Hundreds of people have visited the state Capitol in the past week as part of the "Minnesota's Watching" campaign. They've come to express their concerns about the course the state is taking, particularly the cuts in public services.
"I don't know if they (legislators) realize people are interested," said Mert Lassonde, a retiree from Lakeville. "We might have to increase taxes to maintain our quality of life."
Lassonde said he has never attended a legislative session before, but decided to do so when he started reading about state budget proposals.
"I'm concerned about the working poor," he said. "They might have a job but they can't afford health care and prescriptions."
Like Lassonde, Pat Schaffer and her daughter, Bronwen Weissbrodt, had never seen the Legislature in action. They attended a floor session of the Senate and stopped in to see their representative.
"I just want to be here -- to do something for people in need," said Weissbrodt, a college student who had just finished classes.
Schaffer said she felt compelled to take action. "At some point, your disgust reaches here," she said, putting her hand on her forehead, "and you just can't take it anymore."
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| Pat Schaffer (left) and her daughter, Bronwen Weissbrodt, are among hundreds of citizens who have gone to the Capitol as part of "Minnnesota's Watching." |
The "Minnesota's Watching" campaign culminates in a rally Saturday, May 17, at noon at the state Capitol. It is co-sponsored by a number of organizations, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
The Legislature is scheduled to end the session by midnight, Monday, May 19. If a budget agreement is not reached, Governor Tim Pawlenty said he would immediately call a special session.
For more information on 'Minnesota's Watching'
Visit the Minnesota AFL-CIO website, www.mnaflcio.org
Hundreds of people have visited the state Capitol in the past week as part of the “Minnesota’s Watching” campaign. They’ve come to express their concerns about the course the state is taking, particularly the cuts in public services.
“I don’t know if they (legislators) realize people are interested,” said Mert Lassonde, a retiree from Lakeville. “We might have to increase taxes to maintain our quality of life.”
Lassonde said he has never attended a legislative session before, but decided to do so when he started reading about state budget proposals.
“I’m concerned about the working poor,” he said. “They might have a job but they can’t afford health care and prescriptions.”
Like Lassonde, Pat Schaffer and her daughter, Bronwen Weissbrodt, had never seen the Legislature in action. They attended a floor session of the Senate and stopped in to see their representative.
“I just want to be here — to do something for people in need,” said Weissbrodt, a college student who had just finished classes.
Schaffer said she felt compelled to take action. “At some point, your disgust reaches here,” she said, putting her hand on her forehead, “and you just can’t take it anymore.”
| Pat Schaffer (left) and her daughter, Bronwen Weissbrodt, are among hundreds of citizens who have gone to the Capitol as part of “Minnnesota’s Watching.” |
The “Minnesota’s Watching” campaign culminates in a rally Saturday, May 17, at noon at the state Capitol. It is co-sponsored by a number of organizations, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
The Legislature is scheduled to end the session by midnight, Monday, May 19. If a budget agreement is not reached, Governor Tim Pawlenty said he would immediately call a special session.
For more information on ‘Minnesota’s Watching’
Visit the Minnesota AFL-CIO website, www.mnaflcio.org