Agreement on bonding bill close
ST. PAUL (AP) - The Minnesota Senate's lead negotiator on a bonding bill says a deal is close for a $925 million construction projects package.
From kstp.com April 1, 2008
But Sen. Keith Langseth said the Legislature is moving ahead without Gov. Tim Pawlenty's agreement.
It's unclear what that means for the bill, which would pay for new university buildings, arenas, zoo exhibits and other infrastructure.
Pawlenty has said in light of the state's budget deficit and debt guidelines, the total price tag should be kept below $825 million.
Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the governor will rein in Democrats if they spend more, but he wouldn't say whether Pawlenty would veto the entire bill or use the line-item veto to strip out projects.
"The Governor will make that decision after we've reviewed the bill they send us," McClung said.
At issue is a guideline that says debt and interest should not exceed 3 percent of the general fund.
Langseth said that the way bonds are actually sold means the threshold wouldn't be breached even if the $925 million bill becomes law. He said no deal came out of a meeting with Pawlenty last week.
"The governor's got to have it his way," said Langseth, DFL-Glyndon.
Langseth said the House-Senate conference committee plans to vote on the bill Tuesday and House and Senate votes could come Wednesday.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
