Minnesota Business Partnership Executive Director Charlie Weaver recently commented on the state budget crunch and how the Legislature, a body in which he served, can best address the $5 billion deficit.
“Rebuild government services from the ground up,” Weaver advised.
“Start with zero, with the education and human services in particular, and figure out a structure that makes more sense,” he said.
“I think clearly there’s going to have to be cuts. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be all cuts,” said Weaver.
Weaver argued for greater efficiencies in government — government needs to follow the lead of business, he opined.
“There’s all kinds of things the state can do better and smarter,” said Weaver.
“Now will it save $5 billion, no,” he said. “But they can get up to $1 billion,” he opined.
The moment is ripe for innovation, Weaver argued.
“An economic crisis is a terrible thing to waste,” he said.
Do we need the federal government to step in on some of these issues? Weaver was asked.
“No. I don’t think so. I think that’s about the worst that can happen,” he said.
“We don’t need the federal government,” Weaver said with a laugh.
Asked about lawmakers taking action on home foreclosures — last session a bill was in play that would have delayed foreclosures under certain conditions and other legislation has already been proposed for this session — Weaver counseled a cautionary approach.
“I think it’s unwise when government starts interfering too much with the market,” said Weaver.
“I don’t think the government should be in the business of saving people who make bad decisions,” he said.
“I think there’s some things that can be done, but I’m very wary, for example, of moratoriums,” Weaver concluded.
Are lawmakers actually willing to take a Spartan approach to budgeting?
“I don’t think they have a choice,” said Weaver.
“If you resort to raising taxes, that will only fuel a deeper recession,” he said.
“Raising taxes kills jobs,” said Weaver.
“Even President-elect Obama recognized that — backed off proposals to raise taxes,” he said.
“If the answer is to raise taxes, we will only deepen this recession,” Weaver concluded.
Weaver, a former Republican House member from Anoka, served in the Pawlenty Administration as chief of staff.
He also served as public safety commissioner in the Ventura Administration.