Governor Pawlenty Accelerates Race to the Bottom
- Higher education, public safety, community services, public education—all of these critical programs are on the chopping block.
- Statements on the governor's overall service cuts, education cuts, and LGA cuts from John Van Hecke, John Fitzgerald, and Jeff Van Wychen
Nora Ferrell, Minnesota 2020
“Governor Pawlenty’s service cuts and budget shifts announced this afternoon (June 16) will hurt Minnesotans for years to come. Higher education, public safety, community services, public education—all of these critical programs are on the chopping block. At a time of rising unemployment and increased demand in state services, families need the state’s help more than ever. These cuts take our state in the wrong direction. The governor says he wants to make Minnesota more competitive, but by underfunding our cities, towns and schools, we decrease Minnesota’s ability to produce smart, skilled workers and to compete for viable employers and good jobs down the road. ”
“Shifting state aid to public education from one year to the next is a devastating blow to Minnesota’s schools. Because of Gov. Pawlenty’s decision, those school districts that have a balanced budget will now have to borrow money to pay their bills and then have the additional burden of paying interest on that loan. Those school districts lucky enough to have a budget surplus will spend it on the governor’s budget adjustment and not put it in the classroom where it belongs.
Cuts of $100 million in the state higher education system will lead to higher tuition, which is exactly the opposite direction we need to head to make Minnesota a better state.”
“Contrary to the governor’s assertions, local governments have cut more than state government in recent years. Governor Pawlenty’s $300 million cut to Local Government Aid (LGA) will hurt Minnesota communities. Citizens across Minnesota can count on increases in property taxes while seeing cuts to local services, like police, fire, and public parks. In short, Minnesotans will be paying more and getting less. Today’s unallotments are just more of the same. Despite what the governor says, these cuts will make Minnesota communities less safe and less competitive when it comes to attracting quality business and jobs.”
Related:
Mike Opat: The state's Democrats must stand up, Mike Opat, StarTribune | MN
And they must stand tall, leveling with Minnesotans about priorities.
DFLers call Pawlenty 'stubborn' on his cuts, Star Tribune | MN
Senate Finance Chairman Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, said that, “While Pawlenty has proven to be a stubborn and wily adversary, we (DFL) allowed this to happen."
