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St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

Proposed cap of Minn. gov't spending takes center stage

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A proposed constitutional amendment that would cap government spending in Minnesota is taking center stage at the state Capitol.

The proposal from Gov. Tim Pawlenty was getting an airing in the Democratic-led Senate Tax Committee on Monday morning. Minnesota Republicans scheduled a rally to show support for the plan.

Pawlenty wants the Legislature to authorize a 2010 ballot question. It would ask voters to decide whether to limit spending in a given budget cycle to the revenue the state collected in the previous budget period. Currently, budgets are based on future revenue projections made by state finance officials.

Pawlenty says a cap would head off the steep deficits in the future. Democrats argue it would handcuff state leaders and squeeze programs they deem vital.