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Government

• Bishops take poverty tour; call for "moral" state budget
  As lawmakers try to close a $700 million deficit, the leaders of the state's two largest religious denominations want to put a human face on potential cuts to human services.January 20, 2005
• Pawlenty's Rochester plans: Part policy, part politics
  If Gov. Tim Pawlenty has his way, the city of Rochester could be in for a building boom. In Pawlenty's State of the State address from Rochester Tuesday, he outlined a list of projects for the city and the region. Political observers say the attention on Rochester could be an attempt to shore up Republican support in what's long been considered GOP territory.January 19, 2005
• "U" says Rochester plans depend on a lot more state money
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave some juice to a decades-old wish to create an undergraduate university in Rochester during his State of the State speech Tuesday. University of Minnesota officials say they don't have the money to embark on such a project.January 18, 2005
• Bonding for roads? Worth a (long and careful) look
  Gov. Pawlenty says borrowing to pay for highway projects is a common-sense, fiscally responsible idea. Is it?January 17, 2005
• Tougher penalties could add to overcrowding problem
  Minnesota lawmakers face one of those classic political dilemmas this session - how to balance the strong desire to lock up more criminals against the reality of tight finances.January 7, 2005
• Budget shortfall focus of new legislative session
  Lawmakers are returning to St. Paul to convene the 84th Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday. The principal order of business will be crafting a two-year state budget that's currently projected to run at least $700 million short.January 3, 2005
• Future uncertain for Twin Cities jazz station
  The future of a Twin Cities jazz radio station is in doubt after the Minnesota Department of Transportation cancelled a long-running contract for traffic updates. The contract makes up nearly half of KBEM's operating budget.December 23, 2004
• Drug discount cards are not popular
  Several groups that represent the low income and the elderly say they're not having much success giving away the government's money. They say Minnesota's seniors aren't signing up for Medicare drug discount cards.December 15, 2004
• Stadium plans back on the Capitol agenda
  The debate over sports stadiums is alive again at the Minnesota Capitol. Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum predicted Tuesday that the 2005 Legislature will approve funding for new stadiums for the University of Minnesota football team and the Minnesota Twins.December 15, 2004
• Does Minnesota spend too much?
  A looming $700 million deficit anticipated in Minnesota's next budget cycle has reframed the debate on how much government the state can afford.December 13, 2004
• Will Pawlenty health alliance generate 43% savings?
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he hopes to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care by combining the buying power of the state and Minnesota's largest employers. Health care industry observers say that's large enough to pull some weight with providers, but are skeptical of the size of the potential savings.December 7, 2004
• Pawlenty gambles with proposals for casino revenue
  Some Republican Party activists say GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's call to use casino profits to help solve the budget shortfall threatens to divide Republicans, because it conflicts with the party platform.December 6, 2004
• Governor urged to drop no-tax-increase pledge
  Minnesota is headed into a fourth straight year of budget deficits. State officials Wednesday projected a $700 million shortfall during the upcoming two-year budget cycle. The budget news has led to a chorus of interest groups calling for tax increases of some sort to plug the leak.December 2, 2004
• The struggle over intelligence reform
  It's been more than three months since the 9-11 Commission released its final report, and the United States is still waiting for intelligence reform. The House and the Senate missed the election day deadline President Bush set for them to reconcile their versions of a bill enacting many of the changes the commission proposed. With the White House and the military also weighing in, will the Congress be able to find a bill everyone can agree on?November 5, 2004
• Pawlenty issues plan to fight meth
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty promised Monday to wage more than a "Just Say No" campaign against methamphetamine, calling for stiffer penalties for makers of the drug and new steps to curb its production and use. The Republican governor outlined his four-point plan before a national conference of legislators, law enforcement officials and other professionals who deal with the drug.October 25, 2004

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