GOV. PAWLENTY: $1.203 BILLION CAN BE SOLVABLE.

Top: Governor Pawlenty speaking to the media during his press conference.

Bottom: Blank Christmas tree in Governor's Office is symbol of state budget being in black.

By Rach Eggert, Rach’s Political Report

December 2, 2009

State of Minnesota are expected to be in $1.203 billion deficit; the budget forecast was projected during month of November according to Minnesota Management and Budget Office (MMB).

Governor Tim Pawlenty mentioned that he would reduce his out of state travels during 2010 legislative session to save money and focus on working with legislature to resolve the budget and get back on track.

Pawlenty is planning on unallot Local Government Aid (LGA) this month and request the Legislature to meet in committee hearings immediately to reduce budget that would be enacted at beginning of 2010 legislative session which kick off on February 4, 2010. He also request his cabinet members to work with legislative leaders immediately to discuss possible unallotment and solutions.

He is also ordering all state government agencies to put hold on spending and reduce three percent of unspent operating funds in current budget period.

Pawlenty wanted Minnesota to be more business-friendly and job-friendly state, believe that budget could be resolved during 2010 legislative session and willing to work with the Legislature.

you can watch Legislative Advisory Commission LIVE at 3 PM TODAY!

At 3PM today you can watch Legislative Advisory Commission LIVE on Minnesota House of Representatives Television website or The UpTake website. Legislative Advisory Commission deals with Consultation on unallotment as required by state statute.

Watch it here:

House of Representative TV

The Uptake

DFL Leaders reacts after Pawlenty's presser LIVE

DFL Senate leaders will be reacting to Pawlenty's cut after the press conference so you can check at UpTake.

Watch it here

Pawlenty's press conference LIVE on Uptake

You can watch Tim Pawlenty's live press conference LIVE at UpTake MN website.

Click here to watch now!

Pawlenty to announce budget plans tomorrow

By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune

Last update: June 15, 2009

Gov. Tim Pawlenty will announce tomorrow his plan to balance Minnesota's budget using his executive powers to cut spending on his own, the process called unallotment.

The governor's office announced that Pawlenty and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. in the State Capitol to announce "proposed executive actions" to balance the 2010-11 budget.

Because Pawlenty and the DFL-controlled Legislature were unable to reach agreement on ways to bridge the state's deficit, the session ended last month with a $2.7 billion shortfall in the budget ending June 30, 2011.

Pawlenty vetoed a series of tax hikes that the Legislature passed without his approval.

State law allows the governor to rescind or delay payments when the state has a deficit. Under the unallotment system, Hanson would make the cuts subject to the governor's approval.

Kevin Duchschere • 651-292-0164

Legislators to Pawlenty: Cut the state budget yourself

By MIKE KASZUBA, Star Tribune
Last update: May 30, 2009

In a sign that wounds remain raw after a bruising legislative session, only a handful of lawmakers have formally responded to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's request for ideas to help him balance the state budget under his controversial use of the so-called unallotment process.

More than a week after Pawlenty sent a letter to legislators asking that they respond by Friday, only 13 of the state's 201 lawmakers had written back.

Just eight of 133 DFLers had replied as of Friday, suggesting that many are troubled by the Republican governor's bold move to unilaterally make cuts to balance the budget and seem content to leave the choices -- and the political consequences -- to him.

"If I felt like it was a genuine request for input, I'd be happy to provide it," said Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, echoing other DFLers who complained that the governor had a five-month session to listen to ideas from legislators. "I don't think he's too interested in our views."

In most cases, the reaction mirrors the political feuding between DFLers and Republicans that occurred in the last days of the just-finished session.

While Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, a 2010 gubernatorial candidate, said he could "almost picture ... a sneer" on Pawlenty's face as he wrote to legislators, Rep. Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, said the lack of letters from DFLers shows a continuing "lack of leadership" on how to solve the problem.

"We warned them" during the session, Dean said of the DFLers, that "we needed to actually put together bills that added up [to a balanced budget] at the end of the day ... there was never really a plan."

The session ended with projected spending exceeding anticipated revenues by an estimated $2.7 billion for the two-year budget period that will begin July 1. That is the gap that Pawlenty plans to plug, as each side blames the other for the problem.

Regular folks weigh in

While most legislators are giving him the silent treatment, Pawlenty said citizens are giving him an earful.

Since his administration created a website a week ago where citizens can send budget-balancing ideas, Pawlenty has talked publicly about the many people who have responded. As of Friday, according to a spokesman, more than 1,600 e-mails had been received -- and have included suggestions that Pawlenty reconsider state-authorized gambling as a way to raise money and even think about opening liquor stores on Sundays. Opening liquor stores, one e-mail said, would "create tax revenue. Create jobs. Save gas, as you wouldn't believe the [Minnesota] cars that line up at [Wisconsin] border towns waiting for the off sale [stores] to open on Sundays."

