General Assistance Medical Care - Politics, Principle and the Poor - Video and Audio
Here is video of the DFL House Leadership who held a meeting to discuss their reaction to Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto of the bill.
More video and audio on this issue below. Click "Read More"
February 19, 2010
State Capitol - By Marty Owings - GAMC, a medical program for the poor, was eliminated last year by Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty when he unallotted the plan. This legislative session the Democratic Majority in the House and Senate worked with their Republican counterparts to reform the program and create a new bill which they thought would save the program. The bill passed in both the Minnesota Senate and House with solid bi-partisan support. Late on Thursday, February 18th, the Governor vetoed the bill while he was in Washington DC on political business.
House Majority Leader Tony Sertich (D) says the GAMC bill that was passed actually saves more money over the Governor's plan to move people to the Minnesota Care program. Sertich says that there was wide enough agreement to get 90% support from the Legislature. Sertich asserts that State GOP Party politics are playing a roll as Republican Law Makers are being threatened with retribution. Most GOP Law Makers I spoke with rejected Sertich's assertion about Party pressure and said they were acting on their own. However, Republican Steve Dille said party politics and elections were playing a role, here are his remarks:
Click Here For The Audio.
Beyond the politics there is the human element and Rep. Erin Murphy (D) who authored the bill discussed how the Governor's veto impacts constituents and the reaction she had when she learned of the veto.
Click Here For The Audio.
Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem (R) explains why Republicans in the Senate are not supportive of the bill. However, Senjem says that there must be a solution and he is confident something can be negotiated. He says that the bill should have gone to conference committee where it could have been worked out. Here are his comments:
Click Here For The Audio.
Here is video of the GOP House Leadership and their response to the Governors veto. The Republicans are pressed on why they voted for the bill and now say they'll support the Governors veto.
