Gov. Pawlenty modifies unallotment plan

The Pawlenty Administration has modified its unallotment proposal.

Tom Hanson, the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, said the plan keeps in place most of the major portions of Governor Pawlenty's plan to erase a $2.7 billion budget deficit.

The changes increase the level of cuts to some health and human services programs but restore funding for a private mental health facility in Minneapolis and the White Earth Band of the Ojibwe. Hanson said the governor made the changes after listening to stakeholders and lawmakers.

"Whenever you come up with any kind of budget plan, it's always better to vet it a little bit and we vet it internally and then we try to vet it externally like we did," Hanson said.

Hanson said the cuts in state aid to local government will mean the state will pay $6 million more in property tax refunds.

Hanson will hold another meeting with lawmakers next week but said the administration has already met the legal requirement to consult with the Legislature.