- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 5,144
- Reaction score
- 1,243
I thought all might like some news about MN Gov as lead by Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty. Here is the Star Tribune Article.
Here's a run down of events. Minnesota's law has a fairly new (not sure about a decade perhaps) law that the Governor can cut programs if the budget is not balanced. There's also a law that the state cannot go into deficit spending. The Democratic run legislature presented a balanced budget to the Pawlenty. Pawlenty signed all the increases in spending. Pawlenty vetoed all the increases in taxes. These increases paid for the spending increases. Pawlenty claimed hey the budget is unbalanced so he has not only the right but the duty to cut anywhere he likes.
Needless to say this went to the MN Supreme Court. They ruled the Governor's power to cut the budget only comes after a Balanced Budget is signed into law. It's an Emergency Power only. If something bad happends to the economy that throws a balanced budget out of alignment then the Gov. may cut to rebalance the budget.
IMO this ruling was correct. Our founding fathers made 3 branches to ensure a balance of power. If the Gov. could veto everything and do it himself it gives far too much power to the Gov. If this law was in place there would be no need for a legislative branch. The two should, nay must, work together to create the budget.
Why is this important? Pawlenty has been making the rounds supporting Republicans around the USA. Why? He wants to run for President. He's already announced he will not be running for Govenor again.
I s
Here's a run down of events. Minnesota's law has a fairly new (not sure about a decade perhaps) law that the Governor can cut programs if the budget is not balanced. There's also a law that the state cannot go into deficit spending. The Democratic run legislature presented a balanced budget to the Pawlenty. Pawlenty signed all the increases in spending. Pawlenty vetoed all the increases in taxes. These increases paid for the spending increases. Pawlenty claimed hey the budget is unbalanced so he has not only the right but the duty to cut anywhere he likes.
Needless to say this went to the MN Supreme Court. They ruled the Governor's power to cut the budget only comes after a Balanced Budget is signed into law. It's an Emergency Power only. If something bad happends to the economy that throws a balanced budget out of alignment then the Gov. may cut to rebalance the budget.
IMO this ruling was correct. Our founding fathers made 3 branches to ensure a balance of power. If the Gov. could veto everything and do it himself it gives far too much power to the Gov. If this law was in place there would be no need for a legislative branch. The two should, nay must, work together to create the budget.
Why is this important? Pawlenty has been making the rounds supporting Republicans around the USA. Why? He wants to run for President. He's already announced he will not be running for Govenor again.
I s
