Your Even-Handed Government At Work

Joe Doakes from Como Park writes:

At least the administration is even-handed and non-political in its internal communication with employees facing layoff when the government shuts down in a few weeks. No preaching here, just the facts. That’s a comfort.

Joe supplied an email to DOT employees:

From: *DOT_NoteMailer

Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 1:15 PM

Subject: End of Legislative Session Update

To all MnDOT employees:

After five months of hard work and progress in some areas, the 2011 legislative session has concluded without a budget deal. While it is deeply disappointing to not have a resolution, there is some space for optimism. Over the last week, the Governor and Legislative leaders had substantive, constructive meetings. They identified common ground in many areas, and the Governor and legislative leaders will continue to meet and seek a solution to the budget in the days ahead.

I’ll add emphasis:

In the absence of a state budget, we are deeply aware of the limbo and uncertainty all of us working for state government face. In the days and weeks ahead, the Governor will do everything in his power to find a solution to the budget. In the meantime, MnDOT and other state agencies will move forward with contingency planning for a potential shutdown of state government. This is a complicated, challenging process, and everyone will have many questions and concerns. In a few days we will give you more information about how this contingency planning process will work. Thank you for your patience.

Budgets are about dollars and cents. The Governor has made it clear that he cannot support the all-cuts budget that has come to his desk. He believes the negative impacts are just too great with a cuts-only approach and he is prepared to meet the other side halfway. The Governor has identified a solution that combines increasing revenue and making strategic cuts.

As the Governor and the Legislature work towards a budget solution, I want you to know that I and my staff will do all we can to keep you informed. We will provide more information in a web cast on Thursday, May 26. More details on that web cast will be provided tomorrow.

I greatly appreciate your patience and your professionalism. This agency has weathered many storms because of the strength of you, its employees.

Thank you for all you do. Tom

Thomas Sorel

I’m not sure if this qualifies as a political campaign communication.  But I do know that if it were a Republican administration, it would be…

Commissioner

Minnesota Department of Transportation

(651) 366-4800

“Your Destination…Our Priority”