State Rep. Tim Miller joined Alpha News for a wide-ranging interview Wednesday on the state’s COVID-19 response, the legislative process, and more.
Miller, a four-term Republican from Prinsburg, began the interview by discussing the dysfunctional nature of the legislative process in St. Paul, where key decisions are made by a small handful of politicians in backroom meetings.
For example, the terms of a possible special session in Minnesota are currently being negotiated by Gov. Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman. This process disenfranchises individual legislators, who are forced to abide by the conditions of these negotiations or face election challenges.
And it’s nothing new, according to Miller.
“Government at the state and federal level, if people listening are worried about the transparency of government now, you don’t have half the story. It’s bad,” he said.
“I think that’s why the public doesn’t trust government. I think it’s valid that they don’t trust the government,” he added.
This lack of trust has been on full display in American politics over the last two years. Just look at the George Floyd riots or the events of January 6 — or go to a local school board meeting.
But rather than reflecting on their mistakes, elected leaders react defensively and blame the public.
“If our government, elected officials, are feeling threatened by the public, I think it’s our responsibility to say, ‘what are we doing? What are we doing wrong? What can we do better?’”
Miller said one of the silver linings of America’s present turmoil is that citizens are “becoming reengaged with their government.”
That’s especially true when it comes to the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The state has largely lied to people. It’s twisted the truth, it has manipulated things,” Miller said.
This is consistent with the observations of Kevin Roche, a health care veteran who told Alpha News that the state thinks “about the message they want first” and then publishes data “in a way designed to support that message.”
“I think the people of Minnesota agree,” said Miller. “There are things that just don’t add up.”
Miller also discussed his passion for the pro-life cause, his work in fighting sex trafficking, and the end goal of the New House Republican Caucus.
LISTEN:
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
