Budget Forecast

December 3

While much of the nation's economy remains strong, the housing crisis and high oil prices are causing economists to predict an economic slow-down.

As a result, the State of Minnesota’s budget is now projected to have a $373 million shortfall during the current budget period. This deficit is about 1% of the general fund budget.

Since I have become Governor, we have achieved a long-standing goal to move Minnesota out of the top ten in taxes, and have kept a lid on State spending. The DFL doesn’t believe in the value of lower taxes or limiting government spending.

Predictably, their approach in times of deficit will be to increase state spending and raise taxes to pay for it.

We cannot tax our way to prosperity. The best way to stimulate the economy is to leave as much money as possible in the hands of hard-working Minnesota families.

Some relief can come in the form of closing a tax loophole for foreign corporations. This is a fair thing to do and brings Minnesota in line with how the federal government taxes such corporations.

Every time the suggestion is made to close this loophole, the Democrats want to use the money generated by the change for more government spending. No surprise there. They always want to spend more. I think we should use the money to provide relief directly to Minnesota taxpayers.

But I can’t present our message alone. I need your help delivering our message of limiting government spending and tax relief to legislators. Please visit our Action Center at http://www.timpawlenty.com/ to find out ways you can help.

Thanks!

Sincerely,


Tim Pawlenty
Governor


November 26

This afternoon I announced my selection of Chris Dietzen to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Judge Dietzen has a long and distinguished career as both an attorney and as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University, where he also received his law degree. For more than 30 years, he practiced law specializing in civil litigation and has served on the appellate court since 2004.

He has proven himself to be a strict constructionist who follows the rule of law with impartiality. In a time when legislating from the bench has unfortunately become more commonplace, Judge Dietzen has continually used judicial restraint and common sense in his opinions.

His strong experience, innate fairness and honest character will serve him well as the newest member of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Sincerely,


Tim Pawlenty
Governor

Coon Rapids ECM Publishers: Pawlenty Administration presents $51 million veterans package to be submitted to Legislature

by T.W. Budig

ECM capitol reporter

Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Clark Dyrud styled the proposal “a grand coming together.”

The Pawlenty Administration on Veterans Day (Nov. 12) presented a $51 million veterans package it will submit to the Legislature this coming session.

It isn’t a dream sheet, said Minnesota Military Affairs Adjutant General Maj. General Larry Shellito, speaking at a Capitol press conference.

The 35 initiatives contained in the proposal emerged out of a collaborative process, he explained.

Click here to read the entire story.

Star Tribune: Minnesota Poll: Show of support for Pawlenty

Enjoying his highest approval ratings in four years, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has weathered a politically stormy summer.
By Mark Brunswick, Star Tribune

Gov. Tim Pawlenty appears to have weathered some of the most tumultuous events of his tenure, with 59 percent of Minnesota adults approving of the job he is doing as governor, a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll shows. It is his highest approval rating in the poll since February 2003, shortly after he took office.


Click here to read entire article.

Fox 9 News: Pawlenty Proposes Small Business Assistance for '08 Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Rural Minnesota small business development is the first major initiative proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty for the 2008 legislative session. On Tuesday, Pawlenty outlined SEED -- his Strategic Entrepreneurial Economic Development program.

SEED is a combination of tax credits, loans, grants and other capital assistance to small business owners in Minnesota. Pawlenty will ask the 2008 Legislature to approve and pay the program with $20 million from the state's general fund and another $50 million in borrowed money.

Click here to read the full article.

KARE 11: Pawlenty announces state loans for Mesabi Nugget plant

(Associated Press) Governor Tim Pawlenty said state agencies will lend $26.5 million to the Mesabi Nugget plant on the Iron Range, calling it a "transformational moment for northeastern Minnesota."

He signed a $16.5 million loan from the Iron Range Resources Board in Eveleth on Thursday and said the project will also get $10 million from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Click here to read the full article.

Governor Pawlenty Signs Flood Relief Bill

Just before 3:00 AM this morning, Governor Pawlenty signed the flood relief bill passed in the one-day special session.

As reported by the Pioneer Press, the bill includes:

- $51 million to repair and replace roads and bridges.

