A Minnesota Republican Governor's Contract with Voters
 

By: Bob Carney Jr.
revised: 6/30/10

 

  1. JOB ONE -- "Winner take all," "Take no prisoners" politics has got to stop. The Governor's job is to help the Legislature agree on a budget and a tax system that serves all Minnesotans.

  1. TAX AND VETO CAP -- Threats of government shutdown are wrong. No tax or spending bill or line item will be vetoed on economic grounds unless total spending increases more than 2% above inflation. Restraint below this limit is both welcome, and up to the Legislature.
     

  2. THE COMMON GOOD -- The Governor will not be bound by any economic special interest pledge.
     

  3. IMPARTIAL EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION -- Administration is to carry out the intent of the Legislature, and to serve all Minnesotans impartially and efficiently.
     

  4. NO PRIVATE LAWYER -- Because the Attorney General is Minnesota's primary elected legal officer, the Governor's office should rely on the Attorney General's office for legal advice. This is part of our "checks and balances" system.
     

  5. GOVERNOR, NOT CEO -- The Governor is not the "CEO of Minnesota". Minnesota is a State, not a corporation.
     

  6. SPECIAL INTEREST BAN -- Except for vetoes of non-economic legislation on moral grounds, the Governor will not use the powers of the office to implement any personal or special interest agenda.
     

  7. UNALLOTMENT LIMIT -- Each biennium must start with a balanced budget. Unallotment will be used only after the end of the second legislative session of the biennium, and with due and full respect to Legislative intent.