Vicky Heller replies: I don't think they are paying attention, and I don't
think any journalists are covering the subject.
Vicki has said this in a public forum, but she's wrong. If you don't believe me, go to Skyway News or Southwest Journal archives and search for "LGA" "debt" "budget" or "Pat Born" or "Patrick Born" (city finance director) or "Scott Russell" (reporter).
The links are: http://www.skywaynews.net/archives/?search=advanced http://www.swjournal.com/archives/?search=advanced
Between 2001 and 2002, the City's spending INCREASED by $62 million. Between 2001 and 2002, Tax collections DROPPED by $11 million. Between 2001 and 2002, LGA subsidies to Minneapolis INCREASED by $11 million.
Please note that this data is three years old (or three budget cycles ago), and does not reflect the actions of the current Council, whose actions began with the 2002-03 budget (we're now in their third cycle, '04-'05).
As Terrell Brown noted, the 2001 election was a referendum on the actions of city leaders, and its probably fairer to judge the current crop with fresher data.
Also, 2001-02 was a big recessionary year, and one also afflicted by the state cut in local property tax rates. I've made the latter point before, but it bears repeating, for fairness.
David Brauer Kingfield Editor, Skyway News & Southwest Journal
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