Last week we received the news that the Minnesota is facing yet another budget deficit, this one projected to be $5.2 billion. In the past few days, I’ve had countless people ask me why the state cannot seem to get away from these deficits. This is a simple question, and I believe it has a simple answer: Minnesota’s political leaders — Democrats and Republicans — have been unwilling to make the difficult decision to prioritize our spending and end or significantly reduce programs that are unnecessary or inefficient.

As a result, the government is spending far more than taxpayers can afford. Here are some indisputable facts: The state’s current general fund budget is $34.6 billion. Since 1990, the state’s general fund budget has grown 138 percent, far outpacing inflation. Without a significant change in the Legislature’s spending habits, this trend will certainly continue.

As a parent of two young children, I understand the importance of providing adult supervision and, when necessary, being a disciplinarian. One commonly accepted disciplinary technique many parents use is a time out when children are not behaving. I’d suggest that the Legislature’s spend-happy behavior needs some adult supervision; it is time for the state of Minnesota to take a time out with its budget.

That’s why I have launched an effort to do just that: www.MNSpendingFreeze.com. During the 2009 legislative session, I will seek to have the Minnesota House of Representatives adopt a budget resolution to limit overall general funding spending to the $31.86 billion in revenue we are projected to receive without any tax or other revenue increase for the next two-year budget. It would then be up to the legislative leaders and the committee process to decide how to divide up the pie but overall spending will be limited to $31.86 billion.

For example, if the Legislature decides it wants to increase spending on K-12 education it could, but it will be required to reduce spending in some other area of the budget. If tax collections for the next biennium ultimately exceed $31.86 billion, the excess would be used to rebuild the state’s reserves (which were nearly depleted in 2008) and provide tax relief to all Minnesotans.

If this simple and common sense approach is something you support, I encourage you to learn more and sign the online petition that can be found at www.MNSpendingFreeze.com. You should also contact your legislator to encourage him or her to support my budget resolution.

To be clear, this is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is about returning some fiscal discipline to the Legislature. It is not only possible, but I believe critical for the future of Minnesota, that we respond to the economic realities of today through this bold but simple action. Minnesota can and should freeze its spending for at least the next two years. State government can and should do without a raise for the next biennium.

It’s time for the Minnesota Legislature to give the budget a time out before the deficit gets even further out of control.

Republican Paul Kohls represents District 34A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. His district includes most of Carver County and a small part of Scott County.