March 13, 2007
KARE 11
Compiled by Associated Press writers Brian Bakst and Martiga Lohn.
BONDING
Minnesota's credit card will probably get minimal use this year after a couple years of heavy activity. Last year's public works bill rang up at $999 million, on top of a $962 million package the year before. Lawmakers have said they might borrow for some projects this year, but won't tackle another megabill until next year. A significant renovation of the state Capitol, which wouldn't start until late 2008, could get some seed money.
BUDGET
This is job one of the 2007 session. Minnesota's current budget expires in June. Its two-year replacement should easily top $34 billion. Of course, there's a fight over the details. Finance officials projected a $2.1 billion surplus -- some of it in one-time money and other in recurring funds -- but Democrats argue that the overage barely covers inflation in current programs. For now, Democratic leaders aren't calling for a general tax increase, although some are pushing for changes in the business tax code. It remains to be seen how much new money schools will get and whether homeowners can count on the state to ease rising property taxes.
EDUCATION
Focus on young kids or the older ones? That's the big question in this debate. House leaders are determined to expand all-day, everyday kindergarten to more schools. Gov. Tim Pawlenty places greater emphasis on changing the high school culture. And Senate leaders are proposing to spend more state dollars on helping schools meet their special education expenses. All three are expensive propositions, so it'll be hard to do everything. On the higher education front, a hoped-for tuition freeze is probably too ambitious this year, but lawmakers could impose regulations on textbook sales.