Pawlenty uses line-item veto to trim bonding bill

04/07/2008

By Mark Brunswick,
Star Tribune
April 7, 2008


Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced line-item vetoes this afternoon on a capital investment bill he deemed too costly. Pawlenty whittled a $925 million borrowing bill passed by the Legislature last week down to $717 million.

Pawlenty had signalled his disapproval of the bill in advance. Speculation had centered on whether he would reject the bill altogether or use his authority to remove individual items.

The highest profile project rejected was $70 million for the Central Corridor light-rail line linking Minneapolis and St. Paul. Other notable items left on the cutting room floor included $11 million for a Como Zoo gorilla exhibit and $24.5 million for a proposed new Bell Museum of Natural History.

"Somebody has to be fiscally responsible. That job falls to me," Pawlenty said.

The Republican governor had said he wouldn't accept a bill that adds more than $825 million to the state's general debt load.

He said legislators overspent because they were unwilling to say no to projects. He wouldn't say whether he would allow for a second bonding bill this year.

Other casualties included:

—$46.7 million for property acquisitions and classroom renovations on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses.

—$16 million for a loan to the Red Lake school district for a new school.

—$6 million toward sports centers in Moorhead and Rochester.

—$5.5 million to study or plan for passenger rail routes connecting the Twin Cities to Duluth and another to Chicago.

—$5 million for a St. Paul Asian Pacific Cultural Center.

—$3 million toward planning for a Minnesota Orchestra Hall renovation.

—$400,000 for a music lending library in Chatfield.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.