Caledonia Argus

Pawlenty urges local governments to live within their means

Posted: 6/10/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Governor Tim Pawlenty visited La Crescent on June 3 as part of a two-day, ten-city tour around the state to promote the achievements of the 2003 legislative session.

Pawlenty underscored how, during the battle for a budget resolution, he was able to stick to promises heíd made that there would be no tax hikes and that funding for K-12 education would not be cut.

ìWe tried our very best to keep our promises,î Pawlenty said, ì(and we) were largely successful.î

The budget was expected to grow 14.4% in the coming biennium, while revenues were anticipated to grow just 6%. To offset this imbalance, Pawlenty noted, it was decided to increase the budget about 5% rather than 14.4%.

To put Minnesota on stable financial footing, Pawlenty said, it boiled down to living within oneís means, and ìwe brought forward a budget that says we should live within those means.î

When asked how counties and cities can cope with funding shortages, Pawlenty urged local legislators to approach the matter much the same way the state government didñ by living, or governing, within the available means.

ìI trust local officials,î Pawlenty said. ìBut they canít pretend things havenít changed. City councils
(and) county boards have to tighten their belts, slow down spending. There are options, (and) we expect and hope city councils and county boards will be able to absorb a loss in their budgets.î

Though media coverage of the legislative session has focused primarily on the budget cuts, Pawlenty emphasized the many positive outcomes of the session. He described legislation requiring school kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance as ìan initiative weíre proud of,î and pointed out the many improvements made in public safety, which include the addition of 50 state troopers, and the introduction of double-bunking at certain prisons to address increasing inmate populations.

Pawlenty reproached those who will use the 2003 budget crisis as a means for political advancement, stating that now is a time to work collectively for the public weal.

ìTheir message is going to be, ëlife stinks, vote for us.í Yes, we have challenges, (but) we need to come together, we need to start building Minnesota in a positive direction.î

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