The last time Minnesota had a DFL governor, the Soviet Union still stood, the word “Internet” had not yet entered our lexicon, and a certain blogger was still enduring high school in a bordering state. Governor Dayton put an end to that dry spell when he was sworn into office today. With the GOP in control of the Legislature, Dayton will have difficulty ushering in a new era of Minnesota progressivism, but I’m hopeful he can steer the state to a more sustainable future where public finances don’t wildly careen from feast to famine and back again. And it should be refreshing to have a governor who isn’t preoccupied with the business of preening himself for a run at higher office. Best of luck to the new governor and the new legislature as they begin to grapple with the budget and its dismal math. I expect them both to keep me busy for the next several months.