There also are indications that the governor's office is quietly getting feedback from some of the state's most influential interests, including the League of Minnesota Cities, which met Thursday with state Revenue Commissioner Ward Einess. Though the conversations were cordial, said Gary Carlson, a lobbyist for the league, it remained clear that cuts in state aid to cities are a likely target as Pawlenty weighs unallotment choices.

"Frankly, this is like going to your own execution and trying to give advice about which way you're going to take the pain," said Carlson, describing the talks.

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, representing 12,500 government workers, on Friday sent its own suggestions to the governor, which included banning out-of-state travel except travel taken to collect revenue. The union also recommended that state agencies cut their management staff to no more than 15 percent of total employees -- and released a spreadsheet showing that 10 mostly smaller agencies and boards, but including the state finance department, have workforces where more than 30 percent of the staff are managers and supervisors.

Legal fight ahead?

With the governor expected to announce his unallotment plan in June, there continues to be speculation that Pawlenty could face a legal challenge over what detractors see as a misuse of the unallotment power. State law gives a governor the authority to reduce spending where necessary if projected expenses for a budget period exceed anticipated revenue. But Pawlenty's announcement in the closing days of the session to use it to settle an impasse between the GOP governor and DFLers when the 2-year budget period hasn't even started was seen as an unprecedented use of the process.

"Someone's going to be filing a [law]suit, and arguing what's going on with unallotment," said House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall.

Lawrence Massa, president of the Minnesota Hospital Association, whose 147 members are likely to face significant budget cuts, said lawyers for the association are "reviewing the [state] statute" related to unallotment but have not made any conclusions regarding legal action. Massa said the association had in the past week informally talked to Tom Hanson, director of the state's office of management and budget, about pushing the bulk of any cuts to next year but said Hanson was noncommittal.

While Seifert and Dean said Republicans were informally meeting with the governor's office on unallotment issues, those DFLers who did formally answer Pawlenty's letter seemed to use the occasion to again criticize the governor's handling of the legislative session.

"You made the decision to veto the Legislature's final balanced budget proposal and now you are left with few choices," wrote House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller in a joint letter released Friday. "You will be held responsible for the repercussions of those actions."

Mike Kaszuba • 651-222-1673

Legislature adjourned with a lot of 'ifs'

By Mark Brunswick, Star Tribune
Last update: May 26, 2009 - 11:52 AM

Unallotment. The poorest of the poor. Nanny state. Cocoa bean mulch. If none of those terms means much to you, you haven't been paying attention to the recently adjourned legislative session. That's OK. Let us summarize what it means to you:

If you ... think unallotment means "the process of not having such a lot," well, close enough. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has pledged to use a process known as unallotment to balance the state budget for the 2-year period that begins July 1, the start of a new fiscal year, because he and legislators couldn't reach a budget agreement. Pawlenty essentially will reduce funding for such programs as state aid to cities and hospitals on his own.

If you ... are the kind of person whose blood boils at the thought of special legislative sessions, breathe easy. There apparently won't be one.

If you ... were worried that state parks or highway rest areas might close this summer because of a budget impasse, as they did in 2005, go ahead with your plans to explore Minnesota. No shutdown looms.

If you ... are a carp, say your prayers. More Minnesota lakes can be opened to nighttime bow fishing, a sport that makes an easy mark of rough fish that feed at night in shallow water, sort of like that guy you met at the club last weekend. (H.F. 1237)

If you ... were hoping Minnesota would join 13 other states in legalizing the use of medical marijuana, you came that close. The bill passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by Pawlenty, who expressed sympathy for those suffering but also cited public safety concerns. Look for a possible constitutional amendment effort next year. (S.F. 97)

If you ... are a wild rice gatherer, take more of the summer off. The start of the season for harvesting wild rice was moved from July 15 to Aug. 15. (H.F. 1237)

If you are ... a public broadcaster in Minnesota -- including giants Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television -- and were eyeing the Legacy constitutional amendment as a possible pot of money, you're sharing $11.6 million for new programming and to "amplify Minnesota culture." The Legislature won't even get a lovely commemorative tote bag. (H.F. 1231)

If you ... are a student or teacher taking abuse online because of your personal characteristics, the school board has your back. An expanded anti-bullying bill prohibits harassment on the Internet, as well as taking other steps designed to deter bullying. (S.F. 971) However, the bill was vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty, who said in his veto message that it is "duplicative of current law, which directly and clearly prohibits bullying of any type against any student for any reason."

If you ... are a same-sex couple looking for China patterns, put the order on hold or consider relocating to Keokuk (Iowa). Bills to make the state's marriage law gender-neutral never got off the ground.

