Republican allies of GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty took unusually sharp swipes at him Tuesday over his decision last week to bless a diversion of funding into the controversial Northstar commuter train between Minneapolis and Big Lake.
At a hearing of the Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government, some legislators who have criticized the line made clear that they're upset that Pawlenty consented to using $2.5 million from a Metropolitan Council account. The money would leverage $10 million in federal funds for a project the Republican-led House has voted down several times.
-snip-
``It's a little embarrassing to have a Republican governor act this way,'' said Rep. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake.``Apparently, it doesn't matter that the Legislature did act. If the governor wants something, he's going to do it. I don't know if the next thing is to have the National Guard out there ripping up track.''
Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, suggested the move might come back to haunt Pawlenty,``It's a total and utter sham, and we'll see how the governor fares in the next legislative session,'' he said cryptically.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/4920827.html