So first it was the 9/11 Commission. Next it was Bowles-Simpson. Then it was the "Gang of Six". Now it's the super-committee. Too often these committees' recommendations are ignored. Do we honestly believe that by November this group will find a way to cut nearly $1.5 trillion from the budget for the next ten years? I'm not suggesting we don't support this decision, but realistically, I don't think Congress will support their decisions.
In Minnesota, the Gov. Pawlenty used unallotment to balance the state budget a while back. This included $1.4 billion not paid to schools. This money has not been paid back yet. The recent budget agreement between Dayton and the Republicans delays another $700 million to schools. Based on the current economic situation, I don't see the MN budget finding a surplus anytime soon. This unallotment and borrowing from a future budget effectively works as a tax cut. The state is claiming it's delaying this payment, but never does. So taxpayers are not on the hook for paying this. It's a de facto tax cut.
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