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. ( 01/14/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to use one-time money, and cut state agencies, programs and higher education to eliminate a projected $356 million projected deficit. Legislative leaders say they'll act quickly on Pawlenty's plan, although Democrats disagree with some of the details. (01/14/2003)

In a tight budget year, the Minnesota Legislature will get another look at a gas tax proposal. Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Dean Johnson said Monday the state should raise the gas tax by six cents a gallon, a proposal he estimates is worth $5 billion. ( 01/14/2003)

A House committee Tuesday passed a proposal that would indicate foreign visa status on state drivers' licenses. The measure would put the words "status check" on state IDs or drivers licenses belonging to foreign visitors. (01/14/2003)

The chair of the Senate Transportation Finance Committee has dusted off last year's plan to boost the state gas tax by pennies on the gallon, but despite support from key legislative leaders, the proposal is likely to meet stiff resistance from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The new administration has pledged to veto state tax increases of any kind. (01/13/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has appointed commissioners for two departments involved in economic and employment policy in Minnesota. (01/13/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty ended his first week on the job with a tour of inner-city minority-owned businesses. Pawlenty talked about the importance of education and good jobs. He also asked for suggestions to solve a budget deficit he described as "almost catastrophic," and warned that every Minnesotan will feel the pain of budget cuts. (01/10/2003)

Gov. Pawlenty picked a longtime tax policy analyst to serve as commissioner of the state Department of Revenue. Dan Salomone will serve a key role as the new administration wrestles with a $4.5 billion state budget shortfall. Salomone has been executive director of the Minnesota Taxpayers League since 1991 and was a state Senate and revenue department researcher for 14 years before that. ( 01/10/2003)

The Pawlenty administration has made it clear: Everything is on the table when it comes to eliminating a whopping $4.5 billion projected state deficit this session. That includes funding for the arts in Minnesota. MPR's <i>Word of Mouth</i> program considers the future of arts funding in a state that's broke. (01/10/2003)

The Pawlenty administration asked all state agencies on Thursday to freeze all spending that isn't obligated by a state contract. Pawlenty and lawmakers face a projected $4.5 billion budget shortfall over the next two and a half years. About $356 million of that deficit needs to be addressed as soon as possible because it's part of the current two-year budget cycle which ends in June. Administration officials say Pawlenty ordered the spending freeze to keep all of his options open. But several lawmakers say they're concerned that key funding will be cut off. (01/09/2003)

Officially, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers have a $4.56 billion projected deficit to cope with over the next 30 months. But Senate Finance Committee Chairman Dick Cohen said after a briefing from state economist Tom Stinson on Thursday that he'll proceed as if the problem is at least $5 billion and as much as $6 billion. (01/09/2003)

Gov. Pawlenty has named Peter Bell to chair the Metropolitan Council, and Vicki Grunseth to chair the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Bell is the executive vice president at Hazelden Foundation, and a former top executive at TCF Bank. Grunseth is a consultant to start-up telecom firms. (01/09/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty assured a group of business leaders Wednesday night that he won't raise taxes to fix the state's $4.5 billion deficit. Speaking at a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce dinner, Pawlenty said business owners can't afford another tax increase. He said it's important for lawmakers to hold the line on taxes, lower the cost of health care and introduce tort reform. (01/09/2003)

House Republicans showed that they were making repeal of the Profile of Learning a top priority when they announced it would be the subject of the second bill introduced this session. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, said the measure will pass. Audio is from their news conference at the Capitol. (01/08/2003)

Interested groups from around the state are meeting to discuss possible legislative changes to try to manage the spread of chronic wasting disease. Experts hope to present proposed policy changes to the state Legislature this session. (01/08/2003)