The DECC is the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. Two years ago Duluth asked Governor Pawlenty to support it with state funding which we would match with local sales taxes on food and lodging. I wrote a column about it that the Chamber of Commerce (back when they had some common sense) used to campaign for the referendum.
Pawlenty came swaggering to Duluth and insisted that Duluth have a referendum to approve the $33.5 million in local taxes. He preached about how important is was that this tax increase be done with local approval of the people being taxed by referendum.
Now the Governor says Duluth voters have no right to vote on the single biggest school building plan in state history. Its thirteen times more tax money than the DECC sales tax.
