Tim Pawlenty

Research Report
7/7/12

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................2 Top Hits .................................................................................................................................. 17
Pawlenty Left Minnesota With A $6.2 Billion Deficit ................................................................................. 17
Pawlenty Alleged Budget Surplus Ignored Future Budgets Where He Shifted Funding And Relied Upon Extension Of Federal Medicaid .................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Left Minnesotas Economy A Mess ............................................................................................................ 18 Raised Millions In Taxes And Fees ............................................................................................................ 18 Lobbyists...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Pawlenty Is A Former Lobbyist .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Lobbyist Support For Presidential Campaign ................................................................................................................................... 19 Lobbyists Held Important Positions In Pawlentys Administration.............................................................................................. 20 Defended Lobbyists .............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Used Lobbyists In Campaign ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

Taxes ............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Proposed Tax Cuts For The Top 1% Four Times Greater Than The Bush Tax Cuts .............................................................. 21

Ethically Challenged Campaigner .............................................................................................................. 21 Attacked Romney On Healthcare .............................................................................................................. 22 Problematic Rhetoric On Immigration ...................................................................................................... 22

Career ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Spent Entire Career As A Political Insider ................................................................................................. 24
Began Career As A Field Organizer And Political Director ........................................................................................................... 24 Lobbyist ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Held First Fundraiser At Home Of Lobbyist ................................................................................................................................... 24 Connected To Bush And Mccain Campaigns ................................................................................................................................... 24 Hired Friends And Lobbyists To Administration ............................................................................................................................ 25 2006 Reelection ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Pawlenty Played Insider Politics Since Career In Legislature ......................................................................................................... 26

Bush Republican ........................................................................................................................................ 26

Pawlenty Supported Bush And Cheney ............................................................................................................................................. 26 Bush Supported Pawlenty..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Pawlenty Helped Get Bush Elected .................................................................................................................................................... 27 Supported Bush Programs.................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Opposed Tarp, But Gave Bush Credit For Rescuing Economy.................................................................................................... 30

Shifted Right in Run For President ............................................................................................................ 30

Campaigned With Far-Right Activists ................................................................................................................................................ 30 Pawlenty Questioned Climate Change ............................................................................................................................................... 31

Left Office With Low Ratings ..................................................................................................................... 31

Majority Of State Residents Would Not Support Pawlenty For President .................................................................................. 32

Private Sector Experience........................................................................................................................... 33 Post Governorship Plans ............................................................................................................................ 33

Book Deal With Evangelical Publisher .............................................................................................................................................. 33 Speaking Appearances ........................................................................................................................................................................... 34

Ethical Failures ....................................................................................................................... 36

American Bankers Pay To Play Statement................................................................................................. 36 Secret Fraud Settlement.............................................................................................................................. 38 Wasting Taxpayer Money ........................................................................................................................... 39 Flip Flopped To Benefit Developer Campaign Contributor...................................................................... 39 Appointees Ethical Problems .................................................................................................................... 40
Pawlentys Regulators Came From The Businesses That They Were Regulating ....................................................................... 40 Pawlentys Labor Commissioner Failed To Pay For Workers Compensation ............................................................................ 41 Pawlenty Picked Former Law Partner For Supreme Court ............................................................................................................ 42

Pawlenty On Romney.............................................................................................................. 43
Pawlenty Criticized Obamaneycare ......................................................................................................... 46

Abortion And Reproductive Rights ........................................................................................ 48

Anti-Choice ................................................................................................................................................. 48
Pawlenty Would Outlaw Abortion In Most Cases ........................................................................................................................... 48 Pawlenty: The Right To Life Is More Important Than The Right To Privacy ........................................................................... 49 Pawlenty Was Anti-Choice Because Of His Catholic Upbringing ................................................................................................ 49

Alternatives ................................................................................................................................................. 49 Criminalization ........................................................................................................................................... 49 False Information ....................................................................................................................................... 50 Minors ......................................................................................................................................................... 50 Planned Parenthood ................................................................................................................................... 50 Public Funding For Family Planning ........................................................................................................ 50 Right To Know ............................................................................................................................................ 51 Ultrasounds .................................................................................................................................................. 51 Waiting Period and Right to Know ......................................................................................................... 51

Agriculture ............................................................................................................................... 52
Agriculture Budget Cuts ............................................................................................................................. 52 Big Farms vs. Small Farms ......................................................................................................................... 52 Subsidies ..................................................................................................................................................... 52

Budget In Minnesota .............................................................................................................. 54

Pawlenty Left $2 Billion Larger Deficit Than The One He Inherited ...................................................... 54

Pawlenty Left Minnesota With A $6.2 Billion Deficit ..................................................................................................................... 54 Pawlenty Alleged Budget Surplus Ignored Future Budgets Where He Shifted Funding And Relied Upon Extension Of Federal Medicaid .................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 Pawlenty Had To Borrow Money From Somewhere To Meet 2010 Budget .............................................................................. 56 Pawlenty Sacrificed Education In Budget Fix Attempt ................................................................................................................... 56 Cut Local Aid.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 57 Pawlenty Lost Federal Funds And Cut Services As A Result ........................................................................................................ 57 Failed To Fix Long Term Budget Deficit .......................................................................................................................................... 58 Forced Cuts To Vital Services ............................................................................................................................................................. 59

Accounting and Budget Tricks .................................................................................................................. 60 Budget Cuts ................................................................................................................................................ 63

Pawlenty Left Greater Deficit Than He Inherited ........................................................................................................................... 68

Budgeting Gimmicks ................................................................................................................................. 69

Ignored Government Spending Inflation In Budgeting .................................................................................................................. 72

Use Of Unallotment ................................................................................................................................ 73

Pawlenty Unilaterally Cut Minnesotas Budget Through Line-Item Vetoes And Unallotment ................................................ 73 Pawlentys Unallotment Cuts Hurt Minnesotans ............................................................................................................................. 74 Accused Of Playing Politics With Unilateral Budget Cuts .............................................................................................................. 74 Favored Government Shut-Down After Supreme Court Blocked His Unconstitutional Allotments .................................... 76 Unilateral Budget Cuts To Food Program For The Poor And Elderly Were Ruled Unconstitutional ................................... 77

2010 Budget ................................................................................................................................................. 79

$600 Million Loan .................................................................................................................................................................................. 79 December 2009: Minnesota Faced A $1.2 Billion Deficit ............................................................................................................... 80 Pawlenty Proposed Cutting Even More From State Programs ..................................................................................................... 80 Local Governments ............................................................................................................................................................................... 82 The Poor.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 83 Justice System ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 83 Public Safety............................................................................................................................................................................................ 84 Delayed Payments To Schools And Cuts To Education ................................................................................................................ 86 Cut Local Aid Leading To Higher Property Taxes And Reduction In Services ......................................................................... 87 Cut Funding For Vital Community Services ..................................................................................................................................... 91 Left $7.2 Billion Deficit Following Cuts ............................................................................................................................................ 92 Opposed Balanced Budget Proposal That Raised Taxes ................................................................................................................ 93 Vetoed Iron Range Economic Fund .................................................................................................................................................. 94 2009 Budget Gimmicks......................................................................................................................................................................... 94 Wanted To Lower Business Taxes Despite Budget Concerns ....................................................................................................... 95 State Health Care Plan .......................................................................................................................................................................... 96 Higher Education................................................................................................................................................................................... 98 Education Funding ................................................................................................................................................................................ 99 Homeless Veterans Programs .............................................................................................................................................................. 99

2008-09 Budget: Cutting Critical Funding While Raising Fees ................................................................ 100
Proposed Sales Tax Cut ...................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Cuts To Health Care And Education ............................................................................................................................................... 102 Public Safety.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 105 Transportation Projects ...................................................................................................................................................................... 105 $1 Billion Bonds For Capital Improvement Including Transportation ...................................................................................... 107

Increased Spending And Fees ............................................................................................................................................................ 108 Childrens Health Care ........................................................................................................................................................................ 110 Transportation ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 111 Taxes ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 113 Local Government Aid ....................................................................................................................................................................... 115 Health And Human Services.............................................................................................................................................................. 117 Jobs Bill Vetoes .................................................................................................................................................................................... 118 State Government Bill ......................................................................................................................................................................... 118 Pawlenty Signed A Tax Bill ................................................................................................................................................................ 119

2006-07 Budget........................................................................................................................................... 119

$1.4 Billion Budget Shortfall .............................................................................................................................................................. 119 Largest Budget In State History ........................................................................................................................................................ 120 Fees And Taxes .................................................................................................................................................................................... 121 K-12 Funding ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 122 Higher Education Funding................................................................................................................................................................. 123 Health Care Costs ................................................................................................................................................................................ 123 Child Care Reimbursements............................................................................................................................................................... 125 Employment Services .......................................................................................................................................................................... 125 Borrowing ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 125 Local Government Aid ....................................................................................................................................................................... 126 Gimmicks .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 126 2006 Bonding Bill ................................................................................................................................................................................ 128

2005: Government Shutdown ..................................................................................................................... 129

Criticized By Minnesota Newspapers ............................................................................................................................................... 132 Final Budget Bills ................................................................................................................................................................................. 133

2004-05 Budget........................................................................................................................................... 135

Pawlenty Proposed The Largest Budget In State History ............................................................................................................. 135 Gimmicks .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 135 Fees ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 135 Cuts To The Poor And Students....................................................................................................................................................... 136 Federal Funds ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 137 Education .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 137 Health Care ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 138 Economic Development..................................................................................................................................................................... 139 Leased Cars For Staffers ..................................................................................................................................................................... 139 Local Government Aid ....................................................................................................................................................................... 140

2003 Budget Fix ......................................................................................................................................... 141

Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing Millions To Balance The Budget ............................................................................................... 141 Pawlenty Used Gimmicks And Reserves To Help Balance The Budget .................................................................................... 141 Increased Fees And Delayed Tax Reimbursements To Businesses ............................................................................................ 141

Additional Budget Issues .......................................................................................................................... 142

Children And Families .......................................................................................................... 143

Child Care .................................................................................................................................................. 143 Bullying ...................................................................................................................................................... 143 Proposed Banning Flavored Cigarettes..................................................................................................... 143

SCHIP ........................................................................................................................................................ 143

Civil Liberties ........................................................................................................................ 145

First Amendment ....................................................................................................................................... 145
Pawlenty Proposed Charging Fees To Iraq War Protestors ......................................................................................................... 145 Censorship ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 145 Pawlenty Signed A Law Limiting Funeral Protests ........................................................................................................................ 145 Pawlenty Supported Keeping Minors From Buying Mature Video Games........................................................................... 146

Faith-Based Initiatives .............................................................................................................................. 146 Separation of Church and State ................................................................................................................. 146 Mosque Near Ground Zero ....................................................................................................................... 146
Pawlenty Was Strongly Opposed To Mosque Near Ground Zero ............................................................................................. 146 Criticism Over Mosque Statements .................................................................................................................................................. 147 Imam Rauf ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 147

Burning Qurans ......................................................................................................................................... 148

Pawlenty Said People Had A Legal Right To Burn Books ........................................................................................................... 148

Crime ..................................................................................................................................... 149

Death Penalty ............................................................................................................................................ 149 Funding Cuts For Crime Initiatives And Public Safety ............................................................................ 149
Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid Threatened To Result In Decreased Police And Fire Protection .................. 149

Drinking Age ............................................................................................................................................. 150 Police Monitoring ...................................................................................................................................... 150 Gangs ......................................................................................................................................................... 150

Economy................................................................................................................................ 151
Bond Rating ............................................................................................................................................... 151 Minnesotas Economy ............................................................................................................................... 151
Minnesotas Unemployment And Poverty Rate Nearly Doubled Under Pawlenty .................................................................. 151 Bankruptcies Climbed To Their Highest Levels In A Decade ..................................................................................................... 152 Pawlenty Hurt Minnesotas Economy .............................................................................................................................................. 152

Minnesotas Job Growth ............................................................................................................................ 152 Economic Development Programs ........................................................................................................... 153
Tourism Programs ............................................................................................................................................................................... 154 Iron Range Economic Development Fund ..................................................................................................................................... 154

2009-10 Federal & State Jobs Bills ............................................................................................................. 154

Proposed A Jobs Creation Plan With Tax Cuts And No Plan To Pay For Them .................................................................... 154

JOBZ Program ........................................................................................................................................... 155

Jobz Was Criticized For Its Ineffectiveness .................................................................................................................................... 155 Business Leaders Criticized Jobz Program ...................................................................................................................................... 157 Pawlenty Wanted To Expand Jobz Program To Include Green Jobs ........................................................................................ 158

Bioscience Program ................................................................................................................................... 158 Recovery Act Hypocrisy ............................................................................................................................ 158

