It doesn’t do a lot of good to try sorting out the competing spin campaigns by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his DFL rivals. The statewide tours by each, which zipped through Albert Lea Tuesday, won’t do much to answer any important questions, and everything each side says is predictable enough that you needn’t even listen to know what they’re saying.

In order to judge the results of this important legislative session, residents would be better off paying close attention to what happens in the coming weeks and months.

By balancing the budget without raising taxes, Pawlenty says he and Republican allies reined in runaway government spending in a prudent and responsible way, and that initiatives like tax-free zones will help cure what ills the state. DFLers say crucial programs have fallen by the wayside, and that Minnesotans will notice.

Only time will tell.

So pay attention over the next months. Will your local property taxes go up to pay for cuts in local-government aid? You’ll find out when your city council meets later this year to discuss its budget for 2004. Will you or someone close to you notice cuts to social programs or increased court fees? Take note. Will tax-free zones have the intended impact on areas of the state that need a boost? We shall see.

During the next election, when both parties are pointing back to this session as a reason they deserve to run the state, remember what changed (or in the case of your state taxes, what didn’t change) and decide for yourself.