We have it pretty good here

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 24, 2002

With a looming budget crisis and others points of strife that have overcome this state, those of us who live in and around the Austin area have much to be thankful for this holiday season.

Of course, incumbent and incoming legislators may find that hard to believe, especially when they're the ones who will have to go back to St. Paul in a couple of weeks and figure out a way to get Minnesota out of a budget deficit that's quickly approaching $5 billion.

It's not impossible, but it won't be easy either. And if legislators think they got coal in their stockings, just think what their counterparts in California have to deal with -- a budget deficit that's nearly six times Minnesota's deficit.

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It also took a little bit for Austin teachers to reach a contract this past year, but it got done. The same couldn't be said for their colleagues in International Falls and Red Wing, as both districts had to endure strikes before agreements were reached.

Just when we think we have it bad, one doesn't have to look far to see a situation that's worse. That's why, in retrospect, we have it pretty good here and it should give us reason to celebrate on this Christmas Day.