Pawlenty calls for spending reform

In a report called Tough Choices Today for a Better Future Tomorrow, Pawlenty proposed a 2004-2005 budget of more than $28 billion, an increase of 3.8% -- or $1 billion more than the current two-year budget that ends in June. Pawlenty committed himself to no tax increases during his gubernatorial campaign and stood by that pledge even after a new economic forecast suggested the deficit was nearly double what was expected. He said the deficit offered a chance to rethink the way Minnesota government is funded. Overall, elementary and secondary education is one of the few areas that would see spending increases, but the impact on individual districts will vary and some may see decreases. Criminal justice also would get a slight bump in spending. Nearly everything else takes a hit.