Laid-off electrician Todd Tvrdik apologized for lacking a silky speech but the single father was nonetheless elegant.
"I'm just worried about being the father I want to be," said Tvrdik, a member Local 292 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Recent state job loss figures brought union members and DFL leaders to the Capitol on Wednesday (Nov. 14), calling on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to approve legislation he vetoed last session that they believe will jump-start job growth. by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Laid-off electrician Todd Tvrdik apologized for lacking a silky speech but the single father was nonetheless elegant.
"I'm just worried about being the father I want to be," said Tvrdik, a member Local 292 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Recent state job loss figures brought union members and DFL leaders to the Capitol on Wednesday (Nov. 14), calling on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to approve legislation he vetoed last session that they believe will jump-start job growth.
Union leaders said it was "unconscionable" the governor had vetoed legislation like the transportation finance bill that could put construction workers back to work.
In October the state loss 6,600 jobs.
When that figure is combined with job losses of the previous three months, it totals 26,900 jobs.
Minnesota's unemployment rate in October stood at 4.7 percent - union leaders argue it's much higher in the construction industry.
The rate is slightly down from September and now matches the national unemployment rate.
While construction workers called for action from the governor, another interest group appealed to him and came up short.
A group of Minnesota mayors recently met with Pawlenty to express their interest in having the governor call a special legislative session focused on local government aid.
But in a Nov. 9 letter response to ten mayors including Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Pawlenty - citing a lack of consensus among legislative leaders - informed them he would not call a special session on the issue.
Pawlenty restated his decision to reporters on Wednesday.
"Fundamentally the reason we're not going to call a special session is because it's not needed at this time," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, gave an
unusually harsh critique of the governor's handling of the jobs issue
and willingness to negotiate with legislative leaders.
"He (Pawlenty) is a creature of (President) Bush and (Vice President) Cheney thinking," said Pogemiller.
"He (Pawlenty) is basically a "No" governor," said Pogemiller, opining that the Pawlenty Administration's economic development policies have failed.
"This is classic Tim Pawlenty," Pogemiller said of the governor's letter to the mayors.
But Pawlenty turned tables on the Democrats Wednesday afternoon after hearing supplicants before the State Board of Pardons.
"What my DFL friends don't understand, you can't government you way to prosperity," said Pawlenty.
"You have to have a real economy," he said.
Pawlenty argued that in comparison with neighboring states, the Minnesota economy has done well in recent years.
Pawlenty indicated that he wanted to avoid using harsh words toward Democrats - thought the majority leader's comments did not foreshadow a tough legislative session - but offered an assessment.
"Their (DFL) rhetoric is always mean spirited and unfair but that just comes with the job," he said.
A group of mayors are planning a press conference for Thursday (Nov. 15).
They are expected to ask again for a special session.
In discussing the state's economy, Pogemiller indicated that Thomson Corporation had abandoned plans to expand its Thomson West campus in Eagan - the company had requested special tax breaks for the project.
The tax bill was voted.
That in itself cost Minnesota the 2,000 new jobs at Thomson West, said Pogemiller.
But the governor said internal changes at the company have impacted the proposed expansion and he hoped to see the project back on track.
"I'm just worried about being the father I want to be," said Tvrdik, a member Local 292 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Recent state job loss figures brought union members and DFL leaders to the Capitol on Wednesday (Nov. 14), calling on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to approve legislation he vetoed last session that they believe will jump-start job growth. by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Laid-off electrician Todd Tvrdik apologized for lacking a silky speech but the single father was nonetheless elegant."I'm just worried about being the father I want to be," said Tvrdik, a member Local 292 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Recent state job loss figures brought union members and DFL leaders to the Capitol on Wednesday (Nov. 14), calling on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to approve legislation he vetoed last session that they believe will jump-start job growth.
Union leaders said it was "unconscionable" the governor had vetoed legislation like the transportation finance bill that could put construction workers back to work.
In October the state loss 6,600 jobs.
When that figure is combined with job losses of the previous three months, it totals 26,900 jobs.
Minnesota's unemployment rate in October stood at 4.7 percent - union leaders argue it's much higher in the construction industry.
The rate is slightly down from September and now matches the national unemployment rate.
While construction workers called for action from the governor, another interest group appealed to him and came up short.
A group of Minnesota mayors recently met with Pawlenty to express their interest in having the governor call a special legislative session focused on local government aid.
But in a Nov. 9 letter response to ten mayors including Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Pawlenty - citing a lack of consensus among legislative leaders - informed them he would not call a special session on the issue.
Pawlenty restated his decision to reporters on Wednesday.
"Fundamentally the reason we're not going to call a special session is because it's not needed at this time," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, gave an
unusually harsh critique of the governor's handling of the jobs issue
and willingness to negotiate with legislative leaders."He (Pawlenty) is a creature of (President) Bush and (Vice President) Cheney thinking," said Pogemiller.
"He (Pawlenty) is basically a "No" governor," said Pogemiller, opining that the Pawlenty Administration's economic development policies have failed.
"This is classic Tim Pawlenty," Pogemiller said of the governor's letter to the mayors.
But Pawlenty turned tables on the Democrats Wednesday afternoon after hearing supplicants before the State Board of Pardons.
"What my DFL friends don't understand, you can't government you way to prosperity," said Pawlenty.
"You have to have a real economy," he said.
Pawlenty argued that in comparison with neighboring states, the Minnesota economy has done well in recent years.
Pawlenty indicated that he wanted to avoid using harsh words toward Democrats - thought the majority leader's comments did not foreshadow a tough legislative session - but offered an assessment.
"Their (DFL) rhetoric is always mean spirited and unfair but that just comes with the job," he said.
A group of mayors are planning a press conference for Thursday (Nov. 15).
They are expected to ask again for a special session.
In discussing the state's economy, Pogemiller indicated that Thomson Corporation had abandoned plans to expand its Thomson West campus in Eagan - the company had requested special tax breaks for the project.
The tax bill was voted.
That in itself cost Minnesota the 2,000 new jobs at Thomson West, said Pogemiller.
But the governor said internal changes at the company have impacted the proposed expansion and he hoped to see the project back on track.
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