Pawlenty says he may veto public works bill

Gov. Pawlenty is suggesting that he may veto a public works bill moving through the Legislature.

During a morning news conference, Pawlenty called the House and Senate bonding bills "unaffordable, irresponsible, and filled with local projects." He said he usually would line-item veto projects from the bill but suggested he won't do that this year.

"It really just lets them off of the hook in terms of their obligations and responsibilities to present a bill that is reasonable, focused and prioritized and the bills they have now don't meet that definition," Pawlenty said. "If they were close and it was a matter of cleaning up a few things, I would do that but if they're that far off the mark both in terms of size and priorities, I would give them a chance to have a do over."

The House and Senate have proposed $1 billion in borrowing for new college buildings, transportation projects and civic centers. The plans are $300 million more than what Pawlenty proposed. Democrats argue that the legislation will help put people to work.