Said Recovery Act Did Not Work .................................................................................................................................................... 159 Used Stimulus Funding To Balance The Budget In 2009 And 2010 .......................................................................................... 159 Said Stimulus Money Was Acceptable Given Minnesota Gets Little Back On Its Tax Dollars ............................................. 161 Applauded The Stimulus In Minnesota............................................................................................................................................ 161 Finance Commissioner Praised The Stimulus ................................................................................................................................. 163 Pawlenty Administration Reported That The Recovery Act Preserved Or Created 20,100 Jobs In Minnesota ................. 163 Refused To Rule Out Accepting Funding From Possible Second Stimulus Package .............................................................. 163 Applied For Additional Recovery Act Funding For Education ................................................................................................... 164 Minnesota Auto Dealers Opposed Pawlentys Criticism Of Cash For Clunkers ...................................................................... 164

National Economic Policy ........................................................................................................................ 165

5% Growth Promise............................................................................................................................................................................ 165 Economic Plan ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 165 Bond Rating .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 167 Flip Flopped On Tarp ......................................................................................................................................................................... 168 Pawlenty Opposed The Auto Bailout............................................................................................................................................... 169 Bernanke Reappointment ................................................................................................................................................................... 170 Wall Street Reform .............................................................................................................................................................................. 170 Pawlenty Criticized Obamas Spending............................................................................................................................................ 171 State Bankruptcy .................................................................................................................................................................................. 172 Criticized State Aid From The Federal Government .................................................................................................................... 172 Federal Reserve .................................................................................................................................................................................... 173

Education .............................................................................................................................. 175

Charter Schools .......................................................................................................................................... 175
Pawlentys Delayed Payments Left Charter Schools With Little Funds ..................................................................................... 175

Education Funding.................................................................................................................................... 175

Proposed Cuts To Education Funding ............................................................................................................................................ 175 Delayed Payments To School Districts ............................................................................................................................................ 176 Wanted Education Reforms In Exchange For Increased Funding ............................................................................................. 180 Proposed Improving Early Education ............................................................................................................................................. 180 Education Bills ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 180

Higher Education ...................................................................................................................................... 181

Cut Higher Education Funding ......................................................................................................................................................... 181 Tuition In Minnesota Increased ........................................................................................................................................................ 182 Minnesota Had Low College And University Graduation Rates ................................................................................................. 183 Opposed The Dream Act ................................................................................................................................................................... 184 Online Courses ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 184

K-12 Education .......................................................................................................................................... 185

Cut And Shifted Funding For School Programs ............................................................................................................................ 185 Mislead On Education Funding Increases ....................................................................................................................................... 188 Minnesota Newspapers Pleaded With Pawlenty To Prioritize Education Spending ................................................................ 188 Proposed 70 Percent Of Funding Be Spent On For Classrooms Instruction ........................................................................... 189 Underfunded Education ..................................................................................................................................................................... 191 Minnesota Public School Fees Increased ......................................................................................................................................... 192

Did Not Account For Inflation And Money Already Owed To Schools .................................................................................. 192 Education Funding Relied Heavily On Local Property Taxes ..................................................................................................... 195 Merit Pay ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 196

No Child Left Behind ................................................................................................................................ 196

Supported No Child Left Behind ...................................................................................................................................................... 196 Minnesota Schools Failed To Meet Nclb Standards ...................................................................................................................... 197 Wanted New Education Standards ................................................................................................................................................... 198

Race To The Top....................................................................................................................................... 198

Minnesota Failed To Qualify For Race To The Top Funds..................................................................................................... 198 Praised Obama For Race To The Top ......................................................................................................................................... 200

Special Education ......................................................................................................................................200 Teachers..................................................................................................................................................... 201

Teachers Lost Jobs Under Pawlenty ................................................................................................................................................. 201 Pawlenty Wanted Performance Based Pay For Teachers.............................................................................................................. 201 Wanted To Eliminate Teacher Training........................................................................................................................................... 203 Opposed Teachers Unions ................................................................................................................................................................. 203 Tenure Reform ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 203 Vetoed Health Insurance Pool For School Employees ................................................................................................................. 204

Vouchers ....................................................................................................................................................205
Pawlenty Supported School Choice .................................................................................................................................................. 205 Pawlenty Proposed Subsidy Program For School Choice ............................................................................................................ 206

Ethics, Elections And Good Government ............................................................................ 207

Electoral Reform ........................................................................................................................................207
Voter Id ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 207 Against Election Reform Following 2008 Senate Recount ........................................................................................................... 207

Legislative Reform.....................................................................................................................................208
Opposed Filibuster .............................................................................................................................................................................. 208 Salary Increases Without Legislative Approval ............................................................................................................................... 208 Term Limits .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 208

Transparency .............................................................................................................................................209
Pawlenty Withheld Details On Recovery Act Spending................................................................................................................ 213 Under Pawlenty, State Officials Did Not File Conflict-Of-Interest Disclosure........................................................................ 213

Energy.................................................................................................................................... 215
British Petroleum Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill .............................................................................................. 215
Supported Offshore Drilling In Wake Of Spill .............................................................................................................................. 215 Initially Praised Government Response To Spill, Then Attacked It ........................................................................................... 215 Paying For Gulf Oil Spill Recovery .................................................................................................................................................. 216

Coal ............................................................................................................................................................ 217 Nuclear ...................................................................................................................................................... 217

Nuclear Waste Storage ........................................................................................................................................................................ 218

Oil & Gas ................................................................................................................................................... 218

Anwr ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 219

Off-Shore Drilling ............................................................................................................................................................................... 219 Tax Breaks And Subsidies .................................................................................................................................................................. 219 Natural Gas ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 220

Renewable Energy .....................................................................................................................................220

Alternative Fuels .................................................................................................................................................................................. 220 Ethanol Mandates ................................................................................................................................................................................ 221 Renewable Energy Mandates And Standards .................................................................................................................................. 223 Renewable Energy Tax Credits And Incentives ............................................................................................................................. 224

Environment .......................................................................................................................... 226

Climate Change .........................................................................................................................................226
Cap And Trade ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 229 Carbon Credits ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 233 Climate Change Denial ....................................................................................................................................................................... 233 Economic Benefit To Carbon Emission Regulation ..................................................................................................................... 234 Fuel Standards ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 235 Greenhouse Gases ............................................................................................................................................................................... 235 Minnesota Initiatives ........................................................................................................................................................................... 236

Cut Funding For Environmental Programs ..............................................................................................238

Targeted Funding For Natural Resources In Budget Cuts ........................................................................................................... 239

Environmental And Energy Regulations ..................................................................................................239

Received Poor Ratings On Conservation Efforts .......................................................................................................................... 248 Pollution Control Agency Weakened Mercury Reduction Plan ................................................................................................... 249 Pawlenty Undermined Forestsand Wetlands Preservation ........................................................................................................... 249

Endangered Wildlife ..................................................................................................................................250 Environmental Protection Agency ............................................................................................................250 Recycling ...................................................................................................................................................250

Foreign Policy ....................................................................................................................... 251

General Statements .................................................................................................................................... 251
Strong Military ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 251

Afghanistan ................................................................................................................................................ 251

Supported Putting More Troops Into Afghanistan........................................................................................................................ 251 Claimed Obama Took Too Long To Decide To Surge And Criticized His Decision To Set A Withdrawal Date ............ 252 Afghanistan Visits ................................................................................................................................................................................ 253

China ..........................................................................................................................................................254 Cuba ...........................................................................................................................................................254 Egypt..........................................................................................................................................................255 Iraq .............................................................................................................................................................256

Did Not Think Iraq Invasion Was A Mistake................................................................................................................................. 256 Flip-Flopped On Iraq Withdrawal .................................................................................................................................................... 257 The Bush Administration ................................................................................................................................................................... 259 Iraq Visits .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 260

Iran ............................................................................................................................................................. 261

General Statements And Positions ................................................................................................................................................... 261 Essar Steel Deal .................................................................................................................................................................................... 263

Israel And Middle East Peace ...................................................................................................................264 International Travel As Governor ..............................................................................................................265 Libya ..........................................................................................................................................................266 Neoconservative ........................................................................................................................................266 Nuclear Weapons ......................................................................................................................................267
Start Treaty Criticism........................................................................................................................................................................... 267

Syria............................................................................................................................................................269 Additional Foreign Policy Issues ..............................................................................................................269

Defense Spending ................................................................................................................................................................................ 269 United Nations ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 271 Missile Defense .................................................................................................................................................................................... 271 Foreign Aid ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 272

GLBT ..................................................................................................................................... 273

Gay Marriage .............................................................................................................................................273
Refused To Table Gay Marriage Amendment ................................................................................................................................ 274

Partner Benefits .........................................................................................................................................276

End-Of-Life Rights ............................................................................................................................................................................. 277 Opposed Health Benefits For Domestic Partners ......................................................................................................................... 277 Pawlenty Firm Offered Benefits To Same-Sex Partners ............................................................................................................... 278

Discrimination ...........................................................................................................................................279
Discrimination Ban .............................................................................................................................................................................. 279

Dont Ask Dont Tell .................................................................................................................................280

Dont Ask, Dont Tell ..................................................................................................................................................................... 280

Bullying ......................................................................................................................................................282
Anti-Bullying Bill.................................................................................................................................................................................. 282

Anti-Gay Groups ........................................................................................................................................283 Anti-Gay Funeral Protests .........................................................................................................................284 Opposed Affirmative Action For Gays And Lesbians ...............................................................................284 Opposed Harsh And Judgmental Rhetoric ...........................................................................................285 Burdened By Religious Conservatives ......................................................................................................285

Guns ....................................................................................................................................... 286

Concealed Carry.........................................................................................................................................287 Not Much of an Outdoorsman ..................................................................................................................289
Pawlenty Was An Inexperienced Hunter Who Was Compared To John Kerry ....................................................................... 289 Hunting Etiquette ................................................................................................................................................................................ 289

Allowed Firearm Ownership For Felons ...................................................................................................290

Health Care ........................................................................................................................... 291

Pawlentys Budget Cuts Threatened Minnesotas National Reputation For A Sterling Public Health System .................... 291

General Assistance Medical Care Program ............................................................................................... 291

Gamc Compromise Proposal............................................................................................................................................................. 294 Convinced Hospitals To Agree To A Gamc Compromise........................................................................................................... 296 Cuts To Gamc Hurt Patients And Hospitals .................................................................................................................................. 298

Other Health Care Cuts .............................................................................................................................300

Pawlenty Cut Funding For Mental Health Services, Or Shifted Money From Other Heath Care Programs ...................... 303 Pawlenty Cut Funding For Hospitals And Other Providers ........................................................................................................ 303 Pawlenty Cut Funding For Nursing Homes And Senior Citizen Programs .............................................................................. 303 Pawlenty Targeted Programs For The Disabled To Balance Budget .......................................................................................... 304

Failed Health Care Reform Initiatives In Minnesota ...............................................................................304

Tax Credits And Savings Accounts................................................................................................................................................... 305 Abandoned Health Insurance Application Program...................................................................................................................... 306 Universal Coverage .............................................................................................................................................................................. 306 Insurance Exchange Flip Flop ........................................................................................................................................................... 307

Prescription Drug Program .......................................................................................................................308

Pawlenty Supported Reimportantion But Failed To Achieve Program ...................................................................................... 308 Prescription Drug Ads ........................................................................................................................................................................ 310 Medicare Part D ................................................................................................................................................................................... 310 Prescription Drug Costs ..................................................................................................................................................................... 310

Health Insurance Companies.................................................................................................................... 311 Children ..................................................................................................................................................... 312

Federal Government ........................................................................................................................................................................... 312

Stem Cell Research .................................................................................................................................... 313 Tort Reform ............................................................................................................................................... 313 Tobacco ..................................................................................................................................................... 314 Additional Health Care Issues .................................................................................................................. 315
Public Employees................................................................................................................................................................................. 315 Pawlenty Opposed Creating Health Insurance Pool For School Employees ............................................................................ 315 Newborn Testing ................................................................................................................................................................................. 315 Cancer .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 316

Pawlenty On National Health Care Reform ............................................................................................. 317

Pawlenty Said Repealing Health Care Reform Would Be Part Of His Presidential Platform................................................. 319 Pawlenty Opted Minnesota Out Of The High-Risk Pool Created Under Health Care Reform ............................................ 320 Pawlenty Refused To Opt-In To Expanded Medicaid .................................................................................................................. 320 Grants Under Health Care Reform................................................................................................................................................... 321 Early Retiree Reinsurance Program .................................................................................................................................................. 325 Claimed He Would Never Reduce Of Abolish Medicare Or Medicaid As President .............................................................. 325 National Health Care Reform ............................................................................................................................................................ 326 Individual Mandate .............................................................................................................................................................................. 327 Pawlenty Flip-Flopped On The Unconstitutionality Of Health Care Reform .......................................................................... 328

Death Panels ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 328 Immigrants ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 329 Pawlenty Attacked Massachusetts Health Care Reform ................................................................................................................ 330 Allowing Emergency Rooms To Turn Away Patients ................................................................................................................... 331

Homeland Security And Emergency Preparedness ............................................................. 333

