Shutdown: Why Don't Lawmakers Stay Put?
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Republican leaders and the governor will try again next week to resolve the budget impasse. Both sides said a few days away from each other might be a good thing over the Fourth of July holiday.
But what good does not working on the weekend really do? Absolutely none, said a professional negotiator.
The backyard list is always long for the Sokath's. Only this summer, they aren't happy about having the time to get some of it done.
"It's been incredibly hectic," Char Sokath said.
Thursday was Char's last day at the Board of Water and Soil, at least until lawmakers figure things out.
"It doesn't seem right," Char said.
Tom Wiese is an attorney and professional negotiator with Wiese Law Contract Studios. He said he believes all back-and-forth's have little to do with substance.
"If you've got a problem, not getting something done change the process or the people because the substance doesn't change," Wiese said.
His advice to lawmakers: Focus on the goal, the budget and not so much on people's positions.
"Maybe the goal is not to get a deal done if that's the goal they achieved it," Wiese said.
The only goal for the Sokath's and the 22,000 unemployed just like them is to scale back.
"Trying to cut the grocery bills down less driving," Char said.
So, they'll spend their holiday weekend picking weeds to make room for new growth. It's a backyard plan that this summer they think would serve lawmakers well.
