Pawlenty: State should consider English-only measure

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he thinks Minnesota should consider a statewide measure designating English as the official language.

The northern Twin Cities suburb of Lino Lakes recently became the first Minnesota city to adopt English as its official language. It prevents the local government from translating official city actions and documents into other languages.

Similar bills have been introduced at the Capitol. Pawlenty said it may be a good idea.

"As we have more diversity of languages in the country and there may be some question about how are official documents going to be created ... I think it may be helpful to make it clear that that will be English," he said.

Dozens of states have measures on the books designating English as the official language. Oklahoma will vote on the issue in November.

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