The state government shut down for 20 days. Who came out of that fiasco better off?

The governor signed a budget that allows the government to spend more than $35 billion over the next biennium. That’s more than the state is expected to collect, so the additional cost will be covered through borrowing.

Is that really the best idea legislators could come up with?

Legislators write budgets based on predictions about the economic future.

What happens if the economy gets even worse, and the state collects even less money than is currently projected?

They’ll have to write new legislation. The governor will likely insist on tax increases. Will he also insist on spending even more money as some kind of Keynesian economic stimulus?

Will the Republicans continue to oppose tax increases? Will they propose cuts in services, reform to the system, shift away more money from school districts? Borrow more money from tobacco bonds?

 Is it the height of craziness for the government to collect and redistribute more money from the private sector during an economic downturn? Are infrastructure projects the best way to put people back to work?

Maybe the state government isn’t near shutting down, but legislators are in the mood to redefine government in the 21st century. What does that mean?
“Better, faster, cheaper,” according to some.
A writer for the House Information Service explores change proposals at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=87&issueid_=72&storyid=2302&year_=2011.

Could Minnesota become the next Wisconsin, full of angry public sector employees chanting against the governor? It’s not likely. http://www.twincities.com/newsletter-morning/ci_17456893?_requestid=25473217

The Washington Post has a story about it at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2011/02/what_might_a_government_shutdo_1.html?hpid=topnews

Belgium doesn’t have a government and seems pretty happy. http://www.startribune.com/world/116398129.html