Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Federal money will mean budget do over

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

State lawmakers say the federal economic stimulus bill will require Gov. Tim Pawlenty to rework his budget proposal.

The issue came up today during a meeting of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy. Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson explained that strings attached to the federal money will likely prevent the governor's proposed spending reductions for health and human services programs. The governor's use of an accounting shift for K-12 education funding also appears to put federal money in jeopardy.

"Basically, we're really talking about a do-over budget for the governor at this point," said House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis.

Hanson largely agreed with Kelliher analysis.

"I don't know if the whole budget is a do over." Hanson said. Human services most likely will be."

But when Kelliher reminded the commissioner that human services represent a third of state spending, and education is an even bigger piece, Hanson revised his do-over calculation.

"Well, probably 85 percent of it," Hanson said.

After the meeting, the House Republican minority leader issued a news release to criticize Kelliher and her comments.

"Speaker Kelliher's caucus has offered very little in terms of its own ideas for balancing the budget and growing jobs," said Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall. "While Republicans have put forth numerous ideas and Gov. Pawlenty made his proposal, Democrats continue to recline in the easy chair and not offer any solutions."