useful in breaking up gridlock like this.
My hunt for a new nurse proved successful. I was able to recruit two people and they both seem cool. Which means I can relax over staffing issues, at least for now. Summer can be a bit stressful because people want to go on vacation and I get a little worried that I’ll be short-handed. But now with a staff of nine, I should be able to cover most situations.
