Testy budget discussion reveals new plans are on the way
Governor Tim Pawlenty's chief financial advisor says a supplemental budget proposal will be completed within the next two weeks.
Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson told members of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy today that revisions are needed to reflect the new economic forecast and the federal economic stimulus money coming to Minnesota. But Hanson bristled when House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, called it a do-over budget.
"It's not a do-over budget. It's a handful of modifications," Hanson said. "If it were a do over, we'd be getting it to you in May, because it would take that long."
Kelliher explained she was measuring the needed changes by the dollar amount, not by the number of new budget pages.
"Somewhere between 80 and 85 percent of the budget is going to be recalculated based upon what's happening here," Kelliher said.
Meanwhile, Kelliher said House and Senate leaders are proceeding on a parallel timeline to develop their own budget proposal. She said they would not wait for the governor's new proposal.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.