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St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

February 15, 2009 5:19 PM

Minn. Democrats take GOP gov.'s budget on the road

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DFL leaders respond — DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, State Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, left, and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich are among the DFL leaders taking the Governor's budget proposal on the road.
MPR Photo/Tim Nelson

The Democrats who control the Minnesota Legislature are giving the public a crack at Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget.

They're holding a series of town hall meetings across the state.

Pawlenty put his proposal to erase a projected $4.8 billion deficit on the table last month. He warned last week that the shortfall could balloon to as much as $7 billion, although some of that would be offset by federal stimulus aid.

Democrats have yet to outline their budget fix. They say they want to hear more from constituents before coming up with a plan.

The first meetings happen Thursday evening in Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud and Willmar, followed by hearings from Albert Lea to Virginia on Friday. Town hall gatherings are planned in the Twin Cities starting Feb. 23.

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DFL leaders respond — DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, State Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, left, and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich are among the DFL leaders taking the Governor's budget proposal on the road.
MPR Photo/Tim Nelson

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Dear reader,

Political debates with family or friends can get heated. But what if there was a way to handle them better?

You can learn how to have civil political conversations with our new e-book!

Download our free e-book, Talking Sense: Have Hard Political Conversations, Better, and learn how to talk without the tension.