- $38 million for other public infrastructure projects, including repairing local sewer and water systems, city and county buildings, municipal utilities and state and local parks.

- $35 million in grants and loans to small businesses.

- $16 million in low-interest and forgivable loans to individual homeowners.

- $1 million for property tax abatements for flooded homes and businesses.

- $584,000 to clean up and repair schools and provide aid to offset pupils who left school districts after the flood.

Click here to read the rest of the Pioneer Press article.

Governor Pawlenty Calls Special Session

The State Legislature will convene at 5:00pm Tuesday for a special session to provide aid needed from the recent droughts and flooding in Minnesota.

Click here to listen to the press conference, via MPR.

PIONEER PRESS: Pawlenty says special session must be limited to floods, transportation, cutting property taxes

By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger


Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he has begun to doubt lawmakers' willingness to focus a potential special session only on emergency issues.

Pawlenty, a Republican, voiced those doubts in a letter to Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders Tuesday. He said his questions were prompted after reading an article in the West Central Tribune newspaper and talks his staffers have had with lawmakers.

"The sentiments expressed in the attached article and the discussions with legislators since our meeting last week raise questions about the DFL majority's willingness to keep a potential special session properly focused," he wrote.

Since the Interstate-35W bridge collapse on Aug. 1, lawmakers and the governor have considered the possibility of an interim legislative session to deal with the disaster. The massive flooding in southeastern Minnesota on Aug. 19 further fueled those discussions.

But the governor has said he will only call lawmakers into special session if he receives a detailed pre-agreement on what bills will be passed and the length of the session.

Click here to read the full article.

HometownSoure.com: Gov. Pawlenty announces proposal to require disclosure of flood insurance eligibility

Elgin, Minn. – Visiting southeastern Minnesota communities hit by flooding, Gov. Tim Pawlenty Friday announced a proposal to require insurance companies to tell Minnesotans about their eligibility for flood insurance.

“Many Minnesotans are unaware they are able to purchase flood insurance for their home,” Gov. Pawlenty said. “In some cases, people living through this disaster in southeastern Minnesota were told that couldn’t get flood insurance. We need to ensure that people have good information when they buy insurance so they can make the best decision about what’s right for them and their families.”

Click here for more.

Governor Pawlenty Speaks to the Ethanol Conference

The speech is online at domesticfuel.com.

Statement from Governor Pawlenty on I-35W Bridge Collapse

Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis:

“This is a catastrophe of historic propositions for Minnesota. We want to say to the families who are being impacted by this that our hearts and prayers are with you. But we also want to make sure that you know we are doing everything we can to make sure that we respond as quickly as we can to the needs of this emergency.”

MPR: Pawlenty to ask for agricultural disaster declaration

by Tim Post, Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty got a first-hand look at drought-damaged crops in central Minnesota on Tuesday. Pawlenty toured a Little Falls area farm, where a lack of rain has wilted the corn crop and stunted the hay crop. The governor says by the end of the week he expects to ask the federal government to declare many of Minnesota's driest counties disaster areas in an effort to free up federal and state assistance for farmers.

Click here to read the full article.

Pawlenty Tours Drought Area Today

The St. Cloud Times has the details on the visit.

Click here to go to their story.

STAR TRIBUNE: Pawlenty revs up his peers on energy

By Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. - With the nation's governors assembled before him, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on Monday that the United States can no longer rely on "unstable and unfriendly" foreign sources for its growing energy needs and called for an "Americanization" of energy. As the new chairman of the National Governors Association, the Minnesota governor said that "securing a clean energy future" would be the group's top priority for the coming year.

Click here to read the full article.

Pawlenty Named NGA Chair

Governor Pawlenty officially took over as chair of the National Governors Association this morning. He announced his policy initiative will be "Securing a Clean Energy Future."

More details to come as press reports become available...

Stateline.org Story on Pawlenty Becoming NGA Chair

By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty personifies Minnesotans’ reputation for being exceedingly polite. But beneath the mild manners lies a huge hockey fan hooked on hockeyfights.com, a Web site showcasing the bloodier side of the sport.

