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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Waiting for the dough

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The federal economic recovery package continues to weigh heavily on Minnesota lawmakers, who are waiting to see how much money is coming their way.

During today's weekly media briefing, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, said she was concerned that the U.S. Senate might

take direct aid to states out of the bill. Kelliher described state aid as a very important component of the $900 billion recovery bill.

"The federal government has the larger economic tools and levers that they can move, Kelliher said. "States do not have this. We think it's critical that this is included."

Kelliher told reporters she thought directing the package completely toward construction projects would be slightly misguided. Minnesota is facing a projected $4.8 billion budget deficit, and the speaker said she wants benefits for other public sectors, such as education, included in the federal bill .

"We know that this is not ongoing money," Kelliher said. "But the fact of the matter is the federal government has not lived up to Minnesota students in terms of what they have promises. And so we believe this is an important part of helping provide a bridge during these very difficult times."

Kelliher announced that members of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy will meet Thursday to further discuss the economic stimulus. House and Senate leaders will use a satellite hookup to talk to representatives of the National Council State Legislatures. Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson, who Gov. Pawlenty appointed to coordinate the federal money, is also expected to attend.

Senate Republicans criticized the DFL majority for relying too heavily on the federal stimulus. Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said Democrats are waiting for Congress when they should be working on an alternative budget proposal.

"That's not a budget solution to just wait for what Congress is going to do," Michel said. "We need to solve Minnesota's budget deficit here in Minnesota."