Terrorism ...................................................................................................................................................333
Civilian Courts ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 333 Said Obama Gave Miranda Rights To Terrorists ........................................................................................................................... 333 As Governor, Pawlenty Cut Anti-Terror Budget ........................................................................................................................... 333 Claimed Minnesota Had An Al-Qaeda Problem Due To Somali Immigrant Population ....................................................... 334 Body Imaging Scanning ...................................................................................................................................................................... 334 Interrogations ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 334

Disaster Relief And Emergency Preparedness .........................................................................................335

Supported Bush Disaster Emergency Plans .................................................................................................................................... 335

Funding For Disaster Assistance And First Responders ..........................................................................335

Cut Funding For Firefighters Training............................................................................................................................................. 335 Vetoed Funding For Flood Mitigation ............................................................................................................................................. 336 Federal Funds For Flood Assistance ................................................................................................................................................ 336

Housing ................................................................................................................................. 339

Minnesota Foreclosures Increased As Housing Value Dropped .............................................................339 Foreclosure Prevention Measures .............................................................................................................340 Loosened Regulations On Mortgage Industry .........................................................................................342

Immigration........................................................................................................................... 343
Federal Immigration Issues ......................................................................................................................343
Pawlenty Expressed Support For Repealing The 14th Amendment........................................................................................... 345

Immigration Proposals And Failed Initiatives ..........................................................................................345

Pawlenty Invented His Reputation For Being Tough On Illegal Immigration ......................................................................... 345 Pawlenty Linked Immigration To Terrorism .................................................................................................................................. 346 2005: Pawlentys Inflammatory Immigration Report ..................................................................................................................... 347 Pawlentys 2006 Election Year Immigration Plan .......................................................................................................................... 348 Pawlenty Offered Benefits For Legal Immigrants A Week After Proposing Immigration Crack-Down............................. 352 Pawlenty Used Voting In His Immigration Crack-Down ............................................................................................................. 353 Pawlentys Election Year Immigration Plan Had No Significant Results .................................................................................. 353 2008: Pawlenty Continued To Harp On Immigration Issues ....................................................................................................... 354

Labor Law Enforcement............................................................................................................................355 Additional Immigration Issues .................................................................................................................356

Pawlenty Opposed The Dream Act .................................................................................................................................................. 356 Pawlenty And Local Immigration Measures.................................................................................................................................... 358 Pawlenty Said Minnesota Had An Al-Qaeda Problem Due To Somali Immigrant Population ............................................. 363 Pawlenty Falsely Claimed Health Care Reform Would Cover Illegal Immigrants .................................................................... 363 Pawlenty Approved Measure That Allowed Certain Immigrants To Own Dairy Farms ........................................................ 363 Border Patrol ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 364

Judicial Affairs ....................................................................................................................... 365

Non-Minnesota Judges .............................................................................................................................365
Pawlenty Was Not Opposed To Sonya Sotomayor ....................................................................................................................... 365 Iowa Judges ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 365

Minnesota Judges ......................................................................................................................................365

Did Not Support Judges Who Legislate From The Bench ......................................................................................................... 365 Has A Record Of Appointing Conservative Judges ...................................................................................................................... 366 Pawlenty Appointed A New Justice And Promoted A Justice, Both Supported Him In The Unallotment Decision ....... 368 Pawlentys Appointments Had Close Relationships With Him ................................................................................................... 369 Pawlentys Judicial Appointments Lacked Diversity, But He Promoted Gender Equity ........................................................ 370 Some Conservatives Opposed Pawlentys Judicial Nominations And Were Unhappy By His Sumpreme Court Nominees .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 371 During The Midpoint Of His First Term, The Minnesota Bar Approved Of Pawlentys Judicial Appointments.............. 371

Tort Reform ...............................................................................................................................................372

Labor ...................................................................................................................................... 373

Minimum Wage .........................................................................................................................................373 Prevailing Wage And Organized Labor Issues .........................................................................................373 Worker Training And Safety ......................................................................................................................374
Pawlenty Proposed Cutting Employment Training Programs ..................................................................................................... 374 Pawlentys Poor Record On Worker Safety .................................................................................................................................... 375

Benefits And Unemployment Compensation ...........................................................................................376

Opposed Measure To Collect Better Unemployment Data ......................................................................................................... 376 Opposed Measure To Allow Workers To Use Sick Leave For Relatives ................................................................................... 376 Opposed Providing Health Insurance For Workers Laid Off Because Of 9/11 ...................................................................... 376

Government Workers .................................................................................................................................377

Pawlenty Was Critical Of Government Workers ........................................................................................................................... 377 Made Questionable Claims About Public Employees ................................................................................................................... 379 Pawlenty Pushed Privatization ........................................................................................................................................................... 380 During 2005 Government Shutdown, Workers Lost Pay And Vacation Time ........................................................................ 381 Pawlenty Targeted And Often Froze Salaries For State Workers................................................................................................ 381 Pawlenty Insulated His Own Staff And Appointees From Budget Cuts ................................................................................... 383 Failed To Enforce His Own Hiring Freeze ..................................................................................................................................... 384 Undercut State Workers...................................................................................................................................................................... 384

National Labor Relations Board ...............................................................................................................385 Pensions .....................................................................................................................................................385 Other Labor Issues ....................................................................................................................................386
Pawlenty Banned Project Agreements That Required Union Workers ...................................................................................... 388

Right To Work ...........................................................................................................................................388

Minorities............................................................................................................................... 389
Pawlentys Administration Was Not Diverse .................................................................................................................................. 389 Pawlenty Cut The Office Of Human Rights And Minority Affairs ............................................................................................ 389

Tribal Gambling ........................................................................................................................................390

Pawlenty Asked Tribes For $350 Million Per Year ........................................................................................................................ 392 Angered Tribal Leaders ....................................................................................................................................................................... 393 External Criticism ................................................................................................................................................................................ 394 Pawlenty Appeared In Ads Criticizing The Tribes, Many Noted Them As Race-Baiting ....................................................... 396 Decided To Seek An Agreement With Three Northern Tribes................................................................................................... 397 Racino ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 399

Nuclear Storage On Tribal Land............................................................................................................... 401

Tribal Leaders Said The Plant Causes Cancer And Other Illnesses Negative Health Effects Of Plant................................ 401

Aid/Cuts To Tribes ................................................................................................................................... 401 Issues With Cabinet ...................................................................................................................................402 Drug Importation ......................................................................................................................................402

Seniors ................................................................................................................................... 404

Senior Programs And Health Care ............................................................................................................404
Pawlentys 2009 Unallotment Hurt Seniors ..................................................................................................................................... 404 Nursing Home Funding Barely In 2005 Under Pawlenty ............................................................................................................. 404 Pawlentys 2003 Budget Proposed Penalties And Cut Funding For Seniors ............................................................................. 405

Social Security And Medicare ....................................................................................................................405

Pawlenty On Individual Accounts .................................................................................................................................................... 407 Pawlenty On Medicare, Social Security And Medicaid .................................................................................................................. 408

Senior Issues And Nursing Homes ........................................................................................................... 410 Additional Seniors Issues .......................................................................................................................... 410
Pawlenty Approved A Program Change That Required Seniors To Put A Lien On Their Home To Pay For Services ... 410 Pawlenty Vetoed Protections Regarding Reverse Mortgages ....................................................................................................... 411 Pawlenty Cut Renters Tax Credit That Affected Seniors ............................................................................................................. 411 Pawlenty Administration Didnt Want To Publicize Settlement Against Insurance Company That Misled Minnesota Seniors ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 412 Pawlenty Criticized The Recovery Package, Which Provided Over $1.5 Million For Meals For Low-Income Seniors .... 412

Taxes And Spending ............................................................................................................. 413

Business Tax Climate ................................................................................................................................ 413 Broken Anti-Tax Pledge ............................................................................................................................ 413
Took Pledge In 2002 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 413 Declined To Take Pledge In 2006..................................................................................................................................................... 413 Claimed He Balanced Budget Without Taxes ............................................................................................................................ 414 But Taxes Increased ........................................................................................................................................................................ 414 Pawlenty Said He Did Not Want A Small Government State ..................................................................................................... 415

Local Property Taxes Under Pawlenty ...................................................................................................... 415

Property Taxes Increased Under Pawlenty ................................................................................................................................. 415 Slashed Local Aid................................................................................................................................................................................. 416 Vetoed Bill That Would Reduce Property Taxes For 90% Of Homeowners Funded By Tax Increases On The Wealthiest 1%........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 418 Cigarette Tax ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 419

Pawlenty Was More Concerned About The Rich Than The Middle Class ..............................................420
Opposed Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes .................................................................................................................................. 423 Tax Breaks For Corporations ............................................................................................................................................................ 424

Fees ............................................................................................................................................................425
Specific Fees ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 426

Balanced Budget By Eliminating And Delaying Tax Refunds ................................................................434

Cut Renters Tax Credit ...................................................................................................................................................................... 434 Delayed Rebates ................................................................................................................................................................................... 434 Ended Refund For Political Contributions...................................................................................................................................... 435 Ended Tax Reciprocity With Wisconsin .......................................................................................................................................... 436

Pawlenty Increased Spending ...................................................................................................................437

Spending Increased Under Pawlenty ................................................................................................................................................ 437 Conservatives Labeled Pawlenty A Big Spender ........................................................................................................................ 439 Pawlenty Relied On Stimulus Funds And Borrowed $1 Billion In His 2009 Budget Proposal.............................................. 439 Pawlenty Regularly Borrowed And Used Federal Money ............................................................................................................. 441 Under Pawlenty, The Budget Deficit Grew .................................................................................................................................... 445 Pawlenty Made Inappropriate Office Expenditures ...................................................................................................................... 446

Earmarks....................................................................................................................................................449
Opposed Earmarks .............................................................................................................................................................................. 449 Requested $160 Million In Federal Earmarks ................................................................................................................................. 449

National Fiscal Policy................................................................................................................................450

Wanted To Reduce Spending ............................................................................................................................................................ 450 Ryan Plan............................................................................................................................................................................................... 450 Budget Cuts........................................................................................................................................................................................... 451 Balanced Budget Amendment ........................................................................................................................................................... 451 Pay And Spending Freeze ................................................................................................................................................................... 453 Tax Cut Compromise .......................................................................................................................................................................... 453 Bush Tax Cuts ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 454 Tax Holiday........................................................................................................................................................................................... 456 Fy2011 Budget...................................................................................................................................................................................... 456 2010 Budget .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 457 Specific Taxes ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 457 Debt ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 459 Debt Limit............................................................................................................................................................................................. 460 Debt Compromise ............................................................................................................................................................................... 463 Super Committee ................................................................................................................................................................................. 464 Legislating Taxes .................................................................................................................................................................................. 464

Additional Tax and Spending Issues ........................................................................................................464

State Spending Cap .............................................................................................................................................................................. 466 Required A City To Raise Taxes To Pay For Convention Center ............................................................................................... 467 Tax Increases On Medical Services And Health Insurance .......................................................................................................... 467 Wisconsin Cost Sharing ...................................................................................................................................................................... 467 State Legislator ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 468 Official Office Spending ..................................................................................................................................................................... 469 Misc. Tax Issues ................................................................................................................................................................................... 469

Veterans ................................................................................................................................. 471

Pawlentys Budget Cuts Hurt Homeless Veterans ................................................................................... 471 Under Pawlentys Watch The Minneapolis Veterans Home Suffered ...................................................... 471

Welfare ................................................................................................................................... 474

Job Search Program ...................................................................................................................................474 Funding For The Women, Infants, And Children Food Program For Pregnant Women ........................474 Welfare Benefits For Mothers....................................................................................................................475 Welfare Fraud Investigators ......................................................................................................................475

Politics ................................................................................................................................... 476

2012 Campaign ...........................................................................................................................................476
Debate Performance............................................................................................................................................................................ 480 Edited Candidate Profile..................................................................................................................................................................... 481

Ended Presidential Bid.............................................................................................................................. 481

Campaign Debt .................................................................................................................................................................................... 483 Sought Position On Fox News After Campaign ............................................................................................................................ 485 Became Romney Surrogate ................................................................................................................................................................ 485

Former Supporters Backed Rick Perry, Not Romney...............................................................................485

Relationships With Specific People ...................................................................................... 487

Bachmann, Michele ...................................................................................................................................487 Bush, George .............................................................................................................................................490 Bush, Jeb ....................................................................................................................................................490 Christie, Chris ............................................................................................................................................490 Gingrich, Newt ..........................................................................................................................................490 Huntsman, Jon .......................................................................................................................................... 491 Limbaugh, Rush ........................................................................................................................................ 491 Palin, Sarah ................................................................................................................................................ 491 Paul, Ron ...................................................................................................................................................492 Perry, Rick .................................................................................................................................................492 Reagan, Ronald .........................................................................................................................................492 Santorum, Rick ..........................................................................................................................................492 Stanley, Morgan .........................................................................................................................................493 Trump, Donald ..........................................................................................................................................493