The two-term governor showed his more competitive side by delivering solid body checks to Democratic proposals to raise taxes in his state. His ferocity at blocking tax hikes is one reason some Republicans see this 46-year-old as a rising political star despite the wafer-thin margin of his re-election last fall.

Click here to read the full article.

Pioneer Press: New 2,500-acre state park proposed by Pawlenty

photo courtesy of lakevermillion.com

By Bill Salisbury

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today proposed creating a new 2,500-acre state park on Lake Vermilion in northeastern Minnesota. It would be Minnesota's first new major state park in 28 years.

"This is a unique opportunity to create a next-generation state park on one of Minnesota's most beautiful and pristine lakes," Pawlenty said in a news release. "Today we are outlining a vision and asking local and legislative leaders to partner with us to make this a reality. A state park in this location would provide an up-north, place-at-the-lake experience for all Minnesotans."

Click here to read the full article.

FORBES MAGAZINE: Minnesota Moves Up to 10th Best State for Business, #1 Quality of Life

Click here to see a slide show of the top states in which to do business, including Minnesota.

MPR: State effort to focus on school violence

by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Gov. Pawlenty announced that the state Department of Public Safety will establish a new office to focus on school safety issues.

The Minnesota School Safety Center will coordinate all federal, state and local efforts to prevent school violence.

Click here to read the full article.

New York Times Features Pawlenty and QComp Initiative

The New York Times has an article today about Governor Pawlenty and his efforts to modernize teacher compensation.

Here are some key excerpts:

"Here in Minneapolis, for instance, the teachers’ union is cooperating with Minnesota’s Republican governor on a plan in which teachers in some schools work with mentors to improve their instruction and get bonuses for raising student achievement. John Roper-Batker, a science teacher here, said his first reaction was dismay when he heard his school was considering participating in the plan in 2004.

“I wanted to get involved just to make sure it wouldn’t happen,” he said.

But after learning more, Mr. Roper-Batker said, “I became a salesman for it.” He and his colleagues have voted in favor of the plan twice by large margins."

Click on the logo to read the full article.

TIME MAGAZINE: Pawlenty Leading on Health Care and Energy

This week's issue of Time Magazine has an article about state and local government taking on initiatives without the federal government.

Here's what they have to say about Governor Pawlenty:

"The Minnesota Governor's new health initiative rewards people who are serious about prevention and makes medicine more affordable. The state is set to reach a 20% ethanol standard by 2013 and draw 25% of its energy from renewables by 2025."

Minnesota Tax Ranking Drops...Again

The Star Tribune has the details.

Click here to read the story.

Wall Street Journal: Governor Veto

If he's looking for tips on handling Nancy Pelosi, President Bush might want to consult Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. The Republican Governor is using his veto power to good effect on policy and making himself more popular.

Last month the Democrats who run the Legislature in St. Paul pushed through a big tax and spending increase in their $35 billion state budget. Last week Mr. Pawlenty responded by vetoing all six of the spending and tax bills the Democrats sent him.

Click here to read the full article (subscription required).

New Web Video With Governor Pawlenty

Governor Pawlenty's St. Paul Press Conference

MPR has the audio.

Governor Pawlenty On the Latest Round of Bills...

"I can't just say that bills that I haven't even seen yet, that spend $34 billion, that are 500 pages long or more, that I'm going to blindly just say, oh sure, I'll sign them.

That ain't the way it works."

CHANHASSEN VILLAGER: Pawlenty encourages scholars to serve

Governor Tim Pawlenty spoke at the Chanhassen Rotary annual scholarship breakfast Wednesday morning about the importance of serving others.

“This country doesn’t work unless we have people with a heart of service,” he said. “Life is a relay race. Are the folks who are going to grab the baton ready?”

Click here to read the full article.

STEVE SVIGGUM: There's no need to raise taxes

Steve Sviggum, published in the Star Tribune

While Democrats want to portray the need for increased taxes in Minnesota as the all-or-nothing approach to provide property tax relief and adequate education funding this session, it does not need to be the case.

