Take that, liberal!

Unsung Pawlenty administration hero righteously smacks down liberal Minnetonka City Manager John Gunyou in a Red Star letter to the editor today:

Minnesota's great news
John Gunyou, where are you now? The Minnetonka city manager and former state finance commissioner was prolific in his criticism of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget. John's only solution to achieve fiscal responsibility was to raise taxes. The budget forecast released this week shows that John and fellow critics were engaged in "shoestring" thinking -- a very short-term field of vision. When the governor introduced the "no new taxes" budget in February 2003, his theme was "Tough decisions today for a brighter tomorrow." That brighter tomorrow is here today. Pawlenty started from a $4.56 billion deficit projected for the two-year fiscal period ending June 30, 2005. The state finished that period having restored the budget reserve to its highest level in history and with $337 million on the bottom line. Now the forecast for the next two years shows a surplus of more than $701 million and things get even brighter in the following fiscal period. Even with inflation and a constitutional dedication of the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation, the Department of Finance shows we still have a positive balance in fiscal year 2008-09. This is great news for all of Minnesota. Too bad we can't find John so he can enjoy it, too.

DAN MCELROY, BURNSVILLE;
SENIOR ADVISER TO GOV. TIM PAWLENTY
AND FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER