We’re so grounded: State’s good government grade falls

The Pew Center on the States released its annual report card for state governments Monday, and Minnesota fell from a B+ to a B-. Seems to have had something to do with “the way the state has been treating its infrastructure – more like a political football than a vital asset.” Pew was tough but fair: “A bridge collapsed, but a backlog in road and bridge repairs stands.” The grades went out before last week’s transportation bill veto override, notes Mark Anderson in Finance and Commerce. Pew gave the state credit for leading the nation in haggling, which “historically” we’ve shied from. Volunteered the state’s chief procurement officer: “Some contractors probably thought we were suckers.”  Hmm … historically? The Pew people must have had their noses in their gradebooks the day we shelled out $157,400 for a wooden staircase at the bridge site.