Minn. panel meets with questions about budget

A legislative panel meets Tuesday for an update on Minnesota's budget.

The Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy is trying to find out whether Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to accept about $240 million in extra federal help for Medicaid health care.

Pawlenty's top advisers usually appear before the Democratic-controlled panel.

Pawlenty last week ordered state agencies to avoid discretionary involvement with the federal health care law, but the Medicaid money technically isn't part of that law. Pawlenty has said he's likely to take the money.

The panel of top legislators is also checking up on a line of credit to help the state through a cash crunch.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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