Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed hard cap on state spending is destined to fail. The governor knows it, too. That means the proposal is a waste of time. That’s a shame, because Minnesota’s model of government needs fixing, and Pawlenty could have been just the right mechanic.

Here’s why Pawlenty’s idea is DOA: Twenty times, voters in various states have considered Taxpayers Bill of Rights or TABOR laws. Twenty times, voters have rejected those laws — in Maine and Washington, as recently as last week.

Granted, Pawlenty’s proposed constitutional amendment isn’t a true TABOR law. But it is a rigid cap on spending; more important, it would have to pass the Minnesota Legislature before it could be put on the ballot.

Both the Senate and House have DFL majorities. DOA.

Does the Minnesota model still offer a big enough “quality of life” differential over low-tax states such as South Dakota?

That’s the question Minnesotans should be asking. And for Democrats especially, Job 1 should be figuring out how to get to “Yes.”

Are Minnesotans getting good returns on their tax dollars? If Pawlenty asked that question, he’d find solid support for cutting those areas of state government for which the answer is “no.”

— Grand Forks Herald, Nov. 8