Minnesota looks west to solve budget woes

Herald Staff Writer

That border-securing Predator aircraft had better get here soon — but not because of any danger by way of Canada.

It’s Minnesota that’s raising the threat level.

In a column Friday in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, James Lileks joined the general Minnesota hand-wringing over the state’s dismal economic outlook, further darkened by Friday’s forecast of a $5.2 billion state deficit.

“What can be done?” Lileks asked.

Sell the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport? Privatize the state lottery? Freeze state spending?

All short-term fixes, Lileks said.

“We need bold, new solutions, like annexing North Dakota.”

The state that Minnesotans love to disparage does, after all, have a hefty budget surplus.

Also, “They have natural resources aplenty, and the population density of Antarctica, even if you figure in penguins.”

This is from a fellow who claims North Dakota roots? A native of Fargo, Lileks insists that any invading Minnesota force “will be greeted as liberator,” and the new polity “would be the weirdest shaped state in the nation.”

Not to mention the state with the biggest panhandle.

His idea didn’t immediately draw a lot of support, especially from west of the Red River.

“I am a North Dakotan who used the money that Jesse gave me (former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s income tax rebate) and moved back to North Dakota,” a fellow named Todd wrote.

“You Minnesotans don’t want transmission lines coming into your state and are trying to shut down our coal mines because of pollution. But those energy sector jobs and all the oil money is sure nice.

“We’ll send our power and resources to the West Coast, and I’ll enjoy my property tax decrease. Have fun regulating and taxing yourself out of business.”

A North Dakotan responded to the column by encouraging Minnesotans to come — as tourists. “Play golf at gorgeous, uncrowded courses, hike and bike in the Badlands … then get out. We are perfectly happy with 635,000 hardy souls.”

A Minnesotan endorsed the idea of acquiring North Dakota, sort of.

“Went to school there for four years and really enjoyed it,” he wrote, “but I did miss trees and hills.”



Source: grandforksherald.com