State lawmakers dissect Governor's budget proposal
Minnesota House and Senate committees will start digging deeper into Governor Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal this week.
The Republican governor unveiled a plan last week to solve the state's projected $4.8 billion shortfall with spending reductions, budget shifts and some borrowing.
DFL leaders say they need more information about the potential impact of the cuts, and they plan a series of public meeting around the state later this month.
Assistant DFL Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark of St. Cloud says the budget needs to be responsive to the concerns of Minnesotans.
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"At the end of the day ,what we really need to do is make sure this is Minnesota's budget. That it's really the people's budget. So, let's start with finding out what people can agree with and let's build from there. So part of the reason for going out is getting input and making sure people know," Clark said.
But Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, says he thinks Democrats will mainly use the meetings to criticize the governor. Hann says DFL leaders should instead offer an alternative budget.
"If they don't agree with that structure, then they ought to propose the alternative. And that's what the hearings that they go around the state should be about. Take that to the people. Here's our plan, here's the Governor's plan and let's have some discussion on that. I don't think that's part of the plan, and so to that extent, I'm not sure how productive that exercise will be," Hann said.
The House and Senate have scheduled meetings on February 19 in Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud and Willmar.
On Feb. 20, legislators will be in Albert Lea, Alexandria, Bemidji, Duluth, Little Falls, Marshall, Virginia, Winona and Worthington.
A second series will be scheduled later in the Twin Cities metro area.
