Talks over help for Mille Lacs sputter

Elsewhere on this page, state Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, gives constituents an update on various issues that have popped up over the summer.
One of those issues is a proposal by Gov. Mark Dayton to provide up to $20 million in aid to Mille Lacs businesses that are struggling because of a premature end to the walleye season on Lake Mille Lacs.
Whether the halt to the fishing was caused by the lake being fished by Native Americans, exercising treaty rights, or just a generally depleted fish population from years of fishing on the lake, is an issue that needs to be decided elsewhere.
What is of concern to us is the proposal to use taxpayer money to bail out a certain industry, in this instance, the tourism industry.
As Newman so thoughtfully points out, holding a special session to address the financial hardship of a certain segment of the economy will lead to a slippery slope in which any industry that faces a downturn for any reason other than a natural disaster will feel it is entitled to a government bail-out.
Where was the government to bail out Realtors, construction workers and homeowners when the housing market crashed in 2007?
Where was the government during the winters of virtually no snow and Minnesota’s snowmobile industry suffered dramatically?
We could go on and on with examples of segments of the economy which have faced financial hardships.
The reality is, every industry is going to have its ups and downs. They adjust or they go out of business. As harsh as that sounds, it’s the nature of our economy.
Providing financial help to Mille Lacs now will not solve its long-term problem of negotiating fishing agreements with Native Americans and better management of the fish population.
As of Aug. 15, it looks as if a special session will not happen. Once again, Dayton and legislative leaders are butting heads over one of his proposals. But take note: this issue is a bit different. Dayton’s proposal to assist Mille Lacs businesses is meeting resistance with both Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature.
We hope that Mille Lacs will rebound from its current woes. That lake area has, indeed, been a vital segment of Minnesota’s economy.
But let’s hope that rebound does not come off the assistance of Minnesota taxpayers.