Minnesota Legislature: Taxes & Finance



Senate bill aims to cut prison sentences to save state funds

A bill introduced in the Minnesota Senate this week would cut prison sentences across the board and lower penalties for specific crimes. The bill's author said she's proposing the changes to help balance the state's budget. But some public safety advocates say the changes go too far and the savings could be found elsewhere. (04/16/2009)

Little agreement at Capitol as deadlines loom

The Minnesota House and Senate resumed work Tuesday after a holiday break, and deep disagreements remain over how to erase the state's $4.6 billion budget deficit. (04/14/2009)

DFL Legislative leaders stake out their positions

The Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader discuss the $4.6 billion budget shortfall and other key issues being negotiated in the final 5 weeks of the 2009 Legislative Session. (Midday, 04/13/2009)

Minn. general fund revenues $46M below forecast

The latest economic update provided by Minnesota Management and Budget says general fund revenues collected by the state have fallen below forecast in the last two months. (04/10/2009)

Senate DFLers approve cuts to education funding

The Minnesota Senate has given preliminary approval to an education funding bill that cuts state spending for public schools. (04/07/2009)

Teachers union concerned about proposed school budget cuts

Education funding comes up today in the Minnesota Senate. The DFL-backed bill would cut K-12 funding by more than 3 percent. The state's teachers union, Education Minnesota, is opposed to that move. (04/07/2009)

Minn. House passes $200M bonding bill, stimulus spending bills

The Minnesota House passed a $200 million borrowing plan for public construction projects on Monday. The House also passed a pair of stimulus spending bills aimed at water infastructure projects and unemployment funding. (04/06/2009)

Minn. Senate votes to lift host of state mandates

The Minnesota Senate has given preliminary approval to a bill that relieves cities, counties and school districts from dozens of state-imposed mandates. The bill is aimed at helping local officials save money. (04/06/2009)

Governor's hometown hits hard times

City officials in South St. Paul worry that cuts in state aid by native son Tim Pawlenty will cause big problems. (04/05/2009)

School districts have nearly $1 billion in reserve

At a time when many Minnesota school boards have been cutting programs and laying off teachers, school districts as a whole are sitting on record budget reserves. (04/03/2009)

Minnesota-Wisconsin sharing to save $10M each

The governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin say after looking at ways the two states can work together to save money, they've identified about $10 million in savings for each state. (03/31/2009)

House DFLers propose $200 million for public works

Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a $200 million public works bill that borrows money for higher education, rail projects and flood mitigation. (03/30/2009)

Pawlenty, DFL legislators make little progress on budget

Governor Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders made little progress on the state budget during a private meeting Thursday. DFLers complained that the governor doesn't appear willing to balance the state's budget over the long term. Governor Pawlenty said he opposes the DFL plans to raise taxes to help erase the state's $4.6 billion budget deficit. (03/26/2009)

Pawlenty proposes state workers take unpaid leave

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing that state employees agree to take up to 48 days of unpaid leave over the next two years as a way to save money. Union officials say the plan for forced furloughs is unacceptable. (03/26/2009)

Pawlenty to meet with DFL, warns against tax hikes

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he has invited top legislative Democrats to his office on Thursday to discuss fixing Minnesota's deficit. (03/25/2009)

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