The advantage to writing this letter later in the day than usual is I can give you today's news instead of yesterday's. This letter isn't a blog per se because I usually update it only once a day, first thing in the morning. If you listened to Morning Edition Monday you know that most of my time was spent on the air with Cathy Wurzer trying to convince you to become a member of MPR (you really should, you know).

Anyway, I'm writing a little later than usual and the updated numbers have just come in on the state's revenue forecast. Here's what the Associated Press has, fresh off the wire:

ST. PAUL (AP) - Improving economic conditions sliced nearly one-third off Minnesota's projected budget deficit, reducing it to $466 million over the next two years.

In December, finance officials predicted the 2006-07 deficit
would be $700 million. Since then, higher-than-anticipated tax
collections have put an extra $150 million in state coffers.

Corporate income taxes appeared to be the big gainer, but
collections of other taxes were also up, according to a report on
state revenues. Full details were to be formally released at noon
Monday.

The new deficit figure will guide budget deliberations between
now and May, when lawmakers will adopt a two-year state budget of
about $30 billion. By law, the books must be balanced by the end of
the budget cycle, which is June 2007.

Of course the latest projections still don't include inflation, so there's still a pretty big problem out there to solve. And the latest push for more spending is coming from parents and teachers, who will rally at the Capitol Monday evening. Here's what MPR's Tim Pugmire had:

Parents of children who attend public schools have been spending a lot of time lately at the state capitol. Several organizations have joined forces this session to convince state lawmakers to increase funding for K-12 education.

Mary Cecconi, executive director of the Parents United Network, says the lobbying effort was born out of a growing level of frustration among parents.

"They're very concerned about their schools," Cecconi says. "They've seen year after year after year of cuts. And where in the beginning they thought they could make up the cuts with fundraising or helping out a little bit extra at the school, they can't anymore. So, they're coming here to say we've had it. We're angry, and this is not the way to fund schools on the backs of kids."

The last few years have been tough for local school districts. State budget problems kept the basic education funding formula frozen at $4,601 per student. But operating costs continue to rise. That forced many school leaders to cut programs, layoff teachers and increase activity fees to balance their books.

Gov. Pawlenty has proposed increasing the basic per-pupil spending formula 2 percent each year of the biennium or by a total of more than $250 million. He would add another $60 million if districts agree to try a new teacher pay system.
On Friday a bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed an increase of $750 million, but conveniently didn't identify where the money should come from.

Who would have though there were so many Republicans waiting to run for Congress?It took Rep. Mark Kennedy's decision to run for U.S. Senate to break the logjam and let the rush of wannabes flow. The latest in the race is former Education Commissioner Cheri Peirson Yecke. here's an item from MPR's William Wilcoxen:

Yecke was ousted from her job as state Education Commissioner when DFLers in the state Senate rejected her appointment last year. Now Yecke thinks she should thank the Senators who voted against her. She says the seat in Congress from Minnesota's sixth district may be a better place for her.

"The 6th District is the most conservative district in the state. President Bush took this district with 57 percent of the vote. And I've always been forthright with the fact that I'm a conservative. And I think the fit for me in this district is very good," she said.

The 6th District extends from the Twin Cities' eastern and northern suburbs northwest through Stearns County. Yecke is the fifth Republican to enter the race since incumbent Mark Kennedy announced he will run for the U.S. Senate next year. Yecke joins state Sen. Michelle Bachman, state Reps. Phil Krinkie and Jim Knoblach, and Republican activist Jay Esmay.

No Democrat has yet announced a campaign in the 6th. Of course Patty Wetterling, who ran last time, now says she's looking at the Senate. Here's the e-mail she sent reporters on Friday:

Since Senator Mark Dayton announced he would not seek reelection two weeks ago, a lot of people have urged me to run for the U.S. Senate.

I am extremely flattered to be considered as a potential candidate for such
an important position. Up to two weeks ago I had not given a run for Senate
much thought because it was my understanding that Senator Dayton would seek
reelection.

A United States Senator has the ability to have a profound effect on public
policy issues that affect the daily lives and futures of working families.
After discussing this development with family, friends, and supporters I
have decided to actively explore a run for the U.S. Senate.

In the upcoming weeks I will form an exploratory committee to further look
into this option. My focus, as always, is to determine where I can best
advocate for children and families, to serve the people of Minnesota most
effectively.

Remember when people actually had to say something to reporters to get their message out? It sure made it a lot easier for those of us in the radio business. E-mail gets the message out fast but allows people to avoid sometimes unpleasant tasks like, oh, answering questions.