A state government shutdown is looming for Minnesota. After more than six months at the Capitol &045; including the current special session &045; legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have failed to reach an accord on divisive budget issues. While a shutdown might not have a large impact the average Minnesotan immediately we believe the prospect of at least 175 major highway construction projects being put on hold certainly could grab the attention of voters.

It’s unfortunate that state leaders are taking the state along with them on this game of political chicken.

The budget gap this session wasn’t nearly as bad as a few years ago when Minnesota faced the $4.5 billion revenue shortfall. Given that, we wonder if the personalities involved in the negotiations &045; Pawlenty and House Speaker Steve Sviggum on one side, and Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson on the other &045; are allowing for personal animosity to play an unhealthy role.

Voters certainly can’t be blamed for the failure to reach a budget agreement.

However, they have sent something of a mixed message to St. Paul in recent years. In 2002 they voted Pawlenty, a conservative Republican who campaigned heavily on a no-new tax pledge, into the governor’s office over veteran DFLer Sen. Roger Moe.

Two years later they sent a number of House Republicans packing and nearly tipped control of that chamber to DFLers. Many of the Republicans defeated in that election were key allies of the governor, who had served as majority leader in that body.

Both results likely play a role in state leaders sticking stubbornly to their positions.

Nevertheless, they carry the responsibility for doing what’s best for Minnesota rather than what will best position their respective parties in the next election.

That means ending the current stalemate and advancing the interests of the whole state.

&045; The Daily Journal (International Falls)