|
Gov. Tim needs to admit his promise was folly
|
|
|
“A slip of the foot, you may recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.”
-Words of advice from my mother when I was growing up.
Have you ever said something, maybe it was a promise, and later
regretted saying it? I know I have…on numerous occasions. I can’t count
on both hands and both feet how many times I’ve muttered to myself, “me
and my big mouth!”
But when I’ve let my tongue slip, I usually try to smooth things out as
gracefully as I can. I’ve found the best avenue to take is to just
admit I messed up, made a mistake, ask for forgiveness, and move on
with my life.
The governor of the great state of Minnesota made a monumental slip a
number of years ago when he promised, “no new taxes!” Since that
ill-advised pledge by Tim Pawlenty, state funding of more and more
mandated programs has been cut, and the responsibility to somehow pay
for the programs and services placed on local and county governments.
A perfect example occurred last week, when the State Board of Public
Defense (SBPD) announced 72 public defender positions would be cut
across the state. The cuts were precipitated by a $1.5 million decrease
in state funding. And because of the additional case loads imposed on
the remaining 380 public defenders, parents in child protection cases
will no longer have state-funded public defenders representing them.
If a parent qualifies for public legal representation, the county must
now supply that service. And at $100 per hour attorney fee, which is
the going rate, set by the Third Judicial District, a drawn out,
lengthy trial could cost the county thousands or even tens of thousands
of dollars.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of Gideon versus Wainwright. It
was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case establishing that everyone has
the right to an attorney, even people who can’t afford one. It’s a good
law. Many people can’t afford legal representation. And everyone should
be well-represented when they have their day in court.
The cuts, a combination of a legislative reduction and operating
deficits, come at a time when Minnesota public defenders are already
exceeding recommended workloads. They handle, on average, the
equivalent of 714 misdemeanor cases a year -- more than the 400
recommended by the American Bar Association. They represent 90 percent
of all gross misdemeanor and felony cases in the state.
The cuts will likely drive up that caseload to more than 800. Public
defenders represent most defendants in Minnesota, including 85 percent
of those accused of felonies and half of those accused of misdemeanors.
Public defenders are also bracing for heavier caseloads and a grueling
work pace. But they caution that it’s not just defendants and defense
attorneys who will feel the impact. Crime victims, too, will suffer
through trial delays.
That could have a ripple effect, making it harder for the prosecution
to track down witnesses and obtain accurate testimony, given the
passage of time. And jail costs are predicted to rise, as a result of
longer incarcerations while inmates await court dates.
I’m not saying that all these problems should be put on Gov. Pawlenty’s
doorstep. But his promise of no new taxes has certainly intensified
them.
It’s too bad the fellow at the top of the executive branch of our state
government won’t admit when he’s made a mistake. I don’t like higher
taxes…nobody does. But there’s a time and a place for reassessing one’s
stand on an issue. And it’s time Pawlenty admits he did make a mistake,
and that his promise of no new taxes was folly.
|