TOP HITS
Pawlenty Left Minnesota With A $6.2 Billion Deficit
Pawlenty Left A $6.2 Billion Deficit For Future Years Compared With A $4.5 Billion Budget Deficit He Inherited. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Earlier this month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty strolled to the podium in the ornate reception room outside his office at the Capitol and boldly stated that the states budget is balanced. The good news that were here to share with you, of course, is were going to end my time as governor in the budget cycle that were in with a surplus and money in the bank. Pawlenty was technically correct, since state finance officials say Minnesota has a $399 million surplus in the current two year budget. But what Pawlenty failed to highlight is that hes leaving Democratic Gov.-elect Mark Dayton and the Republicans ready to take control of the Legislature with a $6.2 billion budget deficit in the coming biennium. Pawlenty called the massive budget hole a work of fiction. Thats a dramatic departure from 2003 -- when Pawlenty characterized the $4.5 billion budget deficit he was inheriting as the Incredible Hulk of budget deficits. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Minnesota Faced A $6.2 Billion Deficit In The Upcoming 2012-2013 Biennium. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota is facing a $6.2 billion deficit in the upcoming biennium, up from earlier projections of $5.8 billion. The shortfall represents about 16 percent of the states two-year budget. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/2/10]

PAWLENTY ALLEGED BUDGET SURPLUS IGNORED FUTURE BUDGETS WHERE HE SHIFTED FUNDING AND RELIED UPON EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MEDICAID
Pawlenty Budget Surplus Only Looked At The Current Year Rather Than The Budget Situation He Left Behind. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Earlier this month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty strolled to the podium in the ornate reception room outside his office at the Capitol and boldly stated that the states budget is balanced. The good news that were here to share with you, of course, is were going to end my time as governor in the budget cycle that were in with a surplus and money in the bank. Pawlenty was technically correct, since state finance officials say Minnesota has a $399 million surplus in the current two year budget. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Lori Sturdevant: Pawlenty Boasted That He Was Ending His Watch With Money In The Bank But Surplus Was Due To Extension Of Federal Medicaid. According to an op-ed by Lori Sturtevant in the Star Tribune, [Pawlenty] boasted that he was ending his watch with the state on the right track and with money in the bank. That bank balance would be the $399 million forecast to remain on the states bottom line come June 30. Its there in large part because of an extension of federal Medicaid help to the states earlier this year. But to hear Pawlenty describe it, youd think hed engineered shrewd accounting moves to keep state books in the black. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/4/10] Pawlenty Balanced The 2010-2011 Budget By Relying Heavily On One-Time Federal Stimulus Money And Delayed Payments To School Districts Which Resulted In An Unusually High Growth In Projected Expenditures, Because The Spending Commitments Remain As The One-Time Federal Funding Disappears. According to Minnesota Public Radio, When Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the DFL-controlled Legislature balanced the budget last spring, they relied heavily on one-time federal stimulus money and delayed payments to school districts. That temporary fix continues to hold and even resulted in a $399 million surplus on the current bottom line, meaning Minnesota will not have to borrow money in the short term to pay its bills. But the financial picture beginning in fiscal 2012 looks grim for Pawlentys successor and the new GOP legislative majority. Steve Sviggum, the newly installed commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, described it as unfinished business. There are significant structural problems ranging from anywhere to $2 billion and $3 billion a year, Sviggum said. The Legislature and the governor have played all of the cards that are available. Sviggum and his team of budget analysts explained that last sessions budget fix resulted in an unusually high growth in projected expenditures, because the spending commitments remain as the one-time federal funding disappears. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/2/10]

Pawlenty Created Surplus By Shifting $1.9 Billion In Education Funding To The Next Budget
Minnesota 20/20 Fiscal Policy Fellow: $399 Million Budget Surplus Under Pawlenty Was Because The State--At The Insistence Of Governor Pawlenty--Shifted $1.9 Billion Of State Funding For K-12 Education Into The Next Biennium. According to Jeff Van Wychen, a fiscal policy fellow for Minnesota 20/20 who wrote an op-ed for the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Governor Pawlenty was in a self-congratulatory mood after the release of the November forecast, touting the projected $399 million balance at the end of the current two-year budget cycle. When we scrutinize the numbers closely, the real legacy of no new tax policymakers is a gaping budget hole which dwarves anything seen previously. The only reason that Minnesota has any kind of surplus is because the state--at the insistence of Governor Pawlenty--shifted $1.9 billion of state funding for K-12 education into the next biennium. This further puts the screws to Minnesota public schools by compelling them to drain their reserves or borrow short-term. The $1.9 billion shift technically put the state budget in balance for the current biennium, but enlarged the deficit in the next biennium by $1.9 billion. [Jeff Van Wychen op-ed, Twin Cities Daily Planet, 12/21/10]

Left Minnesotas Economy A Mess

Pawlentys Tenure Witnessed State Unemployment Rate Increase From 4.6% To 7.1%. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Unemployment Rate: January 2003: Minnesotas unemployment rate was 4.6%... November 2010: Minnesotas unemployment rate was 7.1%. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Minnesotas Poverty Rate In 2003 Was About 5.5%. According to Minnesota Public Radio, New Hampshire and Minnesota have the countrys lowest poverty rates. About five and half percent of the two states populations are officially poor. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/26/03] Minnesotas Poverty Rate In 2009 Was 11%. According to the Minnesota Budget Project, The overall percentage of Minnesotans living in poverty rose to 11 percent in 2009, a significant increase from pre-recession levels. Some people in Minnesota saw a particularly strong increase in poverty between 2007 and 2009, including Latinos (four percentage point increase), children (two percentage point increase) and white non-Hispanics (one percentage point increase). Remember, in 2009, a family of three would have had to earn less than $18,300 to be considered living in poverty. [Minnesota Budget Project, 9/28/10] Minnesotas Bankruptcy Levels Climbed To Highest Level In A Decade In 2010. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Amid stubborn unemployment levels and a tepid economic recovery, bankruptcy court filings are at their highest level in a decade. In Minnesota, 2010 bankruptcy filings through the end of May were up 11.6 percent from a year earlier, totaling 9,596 -- the highest level in 10 years of recorded data. Nationally, the first six months of 2010 showed a 14 percent increase over last years levels, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute Despite the grim statistics for the first part of this year, the May figure of 1,927 bankruptcy filings in Minnesota was the second month in a row to show a month-to-month decline. The high-water mark of 2,219 came in March -- the highest monthly total in the state since October 2005, when a looming change in bankruptcy laws prompted many people to file. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/6/10]

Raised Millions In Taxes And Fees

Pawlentys Claim Of Holding The Line On Tax Increases Was Misleading Because He Never Lowered Income Taxes And Raised Billions Of Dollars In Fees. According to station WCCO, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says the 2010 legislative session ended well for Minnesota taxpayers. The governor, who is a possible candidate for president in 2012, said hes held the line on taxes and spending since his election 8 years ago. But is it true? He also claims credit for lower taxes, too. We did, he said. We recently got Minnesota out of the top 10 in taxes. Thats MISLEADING. The credit is, at the very least, shared with a previous governor. Independent Governor Jesse Venturas income tax cuts pushed Minnesota off the Top 10 list during Pawlentys term. Pawlenty never cut income taxes, but he didnt raise them, either. However, it doesnt mean we arent paying more. Heres what you NEED TO KNOW. You are paying billions of dollars more in fees on a long list of items, including cigarettes, parking tickets, marriage licenses, building permits, court cases, college tuition and hundreds of other higher fees on Pawlentys watch. Heres more REALITY. Since 2003, state budget cuts mean

Minnesotans pay significantly more in property taxes. And next year, for the first time in 15 years, property taxes in Minnesota will exceed the income tax. [WCCO, 5/18/10] Pawlenty Raised Fees While Pledging To Not Raise Taxes. According to the Minnesota Post, Gov. Pawlenty, has been raising fees, which may look like taxes but like all these other measures dont constitutionally quack like them. [Minnesota Post, 4/15/09] Pawlenty Fees Increased By Almost $900 Million Under Pawlenty. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty claims credit for sticking to a campaign pledge not to raise state taxes during his first term. But a study to be released [on January 26, 2006] shows that fees for everything from parking tickets to wild rice harvesting will be more than $893 million higher in the current two-year budget period than they were in the biennium before Pawlenty took office. The issue of increased fees is sure to be fodder in this years governors race, and the study by the nonpartisan Office of Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis, provided to the Star Tribune by DFL Party staff, is likely to fuel that debateThe no-new-tax pledge has been controversial for Pawlenty, who says he is through signing such pledges. But he has noted that he resolved a $4.5 billion deficit in his first year in office without tax increases and that his compromise last year, a health impact fee on tobacco products, is in statute as a fee, not a tax. It imposes a 75-cent fee on each pack of cigarettes sold in the state. According to the report, the health impact fee makes up nearly half of the increase in biennial fees. It will account for $401 million in revenue by the 2006-07 biennium. But the report also shows that other fees will have grown by $492 million by the end of 2007, cutting across a wide spectrum of life in Minnesota. It costs $3 more for a parking ticket, and a state surcharge on each traffic citation has increased from $35 to $60. A wild rice harvesting license has increased from $12.50 to $25. There is a 25-cent-a-month 911 fee increase on each telephone line. It costs $10 more for a marriage license. [Star Tribune, 1/26/06] Report: Fees Rose 21 Percent Faster Than Inflation From 2004-2009. According to the Star Tribune, Its getting more expensive to be born in Minnesota. Marriage costs are up, too. Thats the finding of a new report from Minnesota 2020, a nonprofit group that says state fees for birth certificates, hunting permits, marriage licenses and more rose 21 percent above inflation in the past five years Six years ago, the state collected $384 in fees per person; today its about $464 in numbers adjusted for inflation, according to the groups report, released at a news conference Sunday Some of the fees cited in the report: A marriage license now costs $110, up from $70 five years ago; A birth certificate costs $40 to replace, up from $20; And a pheasant stamp costs $7.50, up from $5. The fees add up to a $2.44 billion pool of money for the states coffers last year; state taxes, meanwhile, totaled about $17.5 billion in 2008. [Star Tribune, 1/5/09] Lower And Middle Class Paid Larger Share Of State Finances Due To Fees. According to the Star Tribune, The heavier reliance on fees has also pushed a larger burden of the states finances onto the lower and middle class, since a flat fee poses a relatively larger expense the lower a persons income. [Star Tribune, 1/5/09]

Lobbyists
PAWLENTY IS A FORMER LOBBYIST
Pawlenty Was A Lobbyist At Rider Bennett Law Firm Before He Was An Elected Official. According to the Star Tribune, Other former lobbyists in the Legislature include four DFLers and House Republican Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty of Eagan, who represented associations of police chiefs, school boards, civil defense lawyers and court reporters. His law firm, Rider Bennett of Minneapolis, no longer has any registered lobbyists, but Pawlenty said he frequently abstains from voting on issues affecting the firms legal clients. [] Pawlenty, the most powerful of the Legislatures former lobbyists, said his background has forced him to take pains ethically. For example, he said, he refused his share of a $4,000 legal payment to his 105-lawyer firm that was a part of last years $8 billion K-12 education bill. [Star Tribune, 5/21/00]

LOBBYIST SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Lobbyists Sam Geduldig, Former Rep. Vin Weber (R-Minn.) And Erich Mische Supported Pawlentys Presidential Campaign. According to The Hill, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) has his own batch of K Street supporters, including Sam Geduldig of Clark Lytle & Geduldig and former Rep. Vin Weber (R-Minn.) of Clark & Weinstock, who co-

chairs Pawlentys political action committee and helps with policy advice. Erich Mische of the Bockorny Group would also back Pawlenty. [The Hill, 2/18/11]

LOBBYISTS HELD IMPORTANT POSITIONS IN PAWLENTYS ADMINISTRATION

Pawlentys Hired A Lobbyist To Manage His Transition Team. According to the Pioneer Press, Pawlenty, in the first staffing announcement since his election Tuesday, also named Chris Georgacas -- a lobbyist, former state Republican Party chairman and the chairman of Pawlentys gubernatorial campaign -- to lead a panel of advisers that will guide his transition. [] He is a principal and shareholder at Goff & Howard, a public relations and lobbying firm based in St. Paul, and is a registered lobbyist at the Capitol. His client list includes Polaris Industries, Hamline University and the University of St. Thomas, the Minnesota Coalition for a Smoke-Free 2000 and St. Pauls RiverCentre Authority. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/9/02] Pawlenty Appointed A Lobbyist As Tribal Liaison. According to the Ojibwe News, Governor Pawlentys new tribal liaison is Terri Velner. Velner resigned from her position as a registered lobbyist with the law firm Winthrop and Weinstein in order to take the job with the governors office. Her clients included the Prairie Island Dakota Community, Manitoba Hydro, the Minnesota Energy Consumers, and Farmland Industries, which describes itself as the largest farmer-owned cooperative in North America and has heavy investments in agricultural chemicals manufacture. [The Ojibwe News, 1/11/03] Pawlenty Appointed A Scott Brener, A Business Lobbyist, To Lead The Labor Department. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, Gov. Tim Pawlenty filled the last top-level jobs in his administration with appointments to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Agency and the Department of Labor and Industry. On Thursday, Pawlenty appointed Sandy Layman, an executive from Grand Rapids, to the top job with the IRRRA and lobbyist Scott Brener as leader of the Labor Department. [The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 4/17/03] Pawlenty Appointed A Lobbyist To Fill Vacant Seat On Metropolitan Council. According to the Associated Press, Meantime, Pawlenty also named a prominent lobbyist to fill an open seat on the Metropolitan Council. Mary Krinkie will fill a vacancy for District 10, which includes parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. She is the vice president of government relations for the Minnesota Hospital Association, the wife of Republican Rep. Phil Krinkie and a former contract lobbyist and state Senate aide. The 17-member Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services. [Associated Press, 7/16/04]