Minnesota has an additional $3 billion to spend on government programs this session (including the $2.2 billion surplus). That's a 9.8 percent increase in overall state spending. With those kinds of resources available, there ought to be enough to fund all of Minnesota's needs -- including education and property tax relief -- without increasing the tax burdens that will kill jobs and economic growth in our state.

Click here to read the full op-ed.

STAR TRIBUNE: Pawlenty vetoes gas tax, income tax bills

By Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune

Gov. Tim Pawlenty struck swiftly and with strong language Tuesday to veto a gasoline tax increase and an income-tax-for-property-tax swap that were at the heart of the DFL's agenda for the session.

DFLers accused him of protecting the state's richest 1 percent -- those who would have borne most of the income tax increase, which would pay for the proposed property tax relief -- at the expense of everyone else. But they conceded that some of their top objectives are fast sliding out of reach.

Click here to read the full article.

Fish Count as of Lunch Break:

Governor Tim Pawlenty: 2 Northerns, 2 Walleye, 1 Perch

First Lady Mary Pawlenty: 3 Walleye, 2 Perch

Lt. Governor Carol Molnau: 3 Walleye, 9 Perch

Fishing Opener Update

Early reports are that the Governor is hauling in the fish this morning.

More details to follow...

THE PILOT-INDEPENDENT: Celebrations, dedications kick off Governor's Fishing Opener weekend

by Gail DeBoer

After a year of anticipation and preparation, the Walker community is rolling out a big "Walker-style" welcome for the 2007 Governor's Fishing Opener on Leech Lake this weekend.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau and other dignitaries will be participating in several events Friday that are open to the public.

The Fishing Opener kicks off Friday morning with Pawlenty's weekly radio show. The public is invited to Jimmy's Family Restaurant to watch the live broadcast from 9 to 10 a.m., produced by WCCO AM. It is distributed by satellite by the Minnesota News Network and will be carried locally by KQKK 101.9 FM and KAKK 1570 AM.

Click here to read the full article.

DETROIT LAKES TRIBUNE: Pawlenty veto pen dashes DFL dreams

Don Davis, DL-Online

Gov. Tim Pawlenty did as he promised — vetoed two more of the state’s major funding bills and pared down another.

And the Republican governor said he is ready to wield his veto pen some more.

However, he also signed a couple of bills. One funds public safety programs to the tune of $2 million. The other makes ticket scalping legal.

Click here to read the full article.

All across Minnesota...people are buying lures.

Governor Pawlenty got his today.

Polinaut has details and a photo.

And then there's this stellar quote:

"I'm going to practice catch and release just like I do with the DFL tax increases and budget through the roof bills. We do a little legislative catch and release when they send me these big tax hikes and spending bills. We're going to do the same on the lake this Saturday."

STAR TRIBUNE: Pawlenty endorses report on changing management of natural resources

By Dennis Anderson

Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday enthusiastically endorsed a commission report calling for overhauling the way the state's natural resources are managed and the way that management is funded.

The 57-page study by the Governor's Conservation Legacy Council, formed by Pawlenty last fall, calls for a three-pronged revamping: passage by the Legislature this session of sales-tax-based dedicated funding for conservation; establishment of a citizen Conservation Commission, whose duties would in part include oversight of the Department of Natural Resources; and development of a Conservation Compact, or statewide natural resources management plan.

Click here to read the full article.

VIDEO: Governor Pawlenty on KSTP's "At Issue"

Click on the image to watch this week's episode of "At Issue."

There is SOME fun being had at the Capitol...

The Pioneer Press has the story.

Click here to read the article about some fourth-graders from Stillwater visiting the Governor's office.

TOM SCHECK: The governor seems to be in a groove

In today's Daily Digest, MPR's Tom Scheck says Governor Pawlenty is in a groove.

Click here to read today's Daily Digest.

PIONEER PRESS: Pawlenty vetoes 2 major bills

BY BILL SALISBURY

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's red veto stamp got a workout Monday as he rejected budget bills to fund state agency operations and jobs programs.

Pawlenty signed a $2 billion anti-crime package and said he would be signing an $865 million appropriation for environmental and energy programs.

