The Gopher State’s U.S. Senate recount may take a backseat in the newsroom today due to some important state governmental business: a much-anticipated budget briefing, a press conference by Governor Tim Pawlenty, and the DFL legislative response. Essentially, today is Round 1 of (Pawlenty) budget cuts vs. potential (DFL) tax increases to address the state’s serious budget deficit. Smart Politics will be at the Capitol, so expect a write-up covering the day’s events later tonight.