Atkins, Metzen: "Frustrated" By State Shutdown

Both District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) and District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL) expressed frustration on Wednesday at the government's inability to find common ground in the ongoing debate over the state budget.

Atkins, who is heavily involved in the negotiations between Republican leadership and Gov. Mark Dayton, said he was "infuriated" that the two sides have not been able to find a compromise over the $1.4 billion gap that remains between Dayton's plan and the Republicans' own solution.

An answer, Atkins suggested, lies in identifying and using other, non-tax revenue sources to close the $1.4 billion gap between the two sides. Atkins has made several budget proposals to both sides since the shutdown began. Although he wouldn't disclose the details of the proposals, Atkins said his latest suggestion would utilize three non-tax revenue sources, including surcharges on medical providers.

Metzen has not been heavily involved in the latest rounds of negotiations. Earlier this month, the Senator lobbied as the ranking member of the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee to keep the Minnesota Trade Office open, so that international trade to and from the state wouldn't be affected by the shutdown.

Neither Metzen nor Atkins are collecting their salary during the government shutdown. A legislator's salary is $31,140 per year, according to the Minnesota State Legislature website.

“I don’t think it’s fair for us to take a salary when all those other people are on furlough,” Metzen said. “I guess we all have to take the blame for this thing not getting done. It’s terrible; it’s real people getting hurt and everybody knows a family or a next-door neighbor who's being hit by this thing."