Emo Senator: in a shocking development, Senator Parry talks sense on Owatonna levy

When we last left Emo Senator, southern Minnesota's most popular blog telenovela, Mike Parry had abruptly ended a press conference when asked if he planned to run for congress against three-term Representative Tim Walz.

In today's episode, Parry sets himself apart from rival non-candidate candidate Steve Drazkowski by supporting the ability of local school districts to go to voters for higher levies.

The Owatonna People's Press reports in Bucking GOP, Parry supports local levy:

At at time when Republican legislators across the state have voiced opposition to school levy tax increases, Sen. Mike Parry (R-Waseca) stands in contrast to other party members by offering his support to the school district’s ballot initiative.

While Owatonna’s school district appears to have support from both parties, several Minnesota school districts seeking voter-approved tax increases this fall will face something they’ve never faced before: open opposition from some Republican legislators.

Parry interpreted the GOP stance, saying that his party colleagues are simply saying they don’t want local school district officials passing the buck on to the state legislature, or claiming the local budget problems were created in St. Paul.

“In fact, the (budget) bill was passed that added $50 per student,” Parry said. “I guess I’ve always been the guy that wants local control and I still believe our school boards are closer to the citizens than the legislators in St. Paul. They’re there with them on a daily basis, so I truly believe they’ve got the pulse of what the local community will accept as far as any kind of levy. It’s truly up to them to decide how that money is going to be used. . . .

If Parry and Drazkowski emerge as rivals for the GOP endorsement for MN-01, this position will differentiate The Emo Senator from the Draz. The OPP outlines Draz's thinking:

State Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, recently sent a newsletter to constituents asking them to contact school officials about proposed levy referendums and “urge them to drop their request.”

“What I urged them to do,” Drazkowski said, was to contact [school leaders] and say, ‘Do you really need to go to the voters again when this additional money came forward, money that you weren’t expecting when you made the decision about your budget months ago?’ ”

The Emo Senator's nemesis, local representative Kory Kath, also supports the Owatonna levy. Where will this new plot twist take our hero? Tune in to the next episode of Emo Senator and find out.

Photo: The Emo Senator

Earlier episodes of The Emo Senator are found below the fold.

Emo Senator: paper reports opinions on Parry run gamut--even his own opinions on himself

Suddenly stoic Emo Senator deplores giving "money away to make someone feel good"

Emo Senator: Parry to city council, "Don't blame me & Dayton for shutdown, just blame Dayton"

The Emo Senator: Cleveland MN resident points out how much Parry cares for state workers

Emo Senator: Do Parry's reforms include ending pay equity?; took over Carlson's bill in May

Was Senator Parry's single term on Waseca City Council predictive of today's budget flouncing?

Emo Senator flounces out of budget meeting; will Parry's mood swings derail special session?

When a newspaper loves a Republican, he can do no wrong (and the FDN can't factcheck Parry)

Emo senator Mike Parry pats self on back for compassion, reveals another income source

MNGOP's class warfare for dummies: Waseca voter tells Mike Parry he's wrong about Dayton