“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”

— Rosalynn Carter

Leadership of our great state is an awesome responsibility for those who serve. Minnesotans expect results from the people they elect. Think of the legislative session as a long race. The long haul over the first months requires robust debate and the sharing of ideas. But to actually cross the finish line and get results requires more. It means honoring the process while respecting reality.

The governor has been engaged with legislative leaders from the beginning of the session. Legislators from both parties agree the dynamic between the current governor and legislative leaders is less adversarial, more trusting and, we can hope, more productive.

Gov. Dayton wrote a May 16 letter to the speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader. It read, in part:

“From the beginning of this legislative session, it has been clear that compromise by all of us would be the only way we could reach the necessary agreements to achieve a balanced state budget for the next biennium. Most Minnesotans want us to resolve our differences by the state Constitutional deadline of May 23. That resolution obviously requires compromise.

“Compromise requires all of us to agree to items that we don’t agree with. That is the essence of compromise. It is the only way we will reconcile our different positions on the state’s budget for the next biennium.”

Any time a legislator takes a vote, there is a balance taking place, a choice being made. It is always possible to quibble with something that is not entirely agreeable. So the question is, does it move you forward or get you to the place you want or need to be?

Gov. Dayton ran his statewide race with a clear vision for the state and message to the voters. Minnesotans knew exactly what they were voting for last November. They knew the deficit was going to be large. They knew very difficult choices were going to be made. They knew the options and the tradeoffs that would be part of the discussion this spring.

So at the end of the legislative session, elected leaders face that question. Looking back or looking forward, what is right for our constituents and what is best for the state of Minnesota? Compromise isn’t an option. It is the solution to the deficit and the solution to the state’s problems.

If you would like to be on my email update list, please send your email address to rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn. I can be reached by email, or at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193.