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Anyone who has ever had a dog has done the old fetching trick. You know, that trick you play on man’s best friend where you show the dog a ball and then fake a throw, only to have the unsuspecting canine chase what turns out to be thin air.

Like some loyal companion, the voters of Minnesota were duped into a similar farce Monday when legislators, primarily led by DFL leaders, decided to try and cash in on the cachet of the “Minnesota Miracle,” the incredible investment of a few decades ago which established a virtual lock on Minnesota being the nationwide envy of education.

Instead of worrying about how to fill gaping holes in the budget or working at solving other problems in this short legislative session, the DFL legislators took precious time to grandstand, telling reporters they’d seek another $1.7 billion in funding for more schools.

We’re not sure if the leaders of the “New Minnesota Miracle” are just wishful or delusional. Some have guessed that Minnesota’s deficit might swell to as much as $2 billion next year. So asking for an additional $1.7 billion seems unlikely to the point of being political Pollyannas. This new proposal would increase per-pupil spending to nearly $7,500 and help make up a funding gap for districts, such as Winona, which are either struggling to hold up enrollment or have a higher cost of living.

While we cannot disagree with the notion of better funding education, and while we can’t fault the legislators for having their hearts in the right place, they appear to have left their minds behind.

Lost in this made-for-media event was any hint of where legislators would find this money. Keep in mind, our duly elected state representatives have been scurrying around shaking the threadbare couch cushions of the state economy for loose change to spare programs such as veterans services and nursing homes and have even considered selling surplus land to pay for state services.

During these tough times, it’s hard not to dream of better, especially when so many have been the grateful recipients of the original Minnesota Miracle, living proof as it were, of the miraculous efficacy of investing in education.

We need hope — but more than that, we need answers, chalkboards, computers and teachers.

Like our canine counterparts, we’ve been momentarily distracted with the hope of something exciting, but the trick is up. Neither our schools or teacher salaries can be paid on hope alone. We need answers as to how lawmakers intend to fund this lofty plan.

The legislators’ new Minnesota miracle is as laughable for its gimmickery as it is laudable for its ideals.

Unfortunately, what is missing from lawmakers’ nostalgia for the original miracle was the second part of it, which included some substantial investment in education (translation: taxes were raised to pay for the miracle).

Gov. Tim Pawlenty summed up the legislators’ bait-and-switch plans best when he quipped: “They’re calling it ‘The New Minnesota Miracle.’ I think the miracle is that they don’t have a way to pay for it.”

The Winona Daily News editorial board also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call 453-3507 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.

http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2008/04/12/opinion/ourviews/ourview.txt