What is the difference between local levels of government and more distant levels — state and federal?

It seems the closer the unit of government comes to the people, the more they try to hold down taxes. We are just finishing the local government Truth in Taxation hearing time of year, when local governments prepare to finalize their budgets. For the most part, they try to set their tax levies for no more than they need to cover services and government activities. A five percent increase is about the most you see in a city council or school board budget, as the council or board works to keep expenses down so as to spare the taxpayer.

Contrast that with the State of Minnesota, where news of a $7 billion state surplus projection has some legislators and officials clapping their hands, gleeful about how much more spending this will allow them to do.

As for the federal government, forget about it. Congress hasn’t passed a budget in years, simply passing resolution after resolution to continue spending what they were already spending, and passing a few more titanic spending bills to boot. And there is no requirement for the federal government to balance its budget, as the states and local units of governments do.

So when you get your property tax bill next year, don’t complain if it’s a little higher than last year. Just be glad they don’t work under the same system as the state and federal lawmakers.