Unallotment outcomes matter, not the process

by Chris Shields | June 5, 2009 • With yesterday’s news that Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson has given the official go-ahead for the Governor to begin making unilateral budget cuts (or unallotments) on July 1st, let’s focus on what really matters. No matter how the process is conducted, unallotment will have poor outcomes for Minnesota.

Minnesotans care about putting food on the table, quality health care we can afford, good schools for our kids, efficient transportation options, thriving communities, and a tax system that treats everyone fairly. How the unallotment process is conducted is pretty low on the priority list.

So let’s be clear as to why progressives oppose unallotment. We oppose unallotment because it will send our property taxes through the roof while vital community needs are eliminated. We oppose unallotment because hospitals will be forced to cut services and our health care costs will increase. We oppose unallotment because tuition at our state colleges and universities is already too high. We oppose unallotment because it hurts Minnesotans.

We know Governor Pawlenty’s conservative policy record. He has shown time and time again where he stands. It doesn’t matter whether he is in a bunker five miles below the earth’s surface or sitting on the 50 yard line of the new Gopher football stadium. The Governor will not change his mind on what he wants to cut. As progressives, we need to show our fellow Minnesotans how unallotment hurts our state and why conservatives are to blame.