The governor's plan for this year's budget deficit

Gov. Pawlenty has released the first part of a plan to eliminate a budget shortfall of $356 million for the current fiscal year. The proposal includes cuts in higher education, limits on out-of-state travel by state employees and other reductions. The plan includes permanent spending reductions of about $171 million. That includes a $44 million reduction in state agency operations, $77 million in state agency grants and programs, and $50 million from higher education.