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Nov 6, 2009 5:52 pm US/Central
Reality Check: Pawlenty's Proposed Spending Cap
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
Governor Tim Pawlenty is proposing tough new budget standards. However,
they are standards he has failed to meet himself since taking office in
2004. He has proposed budgets that far exceed the amount of money the state
had to pay for it.
"We just can't continue on the path that we have been on," said Pawlenty. "It is not a matter of political philosophy, although it reflects my political philosophy. It's simply a matter of math."
IN FACT, the governor himself has proposed budgets that cost a total of $7.3 billion more than the state took in the previous two years. In 2004, he proposed $2.9 billion more. In 2006, he proposed $1 billion more. In 2008, he proposed $2.2 billion. Lastly, in 2010, he proposed $1.2 billion more.
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
Minnesota's budget is growing faster than the rate of inflation but slower than personal income. The budget in 1989 was $11.5 billion, and per capita income $18,675. In 2009, the budget swelled to $33.9 billion and per capita income $41,034.
Here's what you NEED TO KNOW.
Just this week, voters in Maine and Washington defeated similar spending limit formulas. Also, voters in Colorado suspended a similar law in 2005 after a series of debilitating budget cuts.
That's Reality Check.
To check the resources for this Reality Check, click on the links below:
Minnesota Budget Report
Minnesota Per Capita Personal Income: 1989
Minnesota Per Capita Personal Income: 2009
Historical Inflation Rates: 1914-2009
Maine Votes Down Spending Limits
Washington Votes Down Spending Limits
Colorado Votes Suspend Similar Law In 2005
Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights
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