Pawlenty trims, signs 3 budget bills

"MN Governor"

05/25/2007

By Martiga Lohn,
Associated Press
May 25, 2007


First he pruned. Then he signed.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty approved budget bills for health and welfare programs, economic development and state agency operations on Friday, after trimming spending provisions that weren't to his liking — including a media campaign for public health programs and aid for local projects on the Iron Range.

Lawmakers passed the bills without any guarantees from Pawlenty that he would sign them. Without an overarching deal for a budget, he made no promises that he wouldn't strike down or slim down their spending proposals. He had rejected earlier versions of all three bills.

The Republican governor has threatened to take down a tax bill that would force state economists to factor inflation into budget forecasts, but isn't expected to officially receive the bill until next Tuesday. Also pending are bills for public schools and colleges.

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