Chatfield brass band lending library

Out of literally hundreds of projects, a proposal to build a brass band music lending library has suddenly taken on symbolic status in the debate between Gov. Tim Palwney and DFL-led Legislature over the state's spending priorities. Pawlenty used his line-item veto to eliminate the $400,000 project in the $925 million bonding bill, one of 52 projects that the governor axed from the bill. Pawlenty said DFL legislative leaders' decision to fund the sheet music library while refusing to fund a veterans home in Minneapolis reflected their "misplaced priorities."

Today Rep. Ken Tschumper, a Democrat from La Crescent, sent out a press statement deploring the govenor's decision as "shortsighted. Here's portion of the statement.

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY USES CHATFIELD BRASS AS POLITICAL PINCUSHION
Sound the trumpets and bring in the brass band - the Governor's at it again

"For unexplainable reasons, this governor used his line-item veto power to cancel support for an internationally renowned treasure."

"The Republican governor added insult to injury when he referred to the Legislature's funding of the project as 'inconceivable,' and discounted the project's legitimacy. To me, what is inconceivable is that Governor Pawlenty could be so shortsighted. This relatively small investment would have been extremely beneficial to the Chatfield area. Instead, the governor decided to play politics with the interests of Chatfield."