Pawlenty's budget forecast assumes property tax hikes Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to release his revised budget plan this afternoon to address the state's projected $4.6 billion deficit. While he insists he won't approve a tax increase, the budget forecast assumes that local governments will raise property taxes.March 17, 2009
Dems prep plan to cut health care costs Architects of the proposal says it saves money by boosting prevention spending on anti-smoking and obesity campaigns.March 16, 2009
House leaders to release budget proposal this week House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher of Minneapolis says the plan will not include across the board spending reductions, like those found in the DFL Senate budget proposal released last week.March 16, 2009
Legislators ponder the difference between supplement and substitute Tonight, a crowd is expected at a legislative hearing on how to spend millions of dollars in new state money for the arts. The funds are from a new sales tax passed by voters in November. It's a debate complicated by the economic downturn and by the language in the constitutional amendment approved by voters.March 16, 2009
Unions push back on Pawlenty's call for pay freeze Gov. Tim Pawlenty has repeatedly urged public employees at all levels of government to accept a salary freeze as a way to avoid layoffs. But union leaders say that's an unrealistic promise.March 11, 2009
Lawmakers spar over education spending in budget forecast Minnesota is facing a $4.5 billion budget deficit in fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Now, two key players in the budget debate are publicly disagreeing on funding for K-12 education, the largest area of state spending.March 4, 2009
Kelliher, Seifert discuss their budget ideas Minnesota lawmakers now have a budget number to work with -- the deficit is $4.5 billion. Two Minnesota House leaders from either side of the aisle offer their perspectives on how to balance the budget.Midmorning, March 3, 2009
Some cities warn of budget cuts while sitting on rainy day funds Local elected officials have been warning that state aid cuts will mean fewer police and firefighters on the street. But some cities appear to be in a better position than others to handle cuts.March 3, 2009
Legislators eye fix for red ink State finance officials release a new economic forecast today, and all signs suggest Minnesota's $4.8 billion budget deficit will grow significantly larger.March 3, 2009
Obama sets his sights on health care reform Despite the nation's financial crisis, the Obama administration has proposed the largest expansion of taxpayer-subsidized health insurance in more than four decades. Midmorning looks at the battle to come over health care reform.Midmorning, March 3, 2009
Minn. budget deficit expected to rise, some say to $7 billion Three months ago, state finance officials released a forecast that projected a $4.8 billion deficit for the next two-year budget, as well as a shortfall in the current biennium.March 2, 2009
Tax-free duds could be budget casualty in Minn. Minnesota is one of just a few states that don't tax clothing sales. But calls to extend the sales tax to clothes are expected to grow as state leaders confront a nearly $5 billion deficit.February 27, 2009
Arts advocates argue for financial reality Hundreds of people are expected at Arts Advocacy Day at the Minnesota State Capitol today. The lobbying comes as Gov. Pawlenty is recommending the zeroing out of the State Arts Board's funding.February 24, 2009