Gov. Jesse Ventura won’t be in office much longer, but he can make one of his last acts one that will help the state’s local govenments in a time of need.

Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty met with Ventura Thursday and reportedly asked him to delay part of a scheduled $544.5 million payment to cities and counties. Pawlenty wants access to that money in case it can be used to make up a $356 million budget deficit that must be erased by June (saying nothing of the $4.2 billion two-year deficit).

Ventura has rightly been skeptical about the idea. Cities and counties have all, for the most part, set their budgets for 2003 and are counting on that money. The state has pledged that money to the local governments and breaking that promise would be troublesome.

It’s understandable that Pawlenty wants as much flexibility as possible in meeting the budget demands he’ll face immediately. And cities and counties may have to take a hit, just like most every other segment of government, as the state works its way out of this budget hole. But local governments should at least get enough notice of aid reductions so they’ll have a chance to adjust their budgets accordingly. Otherwise, crucial local services could suffer.

Tribune editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper’s management and editorial staff.