Minnesota government came to a grinding halt today after lawmakers failed to pass a budget.

The shutdown came at midnight after lawmakers failed late Thursday to pass a temporary spending plan to keep the government up and running. The Senate adjourned 20 minutes after Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he hoped the two sides could agree on a stopgap measure to keep the state’s doors open for 10 more days. — Associated Press

I just have to wonder, why is the single state of Minnesota going through $30 billion in two years? Where is all that money going? And where did it come from? There aren’t all that many people in the state. I’m sure they can find some ridiculous junk to cut from the budget that government shouldn’t be involved in, in the first place.