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St. Paul, Minn.

March 18, 2009 9:15 AM

Senators respond to Pawlenty's new budget proposal

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Jets fly over the Capitol in St. Paul — Jets fly over the Capitol in St. Paul during Minnesota's sesquicentennial celebration.
Photo courtesy of the MN Sesquincentennial Commission

Using federal stimulus funds, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes a further increase for K-12 schools and restores cuts made to colleges and universities.

He proposes spending $27 million more on schools, and $304 million on higher education. The governor also delays changes in eligibility for subsidized health care programs.

The Senate DFL has proposed across-the-board cuts, and a higher income tax. DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher says she doesn't think the governor's budget is balanced, and is planning to release the House DFL budget plan on Friday.

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State Capitol in St. Paul — Jets fly over the Capitol in St. Paul during Minnesota's sesquicentennial celebration.
Photo courtesy of the MN Sesquincentennial Commission

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