statebudget
Stimulus money shrinks state budget hole - TwinCities.com
[continue]Minnesota: the Hotdish Revolution needs YOU! – Tild~
[continue]MinnPost - Pawlenty touts highway projects in stimulus bill he doesn't like
In a whirlwind tour of the state that's certain to provide stimulus to airplane fuel producers, — Gov. Tim Pawlenty is promoting some of the transportation projects that Minnesota will undertake with the stimulus money approved by Congress.
The governor has said he doesn't like the stimulus bill, but will take the state's share.
[continue]Minnesota 2020 -- Schools Brace for Devastating Budget Cuts
Minnesota schools continue to be financially crushed well beyond the current economic crisis. After years of state neglect, schools are shedding teachers and programs at an alarming rate.
[continue]Private Prisons | Almanac: At the Capitol
Republicans came up with another budget-cutting idea today: moving prisoners from the state-run Moose Lake prison to the privately run Appleton prison. They say it could save more than $100 million in total, $25 million in cheaper day rates for prisoners and $90 million in bonding that wouldn't have to happen to upgrade Moose Lake for sex offenders. Appleton has room. The community has concerns about retaining jobs. The prison is the largest employer in a town that has struggled to keep Main Street alive. But Moose Lake could lose jobs.
[continue]MN's Fed $ | Almanac: At the Capitol
We are starting to get a clearer picture of how much federal money is headed to the state. Someone just pointed out on my Facebook page: "Fascinating readying--$30.6 M for St. Paul Public Schools, $34+M for Minneapolis."
[continue]MPR: Polinaut: Pawlenty has to ask for the stimulus dough
WCCO says the fine print in the stimulus package says Gov. Pawlenty (and other governors) have to make a formal request for the stimulus money. If Pawlenty chooses not to request the money, the Legislature can overrule him. That is something DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said the DFL controlled Legislature would do.
[continue]MPR: Polinaut: Legislative meetings draw big interest
The first batch of public hearings regarding Minnesota's budget shortfall is over. House staff said that 2425 people attended the meetings on Thursday night and Friday morning (they didn't have data yet from Friday afternoon's hearings). 504 people testified.
There will be another round of meetings next week in the Twin Cities area.
Judging from the coverage , it appears lawmakers didn't find a magic bullet to balance the budget.
[continue]Don't expect Minnesota budget resolution any time soon - MinnPost
As much as we hear about proposals for slashing and burning at the Legislature to cure the budget malady, it's going to be some time yet before the real action starts, says Don Davis of the Forum newspapers.
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