Posted 1/31/01 Gov. Ventura needs to post some tax reforms Governor Jesse Venturaís future as a reformer will depend heavily on how much of his legislative program gets enacted this year. Ventura enjoys incredible popularity, despite the latest XFL controversy. The majority who voted for him apparently intend to judge him by other standards. The electorate appears satisfied from last yearís results with getting a tax rebate, a reduction in license fee tabs and an income tax reduction. Moreover, overall the state appears to be governed well. There are no scandals and everyone close to the political scene agrees the governor has a good hard-working and knowledgeable staff. He is a popular national figure and even his detractors agree he has made the state more visible especially for tourism and world trade. Even though he spars constantly with the local media, he has used his disagreements to bolster his image among Minnesotans. Granted governing during a time of surplus is easier , and during the last legislative session, the legislators were willing to give the governor his space, given his popularity in the state. Out of that climate came the tri-partisan agreement which ended the session ñ an agreement where every party received something. This session, however, will be a different story. Mindful of his campaign promises of reform, Ventura has come up with a sweeping tax reform package hitting the big three taxes: income, sales and property, which he says are all interrelated. In addition, he wants reform of the telecommunications laws, the teacher licensing and certification system and the teacher pay system. Last session he campaigned hard for a unicameral legislature, but the legislature, sensing no public outcry for one, denied it. This session, however, Ventura has hit on tax reform, something the public understands, and if convinced changing the funding for basic K-12 education and broadening the sales tax will save them money, legislators will be harder pressed to deny a part if not all of the governorís reform package. Some legislators, however, are reluctant to give the governor any of his reforms, fearing he will get the credit and bring more prominence to the Independence party. They also are feeling, stronger, considering most of the incumbents were returned to office and no Independence Party member was elected. Ventura needs to post some tax reforms on his scorecard, but heíll have to reform his own approach to the Legislature to get them. Without some reforms, particularly on taxation, the public may come to believe Ventura is more a performer than a reformer. ñ Don Heinzman Former editor of Elk River Star News ©Post Review