Posted on 02/16/2007 6:48:53 AM PST by Rakkasan1
Economists call it "rent-seeking," the value of lobbying governments in order to maximize profits. In Minnesota, the special interests have perfected the art to such a degree that right now, in the face of a $2.2 billion state budget surplus, tax relief has been put on the back burner.
Indeed, even Gov. Tim Pawlenty's spendthrift proposal — a whopping $34.4 billion for 2008-09 — is merely a starting point for big-spending Democrats who have divorced themselves from any fiscal reality.
Of course, these "progressives" disguise this government greed with some bemusing tactics, such as the claim that, adjusted for inflation, Minnesota's general fund isn't quite large enough at its current level of nearly $32 billion per biennium.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
The greatest scandal in Minnesota is runaway state spending. After growing double digits throughout the 1990s, Minnesota's general fund is set to bleed taxpayers for another $10 billion this decade if just the governor's proposal is adopted. That's 42 percent and rising over the past four budget cycles.
you get what u vote for. Outside TAXachusetts minn-ee-so-ta is about the biggest waste of political space on the planet. Oh and no doubt these nitwits will vote in al franken.
You're right. Gov Pawlenty's budget is not a good one - especially for someone who has higher ambitions.
OTOH, have you read the StarTribune in the last few weeks? They put a story in their paper saying that Minnesota needs to raise taxes immediately and unless we do, the state will sink into a morass of mediocrity.
Minnesotas Mr. Right bump.
raise the taxes on newpapers 1st.
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