Legislative Issues: Real Or Wedge?

Listen in as we play "Real or Wedge" with special guest Jim Carlson
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The beginning of the legislative session is a time to bring forth ideas to solve the pressing problems of our state. Unfortunately, a lot of legislative time each year gets spent on bills that don't really solve problems or are trying to solve problems that don't exist. The main purpose of these bills is to divide people politically. Hence the name "wedge issues".

Listen as DFL State Senate Candidate Jim Carlson plays the "real or wedge" game with host Wendy Wilde. Can you guess which of the following issues qualify as "real" and which qualify as "wedge"?

• Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal to mandate that 70% of education money be spent "in the classroom"
• State Rep. Bud Heidgerken's proposal requiring all teachers use "clear English pronunciation" before being allowed to teach undergraduate students.
• State Rep. Tom Emmer's proposal requiring photo ID of all voters.
• State Rep Tim Wilkin's "Terri Schiavo" bill.

Play along. If you win, ultimately we all win and the legislature will work on issues that unite us instead of inventing ones that divide us.

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