Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum’s decision to end the periodic all-House gatherings known as mini-sessions throughout Minnesota appears, at first glance, to be another example of the Legislature’s growing indifference to rural concerns.

Thursday, September 09, 1999

Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum’s decision to end the periodic all-House gatherings known as mini-sessions throughout Minnesota appears, at first glance, to be another example of the Legislature’s growing indifference to rural concerns.

However, if Sviggum and House leaders take this opportunity to replace the event with more substantive committee visits to communities throughout the state, they could actually increase rural Minnesotans’ opportunities to speak out on issues that matter to us.

Under DFL leadership, the practice of mini-sessions began in 1991.

The most common criticisms of the mini-sessions were that they were meaningless public relations exercises, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, used primarily by the majority party to boost a weak party-member’s status in the community.

But focusing legislators’ attention on rural communities and their needs was a good idea — one that should not disappear, given the growing majority of urban legislators in the Minnesota House.

If it is to be ended, something better should take its place. Rural Minnesotans – more than ever – need an opportunity to have their voices heard by those who write the state’s laws and spend its money.

House Republicans say they are placing rural economic development at the top of their list, alongside more tax cuts and transportation improvements. The committee hearings held throughout the state this fall will be critical in developing future policies, they say.

If there are numerous, substantive meetings, well-publicized and attended, where Minnesotans of every stripe can influence policy instead of merely listening to a Republican sales pitch, Sviggum’s plan may indeed be an improvement.

If the committee hearings don’t result in well-thought out legislation that reflects rural needs, we’ll know that Republican professions of concern for rural Minnesota are just smoke and mirrors.

And we’ll remember on election day.