Rebate or reduction?

THUMBS DOWN: At this point, with inflation really starting to take a bite out of people’s wallets and gas pump prices making people seriously take up walking more, it’s time for the state Legislature to start sending some of that $9 billion in surplus funds back our way.

Gov. Tim Walz this week proposed sending out rebate checks of $1,000 per couple, but Republicans in the Legislature want to spend the surplus on permanent tax cuts for all. Democrats in the House, of course, want to spend more on services.

There is enough money in the surplus that this shouldn’t be an either-or-or question. People hit hard by inflation could use the kind of quick relief that a rebate check would give. Businesses and people could certainly use lower tax bills in the future. And there are definitely some services that should be supplemented.

So quit arguing over which way should be the only way, and do it all.

Arena floor problems

THUMBS DOWN: Any new construction or remodeling project is bound to run into problems, and one appears to have popped up in the revamped Vogel Field House. The problem is things aren’t popping up.

Pickle ball players are complaining that the new floor has too many dead spots, places where pickle balls hit and just sort of stay low instead of popping up.

City staff think the problem may be related to the new flooring being laid over two older floors. The floor might need some settling in, they think.

But the city is taking the players’ complaints seriously and working with the vendor who installed the floor to look for solutions. We hope there is one that works. It is frustrating to have to wait for a long renovation, then find out the finished product is not as good as the one that supposedly needed fixing.