BY CARL F. BERWALD
Interesting is the best word to describe the statewide outcome of the recent midterm election. Currently (provided the gubernatorial recount doesn't change the outcome), Minnesota will be run with a divided government. This makes it more difficult to get things done, unless the two parties work together, which would be great, but is highly unrealistic.
Currently, Mark Dayton (DFL) is only slightly ahead of Tom Emmer (R) in the race for governor. Provided that the mandatory recount does not change the outcome of this election, Minnesota will be working with a split government, meaning the governor and constitutional officers (Rebecca Otto, Mark Ritchie and Lori Swanson) are of the opposite party of either or both the state house and senate (both of which have switched to Republican control).
This can go one of two ways. First, party affiliation will get in the way and absolutely nothing will happen because it will be a war of bills and vetoes (like we have seen for the last eight years in Minnesota). Alternatively, both parties could work together and compromise, much like the federal government did in the mid 1990s, a time where all was well and we had a budget surplus (what a concept!).
Unfortunately, national trends indicate that the first scenario will take place, with the Republican Party attempting to undo everything that has changed under Democratic control. This not only will move our state in a reverse direction, but it will also not do anything to solve our problems including our huge budget deficit. The legislature needs to focus on solving problems and making Minnesota a better state, not on petty party games and blatantly disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing.
If, on the other hand , Tom Emmer wins after the recount, we will have a repeat of the last eight years of Pawlenty-like policy. Minnesota will not see many (if any improvements) and will probably work backwards to undo any policies that are in place. Also if Emmer wins, Minnesotans will be crippled by a skyrocketing property tax that will result from excessive cuts to local government aid. Tuition costs will also likely rise if Emmer wins as his proposed local government aid cuts would also negatively affect universities' budgets.
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