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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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