Tick tock....

Posted at 6:57 AM on May 16, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, MN Legislature, Tim Pawlenty

With less than 24 hours until the deadline to finish their work, Governor Pawlenty and state lawmakers are still at odds over a plan to erase a nearly $3 billion budget deficit. House and Senate Democrats decided early Sunday morning to send another budget balancing bill to Pawlenty even though they haven't reached a deal with him. Republicans in the House and Senate say Pawlenty will veto the bill (I haven't received word from the governor's office on this yet Pawlenty's spokesman says Pawleny will veto the bill).

The main sticking point is over a plan to tap into federal funds for health coverage for poor Minnesotans. Democrats say the plan would increase health coverage and secure more federal funding for the state. But Republicans say it federalizes the state's health care system. DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich says Pawlenty is unwilling to compromise.

"He is stuck in the mud and he is the reason why we are leaning towards a special session," Sertich said. "And we hope that's not the case because as Democrats we have tried and tried again to finish this session on time and on budget."

Pawlenty, who spoke with reporters before the House and Senate action, said the health care issue and other items are causing budget negotiations to stall. He wouldn't offer specifics on which items. Pawlenty says he's hoping they can reach a compromise...

"The good news is people are working," Pawlenty said. "There are proposals that are being shared back and forth. We don't have agreement but at least there's ideas being exchanged but it's in a fairly narrow range of remaining issues to be solved."

The House won't be back into session until 2pm. The Senate is scheduled to start at 3pm. No word on when/if Pawlenty and legislative negotiators will meet again.

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