May 1, 2007
Minnesota Public Radio
Brian Bakst, Associated Press
St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - Rather than spare 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 backing.
The $334 million bill passed the House and Senate the day before. It authorized borrowing or cash payments for flood mitigation in Browns Valley, arena expansions in Duluth and St. Cloud, seed money for new transit lines and general repair of prison and college buildings.
"This is unfortunate because it includes a number of good and worthy projects, including things I strongly support," Pawlenty said.
He attacked it as too large and said it came to him too soon in the process. Pawlenty said he asked leaders to withhold the public works bill until after a broader budget agreement was struck.
Full Story