Kalin and Transportation: Part 2

Rep. Jeremy Kalin (D-17B) issued this news release on February 22, 2008

In it he states, "Just one week into the 2008 Legislative Session, state lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a comprehensive transportation package (HF2800) with bipartisan support. . . . HF2800 brought together a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who are serious about addressing the monumental needs facing our transportation system."

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If a person were to read Kalin’s statement without knowing the facts, one would conclude the bill had wide-spread support from both sides of the aisle. But the facts are otherwise.

How bipartisan was it? Not much! In the House, 6 Republicans voted for the bill out of a total membership of 134 or just 4.5%. In the Senate, 2 Republicans voted for it out of a total membership of 67 or just 3%. So this is bipartisan approval in Kalin’s mind?!!! The support for the bill on the Republican partisan side was actually minuscule.

It would be much more accurate to say the vote was generally along party lines.

Kalin’s use of the term meets the definition of the word. The Dems needed support from some Republicans to override the veto. So yes Kalin should credit the other partisan caucus, because without them, he would not have this bill. But let’s be honest. This bill was very partisan. Calling it bipartisan is stretching the truth.