From a policy perspective, the legislature's budget compromise wasn't too bad. In the end, the Central Corridor got its funding, education was given a boost, and healthcare reform (or at least a version of it) was passed. The Governor got his way on a property-tax cap that will move him closer to his apparent goal of crippling our cities, but the DFL linked the caps to increases in LGA that should help soften the blow and make it more like real property-tax relief.
In a lot of ways, this is a welcome relief from the partisan logjam of the past few years. Each side got some of the things they wanted, the budget was balanced (at least for now), and the legislature adjourned on time without the need for a special session.
On the other hand, some got their way more than others...
Once again, the governor got pretty much everything he wanted and gave up nothing. MinnPost quotes Dave Senjem, minority leader: "I'm trying to think of a thing the governor lost, and I can't think of anything." Like I wrote a few days ago, Pawlenty has refused to compromise during his tenure as governor.
So if Pawlenty won't compromise, how was the impasse resolved? Thank DFL legislators for refusing to play games with the state budget. It reminds me of the Old Testament story where Solomon suggests that two mothers cut a baby in half, to solve a feud over whom the child belongs to. The DFL, by refusing to sacrifice the well-being of the state, showed that it's the party that truly cares about our state. Pawlenty is happy to tear it apart, so long as he gets to be the winner.
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