We do not believe that a majority of lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty would ever risk another shutdown of some government, no matter whether it was an hour, a day, a week or a month.

However, it’s a fact that the nature of government in a democracy, especially in polarized times, will sometimes lead to a budgetary impasse whether on a state or national level that cannot be bridged &045; or perhaps could be bridged, except for stubborn partisan politics.

But when that happens in most other states &045; if not all &045; there is a mechanism that kicks in for a continuing funding resolution so that government does not shut down, despite the differences.

That is something that the governor and Legislature should strongly consider, debate and vote on next session, which is the second year of the biennium and traditionally a shorter session that deals with a bonding bill and other issues of paramount importance.

We would say that having such a statute on the books so that Minnesota would never again suffer the national embarrassment of even a partial government shutdown is of paramount importance.

&045; Mesabi Daily News (Virginia)