DEFENDED LOBBYISTS
VIDEO: Pawlenty Defended Lobbying As A First Amendment Right. In a July 2011 town hall appearance in Perry, IA, Pawlenty said he liked the First Amendment, so would not tell lobbyists to stop, adding that reform could be achieved through a balanced budget amendment, term limits, and ensuring that all laws passed by Congress apply to the representatives who pass them. [Pawlenty Appearance [Tracking], 07/22/11]

USED LOBBYISTS IN CAMPAIGN

Pawlenty Blamed Fannie/Freddie For Financial Crisis, Then Added Freddie Mac Lobbyist To Campaign. According to Think Progress, Pawlenty has suggested that blame for the financial crisis rests only with the catastrophic scandal of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government sponsored mortgage giants. But for all his bluster about Freddie Mac, which required a massive bailout in 2008, Pawlenty had no problem making Freddies top government enabler a leader in his presidential campaign. When he announced his campaign, Pawlenty tapped William Strong, a vice chairman of Morgan Stanley, and Vin Weber, a veteran K Street lobbyist, as his campaign co-chairs. And Weber is not just any corporate lobbyist. According to a review by Think Progress, Weber represented Freddie Mac for an entire decade, from 1998 to 2008. The partnership between Freddie Mac and Weber ended in 2008 when, as part of the government bailout deal, Freddie Mac was barred from hiring lobbyists. For some of the period Weber represented the company, his firm was paid as much as $360,000

a year to lobby for Freddie Mac. Weber, Pawlentys co-chair, continued to push for bailouts and loopholes for the giant well until such lobbying was barred and a taxpayer rescue was secured. [Think Progress, 07/16/11]

Taxes
PROPOSED TAX CUTS FOR THE TOP 1% FOUR TIMES GREATER THAN THE BUSH TAX CUTS
Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Pawlentys Tax Plan Dwarfed The Bush Tax Cuts By Four Times. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Pawlentys tax plan flows four times more heavier at the top than Bushs. Specifically, in 2013 the Pawlenty plan would give people in the top one-tenth of 1 percent on the income scale (i.e., people with incomes above $2.7 million) an average annual tax cut of $1.8 million which is more than four times what they got last year from the Bush tax cuts. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 06/15/11]

Ethically Challenged Campaigner

In 2005, Pawlentys Campaign Was Fined $7,150 For Accepting Contributions That Broke Campaign Finance Limits. According to the Associated Press, In a separate action, the board fined the Pawlenty for Governor Committee $7,150 double the amount of excess contributions the committee received last year. The board found that campaign staff should have noticed upon receipt that four of the contributions exceeded the state limit in a non-election year of $500 per donor. Five other donations cumulatively exceeded the limits, and werent returned within the 60 days required. In addition to the fine, the campaign ultimately returned the $3,575 in excess contributions. Michael Krueger, political director for Pawlentys re-election effort, said the excess contributions were simple oversights. We disclosed this shortly after we discovered it and reported it to the board, Krueger said. [Associated Press, 3/14/05] In 2002, Pawlentys Campaign Was Fined $600,000 For Violating Campaign Finance Coordination Rules It Was The Largest Fine In State History. According to Star Tribune, The state campaign finance board leveled $600,000 in penalties Monday against Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty to settle a board finding of illegal collusion on TV ads. The State Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board fined the campaign $100,000 and charged it with $500,000 in ad spending. That leaves Pawlenty with $600,000 to $700,000 for all campaign expenses, including advertising, in the hectic 21 days before the Nov. 5 election. [] The ads in question were produced by the state Republican Party from video footage that party consultant Randy Skoglund bought from Pawlenty campaign consultant Pat McCarthy. The board, responding to a complaint from the Independence Party, ruled Thursday that the interactions between the party and the campaign were too cozy and amounted to illegally acting in cooperation and concert. Under state campaign finance laws, interest groups and political parties can spend all they want to influence races. But the law prohibits any coordination on spending or advertising with candidates who take state money and agree to the limits. Initially, the campaign finance board said that the ads cost $800,000 and that the fine could equal that amount. But chairman Doug Kelley said Monday night that $637,000 was the correct valuation of the ads. In the final determination, Pawlentys Taxman and Roger ad was not found to be in violation, Kelley said. Kelley said the board settled on a total penalty of $600,000 _ an unprecedented amount _ because it didnt want to knock Pawlenty out of the race. [Star Tribune, 10/15/02] Pawlenty Campaign Violated Minnesota Coordination Rules By Selling Raw Footage To The State Part. According to the Associated Press, Last week, the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ruled that Pawlentys campaign improperly cooperated with the GOP, which purchased raw footage from the campaign media consultant and produced a series of supposedly independent ads. Minnesotas campaign finance laws limit a partys direct spending on a candidate to $20,000, and prohibit cooperation between the party and a campaign on so-called independent expenditures. Pawlenty agreed to the $2.2 million spending cap in return for a public subsidy of $419,000. He maintained that he didnt know the party used the footage until he saw the commercials himself. [Associated Press, 10/15/02] The Campaign Finance Board Initially Ruled Up To $1 Million Could Be Charged Against Pawlenty. According to the Associated Press, Pawlentys campaign agreed to count $500,000 toward its $2.2 million spending cap, as compensation for Republican Party ads that the board ruled had been improperly coordinated with the campaign. The

campaign also agreed to pay a $100,000 fine that wont count toward the spending limit. That fine could have been up to $4 million. The boards initial ruling last week was that the full cost of the ads, variously estimated at $800,000 to $1 million, could be counted against the Pawlenty campaigns limit. But board chairman Doug Kelley said members were faced with an unprecedented situation and so favored a compromise that would not force Pawlenty out of the race. [Associated Press, 10/15/02] Pawlenty Appointed Lawyer Who Defended Him Against Campaign Finance Violation To An Appeals Court Judgeship. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed an attorney to the state Court of Appeals on Thursday who had defended his campaign against a complaint over a political ad during the 2002 gubernatorial campaign. Chris Dietzen, 57, of Bloomington, assumes the vacancy created in August when Pawlenty tapped G. Barry Anderson for the state Supreme Court. Dietzen was among 30 other applicants passed over for the Supreme Court opening, which the governor used as his pool for the appellate judge slot. Pawlenty, a licensed attorney himself, denied using the judgeship as a political reward for his lawyer. Its a good thing that I know people Im appointing because Ive seen their skills, Ive seen their ability and Ive seen their integrity up close, he said. So, I dont think the fact that somebody is familiar to me should either give them special favor or exclude them. During Pawlentys run for governor two years ago, Democrats complained that his campaign improperly colluded with the state Republican Party on some television ads. The state board that regulates campaign finance matters eventually ordered that Pawlentys campaign had to count $500,000 toward the state spending cap in return for the benefit of the ad, plus a $100,000 fine. [Associated Press, 9/23/04]

Attacked Romney On Healthcare

Pawlenty Dubbed Romneys Massachusetts Heath Care Plan as Obamaneycare. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare, Pawlenty said on Fox News Sunday. And so, we now have the same features - essentially the same features. ... And what I dont understand is they both continue to defend it. Romneys campaign responded by saying, Republicans should keep the focus on President Obamas failure to create jobs and control spending. [San Francisco Chronicle, 06/13/11] VIDEO: Pawlenty Admitted That He Erred In Not Attacking Romney; Attacked Romney As A Co-Conspirator In Health Care Reform. According to Politico, Pawlenty appeared on the Hannity show and acknowledged he made a mistake by not going after Romneys past on healthcare. Pawlenty: I think in response to that direct question I should have been much more clear during the debate, Sean. I dont think we can have a nominee that was involved in the development and construction of Obamacare and then continues to defend it and that was the question, I should have answered it directly and instead I stayed focused on Obama...I should have been more clear, I should have made the point that (Romney) was involved in developing it, he really laid the groundwork...I dont think you can prosecute the political case against President Obama if you are a co-conspirator in one of the main charges against the president, on the political level. [Politico, 06/16/11]

Problematic Rhetoric On Immigration

Pawlenty Ran Ad Linking Immigrants To Terrorism, Opponents Called Ad His Willie Horton Ad. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A new TV ad from Republican gubernatorial nominee Tim Pawlenty about combating terrorism was condemned by his leading rivals Wednesday as a scare tactic that exploits the Sept. 11 attacks for political gain _ a charge the Pawlenty camp strongly denied. I believe this is Tim Pawlentys Willie Horton ad, said DFL candidate Roger Moe, referring to former President George Bushs 1988 campaign spot about violent crime that was accused of playing on racial bigotry. He is using terrorism as a political campaign tool. The Pawlenty ad, which touts his support for marking foreign visitors visa expiration dates on their drivers licenses, also was denounced by Independence Party nominee Tim PennyThe ad opens with a statement in text, superimposed over a map of Minnesota, about alleged terrorist conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui having learned to fly a plane in the state. Terrorists are here, a narrator says. It then cuts to a close-up of Pawlenty saying: When foreigners apply for a drivers license we are going to print their visa expiration number right on it. So at any traffic stop our police will know if they are breaking immigration laws. Tim Penny and Roger Moe are opposed to this. Law enforcement is on my side. Im Tim Pawlenty. Elect me governor and well make this the law. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/24/02]

Pawlentys Ad Called Immigrants Foreigners. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in his television ad on immigration, Pawlenty referred to immigrants as foreigners. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/24/02]

Pawlenty Called For Visa Expiration Dates On Drivers Licenses, Even Though Requirement Was Already In Effect. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Despite an uproar when the issue was raised during the campaign for governor, about 3,000 immigrants now have Minnesota drivers licenses printed with their visa expiration dates. Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty and Republican legislators have vowed to make an emergency order permanent, ensuring that law enforcement officers can more easily spot people in the country illegallySo far, none of the 3,000 immigrants with the special licenses has an expired status, so no one has been reported to immigration authorities under the new regulationDuring his campaign for governor, Pawlenty strongly supported the rule and drew complaints from other candidates when he ran a TV advertisement on the subject that stated: Terrorists are here. Pawlenty stood by the ad, and Republican legislators have promised to pass a law mirroring Weavers order in the upcoming legislative session. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/02] Pawlentys Administration Pursued Permanent Rules To Require Immigration Status On Drivers Licenses After His Proposal Failed To Pass The Legislature. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, If the Minnesota Legislature doesnt do it, the Department of Public Safety will. The department announced Monday it is pursuing permanent rules requiring temporary immigrants drivers licenses to be marked with their visa expiration dates and the words status check. The rules would allow the department to cancel visitors licenses after their visas expireThose rules were already put in place last summer through an emergency process after lawmakers failed to pass a similar proposal. That process was challenged in court. Last month, the Minnesota Court of Appeals struck down parts of the rules, and the state has appealed that decision. Already about 6,000 people in Minnesota are carrying licenses with the status check designation on them. Legislation mimicking those rules is in debate again this session. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a former House member, said he wanted the rules in law so that future administrations could not easily rescind them. The Republican-controlled House backed Pawlenty up on that idea and made the drivers license issue the first bill introduced. The House overwhelmingly passed it in January. The Democrat-controlled Senate -- like last year -- has been far less friendly to the idea. The measure failed to pass a Senate panel and procedural moves to bring it up on the Senate floor have failed on party-line votes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/22/03]

CAREER
Spent Entire Career As A Political Insider
BEGAN CAREER AS A FIELD ORGANIZER AND POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Pawlenty Has Spent Most Of His Adult Life In Politics Began Career As Field Organizer For U.S. Sen Durenberger. According to A Pioneer Press editorial, Pawlenty has spent most of his adult life in politics -- as a field organizer and political director for former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger, chairman of the Eagan Planning Commission in 198889, a member of the Eagan City Council in 1990-92 and as a member of the Minnesota House since 1993. For the last three years, Pawlenty has served as House majority leader and the high-profile second-in-command to Speaker Steve Sviggum. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/10/01] Pawlenty Got His First Job Because A Staffer With Durenberger Knew Him, Job Included Making Photocopies And Picked Up Dry Cleaning. According to the Associated Press, Practicality led him to the GOP; he needed a job and saw in the newspaper that Republican U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger was hiring interns. But a sister told him he didnt have a chance because those jobs went to the rich kids. I got more determined and said, That cant be right, Pawlenty said. A secretary from his neighborhood saw his application and saw to it that he was hired. Durenberger, who also was from South St. Paul, took a personal interest in the teen-ager who made photocopies and picked up his dry cleaning. [Associated Press, 3/15/00]

