GOP House budget draws ire of area lawmakers - 2003-04-05 House Republicans published their budget plan Thursday to repair the state's $4.2 billion deficit without increasing taxes.
Their plan would spend and additional $20 million over the next two years from what the governor originally proposed and depend upon the Legislature's approval of a state-owned casino at Canterbury Park and a freeze on state employee health benefits.
"We've listened to the taxpayers and we will not make any tax increases. We will make a few adjustments to the governor's budget," said Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon. Read the full story at Mesabi Daily News
DFL budget will be released Monday - 2003-04-05 Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders in the Minnesota Senate are expected to reveal their alternative to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget at noon Monday.
Sen. Ann Rest of New Hope, the assistant majority leader, said the Democratic plan will not rely — as a Republican House budget does — on earnings from a state-operated casino.
But Rest and Sen. John Hottinger of St. Peter, the majority leader, refused Friday to say how much spending they will propose or whether they will urge a tax increase. Read the full story at Pioneer Planet