State DFL Party Chairman Melendez chides Gov. Pawlenty

DFL State Party Chairman Brian Melendez in a statement this week
criticized the tone of a letter Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent early this week
to
DFL leaders declining an invitation to attend a Leadership Summit in
September at the Capitol.

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

DFL State Party Chairman Brian Melendez in a statement this week criticized the tone of a letter Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent early this week to
DFL leaders declining an invitation to attend a Leadership Summit in
September at the Capitol.

"The state already has an annual ?Minnesota Leadership Summit,'? wrote Pawlenty in a letter.

"It's called the legisaltive session and it lasts approximately five
months,? wrote the governor, further writing that DFLers have done a
thorough job "admiring? the state's budget difficulties.

Melendez, in his reading of the letter, said Pawlenty had
"sarcastically mocked? the contributions of past and present state
leaders.

"This leadership summit is an opportunity for the governor to set
aside his national ambitions and work with leaders of all parties to
solve the worst budget crisis in state history. But once again, he
chose ambition over leadership,? said Melendez, referring to the
governor's recent travels.

According to the state party chairman, two former Republican
governors, three former Republican speakers, one former DFL governor,
and nine former DFL legislative leaders will attend the conference
along with current legisaltive leaders.

The summit is planned for Sept. 8.