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October 28, 2005

Sviggum letter

I got this form letter from Steve Sviggum a couple of days ago. If you didn't receive a similar letter, then shame on you for not writing!

Thank you very much for your input and your direction on stadium and special session issues facing Minnesota.

To this point, I have received over 2100 emails and letters from citizens about evenly split on the stadium issue. While legislators and the Governor struggle with the issues these struggles are certainly reflections of Minnesota citizens.

At this time, Governor Pawlenty has said "no" to calling a special session for many reasons, but being able to bring order and focus to the agenda of a short one-day session was a major concern.

Having listened to citizens and been informed by many folks, I did encourage the Governor to call a one-day special session (with no per diem payments for legislators) for the Gopher's on-campus and Minnesota Twins proposals. The Vikings stadium proposal was too rich in public subsidy in my analysis and certainly after the recent off-field antics by Vikings players, it does not warrant approval at this time.

Thanks again for your input. As always, I will try to make decisions based on your information and input and in the best interest of the State of Minnesota.

Hope all is well. Take care.

What is most interesting about this email is the number 2,100, or the fact that he has received 2,100 letters and emails about the stadium issue. That's it? It just goes to show you that 1) there are really only a handful of people that are truly passionate about this issue and 2) this means only about 1,000 Twins fans (actually, probably more Gophers fans) wrote in to express their approval for new stadiums in this God-forsaken state. It is a shame that we can't get more Twins fans to take an active role in this. If even half of all Twins fans wrote just a short letter our governmental leaders would be overwhelmed. Alas, it is not to be, I guess.

Posted by snackeru at October 28, 2005 10:58 AM

Comments

Shane,

You're assuming Mr. Speaker is telling you the truth when he says 2100 emails. Politicians usually make up figures in order to support their agendas or explain their shortcomings.

I don't buy it.

Posted by: kevin in az at October 28, 2005 11:37 AM

Now we know the real reason there won't be a special session -- no per diem!! Come on Speaker, let the reps have their meal money, I bet they'll agree to a special session in a heartbeat

Posted by: freealonzo at October 28, 2005 12:02 PM