Go to Minnesota's budget

Minnesota's budget

Minnesota Public Radio coverage of the Minnesota budget negotiations.
  • A check-in on the session
    The Minnesota Legislature begins its spring recess Monday afternoon. Where do things stand on education, taxes, transportation, health care and other major issues?Midday, April 2, 2007
  • Convincing constituents
    With proposed plans to increase income taxes in the works, lawmakers are gearing up to leave their offices at the Capitol and head home for Passover/Easter break. This is usually a time when constituents have a chance to talk with the elected officials, and lawmakers have plenty to talk about this year.April 2, 2007
  • Former speakers talk taxes
    There's a lot of tax talk at the Capitol, and the governor has said he will veto any of the tax bills being considered in the House and Senate. If he holds firm on his veto threat, what next?March 29, 2007
  • Senate DFLers shift strategy in budget debate
    They're proposing a mix of tax increases to pay for new spending and property tax relief. So far this session they've been passing bare-bones spending bills for things like K-12 schools and higher education.March 28, 2007
  • Senate votes to save much of surplus for a rainy day
    Senators voted 57-to-7 to set aside $629 million of the budget surplus in case of a downturn in the economy. It would bring Minnesota's reserve to 5 percent of state spending.March 28, 2007
  • Growing cities say they deserve more money from the state
    The leaders of some fast-growing rural Minnesota towns say they're being cheated out of their fair share of money from the state.March 27, 2007
  • House Democrats propose new top tier on income taxes
    The proposal they unveiled on Friday would create a new income tax bracket for an estimated 28,000 Minnesotans. Republicans claim the tax will drive people out of the state.March 16, 2007
  • Pawlenty says lawmakers must 'put fork down' on spending
    In a sign that Minnesota's budget debate is heating up, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday sharply rebuked lawmakers proposing higher taxes and spending by comparing them to weak-willed dieters who should "push away from the table."March 14, 2007
  • A look at the Budget Balancer
    Minnesota Public Radio has created the Budget Balancer, a simulation that allows you to play the role of legislator. How does it work? How was it put together?Midday, March 9, 2007
  • No tax increases in DFL budget plan
    The proposal disappoints several committee chairs who were hoping for more money to follow through on some of the campaign promises they made last year.March 8, 2007
  • Pawlenty's performance incentives draw some skepticism
    Gov. Tim Pawlenty has started using a new strategy he says will get better results for the billions the state spends on public education every year.March 7, 2007
  • Budget forecast puts squeeze on spending plans
    Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers got a budget forecast that prompted both relief and disappointment on Wednesday. The state's fiscal outlook looks much the same as it did last November and so do the battles over spending that lie ahead.February 28, 2007
  • Budget forecast nears
    Money takes center stage at the state Capitol this week with the latest budget forecast due on Wednesday.February 26, 2007
  • State tax collections slip in January
    Finance officials say tax collections were 5.5 percent below expectations in January. A fuller economic forecast for the state comes out later this month.February 12, 2007
  • State rushes to provide benefits to veterans
    Gov. Tim Pawlenty's package of tax breaks and other benefits to military personnel and their families is a generally popular initiative, but some legislators are raising questions about the long-term cost of the plan.February 2, 2007
Photo by AFP/Getty Images

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