Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been using the term "welfare health care" to refer to state-subsidized health insurance programs. Some advocates for the poor say his choice of words is an attempt to turn public opinion away from recipients. (01/26/2005)

Two former state finance commissioners blasted Gov. Pawlenty's proposed budget Wednesday. They say Pawlenty's budget relies on gimmicks, gambling money and property tax increases to cover a $700 million deficit. (01/26/2005)

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the state's largest business interest group, today proposed a massive speedup in state transportation projects. The chamber proposes a 5 cent a gallon increase in the state gas tax, among other ideas, to pay for the package. (01/26/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his budget proposal on Tuesday, recommending increased education funding, eliminating health care subsidies for over 27,000 childless adults and seeking new revenue by building a metro area casino in partnership with Indian tribes. While the budget does not include a tax increase, Democrats claim the governor is just forcing local governments to raise property taxes to fill gaps in funding. ( 01/26/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget recommendations for the state's public colleges and universities are getting a mixed reaction from the state's higher education institutions. The University of Minnesota says it got what it wanted, mostly. But MnSCU says its needs are being shortchanged. (01/26/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's $30 billion budget proposal promises to wipe out an expected $700 million deficit without raising state taxes. But critics say the governor is merely pushing costs down to cities, counties and school boards. (01/25/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is banking on casino money as a way to balance the state's finances. His budget plan, introduced Tuesday, includes a proposed Twin Cities casino that would be run jointly by the state and interested northern Indian tribes. (01/25/2005)

Gov. Pawlenty's $29.6 billion budget follows through on his pledge to "rein in" the costs of health care. He proposes reducing eligibility for people on state health care programs, and cutting payments to hospitals. Critics say Pawlenty's proposal will shift costs to other health care areas. (01/25/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty released a proposed two-year budget Tuesday that depends on money from a new casino to help erase a projected $700 million deficit. Pawlenty's budget wouldn't raise state taxes, but relies on a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases to balance the budget. (01/25/2005)

The Senate approved a state borrowing bill Monday that would increase the state's long-term debt by nearly $1 billion. (01/24/2005)

When Gov. Tim Pawlenty releases his budget for the next two years, his goal is to erase the state's projected $700 million deficit. A likely target is subsidized health care, which Pawlenty says is growing too fast. (01/24/2005)

When Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes his budget on Tuesday, he will likely spark a debate and put into sharp relief two starkly different fiscal philosophies. Should resources be pooled and redistributed, or collected and controled at the local level? Does Minnesota have a revenue problem or a spending problem? Is private initiative or public investment the best path to prosperity? ( 01/24/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty laid out his 2005 agenda in his annual "State of the State" address on Tuesday; now two of Minnesota's legislative leaders have their say. From budgets to bonding, education to gambling, what should the state's priorities be? ( 01/21/2005)

Minnesota's transportation funding debate has gotten a big jolt with the release of a study by the Citizens League. The study recommends that Minnesota gas tax revenue, constitutionally dedicated for road and bridge building, be used for additional transportation needs. (01/21/2005)

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. (01/20/2005)