That means he will have signed three and vetoed three of the 11 tax and spending bills that will define the state's two-year budget. He's vetoing objectionable bills quickly, he said, to give the Legislature time to fix and send them back to him before the May 21 constitutional deadline for adjourning.

The Republican governor accused leaders of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor legislative majorities of adopting a new "ping-pong approach" to budget-making. Instead of negotiating spending targets with him, as previous legislatures and governors have done, he said, this year DFL lawmakers are sending him the budget bills they like, and he sends back the ones he dislikes.

Click here to read the full article.

Countdown to the Fishing Opener: 5 Days!

The Star Tribune has fishing tips from Chip Leer. Mr. Leer will serve as fishing guide for Governor Pawlenty and First Lady Mary Pawlenty this weekend.

Click here to see the article with Chip's tips.

POLINAUT: Agriculture and Veterans Bill Signing

Tom Scheck at MPR's Polinaut blog has more on today's bill signing, as well as a photo.

Click here to go to Polinaut.

HOMETOWNSOURCE.COM: Gov. Pawlenty signs Agriculture and Veterans Omnibus Bill

--NEWS RELEASE--

Saint Paul – Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday (May 4) signed the $170 million Agriculture and Veterans Omnibus Bill that strengthens the Clean Water Legacy Act, builds on the Governor’s Next Generation Energy initiative, and continues Minnesota’s commitment to members of the military and veterans.

“This bill includes key initiatives we proposed to help veterans, active military members and their families,” Gov. Pawlenty said. “It also focuses on renewable energy development and important programs to keep Minnesota agriculture growing.”

The legislation creates the Next Generation Energy Board, expands the Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program to improve water quality, and includes outreach and reintegration programs for Minnesota veterans.

Click here to read the rest of the release.

BRAINERD DISPATCH: Pawlenty lauds lakes area chamber education effort

By MIKE O'ROURKE, Associate Editor

EAST GULL LAKE - Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday described the Brainerd Lakes Chamber's education initiative as "nation-leading" and expressed disappointment the Legislature has only "symbolically funded it" at this point.

"It's very visionary," he told the crowd of more than 300 at the chamber's spring celebration at The Legacy at Cragun's.

Click here to read the full article (registration free, but required).

NEW ULM JOURNAL EDITORIAL: Bloated bonding bill needed vetoing

Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued the first of what is expected to be a long list of vetoes on budget and spending bills sent to him by the Legislature. The state construction funding bill was a bloated mess that deserved vetoing.

The bill, which topped out at $334 million, was not only four times the size of the governor’s proposed bonding bill, it was a bill that actually grew in conference committee. Usually when conferees get together they are looking for middle ground. But the panel reconciling the House’s $255 million bill and the Senate’s $285 million bill decided to go above and beyond.

Look for the governor to do the same to other overpriced budget and spending bills. The DFLers in the Legislature lack the votes to override the veto, so they are going to have to go back to work and come up with something more to the governor’s liking. They have about three weeks to do so before the end of the session. They’d best get to work.

ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE: Pawlenty to come for vets memorial

By Sarah Light, staff writer

Gov. Tim Pawlenty will make his second visit to Albert Lea in two months during the Freeborn County Veterans Memorial dedication on Memorial Day, his office announced Tuesday.

The dedication will take place at the site of the memorial on the lawn of the Freeborn County Government Center at 2:30 p.m., after a Memorial Day parade that starts at 1:30 p.m.

Click here to read the full article.

Governor Pawlenty on Almanac: At the Capitol

The Governor was on Almanac: At the Capitol with Mary Lahammer last night.

Click on the image to watch the show.

Fishing Opener Details

The Governor's annual fishing opener is next weekend in Walker. The Pilot-Independent has all the details.

Click here for details.

Watch Governor Pawlenty on "Alamanac: At the Capitol" Tonight

TPT 17 at 7:00pm

Click here for Almanac's homepage.

BUSINESS JOURNAL: Gov. proclaims May "Hire A Veteran Month"

Carissa Wyant, Staff Writer

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed May as "Hire A Veteran Month."

According to a press release, the Governor's office said it would support the national "Hire Vets First" campaign, which aims to help employers and veterans make use of a national network of employment resources.


