Tuesday Talk: Snow and the State Budget
December 8th, 2009 at 7:03 am By Chris ShieldsWhen the first major snow storm of the winter is about to hit, we Minnesotans expectedly make a big deal out of it. Why wouldn’t we? We love snow. However, we also like our streets to be plowed in short order. That may not be the case this year. In the last 12 months, the Governor has slashed revenue to communities by $416 million, with more expected this week. To keep property taxes at a somewhat reasonable level, cities are reducing services, including snow removal.
Have Governor Pawlenty’s cuts been too hard on Minnesota communities?
LikeTags: LGA, property taxes, Snow, Tuesday Talk, Unallotment
The “No-New-Taxes” paen is such a con. We are paying more in taxes, but in city taxes rather than state taxes. My property tax has more than doubled in the last 8 years. And the idea of not having my street ploughed is appalling – I work out of my home and my clients drive to me for treatment. I absolutely NEED a clear street in order to do business.
I’ve had plenty of Pawlenty and I am looking forward to seeing him bomb on the presidential trail.
Pawlenty is a complete idiot when it has anything to do with economics. Slash Minnesota’s snow plowing budget? Yeah, that’s a great idea. Eliminate GMAC and slash the budget for MinnesotaCare? Sure, why not? Pawlenty’s main concern is the tired, old chant of the neo-con: get the government off the backs of the people. Well, he’s managed to do that with the health coverage for about 70,000 Minnesotans and now we won’t have to worry about those government snowplows knocking over our mailboxes any more. Thanks Tim, you’re doing a terrific job! But for whom?
If he knew something about economics beyond his no new taxes theology he would understand that his actions have not only made things worse, but guaranteed worsening conditions down the road.
Pawlenty should listen to Stinson if he doesn’t get it himself. Or read some economics texts.
I may have suggested these constitutional amendments before, but if not:
(1) Make it easier to impeach a sitting governor. At present, he “may be impeached for corrupt conduct in office or for crimes and misdemeanors (Article VIII)”, even though such acts may do far less damage and cause far less suffering and hardship that Pawlenty’s adherence to the anti-tax/anti-government Taxpayer Protection Pledge instead of to the well-being of our state and its people.
(2) Let the legislature call special sessions when the governor will not.
Good idea, Bernice Vetsch. I’m not sure his actions are constitutional.