Drake's Place: mid west chill

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Minnesota Govt Remains Open during the Big Chill. One elected Rep whines it's too cold. Surprise, it wasn't a Dem!

FOX 9 KMSP: Minnesota officials defend keeping government open during Big Chill.

Most of Minnesota state government remained open Wednesday despite the extreme cold, drawing concerns from one Republican state lawmaker that Minnesotans were being needlessly put in danger.

Gov. Tim Walz’s administration decided to keep state offices open, even as Wisconsin’s governor shuttered many state buildings, businesses closed, and the U.S. Postal Services suspended service for the day.
[.]
“Why would we put those workers at risk? Why would we put the troopers that have to respond if they have an accident, the tow truck drivers that have to respond if they have an accident, why are we putting them at risk unnecessarily?” state Rep. Marion O’Neill, R-Maple Lake, said in an interview. “We can shut down for one day. The world won’t end.”

Walz defended his decision to keep the government open, saying that he directed state agencies to decide what work would be unsafe because of the weather.

Rep. Marion O'Neill (R) District: 29B

Not a fan of MN Gov. Timmy Walz, but I agree with him here.

Marion, everything in life has risk. You were elected to do a job. Do it. I'm guessing she can't identify the letter "D" from the letter "R".

For a part-time job lasting about six months, Minnesota elected legislators earn $45,000/year. Plus per diem.

The BIG ISSUE legislators have been wrestling over the past two days - an issue that apparently outranks all others - is naming an official "state" dog.

Pick a dog. Pick a breed. There are so many tough issues to tackle, choosing the "state dog" should take no more than fifteen minutes. A Labrador. A Husky. A Beagle. A Frikkin Poodle. Pick one, pick one fast and be done with it. This is the debate the state legislators are having and one of them thinks they should have the day off because of the Big Chill?

Make sure others are okay.

With this wicked chill in the central mid-west, check with those maybe "not so young" family members, friends and others that we all should all make a point to contact more often. But especially with this cold weather. Some folks might be indoors for the next two days and not leave. Even if you think you know they're all right, call them anyway. They'll be glad to hear from you.