The state's job Web site will include a new feature to attract veteran applicants. Employers may add the words "Veteran Friendly Employer" to their job postings on the no-fee Minnesota's Job Bank, on line at www.mnworks.org. Employers will be able to view resumes of qualified veterans, which will display first in resume searches.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Pawlenty vetoes construction projects bill

By BRIAN BAKST Associated Press Writer

ST. PAUL
Rather than spare the projects he liked, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed an entire state construction funding bill Tuesday and told legislators they'll have to scale it back to must-do items if they want his signature in round two.

Click here to read the full article.

STAR TRIBUNE: 56% in poll approve of Pawlenty's job

Patricia Lopez

Despite his often contentious relations with the Legislature, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is cruising along with a comfortable 56 percent job approval rating in the latest SurveyUSA monthly tracking poll.

The poll of 600 Minnesotans shows that nearly all Minnesotans have a well-defined opinion of the two-term Republican governor. About 40 percent disapprove of the job Pawlenty is doing, while only 4 percent have no opinion.

Click here to read the full article.

WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE: Governor warms up veto pen, striking down small local bill

The Associated Press, St. Paul

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is threatening to veto most of the Legislature's work on the state budget this year. On Monday, he warmed up by striking down a bill for local governments.

The legislation would have raised the spending limits for city charter commissions outside of the state's biggest cities from $1,500 a year to $5,000. Above that, elected city councils would have to approve any outlays.

Click here to read the full article.

McELROY: Government strives for efficiency

By Dan McElroy, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

As published in the St. Cloud Times

While the St. Cloud Times Editorial Board is right to raise the issue of efficiency in state government ("Debate on efficiency is missing at Capitol," April 11), it does not provide a complete picture of what we have accomplished under Gov. Tim Pawlenty's leadership.

Hundreds of changes have been made in Minnesota's government operations, some large and strategic, others incremental and tactical. The work isn't always visible, and much of it requires no legislation, but all of it is being done to run Minnesota's government more efficiently and productively.

For example, there are fewer state agencies now than there were in 2003. This means fewer overhead operations and savings for taxpayers.

Pawlenty merged the Minnesota Department of Economic Security and the Department of Trade and Economic Development to create the new Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Office of Environmental Assistance merged with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the agency known as Minnesota Planning was eliminated and its functions merged into the Department of Administration.

Click here to read the full editorial.

CPAC Photo

This just in...

AUDIO: Governors Napolitano and Pawlenty on MPR

Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Improving the math and science skills of high school graduates is a priority for policymakers around the country. But how to accomplish that is far from certain.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to make math and science education a higher priority, and he discussed that issue Wednesday with Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, as they visited the Minnesota Math and Science Academy, a charter school in Woodbury.

Napolitano, a Democrat, is president of the National Governors Association, and is touring the country in search of good national models for science and math education. Pawlenty, a Republican, is the NGA's vice president.

MPR's Tom Crann spoke with both governors about their goals for math and science education.

Click here to listen to the conversation.

The Pilot-Independent: Fishing hosts for Governor, First Lady and Lt. Governor announced

The Pilot-Independent

For Chip Leer, fishing is more than a hobby or a pastime. It's a lifestyle; fishing is in his blood; he loves everything about it.

Leer, one of the founders of Fishing the WildSide, got his start in fishing as a guide in Alaska. From there he returned to his roots in northern Minnesota as a multi-species guide and resort owner.

His personal mission is to assist people in achieving their personal fishing goals while attracting newcomers to the sport with the excitement of fishing.

"I feel being asked to host Gov. Tim Pawlenty on opening day is a high honor, and with it comes quite the responsibility," Leer said when he heard of the announcement. "With the numbers of anglers qualified for this task, I am extremely humbled to have been chosen."

Read the full article.

Agri News: Albert Lea rolls out the green carpet for Pawlenty

By Janet Kubat Willette

ALBERT LEA, Minn. -- Albert Lea and Freeborn County rolled out the green carpet for Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The garage-slash-warehouse at Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services became a banquet room filled with 50 or-so tables, each sporting a green centerpiece with a tractor, some corn kernels, childrens' play animals and some standing grass.

