Here we go again—another so-called “bipartisan” budget deal that just papers over a massive $6 billion deficit with more backroom deals and political maneuvering. It's wild how both parties always manage to come together when it’s time to spend more of our money, but can’t seem to agree on shrinking the size of government or cutting unnecessary programs. I guarantee whatever “structural challenges” they’re addressing, it’s just code for tax increases and more regulations in the long run. Funny how they admit they might need a special session—translation: they can’t get their act together on time, but taxpayers will foot the bill for their overtime. Closed-door negotiations are the opposite of transparency, which is exactly why we keep getting budgets that are bloated and full of hidden pork. If they really cared about fiscal responsibility, they’d be talking about spending cuts and letting Minnesotans keep more of their own money. Instead, we just get more government, more spending, and more empty promises.