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"Embrace the challenge of the deficit!" Thus spake our own Macho Man Marty Seifert, exhorting Minnesotans to recognize the 5.2 billion blessings dropped on us by the fiscal Wrestlemania brought on by the spectacular failure known as mortgage backed securities. And with the economy "body slamming" our state budget, according to Tom Hanson, commissioner of the Department of Management and Budget, and few classic WWF references left unturned, it would seem that the stage could not be better set for the return of Jesse Ventura.

Regardless of whether "The Body" Politic will be heard from in this crisis, it seems only yesterday, or perhaps five years ago, that our fair state was facing one of the worst deficits in its history. In 2003, Gov. Pawlenty and the MN legislature were tasked with addressing a $4.56 million deficit. They did so by draining the tobacco settlement funds, some fairly esoteric accounting shifts, and making cuts to education, local government aid and health and human services. Only recently has funding started to be restored to the state's cities and schools, not to mention easing the pressure on property owners hit hard by skyrocketing property taxes. And since those areas cover more than half the state budget, it's all too likely the brief reprieve of the last few years is over.

So, with a $5.2 billion deficit staring lovingly into our state's icy blue Norwegian eyes and nary a rainy day fund nor accounting trick to be had, it would seem that any option would be on the table. And most politicians would agree. Building the budget from scratch, also known as "zero-based budgeting" is an option on the table. In past budget sessions, this tactic has been discussed, but never utilized. However, many in the legislature are attempting to put the best face on the "challenge" and saying the deficit, which many Minnesota organizations and citizens would compare to having their naughty bits flogged with purpose built accoutrements from the Smitten Kitten, represents an opportunity for true reform.

Rep. Laura Brod, a finalist in this year's Hottest People at the Capitol contest, for example, believes that it's time for an "Apollo 13 style of government." That is, taking everything out of the government's pockets and getting it on the table - making fundamental change in how the government operates. She, in conjunction with Sen. Geoff Michel, proposed privatizing state assets such as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Minnesota Lottery.

Strangely, Gov. Pawlenty dismissed these ideas, saying the privatization of the airport was against federal law and the lottery operations are written into the state constitution. The airport doesn't really bring anything into state coffers outside of sales taxes, and it would seem a simple issue to lobby congress to add MSP to the federal experiment Chicago Midway airport is participating in to the tune of $2.5 billion. So it seems odd that he'd dismiss anything that might help solve the King Kong Bundy sized problem ready to sodomize our fair state.

Regardless, with Minnesota's cities, especially Minneapolis and Saint Paul, still licking their wounds from the last recession, it's unsurprising that our major metro areas are bracing themselves for another round of brutal cuts. The Royal Rumble is upon us, and since Margaret Kelliher is no Hulk Hogan, or even Miss Elizabeth, it seems all too likely that the state will see partisan bickering devolve into funding cuts - the brunt of which will be borne by local taxpayers and the working poor.