Minnesota's state government shuts down after the Governor and legislature fail to agree on a...

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Tony Petroski Comments (6373)
 
This issue hasn't been described properly and will be played out nationally. It's not about "debt" or a "5B deficit." It is about "austerity" and "kicking the can down the road." The Republicans want to spend 4% more than the prior budget and the Democrats want to spend 8% more. That 4% difference yields shutdowns and public-sector union riots.

Oh, and the Democratic Governor, Dayton, wants to raise taxes on "the upper 2%" in order to provide more money for the education of our children.

So you see, it's really about fairness and the future of our children.

So far nobody has identified enough private jets in Minnesota or we could tax those in order to close this negotiating gap.

1 Jul 2011, 08:54 AM Reply Like

Justin M. Hall Comments (753)
 
What a shame.
1 Jul 2011, 08:59 AM Reply Like

youngman442002 Comments (5033)
 
State parks are closed..and no fishing licenses sold....oh my oh my..life has ended in Minnesota...can they still sell beer...???
1 Jul 2011, 09:04 AM Reply Like

lafano Comments (221)
 
Something to look forward to...however, we shouldn't be surprised or upset because the majority voted for this mess.
Many got exactly what they wanted - "CHANGE," They voted for higher unemployment; they voted for higher gas prices; they voted for bigger government and more government programs (increasing the reliance on government); they voted for Obamacare (with over 1400 exceptions, mostly to Unions) and higher health costs and lesser Medicare coverage for seniors; they voted for no social security cost of living increases while congress voted themselves increases; they voted for higher property taxes to pay for the outrageous govenment employee salaries, pensions and social programs; and they voted to disregard many of our laws. No need to get upset.
1 Jul 2011, 09:39 AM Reply Like

Topcat Comments (305)
 
Wow, when GWB got elected and go us into this huge debt mess with two wars and huge tax cuts (mainly for the rich) you must have been REALLY upset!
1 Jul 2011, 10:15 AM Reply Like

lafano Comments (221)
 
In all due respect, is that the best you can do??? You've clearly articulated our problem today...let's continue to blame former administrations v. coming up with any meaningful solutions. If you check more closely, our current administration has spent more over the past two years than any other in history. And, we're in more conflicts and the only answer is more taxes (how shallow and boring)! Ideology is blinding...
1 Jul 2011, 10:38 AM Reply Like

Rhianni32 Comments (1824)
 
Bringing up Obama about a local state issue.
I was thinking of asking you the same thing, "is that the best you can do???"
1 Jul 2011, 12:47 PM Reply Like

lafano Comments (221)
 
A bit sensitive...you really don't see the relationship at the national level...out of control spending???
1 Jul 2011, 01:23 PM Reply Like

Duude Comments (3280)
 
States don't yet have the mentality of providing value for government services. In the private industry we have the value service providers and the Cadillac service providers, both with service prices commensurate with what they offer. Not so when dealing with a monopoly like government. Government offers Cadillac prices and cheap quality service. They do this because their constituents have no other choice. Even when government does outsource work to private industry they either fail to bargain as if it was their own money, or decision-makers gift contracts to their cronies. This goes back to the need for more transparency in EVERYTHING government does and approves.
1 Jul 2011, 09:46 AM Reply Like

Hubert Biagi Comments (620)
 
Worst part is all these contentious budget talks, whether federal, state, or local, are really about reducing the rate of increase in government spending, there are no real cuts in any of them. Obama's stimulus was just a bailout for the state and local governments, kicking the can down the road, so to speak. No real jobs were created, except in Washington, where federal employment and pay grew significantly. It's the only area where housing market is growing and prices are good. Now, two years later, the states finally have to face reality, now that the stimulus is over. The good news for states is that tax revenues are rebounding with the economy. The bad news is for local municipalities, the local property assessments have finally been reduced, after several years of homeowner complaints, that they were out of wack with the new reality, ie, housing deflation. This means property tax revenues are about to take a dump. Your are going to see a lot more whining by teachers unions, etc. Hopefully, the charter schools will come in and pick up where public education has failed, although local boards are resisting any competition.
1 Jul 2011, 10:02 AM Reply Like

Rob Viglione Comments (330)
 
This is becoming an increasingly recurring headline these days, and my guess is that it'll be much more frequent in the coming years...
1 Jul 2011, 12:32 PM Reply Like