Borrowing from Peter to pay St. Paul

Governor Tim Pawlenty’s latest budget-balancing trick is to “borrow” money from the Minnesots State Colleges and Universities to help with the state’s cash flow problem. The state is also delaying payments to the University of Minnesota, and payments of corporate and sales tax rebates.

Despite that, reports MPR, the state will probably also need to take out short-term loans, for the first time in 25 years.

And, in another sign of the times, senior centers across the state are cutting part-time staff and hours in an effort to at least keep the doors open. According to the Star Tribune, “After state aid to cities was cut by Gov. Tim Pawlenty earlier this year as part of his efforts balance the state budget, some cities cut their support of senior centers and other services.”