Minnesota Legislature: Minnesota's Budget Crisis



Gov. Tim Pawlenty has imposed a hiring freeze on most state agencies, due to concerns over the state's projected budget deficit. (02/19/2008)
DFL legislative leaders are promising a quick start to the 2008 session with hopes of passing legislation that will kick-start the economy. (02/11/2008)
A projected state government budget gap is likely to grow from the $373 million forecast back in November, because tax revenues are lagging due to the slumping economy, according to the state's top economist. (01/30/2008)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing a nearly $1 billion bonding bill for the 2008 Legislative session that includes a record amount of state borrowing for bridge repair and replacement. (01/14/2008)
There's still hope for local government leaders and others who want to see the Legislature return to St. Paul for a summer special session. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has sole power to summon lawmakers back, kept the possibility in play Wednesday. (06/13/2007)
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says the governor won't have to face any of the tough decisions his veto will force city officials to confront, such as laying off police officers. (05/29/2007)
Gov. Pawlenty says he's leaning toward vetoing the tax bill lawmakers passed on the last day of the session, because it contains a provision that would take inflation into account in state spending forecasts. Should the governor veto the bill? What else will be eliminated if he does? (Midday, 05/24/2007)
Lobbyists and others are waiting to see if Gov. Pawlenty vetoes a tax bill that passed the Legislature in the last minutes of the 2007 session. A lot of pet projects are at stake. (05/23/2007)
Gov. Pawlenty says he may veto one of the major bills that lawmakers passed in the final hours of the session Monday night. The governor has his eye on the tax bill, after lawmakers included a provision he opposes. But even if he vetoes the bill, it wouldn't necessarily force a special session. (05/22/2007)
The Minnesota Legislature concluded its 2007 session with a chaotic last minute push to meet a midnight deadline for adjournment. (05/21/2007)
Foreign operating corporation taxes were at the heart of an agreement at the Capitol between DFL legislators and Gov. Pawlenty. (05/21/2007)
It could be a mad dash for lawmakers to finish their work on time if a budget agreement is reached. Both the House and Senate would have to pass six tax and spending bills that focus on everything from school funding to nursing homes to state agencies. (05/20/2007)
The negotiations stopped early Saturday morning with Republicans and Democrats still holding out hope for an orderly and successful end of the session. But the optimism seen on Friday had clearly faded. (05/19/2007)
With time running out in the regular legislative session Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders will continue their closed-door meetings Friday. (05/18/2007)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders will continue budget negotiations Thursday after meeting late into Wednesday night. Lawmakers have until Monday to complete a two year budget and legislative leaders now say they're optimistic that they'll finish their work on time. (05/17/2007)

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