As Law Student, Pawlenty Sued The University Of Minnesota Over Required Fees That Went To The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, After college, Pawlenty entered the University of Minnesota law school. As a law student, he and Chris Georgacas, who later was chairman of the state party, were among plaintiffs who unsuccessfully sued the university over the way it collected student fees for the liberal Minnesota Public Interest Research Group. [Duluth News-Tribune, 8/25/02]

LOBBYIST
Pawlenty Was A Lobbyist At Rider Bennett Law Firm Before He Was An Elected Official. According to the Star Tribune, Other former lobbyists in the Legislature include four DFLers and House Republican Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty of Eagan, who represented associations of police chiefs, school boards, civil defense lawyers and court reporters. His law firm, Rider Bennett of Minneapolis, no longer has any registered lobbyists, but Pawlenty said he frequently abstains from voting on issues affecting the firms legal clients. [] Pawlenty, the most powerful of the Legislatures former lobbyists, said his background has forced him to take pains ethically. For example, he said, he refused his share of a $4,000 legal payment to his 105-lawyer firm that was a part of last years $8 billion K-12 education bill. [Star Tribune, 5/21/00]

HELD FIRST FUNDRAISER AT HOME OF LOBBYIST

Pawlenty Held First National Fundraiser For Freedom First PAC At Home Of Washington Lobbyist John Milne. According to CNN, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will hold the first fundraiser for his new political action committee on Oct. 22 at the Capitol Hill home of lobbyist John Milne and his wife Deb Anderson, according to a copy of the invitation provided to CNN. The invite to the Washington dinner asks guests to contribute or raise $5,000 to be named a Leadership Team Member for Pawlentys Freedom First PAC, his newly-created political organization awash with veteran GOP operatives who are advising the governor as he eyes a presidential bid in 2012. [CNN, 10/2/09]

CONNECTED TO BUSH AND MCCAIN CAMPAIGNS

Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Was Staffed With Well-Known Operatives From The Bush And McCain Campaigns. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlentys new political action committee, named the Freedom First PAC, is studded with well-known names from the Bush and McCain campaignsPawlentys team does include a cadre of seasoned

Republican operatives, including Phil Musser, a former Romney adviser; Terry Nelson, a top aide in both the Bush and McCain campaigns; and Sara Taylor, a former key aide to Karl Rove who testified during a congressional probe into the Bush administrations firings of U.S. attorneys. Among Pawlentys prime gets is PAC counsel Michael Toner, a veteran campaign lawyer who chaired the Federal Election Commission under the George W. Bush administration. [The Star Tribune, 10/1/09] Pawlenty Was Joined By Strategists From Sen. McCains Presidential Campaign, Rep. Michele Bachmann And Prominent Insiders, For Freedom First PAC Fundraiser. According to The Hill, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) has enlisted a number of GOP strategists from John McCains 2008 presidential campaign, another sign that hes planning a run for president in 2012. Pawlenty has snagged a stable of well-known Republicans to help host his first fundraiser for the Freedom First PAC, his new political action committee, according to an invitation to the kickoff event in Washington obtained by The HillAmong those interested in getting to know Pawlenty are Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Randy Scheunemann, two top policy advisers from the McCain presidential campaign who have joined the Minnesota governors host committee. Pawlenty also has the backing of the entire Minnesota Republican delegation. Reps. Michele Bachmann, John Kline and Erik Paulsen will help Pawlenty host his PACs first fundraiser, at Capitol City Brewing Company near Union Station. Several prominent lobbyists and Washington power players will help Pawlenty host the fundraiser as well. They include Loren Monroe and Bryan Cunningham, of BGR Group; Sloan Rappaport of Downey McGrath Group; and Brian Brooks, a top attorney at OMelveny & Myers LLP. David Rehr, until June the president of the National Association of Broadcasters, is listed as a member of the PACs leadership committee. [The Hill, 10/13/09] Pawlenty Received Help From A Washington, D.C. Public Relations Firm Involved In Swift-Boat Media Campaign Against Kerry. According to The Star Tribune, among those who recently helped Pawlenty is Greg Mueller, president of a Washington-area public relations firm that has worked for major Republican Party organizations. The firm also reportedly was involved in the 2004 Swift Boat media campaign against Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry. [The Star Tribune, 9/20/09]

HIRED FRIENDS AND LOBBYISTS TO ADMINISTRATION

Pawlentys First Staffing Announcement Since His Election Was Hiring Of Lobbyist Chris Georgacas To Lead Transition Team. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty, in the first staffing announcement since his election Tuesday, also named Chris Georgacas -- a lobbyist, former state Republican Party chairman and the chairman of Pawlentys gubernatorial campaign -- to lead a panel of advisers that will guide his transitionGeorgacas is also a veteran Republican Party activist. He chaired the state Republican Party from 1993 to 1997, was Norm Colemans campaign manager in his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1998, and chaired Pawlentys campaign for governor this year. He is a principal and shareholder at Goff & Howard, a public relations and lobbying firm based in St. Paul, and is a registered lobbyist at the Capitol. His client list includes Polaris Industries, Hamline University and the University of St. Thomas, the Minnesota Coalition for a Smoke-Free 2000 and St. Pauls RiverCentre Authority. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/9/02] Pawlenty Aimed To Reflect Change, Hope And Integrity By Naming Longtime Friends Charlie Weaver And Chris Georgacas To Organize His Administration. According to The Star Tribune, Saying he wants to reflect change, hope and integrity, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty named two of his longtime Republican friends Friday to organize an administration that is facing a record $3 billion budget deficit. Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver, 45, a former prosecutor and five-term legislator from Anoka, will be the salaried executive in charge of the two-month process of assembling Pawlentys cabinet and staff. Former state GOP chairman Chris Georgacas, 39, of Mahtomedi, who headed Pawlentys campaign, will be the volunteer chairman of a transition advisory committee. [The Star Tribune, 11/9/02]

2006 REELECTION
In 2006, Pawlenty Won Reelection By Just 21,000 Votes Following Opponents Use Of Derogatory Word To Describe A Reporter During The Campaigns Final Days. According to The Hill, Pawlenty does know something about close races. In 2006, he won reelection by just 21,000 votes out of about 2.2 million cast, aided in part by his opponents ill-timed use of a derogatory word aimed at a reporter in the campaigns final days. [The Hill, 7/27/09]

PAWLENTY PLAYED INSIDER POLITICS SINCE CAREER IN LEGISLATURE

As Majority Leader, Pawlenty Appointed Himself To Powerful Rules Committee, Which Determined Which Bills The House Considered. According to the Associated Press, To carry out the partys agenda, Sviggum and Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty of Eagan announced their committee chairmen. Pawlenty will be chairman of the powerful Rules Committee that determines which bills the House will consider and in which order they will be debated. Dave Bishop of Rochester will serve as the Ways and Means chairman. All bills involving money must pass through his committee. Bishop also will be responsible for working with the finance committee chairmen in developing a budget. Leading the Tax Committee will be Rep. Ron Abrams of Minnetonka. Rep. Ron Erhardt of Edina will be the chairman of the property tax subcommittee. Although both are from the suburbs, Sviggum noted that he is from rural Minnesota and other lawmakers will make sure rural interests are supported. Sviggum said he and Pawlenty chose the committee leaders, saying they sought to place people where they could be most successful. [Associated Press, 11/24/98]

Bush Republican
PAWLENTY SUPPORTED BUSH AND CHENEY
Pawlenty Said President George W. Bush Would Will Go Down In History As A Strong And Good And Great Leader. According to ABC News, Its hard to find a politician with a kind word to say about President George W. Bush these days, but when asked for his opinion, Pawlenty defended the former presidents decisions. I think George W. Bush will go down in history as a strong and good and great leader, Pawlenty said. He certainly didnt do everything perfectly, but this is somebody who had the courage of his convictions. ... I liked him a lot. [ABC News, 1/7/11] 2010: Pawlenty Thanked President Bush For Keeping Us Safe. According to The Hill, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) tuned into former President George W. Bushs primetime television interview Monday night, and he liked what he saw. Fascinating to hear George W. Bush discuss some of his major decisions. Mr. President, thank you for keeping us safe, Pawlenty, a potential 2012 presidential candidate, tweeted. [The Hill, 11/09/10] Pawlenty Said Bush Would Be Remembered As A Leader, Whose Actions Ultimately Led To A Democratic Iraq. According to Real Clear Politics, Tim Pawlenty, unlike Mitt Romney, did not mention George W. Bush in his speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference today. But in an interview after his remarks, the Minnesota governor said he absolutely agreed with Romney that the former president would, in his own words, be remembered more fondly over time. I think President Bush was a leader with strong convictions who proposed big changes in entitlement programs. Unfortunately the Congress, including for a period of time the Republican Congress, didnt adopt those approaches, Pawlenty told the Christian Broadcasting Networks David Brody shortly after his speech, which RCP sat in on. Pawlenty also lauded his actions that ultimately led to a democratic Iraq, which he described as relatively stable. And since 9/11, the nation did not see new attacks from international terrorists. For those reasons and others I think President Bush will remembered much more fondly, he said. [RealClearPolitics, 2/19/10] Pawlenty Said Vice President Cheneys Claim America Is Less Safe Under Obama Was Worth Listening To. According to WCCO-Minneapolis, Pawlenty feels that former Vice President Cheney knows a lot when he says America is less safe under Obama. Pawlenty said, When [Cheney] speaks out on that issue, he is worth listening to. [WCCO, 6/9/09] Pawlenty Said He Would Continue To Support President Bush Even If His Approval Rating Was 2 Percent. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlenty waved off any concerns about Bush, Hatch or other DFLers on Wednesday. Id stand with President Bush if his approval rating was 2 percent, Pawlenty said. I wont abandon my leader just because times are tough. [The Star Tribune, 10/20/05] Pawlenty Said He Would Not Run Away From President Bush Just Because Times Are Tough. According to The Star Tribune, In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty also qualified a recent statement - that he would stand by Bush even if he were at 2 percent in the polls - saying that he was not pledging blind allegiance to the president. Rather, he said, it was a statement of personal friendship. I dont embrace everything Bush says, he said. I dont mean Im going to blindly follow every policy initiative. But politics is smarmy enough without people bailing out on friends just because times are tough. Thats a weenie move. Im not going to run away like a little chicken from President

Bush because hes unpopular. [The Star Tribune, 10/28/05] Campaign Director Brian McClung Said Pawlenty Was 1,000 Percent Behind President Bush. According to The Star Tribune, The governor is 1,000 percent behind the president, said Brian McClung, director of Pawlentys 2006 reelection effort. [The Star Tribune, 8/19/04] Pawlenty Said We Need President Bush And Minnesota Would Support Him. According to the Associated Press, Speaking at a fundraiser for President Bush in 2003, Pawlenty said, We need President Bush, particularly in these times. We want him to know that when he needs Minnesota, were gonna be there for him. [Associated Press, 8/26/03]

BUSH SUPPORTED PAWLENTY

President Bush Campaigned For Pawlentys 2002 Gubernatorial Bid. According to University Wire, President George W. Bush saw cheering supporters and chanting protesters Thursday during a daylong visit to Minneapolis that included a University of Minnesota Medical School tour and a roundtable discussion with outgoing University President Mark Yudof. The president also said gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty knows the best way to bring fiscal discipline to anybody of government is to resist unnecessary spending. Pawlenty campaign manager Tim Commers said Bushs visit would help energize volunteers. [University Wire, 7/15/02] Campaigning In October 2002, Bush Said Pawlenty Was A Good Man And Capable Leader, Who Knew How To Improve Government And Stay Within Budget. According to the Associated Press, President Bush singled out Senate hopeful Norm Coleman, the former mayor of St. Paul, and gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty, Minnesotas House majority leader, as two people Republicans should be putting their time and energy behind. Bush, the former governor of Texas, said Pawlenty has proven himself a capable leader - that he knows how to keep government within a budget and improve schools. I know something about what it takes to be a governor, and you have a good man running, the president said. [Associated Press, 10/18/02] In November 2002, While Campaigning For Pawlenty, Bush Called Pawlenty The Best Choice For Governor. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Bush had kind words for the GOP gubernatorial candidate as well: The best choice for governor of Minnesota, the best choice for taxpayers and schoolchildren, is Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty, who also spoke at the rally, said Bushs appearance helps the Republicans frame their message to voters in the final days of the campaign. Plus, such an event boosts enthusiasm for party members as they work on get-out-the-vote campaigns. Im energized. How can you not be, with the president here and this crowd so jazzed up? he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/4/02] In August 2002, Vice President Dick Cheney Helped Pawlenty Raise $250,000 At Minneapolis Fundraiser. According to The Star Tribune, Vice President Dick Cheney, whose direct intervention more than a year ago persuaded Tim Pawlenty to switch his sights from the U.S. Senate to the governors office, helped Pawlenty pick up an estimated $250,000 for his GOP gubernatorial campaign at a Minneapolis fundraiser. [The Star Tribune, 8/13/02] April 2005: White House Chief Of Staff Karl Rove Raised $100,000 For Pawlenty. According to The Star Tribune, The presence of a heavyweight such as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove at a Friday night fundraiser for Gov. Tim Pawlentys reelection campaign underscores an important reality that could be daunting to his potential rivals in 2006. The Rove event had brought in at least $100,000. About 100 contributors were expected to attend a reception where they could rub elbows with Pawlenty and Rove. At least another couple hundred were paying $250 to attend a dinner and hear Rove and Pawlenty speak. The event was closed to the media, and Rove declined a request for an interview. [The Star Tribune, 4/9/05] White House Chief Of Staff Karl Rove Said Pawlenty Would Be A Great Candidate For President. According to KARE 11 News, during appearance at the University of Minnesota, Rove joked off his foes, and reveled in his fans. And took time to praise a man he thinks would make a good candidate for president. Tim Pawlenty has an interesting profile for President and will be a great candidate should he decide to run, Rove said of the Minnesota Governor. [KARE 11, 4/23/10]

