MCTJ: Pawlenty's Amendment Threat to Universities, Business

"The constitutional amendment Governor Pawlenty proposed again today to cap spending to past revenue levels is something civic-minded Minnesotans should fear" said Wayne Cox, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice.

"This type of device was very destructive economically in states where it has been tried. A similar policy put Colorado's universities near the point of bankruptcy. Civic leaders and business leaders there subsequently fought to get rid of it.

"It was refreshing, however, to hear the governor praise the economic level of the state. Just nine months ago, he declared Minnesota an economic basketcase--hopelessly 'uncompetitive,' he said. It is not hard to figure out what changed. Minnesota 2020 estimates the federal recovery act resulted in 60,000 Minnesota jobs in the last year that wouldn't have been there otherwise."