Senator John Marty: Democrats caved to Pawlenty

Senator John Marty thinks the Democrats caved in — in negotiations with the Governor at the end of session.

I talked to Senator John Marty on May 16 to hear him describe the end of session negotiations. We had talked four days earlier, and he was very afraid that the Democrats and the Legislature would cave in in the end of session over health care, education and taxes with the Governor.

I watched the negotiations into the night, from the perspective of the hall way right outside the Governors office with the press. The session went to the end, and then that was extended and a special session was called at 12:01 a.m. I went home at 3:30 a.m. and came back for more hours later.

Senator John Marty said when they were done, the Democrats caved in to Governor Pawlenty. “The only thing we heard from the Governor is–‘Adopt what I want.'”

We talked about the process of negotiation, and what was on the table. I brought up how at the last moment, $10 Million was added to the GAMC fund, and Senator Marty  called that a “drop in the bucket.”