PAWLENTY HELPED GET BUSH ELECTED

Pawlenty Led The Bush Reelection Campaigns Minnesota Leadership Team. According to The Star Tribune, At his news conference, Mehlman introduced Bushs 35-member Minnesota Leadership Team, which includes the states most prominent elected Republicans. Sen. Norm Coleman and Gov. Tim Pawlenty head the team. Weve become at least a swing state and maybe even a center-right state, Pawlenty said. One reason Minnesotans will vote for Bush is that hes a very likeable person, a good guy, he added. [The Star Tribune, 9/23/03] Pawlenty Was Co-Chair And A Pioneer Fundraiser For President Bushs A Minnesota Re-Election Effort. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Sen. Norm Coleman, the co-chairmen of President Bushs reelection campaign in Minnesota, are among some 300 top fund-raisers in the nation, according to reports released Tuesday by Bushs campaign. The two men, along with former Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, all Republicans, are listed as Pioneers on the campaigns web site, a designation afforded to those who have raised more than $100,000. [Associated Press, 10/14/03] Pawlenty And United Health Care Group CEO William McGuire Were Minnesota Pioneers Of Bush Reelection Campaign. According to the Associated Press, Some of Minnesotas biggest names are helping to raise millions of dollars for President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, according to reports filed by the presidential candidates. Bush has the states top two elected Republicans, Sen. Norm Coleman and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, on board as top fund-raisers, as well as former Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, who was a money-raising machine in his days as senatorPawlenty is one of two Pioneers. The other is William McGuire, chief executive of United Health Care GroupPawlenty was traveling overseas and unavailable for comment Friday, but Brian McClung, the executive director of his campaign, said the governor was happy to raise money for the Bush campaign. McClung said he didnt know how much time the governor had spent raising money. [Associated Press, 6/25/04]

In 2003, George W. Bush Asked Pawlenty For Advice On How To Win Minnesota In 2004. According to the Los Angeles Times, The Bush campaign is once again calling Pawlenty, this time asking his advice on how it might win Minnesota in 2004. The state has voted for a Republican in the presidential contest just three times since 1940 -- the last being Richard Nixon in 1972. But Al Gores narrow win in Minnesota in 2000 -- 60,000 votes out of 2 million cast -- gives the GOP hope. We are now a true battleground state, Pawlenty said. [Los Angeles Times, 8/28/03] Pawlenty Praised St. Paul Democratic Mayor Randy Kellys Endorsement For George W. Bush Re-Election. According to PR Newswire, in a remarkable show of support, St. Paul Mayor, Randy Kelly (DFL), announced his endorsement for the re-election of the Bush-Cheney 04 ticket...Today, Mayor Kelly put principle before partisan politics. His bold decision is courageous and a welcome move towards working across party lines, Bush-Cheney 04 Minnesota Campaign Co-Chair Governor Tim Pawlenty stated. I salute him and stand alongside him in our efforts to re-elect George W. Bush. [PR Newswire, 8/1/04] Kiplinger Letter: Pawlenty May Be In Line For A Cabinet Position In A Second Bush Term. According to The Kiplinger Letter, The convention will give GOP up-and-comers a chance to shine: Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minn. may be in line for a Cabinet position in a second Bush term, especially if he helps deliver the state for Bush. [The Kiplinger Letter, 8/20/04] Kiplinger Business Forecasts: Pawlenty Was Being Groomed For Larger Service By GOP Leadership. According to Kiplinger Business Forecasts, Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Pawlenty is being groomed for larger service by the Republican Party leadership. If he helps deliver Minnesota to Bush, he may get a Cabinet appointment. [Kiplinger Business Forecasts, 8/17/04] Star Tribune: White House Political Director Karl Rove Pressured Pawlenty To Deliver Swing State Minnesota For Bush. According to The Star Tribune, St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly, a lifelong Democrat, broke from his party to support President Bushs reelection campaign the air was thick on Monday with theories about Kellys true motive. One of our favorites was that this is less about Bush than Pawlenty. Indeed, one can only imagine the pressure White House political director Karl Rove is placing on the governor to deliver this suddenly swing state for Bush. Pawlentys aspirations as a national figure in 2008 and beyond probably hang in the balance. Ever observant, Kelly wondered what he could do for the governor. Well have to wait to see what the governor may do for Kelly in return. As a former legislator, Kelly understands Minnesotas political system, especially the unique subservience of Minneapolis and St. Paul, both to state governmental authority and to the ascendant political power of the suburbs. [The Star Tribune, 8/3/04]

SUPPORTED BUSH PROGRAMS

After Criticizing Obamas Health Care Reform As A Government Takeover, Pawlenty Said He Would Have Supported President Bushs Medicare Drug Benefit. According to Esquire, during an interview in February 2010, Pawlenty was asked, Governor, you routinely refer to the presidents health-care reform as a government takeover. If you had been president, would you have signed President Bushs Medicare Drug Benefit? Pawlenty responded, Yes. A version of it. Medicare was started a long time ago, and medicine had changed, having gone from clinical practices and hospitalizations to treating more and more conditions with prescription medicines. So it makes sense to extend Medicare benefits to prescription medicines. [Esquire, 2/12/10] Pawlenty Said The Bush Tax Cuts Should Have Been Permanent In The First Place. According to CNN, On Late Edition, Wolf Blitzer asked Pawlenty if he didnt have a problem with allowing the Bush tax cuts that were implemented in 2001 and 2003 to made permanent, all of the Bush tax cuts, the estate tax plus the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, including billionaires? Pawlenty called the debate silly and said they should have been permanent in the first place. [CNN, 6/22/08] Pawlenty Said Obama Would Make The Economy Worse By Letting Bush Tax Cuts Expire. According to CNBC, Pawlenty said, we have a tax code now thats heading in the wrong direction. We have a president whos going to let the Bush tax cuts expire. Hes not only going to not make the situation better, hes going to make it worse, and its going to be counterproductive for all the reasons your question suggests. [CNBC, 10/20/09]

Pawlenty Endorsed No Child Left Behind And Supported Extending It To High Schools. According to The Star Tribune, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed the centerpiece of President Bushs second-term education agenda Sunday, backing a plan to extend the federal No Child Left Behind testing requirements to high schools. He made his remarks after meeting with U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, one of the architects of the 2001 law mandating basics skills testing from grades three through eight. Pawlenty has been an enthusiastic supporter of No Child Left Behind, but his comments on Sunday were the first time he has endorsed Bushs plan to push the laws reach into the nations high schools. I think Minnesota could, and should, move in that direction, the Republican governor said. [The Star Tribune, 2/28/05] Pawlenty Supported President Bush Plan To Privatize Social Security. According to the Los Angeles Times, Several Republican governors expressed support during interviews Saturday for Bushs plan for private accounts, including Govs. Lingle of Hawaii, Robert A. Taft of Ohio, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jim Douglas of Vermont, all of whom said the idea was popular with young people in their states. [Los Angeles Times, 2/27/05] Economist Edward Lotterman Said Pawlenty And Bush Had Remarkably Similar Political Platforms. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in an op-ed, Economist Edward Lotterman wrote Unfortunately, our current batch of elected officials refuses even to recognize that there are rocks in the political ocean. That is one conclusion drawn from recent speeches by President Bush and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The two mens political programs are remarkably similar: Both ran on platforms in which tax cutting and spending restraint was a major plan; Both have taken pledges to not increase taxes during their terms; Both repeatedly argue that any budget deficits are a result of excessive spending rather than insufficient taxation; Both argue that failures to close budget deficits are due to inaction by the legislative branch rather than any contradictions in their own taxing and spending priorities; Both have proposed significant spending increases for popular programs; Neither has identified specific cuts in significant programs to fully close deficits; And, neither has ever proposed a realistic balanced budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/20/05] Pawlenty Said Bushs Clarity Of His Leadership On The War On Terror Contributed To High Poll Position In Minnesota. According to Fox News, in an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday, Pawlenty was asked why President Bush was polling well in Minnesota. Pawlenty responded, I think it says a lot about the strength and qualities and characteristics of this president to have, in the land of Humphrey, Mondale and McCarthy, George Bush leading or at worst tied with Senator Kerry in this race is amazing. And I think it speaks to the strength and clarity of his leadership on the war on terror, and more recently, speaking about the ownership society on the bread-and-butter issues of jobs and health care and education I think it boils down to strength in troubled times or challenging times and, frankly, likability. I think the swing voters -- data that were seeing from the polls and what we feel and hear on the streets is people like this president because hes strong and clear and consistent, particularly on the war on terror. And hes also likable. And those same qualities are at least in question with respect to Senator Kerry. [FOX News, 9/19/04]

Pawlenty Said President Bush Drove The Change In Mainstream View Of The U.S. As An Entitlement Society. According to Fox News, in an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday, Pawlenty was asked what issues he thought were driving the Presidential race. Pawlenty responded, Well, I think, for example the war on terror and national security is the number-one issue, and thats the presidents strength. But beyond that -- and then thats a big factor in Minnesota as well, a positive factor for the president. But beyond that, I think in Minnesota people have figured out that classic liberalism unchecked has really been discredited. And so weve moved into the mainstream. And for Minnesota, they view the presidents policies on these key issues of the ownership society and getting away from kind of a traditional entitlement approach to everything, to more of an option and choice and empowerment approach to health savings accounts and education and Social Security and other key issues, people have figured out that thats worth a try, and its a good new approach. And I think actually President Bush, even though hes the incumbent, is the change. And people perceive that as an exciting possibility for these key domestic issues. [FOX News, 9/19/04] Pawlenty Said Bush Was More Likely To Deliver Economic Vitality Growth Than John Kerry. According to Stateline.Org, What do Republican governors want from a second-term Bush administration? How have the presidents policies affected the states? Stateline.org asked those questions of GOP governors attending the Republican National Convention in New York, and heres a sampling of their responses Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: Bush is a stronger leader (than Democratic opponent John Kerry) and his policies are more likely to sustain economic growth, and thats the engine, thats the horse that states and the nation ride and allow us to generate revenue so we can do more things. Thats oversimplified, but the bottom line is President Bush is more likely to deliver economic vitality and economic growth, and that will benefit that states most directly and most dramatically. [Stateline.org, 9/3/04]

OPPOSED TARP, BUT GAVE BUSH CREDIT FOR RESCUING ECONOMY

Pawlenty Said Declaration That Certain Financial Institutions Were Too Big To Fail Was Misguided. According to the Washington Times, Pawlenty said that the Federal Reserve chairman and the Treasury secretaries in the Bush and Obama administrations were misguided at best in declaring certain financial and manufacturing organizations too big to be allowed to fail. [Washington Times, 10/4/09] Pawlenty Said President Bush Deserved Credit For Economic Recovery As A Result Of TARP, Which He Described As Poorly Designed. According to CNBC, Appearing on Squawk Box, Pawlenty was asked if not the stimulus package, what do you think has been the main factor behind the turnaround in the certain sectors that were seeing? Pawlenty responded, Well, I think the stabilization of the financial sector helped a lot in terms of stability. And the rest of it, I think, is a natural flushing out of the economy on a macroeconomic level. Pawlenty was then asked, If you think the stimulus has not had an effect, the biggest thing that stabilized the financial industry was the $700 billion in the TARP that was passed last year. So are you really arguing that actually it was President Bush who turned around the economy, its just we didnt know it when he left office? Pawlenty responded, Well, like the stimulus package, I think the TARP package was poorly designed, in my own opinion, in terms of focus, impact, and targeting. If -- if the historians look back and say stabilization of the financial institutions was a key element of this recovery, President Bush started that. But, again, that was controversial. I had concerns about big elements of that, so Im not going to say that that was the -- you know, the key or the embrace that, at least, me and many others would say was the fix. But, again, if history looks back and says that was a critical element, as a matter of fact, it started under President Bush. [Squawk Box, CNBC, 9/3/09]