If you ... are a Dakota Indian, a warm and overdue welcome home to Minnesota. Lawmakers are asking Congress to strike a 146-year-old federal statute that banished the tribe from the state after the Dakota Conflict of 1862. (S.F. 1623)

If you ... are a broken hero on a last-chance power drive, there are glory days ahead. A law inspired by Bruce Springsteen's rant against bait-and-switch tactics prohibits online ticket sellers from pushing buyers toward more expensive resale sites. (H.F. 819)

If you ... are a person with a court-appointed guardian, you've got a new bill of rights and more options to challenge the professionals who make decisions for you. (H.F. 818)

If you are ... the Shubert Theater in downtown Minneapolis, there's more tough luck. Pawlenty vetoed your $2 million portion of a bonding bill. The same goes for the shares for the St. Cloud Civic Center and the Mankato Civic Center. A $24 million appropriation for the Bell Museum of Natural History is, um, history, as well. There is money for flood mitigation. The lion's share goes to the state's higher education system for repairs and renovations. (H.F. 855)

If you ... are a resident of the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood in St. Paul, think twice about pointing a laser at that twin-engine Cessna that keeps buzzing your neighborhood from St. Paul Downtown Airport. It's now a gross misdemeanor to knowingly point a laser at an aircraft. It had been a seldom enforced federal offense. (S.F. 1408)

If you ... are concerned about who might be looking at your face on Facebook, or taking up space on your MySpace, rest a little easier. Convicted predatory offenders will be prohibited from using those social networking sites. (H.F. 1301)

If you ... worry about the sip from your kid's sippy cup, health-conscious moms and dads can know that baby bottles and sippy cups containing the controversial chemical bisphenol-A (or BPA) are banned in Minnesota for kids 3 or younger after January 2010. (S.F. 247)

If you ... are driving with youngsters in the car, you'll have to have booster seats for those up to age 8 starting July 1. The law says kids between 4 and 8 years old have to be in booster seats or other forms of child restraint if they are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall; the current law on child restraints goes up to age 4. (S.F. 99)

If you ... are a member of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's staff, the money for your paycheck now actually comes out of the governor's office. Interagency agreements -- through which some Pawlenty staff had portions of their salaries paid by other state agencies -- have been scuttled. (S.F. 2082)

If you ... are a hungry dog (and if that's not redundant), you are on your own. A bill that would require stores to post warnings that cocoa bean shell mulch might be hazardous for pets was vetoed by Pawlenty. (Warning labels weren't even considered for old gym socks or last week's rancid pasta primavera.) (S.F. 122)

If you ... want to work on the railroad all the live long day, blow your horn, you are in luck. There's $26 million in the bonding bill for a commuter and passenger rails corridor program. There's also $4 million for track rehabilitation on the Minnesota Valley Railroad line, which, we've been told, is a mighty fine line. (H.F. 855)

If you are ... a Minnesota resort owner, don't worry about losing vacationers and the summer help to early school starts. Legislators turned back yet another effort to allow schools to start before Labor Day.

If you ... like to drink and smoke, consult your doctor, but not your accountant. Fears that both alcohol and cigarettes would be taxed more under a House proposal were never realized. Oh, and that goes for high-income Minnesotans, too. (early version H.F. 2323)

If you ... are in need of dental care and in a region, neighborhood or population group that is under served, a dental therapist may soon be easier to find under legislation expanding the services therapists can provide under a dentist's supervision. (S.F. 2083)

If you ... are a sweatshirt maker in a Third World sweatshop, the market for your wares may have gotten a little smaller now that college bookstores in the state have to sell American-made clothing "to the extent possible." (S.F. 2083)

If you ... are a thirsty Gophers fan (and if that's not redundant we don't know what is), raise a brew to the intoxicating cause of human equality. Legislation puts the "pro" in proletariat and demands that booze be sold throughout University of Minnesota facilities, if it is sold anywhere within them, such as luxury suites at the new football stadium. (S.F. 2083)
But U President Robert Bruininks says he'll recommend against stadium-wide sales, though the U might allow beer to be served, not sold, in premium seats and suites.

If you ... are at a party with Margo Channing and she advises you to buckle your seat belts, you'd better do it. Not only because it may be a bumpy night, but now even the House has passed a bill to make failing to wear a seat belt a primary traffic offense. That means a cop can stop and ticket you for that alone. In past years, the House was where this bill went to die. (HF108)

That leaves the final "if," which comes for now without the "you." As Pawlenty goes about balancing the budget, big ticket items -- from health care to local taxes -- still hang in the balance and their potential impact on you may not be known for weeks.

Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636 Staff writers Mike Kaszuba, Kevin Duchschere, Norman Draper, May Yee Chen and Jenna Ross contributed to this report.