A green carpet stretched from one end of the warehouse to the other and two shiny green John Deeres sat in opposite corners.

The stage where Gov. Tim Pawlenty spoke was decorated with a farm gate and hay bales. Pawlenty was the guest speaker at the second annual Freeborn County Agriculture Luncheon.

Click here to read the full article.

Pioneer Press Editorial: Poised for progress on mental health

Pioneer Press

Those of us who like to sit back and throw mud pies at the occupants of the state Capitol need to deliver a bouquet of the sweetest-smelling spring daffodils for their work on behalf of those with severe mental illness.

The burden of severe mental illness is made much worse when our social networks do not offer the right kind of help at the right time. A family or patient looking for help needs everything our health care system can deliver. They need to know there is hope, and that the people of Minnesota are not going to leave them suffering alone.

So we praise the advocates, family members, legislators, health and human services officials and Gov. Tim Pawlenty for stepping up to help during this legislative session. Bills awaiting final action contain a substantial investment in services, in the work of the providers themselves and in the idea of a unified set of benefits that government insurance programs will cover.

Click here to read the full article.

Governor Pawlenty Rallies GOP at Conventions

Governor Pawlenty visited Republican congressional district conventions today in Medina, White Bear Lake and Waseca.

He was well received as he talked about the recent election, the legislative session, the future of the Republican Party and the need to develop more renewable energy in Minnesota.

VIDEO: Governor Pawlenty on TPT's Almanac

Governor Pawlenty appeared on TPT's Almanac this evening with hosts Cathy Wurzer and Eric Eskola.

They discussed his mental health initiative, the legislative session and his efforts to reform government.


Click here to watch the interview.

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY: You Did It!

Click here to listen to our radio - "Taxed Enough"

Dear Friends,
As you know, two weeks ago we launched a radio ad - "Taxed Enough."

The point of the ad is that we have just climbed out of a huge budget deficit - now is NOT the time to raise taxes.

With your help and support, we're making a real difference.

In the two weeks since the ad started, thousands of you have visited our online action center to help spread the word that we do not need to raise taxes.

And I'm proud to announce that your generous financial contributions have allowed us to keep the ad running for a third week and to run it on even more radio stations across Minnesota.

But we can't let up now.

Huge tax increases are working their way through the Democrat-controlled legislature.

If you haven't already, please join me in this fight.

After all, why would we raise taxes when the state's coffers have a positive balance?

Please visit our online Action Center today to contact your legislator, send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and take other actions to spread the word that you're taxed enough.

Click here to help spread the word.

Thank your for joining me in this fight and for all you do for Minnesota.

Sincerely,
Tim Pawlenty
Governor

P.S. Please visit our "Action Center" at www.TimPawlenty.com, where you can contact your local legislator or send a letter to the editor in support of not raising taxes.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: After few vetoes in 1st term, Pawlenty prepares to let loose

By Brian Bakst, Associated Press

In his first four years, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had the luxury of serving alongside a Republican House majority, a line of defense that kept most bills he didn't like away from his desk.
Now that Democrats run the full Legislature, his veto power could get a workout — and a test.

A game of political chicken is in full swing as the 2007 session hits the home stretch. Almost every budget bill the House approved this week is a veto candidate, as are several Senate-passed plans.

Some people at the Capitol doubt Pawlenty's willingness to drive up his veto count, but Pawlenty said he won't be shy about using the executive power. His veto tally so far is among the lowest for Minnesota governors who have served at least four years.

"For me it's not a matter of volume," he said. "It's a matter of principle and what's right. I'm not going to set some artificial cap."

Click here to read the full article.

VIDEO: Pawlenty visits U of M Law School

Governor Pawlenty visited his alma mater this week, the University of Minnesota Law School.

The Daily covered his visit with an article and a video.

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Worthington Post: A call for education reform

The Worthington Post discusses Governor Pawlenty's recent trip to Worthington. While there he visited Worthington High School to discuss education reform.

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Editorial: JOBZ helps level the outstate business field

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Governor talks development, visits Blazing Star Landing

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