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A S I S' E E I T Thoughts About the Budget Debate By Jim Miller e are now heavily into what favor a tax increase of X percent to importance of yours. In the budget promises to be a long and keep state parks open on Sundays?" debate, this translates to "cut her undoubtedly contentious debate you might very well expect at least a program, but not mine." The notion over how to resolve the state's more mixed response. Unless increasing of the common good is quickly lost. monumental budget deficit. or decreasing taxes is placed in the i We are seeing this sentiment The only certainty is that it context of the consequence for service, expressed to some extent in the current I ultimately will be resolved. the question might just as well not be debate about Local Government Aid A How precisely the deficit is asked. Budgets are about both revenues (LGA). Some legislators and others have eliminated will bear heavily on the (taxes) and expenditures (services). And characterized the program as unfair quality of life Minnesota residents enjoy without simultaneously considering simply because of the wide diversity in for years to conic. And, as is so often the both, intelligent and responsible reliance on the program. This leads to case in life, the devil is in the details. decisions cannot be made. calls for creating a "fairer" system As I watch and participate in the Somewhat related to the above point involving fewer dollars going to fewer debate to balance the budget, I am struck j is the "zero-sum" mentality. "It's OK— cities. While the program may seem by two undercurrents heavily influencing in fact, appropriate—to cut money for unbalanced when examined only in the debate that will undoubtedly affect some programs,just not the ones that terms of how the money is distributed, its ultimate resolution. They are more ! I use or support," seems to be the a different picture emerges when than "details," yet neither has received j philosophy. An essential service to one underlying differences in need and nn'-'- public attention for the significant person might be seen as superfluous to ability to generate local tax dollars are r. cy play. another and, therefore, a prime candi- considered. ■ ae concems the disconnect between date for a funding cut. But, as we saw Citizens and legislators from the taxes and services. For good reason, when elimination of the Highway metro area indeed have a stake in budget debates at every level of govern- Helper program was suggested (an idea what happens to the amount of LGA ment center on how much taxes will that many thought would receive received by far away communities like be raised, or, most recently, reduced. '� widespread support), proponents of Hallock. The common good or the While the impact taxing decisions have seemingly low-priority programs can quality of life for all Minnesotans is on expenditures (and by extension, quickly emerge. maintained when Hallock and ocher 1 services) is perhaps recognized, that Not so very long ago, Minnesotans similar communities across the state are usually comes after general consensus felt connected to each other regardless able to provide basic, essential services has been reached on tax changes. As a of where they lived in the state. Many to residents at least somewhat compara- result, the cogent question of what we in the metro area had come from bly to those enjoyed by other state want and are willing to pay for in greater Minnesota and still had families residents. Less altruistically, if these governmental services is answered by and other ties in that area of the state. communities can no longer meet their default and not addressed at the outset Even when we were not related, we i residents' expectations and needs, as it should be. likely shared the same Scandinavian, migration to the metro area—with all We see this approach prominently German or other Northern European of its consequences, such as increasingly displayed in the current state budget heritage. For the most part, we looked clogged freeways—will accelerate. debate. Some point to the public's alike, believed alike, and shared essentially The current budget deficit will be apparent preference that the deficit be the same values. fixed. The quality and fairness of that solved without new taxes. They cite as The 2000 Census graphically demon- solution can indeed be enhanced if evidence a Minnesota Poll taken earlier I strated just how much the state has decisionmakers acknowledge these this year that found most respondents changed. We are increasingly a mix of considerations as part of the solution. ir oppose tax increases to solve the deficit different races, religions, and cultures, This finding may prove Minnesota and that trend will continue. While residents are sane, but little else. When diversity brings opportunity, it also I framed in the abstract, who would be means it is much easier to play the "zero- ! ex. -'d to want more taxes? sum" game. As your interests and needs ' Jim hiller is executive director of the vever, when the question is become more unlike mine, it becomes League of Minnesota Cities. Phone: (651) recast to something like, "Would you j much easier for me to undervalue the 381-1205. E-mail:jtniller @lninc.org. 'EaItUA ,ty 2003 MIyNEs , rj Caries 3