Political Notebook

A reprieve from budget cuts — for now

Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled his revised budget recommendations this afternoon. Thanks to a $2.6 billion infusion of federal stimulus dollars, K-12 education would get an extra $28 million funding boost on top of the governor's previously proposed increases over the next two-year budget cycle. Colleges and universities would also be spared from 8.2 percent in cuts.

Pawlenty's budget would restore $10 million out of $25 million of proposed cuts for the court system. The governor is also proposing that the state take back responsibility for housing short-term offenders, easing the burden on counties.

But there are plenty of cuts in the future. Beginning January 2011, the governor would move ahead with his proposed health care cuts. Democrats say that would mean 113,000 people would lose state health insurance. Over the next four-year budget cycle, Democrats charge the governor's budget would amount to a 35 percent cut in health care — including a substantial cuts to state hospital payments.

In addition, higher education would take an 11 percent funding hit in those later years. State aid to cities and counties would be frozen in the 2012-2013 budget at the level of cuts the governor is proposing over the next two years. Democrats say that amounts to a 23 percent cut in aid over the four-year budget.

Pawlenty to release updated budget

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to release his updated budget proposal at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow. His budget is being adjusted to make sure Minnesota gets federal stimulus dollars that come with certain requirements  — especially in the health care area.

The budget also comes after February's updated budget forecast showed that the state's two-year budget deficit had climbed to $6.4 billion. But thanks to an infusion of $1.8 million in federal stimulus dollars, the deficit amount dropped to $4.57 billion.

Senate Democrats unveiled their budget proposal last week, which includes $2 billion in additional revenue and 7 percent across-the-board cuts to all ares of the budget. Most of the revenue increase would come from a tax hike on the state's wealthiest residents. Here's that story.

House Democrats are expected to release their own budget proposal soon.

Senator and would-be senator talk up stimulus

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, who has begun referring to himself as "senator elect" are both making stops in Rochester talking up the federal stimulus package.

Klobuchar stopped by the Post-Bulletin at 9 a.m. to meet with the editorial board. During the meeting, she said that while the $787 billion stimulus package is not perfect, it was needed. She said it will create an estimate 3.5 million jobs nationwide and 66,000 jobs for Minnesota. She said it is also an investment in the country's infrastructure to help the nation remain competitive on a global level.

"The idea here is not just those short-term jobs, but also to have something to show for it in the long-term," Klobuchar said.

Meanwhile, Franken has announced he will be dropping by Rochester City Hall at 2 p.m. today to discuss the stimulus plan. His staff has begun referring to the DFLer as "senator elect." Meanwhile, the legal case drags on between Franken and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman over who won the November election.

Roch mayor says city — not state — should get stimulus dollars

At a listening session this afternoon hosted by First District Congressman Tim Walz, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede voiced concern about federal stimulus dollars going to the state instead of directly to the city. Brede said he recently attended a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and there was agreement that those dollars for local project should go straight to the cities, counties and school districts — instead of being divvied out by the state.

"A strong request is that the money come directly to the cities or the counties using the community development block grant model," Brede said. "Sometimes as it comes to the state or others it gets hung up and there are I'll say some handling fees added on."

Walz said he agrees with Brede, but making that happen is unlikely.

"I thought for this stimulus for impact, for accountability and the biggest bang for the buck for our local constituents and taxpayers was to do the model the mayor is asking for. I don't think they are going to do it," Walz said.

The reason? Walz said President Barack Obama's administration wants to make sure there is control over the process so that dollars are spent wisely. But Walz said he believes there is actually more accountability at the local level, where voters can oust officials if they are irresponsible with the dollars.