HOUSE PASSES BILL FUNDING STATE GOVERNMENT ... JUST IN CASE

By Bill Salisbury Saint Paul Pioneer Press

The Minnesota House today passed a "lights on" bill that would keep state government operating if the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty fail to enact a budget before July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. The vote was 88-46

The bill's sponsor, House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, called it "an option of very last resort" that would avert a government shutdown. It would continue funding government services at current levels for one year.

But House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, called it the "let's-give-up bill" that would let lawmakers go home without balancing the budget.

Pawlenty said Wednesday that he would not object to a "responsible" lights-on bill, but he said the DFL bill approved by the House would spend too much money.