Budget deals made this week at Minnesota’s Capitol may have ended the longest government shutdown in state history, but it did nothing to resolve the budget problems.
Instead, it only put off the need for a real fix for a couple years.
That’s how local lawmakers and officials view the deals.
And, as Rep. Tom Anzelc pointed out, the deals were made under the cover of night, behind closed doors without public access and a view of how these bills will impact Minnesotans across the state. And, the deals were considered in a rushed manner.
Disappointed is a weak definition of how many Minnesotans feel about the fact that our government made national news by shutting down its operations because our elected officials couldn’t reach compromises in a timely manner.
This isn’t the way government is supposed to operate. In the end, there was compromise, but only to allow the state to resume serving its residents.
Many wonder whether voters will reflect their feelings in the voting booths in 2012. Will we oust a majority in the Legislature or kick out the DFL governor? Only time will tell.
But one thing is for sure, the problems that brought us to this crisis have not been resolved with the signing of 12 budget bills Wednesday.
Instead, we will be faced with paying back money that is owed to schools and a tobacco settlement fund.
In addition, nursing homes and many other service providers will be left with less money and wondering how they will continue to provide services to a growing population.
For many, including Koochiching County officials, the real impacts of the nighttime deals won’t be known until financial managers are able to review and consider the implications.
Everyone expected cuts to funding this year, but these bills may have tipped a balance that we may never be able to regain.
