In light of the good news that we have an unexpected budget surplus, State Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) called for lawmakers to spend the money responsibly by using it to pay down the debt we have accumulated to our schools:

The State of Minnesota just found a $20 bill in its pocket. We haven’t solved our money problems. So Minnesota politicians should not repeat past mistakes and use a small budget surplus to offer tax cuts or rebates to tax payers. This surplus should be used to move us toward a responsible budget by paying back tobacco bonds and paying down the school shift.

We have tremendous obstacles to future prosperity that we must address: a shrinking middle class, reduced research and development, an aging population, and an education system that isn’t preparing enough students for the world economy. We can’t tackle any of these problems without sound state finances [via press release].

In my opinion, there should be no question that this is how we must use the surplus. We now owe our schools over $3 billion, and as a result, they are borrowing money in record amounts. We shouldn’t be balancing the budget on the backs of our children.

I would add one caveat, though: I think we need to be cautious and hold onto the money for now. I don’t trust that the surplus will materialize as forecast, and we shouldn’t spend it until we’re absolutely sure. Once we are, though, it must go toward paying back our schools.