Oct. 21, 2009

Thanks to Governor Pawlenty for rolling up his sleeves, looking at waste in the state budget
Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed the issue of two dozen large-screen TVs purchased for patients at the Moose Lake Sex Offenders Program. The governor referred to the decision to purchase the large-screen TVs as “boneheaded.”

“We want to thank Governor Pawlenty for finally rolling up his sleeves and looking at waste in the state budget,” said MAPE Statewide President Chet Jorgenson. “MAPE members have developed great ideas on how to trim waste from the state budget. We strongly encourage the governor to review these ideas and implement them today.”

Since May, MAPE has been encouraging the governor to trim approximately $357 million in waste from the state budget. Gov. Pawlenty has refused to implement the savings.

Gov. Pawlenty is ultimately responsible for the operations of state government, and decisions like those involving the purchase of large-screen TVs for the Moose Lake facility.

“Once again, Governor Pawlenty refuses to admit that it is his appointees who are making these ‘boneheaded’ decisions,” said MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe. “Ultimately, Governor Pawlenty only has himself to blame for the decision to purchase large-screen TVs.”

Monroe pointed out, “He’s in charge. The buck should stop on Governor Pawlenty’s desk.”

At the same time as the issue of large-screen TVs purchased for the Moose Lake facility patients came to light, the facility has been eliminating security positions. “The public needs to be concerned that they are reducing security positions at the facility,” said Monroe. 

“This underscores the misplaced priorities of the Pawlenty Administration,” Monroe added. “They’d rather spend money on large-screen TVs than keep the public safe; they’d rather cut programs that help Minnesotans, than eliminate waste from government.”    

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