Neighboring
states, with a lot of similarities and with distinctive differences, Minnesota
and Wisconsin are moving in starkly different directions due to very contrasting
state political leaders.
by Charlie
Leck
We have a bit of
a rivalry up here in the northland when it comes to matters of difference
between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The rivalry may mostly be one-way in that
Minnesota frequently and regular compares itself to Wisconsin. The badger-state,
however, has two other very significant and populated states that touch its
borders (Illinois and Michigan) and it is often more in a rival relationship
with those states than Minnesota. Right now there is a distinct difference
between Minnesota and Wisconsin in the political arena and in how they have
chosen to approach state spending and social services questions. The
differences are worth taking a look at. It was an article in this morning’s
edition of the StarTribune, our local
newspaper, that got me thinking about these varying directions. The piece was
written by one of the paper’s top-notch reporters, Jim Ragsdale (click here to read it).
In Minnesota’s
most recent legislative session, controlled by Democrats, a significant tax
increase on the state’s wealthiest residents was passed. This was in spite of
warnings that many of these residents might move their places of residence to
other states, like Florida. I know a number of people who’ve already done this
in spite of the fact that their real home base is clearly in Minnesota.
In addition,
Minnesota boldly increased spending on public education – from pre-school
through post-high-school. Wisconsin passed legislation in this most recent session
to cut both personal and business income taxes; and it also passed legislation
that will encourage parents to used a strong private school system by expanding
the use of vouchers.
Wisconsin passed
legislation that will distance itself from Obama Care (as it is routinely
labeled over there across our eastern border).
Wisconsin’s
governor, Scott Walker, has publically predicted that many Minnesota businesses
will up and move into Wisconsin – and if they don’t move, he indicated, they
will likely do any future expansions of their businesses in Wisconsin. Be aware
that Wisconsin has not done a good job in expanding job possibilities in its
state in the last two year.
Though Governor
Walker regularly blasts all things Obama, the President carried Wisconsin in
the presidential election last year by 7 percentage points.
Ragsdale puts
the main emphasis of his article on the way the two states have approached
health care. Wisconsin’s legislature looked hard at the idea of signing on to
Medicaid expansion that would expand health care coverage for more adults and
low-income citizens. They decided against that expansion. Minnesota’s
legislature decided to go in a completely opposite direction on those
questions. Here’s what a
June 5 NY Times editorial said about these two decisions…
“Wisconsin and Minnesota are neighboring states
with long traditions of caring for the least fortunate, but, at the moment,
only one of them is concerned about the health of the poor and uninsured.
“Wisconsin, however, has
chosen to take the path of indifference. On Tuesday, the Republicans who
control the State Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted to reject the expansion of Medicaid,
even though it would have covered 85,000 people at less cost to the state. The
committee was marching in lock step behind the governor, Scott Walker, who
claims to be worried that federal financing will run out. What’s really going
on, of course, is that state Republicans have made poor people the victims of
their ideological resistance to President Obama and his health care law.”
Wisconsin’s
promoters claim all these legislative changes will mean a very favorable
climate for business and produce rewards for those who seek job productivity.
They also argue Wisconsin will make significant gains in improving the quality
of it educational system as a result of taking bargaining rights away from
public employee unions. The actions of our neighboring state smack clearly of
the political ideologies of the nation’s most conservative political movements.
And, these actions don’t seem to be in step with Wisconsin’s historical
moderate political climate.
It will take
time to see which direction proves to be the better. As of now, it appears that
Minnesota is making much more significant gains in reducing unemployment rates.
Minnesota Public Radio last week
noted: “…Wisconsin talks a better game than it plays when it comes to economic
success. The facts show Minnesota performed better than the Badger State in keeping
people employed during the Great Recession and adding jobs in the recovery.”
And, the StarTribune noted a couple of weeks ago:
“Minnesota’s economy grew faster in 2012 than it has in nearly a decade,
spurred by broad gains in manufacturing, wholesale trade, finance and
insurance, and real estate rental and leasing.”
Minnesota turned
back an attempt to initiate photo identification in state elections. Wisconsin
enacted such a law. Minnesota legalized marriage between gays and lesbians
while Wisconsin passed in 2006 a constitutional ban against such marriage.
Many observers
argue that Minnesota’s significant support of gay marriage and increased
education spending will attract more top-level corporations than will
Wisconsin’s very conservative and thrift minded approach.
My own
prediction is that Wisconsin voters are tiring of Governor Walker’s mean-streak
approach to governance and politics. Wisconsin moderates are beginning to shake
their heads over there, waking up to the fact that this is not the kind of
state they want. Minnesotans are proud to be part of a more moderate approach
to social issues – from education to unionization to caring for the needs of
lower income citizens. In both states it’s the moderates who make up the
massive base of political power. We’ll soon see Wisconsin swing back more to
the center position it has mostly favored in the past.
Don’t get me
wrong. Wisconsin is a great state. I love it over there. It’s just that for the
moment, and temporarily, they are a bit off kilter.
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