Friday, February 22, 2008

Coon Rapids ECM Publishers: Pawlenty Vetos Transportation Finance Bill

Pawlenty vetoes transportation finance bill; Speaker Kelliher says votes for override are there

Friday, 22 February 2008
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed the transportation finance bill passed Thursday (Feb. 21) night by lawmakers.

In his veto letter, Pawlenty expressed disappointment that lawmakers chose to ignore his “repeated” offers to work together on a compromise.

“This is a bill that goes way, way too far,” said Pawlenty Press Secretary Brian McClung, speaking for the governor who is on his way to National Governor’s Association meeting in Washington.

Standing outside the Governor’s Office,
McClung posed with the “Veto” stamp Pawlenty applied to the transportation bill.

He questioned why Congress on a bipartisan basis had crafted an economic stimulus package that included tax cuts while Minnesota lawmakers were raising tax.

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