Do we really need a Governor?

A coalition of conservative groups today called on the state to just cut important government services that many Minnesotans depend on:

·         Eliminate certain assistance programs and have the state address that need by encouraging people to donate more to charities that provide those services.

·         Cut mental health screen programs

·         Cut $1.16 billion in k-12 Education

·         Cut early childhood development programs and teacher training programs

·         Close higher education campuses

·         Cut local government aid even more

These cuts are not reforms, but an attempt to cut the ground out from beneath families struggling in this economy.  The groups failed to talk about how he Governor’s budget plan would cost the state $1.6 billion in future revenue to the state from the tobacco settlement.  We need real budget solutions that look at a balanced approach.

Best of all, the groups have decided to go back to their old tricks and bring back the legislator pledge.  This is just another gimmick.