Go to Minnesota's budget shortfall

Minnesota's budget shortfall

Coverage of the debate over Minnesota's $4.6 billion state budget shortfall.
  • Minn. officials say stimulus will ease budget pain
    With the U.S. House and Senate expected to vote soon on a $789 billion economic stimulus bill, officials at the Minnesota State Capitol are still trying to figure out what it means for them. Lawmakers held a meeting this afternoon to discuss how the money could be spent.February 12, 2009
  • Pawlenty warns deficit could hit $7 billion
    Gov. Tim Pawlenty is warning that since the economy is not improving, Minnesota's state budget deficit is likely to grow by $1 billion or more.February 11, 2009
  • Committee approves bill banning sexual predators from Web sites
    A Minnesota House committee approved legislation today that would ban sexual predators from social networking Web sites.February 10, 2009
  • Minn. official: Madoff losses could cost state
    Minnesota's top economist says Bernard Madoff's alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme could deepen the state's deficit by $20 million or more.February 6, 2009
  • Minn. lawmakers probe, pan Pawlenty's budget plan
    Legislators are peeling back the layers of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget plan this week, and many DFLers say they don't like what they're seeing.February 3, 2009
  • Slot machines, tax exemptions among state revenue suggestions
    As the governor and state lawmakers struggle to erase a projected $4.8 billion deficit over the next two years, they're talking about a lot of things including spending cuts and one-time money and accounting shifts. But policy makers aren't saying much about how the state can raise money. It could be tax increases or other steps.February 3, 2009
  • Pawlenty's budget would shed state jobs in Minn.
    An Associated Press analysis shows that Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal would cut the equivalent of more than 1,100 full-time state workers within about two years.January 30, 2009
  • Pawlenty names point person on federal stimulus
    Gov. Pawlenty has appointed the director of Minnesota Management and Budget to oversee Minnesota's portion of the federal stimulus package.January 30, 2009
  • Pawlenty tobacco plan raises questions
    Tobacco money could be a big piece of the budget puzzle as Minnesota lawmakers try to plug a nearly $5 billion deficit.January 29, 2009
  • Business groups like Pawlenty's tax cut plans
    Gov. Pawlenty touted his budget plan today to one of the few groups that may be pleased with it -- the business community. As some groups complain about cuts to health care, aid to local government and higher education, the business community is cheering proposed tax cuts.January 28, 2009
  • Governor hands budget to lawmakers
    In his budget address, Governor Tim Pawlenty proposed $2.5 billion in state spending for areas such as subsidized health insurance, higher education, and aid to cities and counties. Legislative leaders join MPR's Gary Eichten to respond.Midday, January 28, 2009
  • Higher education sees big cut in Pawlenty plan
    Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal to fix the state's $4.8 billion dollar deficit includes a big cut for higher education. Under the governor's plan, the state's colleges and universities would receive 10 percent less in state funding in the next two years.January 28, 2009
  • Legislature to begin dissecting Pawlenty's budget proposal
    Governor Pawlenty will take his budget proposal on the road today, speaking before two local chambers of commerce. Meanwhile, committees in the House and Senate will start examining the details of Pawlenty's proposal to erase the state's projected $4.8 billion deficit. The plan makes significant cuts to state programs, but it could be worse.January 28, 2009
  • Human services cuts inevitable under Pawlenty plan
    Gov. Pawlenty proposes increasing spending in human services, but demand is expected to out-pace spending.January 27, 2009
  • Pawlenty's budget: 2.2 percent spending cut
    Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday proposed a budget that cuts state spending by 2.2 percent and relies on federal stimulus funding to help erase an expected deficit of nearly $5 billion. Under the proposed budget, about 84,000 people would lose eligibility for state health programs.January 27, 2009
Photo by AFP/Getty Images

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