Posted: 03/21/08 06:10
by Dave Mindeman
What's happened to Minnesota? The economic numbers for this state always portrayed a rosier picture than for the country as a whole. Now, as the nation spirals into a downturn, Minnesota is spiraling downward faster.
Granted, Governor Pawlenty certainly can't be blamed for a tanking housing market, sub-prime mortgage greed, or a steeper than expected inflation effect. But, policies from this administration have made things worse.
Unlike the federal government which can promote economic stimulus by writing checks based on deficit spending, the state has to actually have a budget balancing reason to kick start an economy. But, Pawlenty either refused to propose or outright vetoed the main method of state stimulus -- public works. At a time when the need for state infrastructure was self-evident, the current administration refused to invest state resources. The warning signs were everywhere. The construction industry showed us the dismal numbers... cities and counties reacted with their own emergency measures...and then, as a direct or indirect exclamation point to the deepening problem, a bridge fell down. And yet, the vetoes continued.
Another area that could have helped the economy but received little administration support, was higher education. One of the main selling points this state has been able to offer business, centers around our well educated work force. Yet, tuition costs have soared as our state universities have adjusted to funding cuts. More and more of our young people have either given up on that college education or have assumed nearly unmanageable debt burdens. In addition, it is hard to quantify how much research and development has suffered also. Normally, innovation in Minnesota is a source of strength and new jobs -- and a lot of it begins in our world class higher education programs.
Over the past 6 years, Governor Pawlenty has held the line on taxes. He kept his promise of "no new taxes" -- at least in the technical sense. But the Governor refused to invest in our future. Each budget was encapsulated into its own little fiscal world. Money shifts, deeper cuts, and budgetary tricks ruled the day. But the administration would never look to the future. They were always depending on the Minnesota economic engine to pull the state out of each budget crisis. But, in the end, it was that same engine that his policies were slowly strangling.
So, here we are...watching the bad economic numbers continue to pile up. Instead of the "Minnesota Miracle", we are looking at the Minnesota Debacle. And through it all, Governor Pawlenty still maintains a high approval rating. It has been a mystery for some time.
But one answer lies in the fact that Governor Pawlenty has never been honest with the people of this state. He has told us that we can have everything and not have to pay for it. We can have better roads and transportation, but not fix them. We can have the promise of a modern transit system, but never build it. We can keep our high quality education reputation, but not invest in it. And he can keep our taxes low, but blame local governments for having to pay for it.
We may still get lucky. The transportation bill that recently passed will bring back Minnesota's construction industry. The legislature has taken up some very forward looking education and health care initiatives.... they are at least thinking about the future.
It would be nice if the Governor would look in that same direction. We need a state leader who is more involved with looking out for Minnesota's future and a little less about his personal political one.
2. The LGA cuts from a few years ago forced cities into budget cuts they could never win on; they ended up passing the taxes on to local property owners. Anybody who thinks there is some vast pool of money out there that is being wasted is delusional. I realize you would like to dump the poor out into the street or cut more people off health care, but most rational Minnesotans don't consider that an option.