We commend the Democrats and Republicans alike in the state Legislature this session for balancing the budget without using any tricks or questionable bookkeeping.

They didn’t borrow from the schools. They didn’t increase all kinds of fees and surcharges and claim they weren’t taxes. They didn’t barter using emergency powers called unallotments. They didn’t pass measures that make the state look good on paper but really only result in local property tax hikes.

No, the majority and minority came together and did their jobs. They were leaders who actually led.

In other words, if they wanted to spend money, they found ways to pay for it. They didn’t act like teenagers with the credit card. Instead, they increased revenue (increased taxes) to pay for expenses.

That might be unpopular, too. But many Minnesotans are glad to see other taxes go up so that property taxes can stop climbing and start to level off.

The course the Legislature took helps get the state budget back on track for the long term.

And leaders who think about the long term are what this state once was known for. It seems we have come a long way since the government shutdown of 2010 and the unallotments of 2008.