Pawlenty offers fix for budget logjam

06/26/2005

Star Tribune
June 27, 2005

Expressing frustration over a budget logjam that has put the state on the verge of a partial government shutdown, Gov. Tim Pawlenty late Sunday proposed flying to Camp Ripley Monday morning with all legislative leaders and locking the door to a cabin until an agreement is reached.

Pawlenty made the unprecedented proposal after receiving an offer from Senate Democrats that he described as “not particularly helpful.”

Pawlenty ordered the state plane fueled and sent letters to four legislative leaders, instructing them to have their bags and toothbrushes packed.

“What we’re doing now isn’t working,” Pawlenty said.

He described Camp Ripley, an Army base between Brainerd and Little Falls, “as a nice controlled setting” where only the five leaders will be ensconced, without lobbyists, staffers, or the media.