Our battered state budget: What's the cure? - Star Tribune

Marcia Avner, Mark Haveman, Jim Miller, Phil Krinkie, Nan Madden, and William Blazar, Star Tribune, December 6, 2009

Should the state raise taxes? Cut spending? Throw out all budget notions and start over? Six experts offer ideas on fixing the budget once and for all: Marcia Avner, Mark Haveman, Jim Miller, Phil Krinkie, Nan Madden, William Blazar.

MARCIA AVNER, public policy director, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

For a decade of budget debates, we Minnesotans have been caught in the trap of false choices. What do we cut? Health care or job training? Whom do we blame? Who takes the heat in the next election?

Maybe last week's news about the deficit will jolt us out of our acceptance of polarized politics, foolish choices and gridlock.

Here's the reality: The state isn't falling into neglect and disrepair because of forces beyond our control. Minnesota has made the clear and continuing political choice to cut taxes, creating ongoing deficits, which result in reduced services -- which result in a poorer economy.

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