Gov. Tim Pawlenty chops $2.7 billion from Minnesota budget ... and spares few

Pioneer dePress ^ | 6-16-09 | Bill Salisbury

[WOBBLY BOB]

Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced plans Tuesday to whack $2.7 billion out of the budgets of nearly every governmental agency, program or subdivision that gets money from the state, including schools, health and social services, cities and counties, colleges and universities and state agencies.

[WOBBLY BOB]

and today's paper is rife with libtard tales of woe and doom from the metrocrats.

here's some reality:

Remember way back when, in 2007, when the state had a $2.2 billion budget surplus? That money was spent growing government, including per diem pay raises for legislators as well as paying for year-round housing despite the fact that the legislature meets for only part of each Remember way back when, in 2007, when the state had a whopping $2.2 billion budget surplus? That money was spent growing government, including per diem pay raises for legislators as well as paying for year-round housing despite the fact that the legislature meets for only part of each year

And you can bet that the deniers will talk about the "cuts" of 2003 and further claim that Minnesota's quality of life isn't what it used to be because the state doesn't spend enough money. Check the facts. Over the past five budget cycles, state spending has grown by the following amounts: 2000-2001: 13% 2002-2003: 15.4% 2004-2005: 7.3% 2006-2007: 8.4% 2008-2009: 13.6%

Where are those "cuts" again? With Governor Pawlenty's veto of LGA funds, line item vetos of local pork projects and looming unallotment, local government officials have gone to the media to cry poverty. The Brooklyn Center Police Department no longer staffs it's lobby outside of business hours the Tribune tells us. Some local government officials have made ominous predictions of higher property taxes to close the gap.

This week we learned that local units of government (Cities and Counties, school districts and other public entities) spent $8.5 Million on lobbying at the State capitol in 2008. That's an increase of nearly 10% when compared to the previous year. Local government associations spent another $4.6 million on lobbying. That lobbying is paid for with dues that cities and towns pay from their revenues.

Businesses, families and individuals throughout Minnesota are cutting their expenses and trying to save money. We are in a recession. Growth is negative and unemployment is up.***But not for the business of government ***

. No, in these challenging times, it's more important than ever for them to argue for higher taxes to preserve and grow their budgets. And while the threat of higher property taxes is not an empty one, it's important to note that money that comes from the state taxpayer to the local government is money with less accountability. The local taxpayer can see how the money is spent and is better able to voice a complaint or even vote local politicians out of office if they disagree with them.

Government lobbying government can only end up one way, with bigger and bigger government and higher and higher taxes to pay for it all.

[tatsinfla]

now, if 49 other gov’s and 1 president obozo would have the balls to do the same we might get somewhere....

[NormsRevenge]

Chop Chop Chop !!! (/aRnie)

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Your links to the full article don’t work for me, FYI.

[GeronL]

Good for them. I can’t hardly believe that this particular state would do it right.

[bandleader]

I didn’t fully appreciate this man for The CONSERVATIVE he TRULY IS!!!!!

[WOBBLY BOB]

try these:

http://www.twincities.com/ci_12604440?nclick_check=1

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12604656?source=rss

[N3WBI3]

He has one or two odd positions (gorebal warming and carbon credits) but on the whole he is a solid right leaning Governer..

[WOBBLY BOB]

don’t get too excited...he was , after all, the state chair for Juan McLame’s campaign in MN and drinks deeply from the Gorebull Warming Kooaid community juicebox.

But on this budget matter, he’s on the right course.

[Frantzie]

Deport all the Somalis in MN.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Arnie Carlson is probably going to be on Channel 4 TV tonight crying in his motheaten U of M sweater about the “meanspirited cuts”.

[Costumed Vigilante]

Yeah yeah, time to fire up the emergency siren and announce massive cuts to police, fire departments, and food for orphans, all the while ensuring inflation-adjusted raises for all government bureaucrats and union goons.

Somehow, the $250,000/year Director of the Department of Diversity always has budget priority over the $40,000/year beat cop.

[AndyJackson]

Imagine that. When you have less money to spend you spend less money. What an idea! I am sure that California is immune to these kinds of delusional ravings.

[GreaterSwiss]

Keep on cutting!!!

[Fireone]

No matter, in Minneapolis, Mayor Ryetoast will compensate by
raising taxes and fees by double the amount of the cuts.
I’ll be leaving soon.