How would you deal with Minnesota's budget deficit?

Posted at 3:10 PM on November 24, 2008 by Julia Schrenkler

Mike Reszler, Managing Editor of Online News here at mpr.org wants to know where you think Minnesota's state budget cuts should be made:

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders are already predicting that Minnesota's state budget will have a "substantial, multi-billion" dollar deficit, according to Gov. Pawlenty.

In two weeks the state will reveal official projection numbers. Until then legislative leaders are already talking about the future of the state's budget.

If the budget cuts must be made, where should they be made? Are there any areas where expenditures should be increased?

Are cuts the answer, or is another type of change available? Do some of these answers reflect your values?

"It wouldn't be a big start, but cut Capital Projects first including money for the U of M Stadium. Then trim the U's budget significantly, why should we subsidize one of our most expensive schools when over the last decade they have squandered so much money on projects like the over budget Coffman Memorial Union?" - Paul Cartwright

"You're asking the wrong question (education has taken its share of hits - mostly because the cost of energy and health benefits for staff has gone out of control). The question should be, how can we create new tax revenue to maintain the quality of life that Minnesotans are proud of. The cost of oil is less than half of what it was a year ago. How about increasing the gas tax. Even a small tax on industries currently NOT taxed would help..." - Dave Ritsema

"As someone who is unemployed for the first time in 29 years, I can say the following with a straight face. Put most of the school day on-line." - Tim Nelson

Join the online discussion and let us know how you would approach Minnesota's budget deficit, and we'll revisit the topic when the official projection numbers are available.