Hockey mom and DFL-endorsed candidate for governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher proves her budget priorities this week in our Almanac “Budget Slap Shot.” As House Speaker she is very familiar with the specifics of the state budget. Like every candidate she put most of her money in education with 48%. Health and human services followed at 29% which put her in the middle of the pack for spending. Kelliher stood out by giving more than other candidates to local government aids at 9%. Public safety got 5%. Bonding debt got 3% as she talked about jump starting the economy with some big early bonding bills. State government received 2%. Considering dedicated funds, transportation came in at 1% along with environment, economic development and ag/vets.
We’ll reveal where all the candidates spent their money in the coming weeks. But the most interesting part of our budget exercise was forcing the candidates to cut 10% of their budget or dip into our “Revenue Bucket.” Kelliher grabbed 4% or four hockey pucks to close corporate loopholes. Four more pucks came from opting in to federal health care reform. Her two final budget balancing pucks came from raising the income tax. As you’ll see some candidates chose a mix of cuts or reforms along with dipping into revenue, so these were interesting results from the candidate who often talks about a balanced approach.
This seems a little unfair to post one DFL without the other two. Please hurry up Ms. Lahammer! Get that zamboni out there for period 2.
MAK’s first-off-the-mark response indicates to me that she’s the person most ready to be our next governor: familiar with the options available, courageous in putting herself “out there,” and organized–staff-wise and personally. And yes, “balanced”!