Shifted Right in Run For President

CAMPAIGNED WITH FAR-RIGHT ACTIVISTS
Talking Points Memo: Pawlenty Boosted His Ultra-Conservative Credentials By Appearing Alongside Fringe GOP Activists Like Floyd Brown And Ralph Reed. According to Talking Points Memo, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, is set to boost his ultra-conservative credentials this weekend, putting in an appearance at the Western CPAC conference -- where hell be in some pretty interesting company. Tonight, for example, Pawlenty will be featured at a private VIP reception, which also include none other than Floyd Brown. For those of you who have not heard of him, Brown was the originator of the Willie Horton ad against Mike Dukakis in 1988, and

currently runs the Web sites Expose Obama and the Impeach Obama Campaign, which warns: how long should we sit back and permit Barack Hussein Obama to rip apart the fabric of this country before we take action? Pawlenty will also keynote a dinner, with other remarks by Ralph Reed -- the former head of the Christian Coalition and ex-business partner of Jack Abramoff. Pawlenty has been slowly but surely shedding his prior image as a friendly, perhaps even moderate Republican -for example, he hinted at possible Tenth Amendment challenges to health care reform. This is just another step on that journey of courting the party base. [Talking Points Memo, 10/16/09] Pawlenty Spoke At Western Conservative Political Action Conference Attended By Notable Birthers Floyd Brown And Gary Kreep. According to the Washington Independent, The Western Conservative Political Action Conference has always been a smaller sibling to the annual Washington, D.C., CPAC. Its gained some strength this year with the addition of speakers like Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) and California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. But its also attracted some notable birthers. Tonights VIP reception for Pawlenty, which Whitman is also scheduled to attend, will feature Floyd Brown, the longtime GOP activist who is fundraising for both an impeach Obama campaign and a campaign to get the media to cover the birth certificate issue.On Saturday afternoon, Gary Kreep, one of the first conservative lawyers to sue for proof of Barack Obamas citizenship, is moderating a panel on ;The Rule of Nebulous Law: Thoughts on the Modern Judiciary. [Washington Independent, 10/16/09]

PAWLENTY QUESTIONED CLIMATE CHANGE

PolitiFact: Pawlenty Made A Full Flop On Cap And Trade Stance. According to PolitiFact, He hasnt made it official yet, but it seems everything Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty does these days points to a White House run in 2012. Case in point: his stance on a cap-and-trade plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Back in 2007, Pawlenty was positioning himself as an environmental leader, pushing for aggressive reductions in greenhouse gases and a regional cap-and-trade plan. Fastforward to 2009, and hes writing letters to Washington calling a Democratic plan to curb climate change, overly bureaucratic, misguided and very burdensome on our economy.Pawlenty grew his reputation as an environmental pioneer when he played a leading role in persuading members of the Midwest Governors Association to sign the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, an agreement that the states would develop a cap-and-trade mechanism to achieve greenhouse gas reductions in the areaGenerally speaking, Minnesota environmentalists say Pawlenty has recently been less aggressive on other climate issues, such as implementing the recommendations of the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group. No matter what Pawlentys motivations, I would call it pretty much a 180-degree evolution, said [Steven] Morse, [the executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, which is a coalition of more than 80 Minnesota environmental organizations.] We couldnt have said it better. Pawlenty has clearly changed his tune on cap-and-trade. We give him a Full Flop. [PolitiFact, 9/24/09] Chicago Tribune: As Climate Change Became A Litmus Test For Conservatives, Pawlenty, Who Historically Supported Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Questioned How Much Climate Change Is Man-Made. According to the Chicago Tribune, It wasnt long ago that Marco Rubio and Tim Pawlenty, two of the brightest fresh faces in the Republican Party, supported legislation to limit the greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming. But in recent weeks both have suddenly begun to express doubts about whether burning coal, powering cars with gasoline and other human activities in fact have anything to do with a warming Earth. The shifts by Rubio and Pawlenty -- as well as other prominent Republicans -- reflect the rising power of climate change skeptics in the GOP, where global warming is becoming a litmus test for conservativesPawlenty, who once backed emissions limits in a radio campaign with Democrat Janet Napolitano, said on Meet the Press recently that there are questions of how much climate change is man-made. [Chicago Tribune, 3/7/10]

Left Office With Low Ratings

Star Tribune: Pawlenty Was Among Governors Who Were Finishing Terms With Slumping Ratings. According to The Star Tribune, Many incumbents in other states Republicans and Democrats alike have been reeling from the backlash against those in power. Iowas Democratic Gov. Chet Culver is trailing his GOP challengers in the polls. Colorado Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter dropped his re-election bid amid weak poll numbers, and Govs. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Charlie Crist of Florida and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota are finishing their terms with slumping ratings. [The Star Tribune, 4/ 2/10]

Politico: Pawlenty Was Not A Favorite Son Of Minnesota. According to Politico, Pawlenty is not exactly a favorite son. His approval numbers never that high in a state that hasnt voted for a Republican presidential nominee since 1972 have slipped, and a poll released last week showed Obama defeating Pawlenty in Minnesota. [Politico, 7/21/09] Pawlenty Said Winning A Third Term As Governor Would Be An Uphill Battle. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said winning a third term would be an uphill battle. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/28/09] New York Times: Pawlenty Faced Fairly Decent Chance He Would Have Lost Reelection Effort. According to The New York Times, Mr. Pawlentys fights with the legislature and more broadly, being in charge of his state at a time when things are bleak has pulled down his approval ratings; indeed, theres a fairly decent chance he would have lost had he run again. [New York Times, 6/10/09] February 2005: Pawlentys Had 56 Percent Approval Rating Among Minnesotans. According to the Associated Press, The public holds Gov. Tim Pawlenty in higher esteem than the Legislature, according to a newspaper poll published Thursday. The Star Tribune Minnesota Poll puts Pawlentys approval rating at 56 percent, compared to the 39 percent of Minnesotans who approve of the way the Legislature conducts its business. The poll of 832 adult Minnesotans was conducted Jan. 23-26 and has a margin of sampling error of 3.4 percentage points. The results seem to bode well for Pawlenty as he and legislators enter the budget debate. Pawlentys low point was in 2003, when 49 percent approved of him after a round of budget cuts. [Associated Press, 2/3/05]

MAJORITY OF STATE RESIDENTS WOULD NOT SUPPORT PAWLENTY FOR PRESIDENT

Public Policy Polling: Pawlenty Left Office With 54% Disapproval. According to PPP Polling, Pawlenty will leave office as an unpopular Governor. 43% of voters in the state approve of him while 53% disapprove. Democrats are more unified in disliking Pawlenty (89% disapproval) than Republicans are in their favor of him (83% approval.) Beyond that independents disapprove of him by a 40/56 spread. The importance of Pawlentys unpopularity shouldnt be underestimated in Democrats picking up the Minnesota Governors office this year in an otherwise dreadful year for the party. [Public Policy Polling, 12/8/10] Public Policy Polling: Romney Polled Better Against Obama In Minnesota Than Pawlenty. According to PPP Polling, Barack Obama would win Minnesota pretty easily if he had to run for reelection today and in a bit of a surprise his stiffest competition would come not from the states Governor Tim Pawlenty, but from Mitt Romney In the closest head to head match up for President Obama leads Romney 47-42. Doing next best is Pawlenty at a 51-43 disadvantage, followed by Huckabee at 50-40, Gingrich at 51-38, and Palin at 54-36. [Public Policy Polling, 12/8/10] Rasmussen Survey Showed Only 35 Percent Of Minnesotans Were Likely To Support Pawlenty In 2012 Presidential Election. According to The Star Tribune, A new survey by Rasmussen Reports found that 35 percent of likely voters in Minnesota would vote to make Gov. Tim Pawlenty president in 2012, while 49 percent would not. The remaining 16 percent werent sure. Despite Pawlentys rising national profile, presidential-style out-of-state travels (and continued demurrals about whether hes running), past polls have consistently shown that most Minnesotans remain cool to the idea of President Pawlenty. He can take some consolation from another poll result: 52 percent of Minnesotans approve of the job hes doing, putting him about the 50-percent level considered the safety zone for politicians. At the same time, the man who Pawlenty would run against, President Obama, has essentially the same approval rating, 53 percent. The poll, conducted Monday, is based on interviews with 500 likely voters in the state. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. [The Star Tribune, 5/27/10] Poll: 38 Percent Of Minnesota Voters Would Support A Pawlenty Campaign Against President Obama. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A new Rasmussen Poll says 38 percent of those polled [in Minnesota] would support Gov. Pawlenty if he were to win the GOP nomination for president in 2012. Thats down four points from a similar poll in November. Nearly half also say his potential run for president has had a negative impact on his job as governor. His overall job approval is at 49 percent. This is the second poll in the past week that showed Pawlenty receiving approval ratings below fifty percent and shows fewer than forty percent want him to run for president in 2012. Pawlenty has not ruled out a run for the White House. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/12/10]

Public Policy Polling: Pawlentys Poll Position Was Surprisingly Weak As Minnesota Voters Overwhelmingly Rejected Pawlentys Presidential Bid. According to Public Policy Polling, PPPs newest batch of 2012 Republican primary polls conducted right before last weeks election finds Mitt Romney ahead in the critical early state of Florida, Tim Pawlenty surprisingly weak in his home state of Minnesota, and Sarah Palin posting leads in Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Maine Tim Pawlenty leads the field in his home state of Minnesota but his performance is surprisingly weak. He gets 19% with Palin right on his heels at 18%, Huckabee at 14%, and Gingrich and Romney each getting 11%. These numbers are reflective of the overall trouble we found for Pawlenty at home in our final preelection poll of the state- his approval rating was under water and voters overwhelmingly said they didnt think he should run for President. [Public Policy Polling, 11/11/10]

Private Sector Experience

In 2000, Pawlenty Left Job As Attorney To Join Internet Consulting Firm Wizmo As Vice President Of Corporate Development According to the Associated Press, House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty is leaving his longtime job as an attorney to join Wizmo, a privately held Internet consulting firm that raised $35 million in venture capital this summer. Pawlenty, 40, of Eagan, has been a civil litigation attorney with the Rider Bennett Eagan & Arundel law firm in Minneapolis for 11 years. At Wizmo, based in Eden Prairie, he will be vice president for corporate development. Pawlenty will join Wizmo in early fall. His tasks will include bringing together an advisory council for the company, helping it market products and representing Wizmo at various events. Im giving up a great deal of security. Its really very exciting, and all a bit scary, said Pawlenty, who is seeking a fifth term as a state representative. Wizmo was formed last year in the merger of Professional Computer Services and Burlwood Media Corp. The company employs more than 150 workers and had revenue of $8 million last year. [Associated Press, 9/13/00] In 2001, Pawlenty Joined Board Of Directors Of Technology Consulting Firm Stratika. According to a Stratika press release,Pawlenty has joined the companys Board of Directors. Pawlenty is the Vice President of Corporate Development at Wizmo. He also serves as the Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Pawlenty brings with him a wealth of knowledge relating to the business aspects of technology as well as a strong vision for our companys future, stated Odeh A. Muhawesh, CEO of Stratika. Prior to his position at Wizmo, Pawlenty was a partner with the law firm of Rider, Bennett Egan and Arundel in Minneapolis. Pawlenty practiced law for 15 years prior to leaving law to join Wizmo. In 1992, Pawlenty was elected to the state legislature and previously served as a member of the Eagan City Council. Odeh A. Muhawesh, who has started several businesses in Minnesota and worldwide, established Stratika in 1998 with two former employees of Oracle Corporation. Stratika offers Oracle and Microsoft consulting services, including database administration, application development, data warehousing, business intelligence, web development and complete e-Business solutions. The Minneapolis based company also offers Customized Oracle Training and a new service called SRDBA. SRDBA allows companies to save money in administering their Oracle databases. [Stratika Press Release, 5/8/01]

Post Governorship Plans

BOOK DEAL WITH EVANGELICAL PUBLISHER
Pawlenty Memoir Was Co-Authored By Mark Dagostino, Who Co-Wrote Book For Wrestler Hulk Hogan. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota had a pro wrestler as governor in Jesse Ventura. Now it has a governor with a literary connection to the wrestling world. For Tim Pawlentys upcoming memoir, the Republican governor has tag-teamed with the man who ghost-wrote the autobiography of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan. Pawlenty confirmed to The Associated Press that author Mark Dagostino assisted on his book, Courage to Stand: An American Story. The book is due out next month as Pawlenty moves toward a decision on a potential 2012 presidential bid. Last year, Dagostino was a co-author on Hogans book My Life Outside the Ring, about the highs and lows of the flamboyant wrestler. Pawlenty described Dagostino as a collaborator, not a ghost-writer. The two didnt know each other beforehand and Pawlenty said they sat for many, many hours of interviews. He didnt write the book. He wrote drafts and we edited it and wrote parts of it, Pawlenty said. He wrote some stuff, wed ping-pong it back and forth. I wrote a bunch of it. [Associated Press, 12/2/10] Associated Press: Pawlenty Book Deal Was Another Sign He Was Planning A Presidential Run. According to the Associated Press, The Republican governor of Minnesota has said he wont decide whether to run for president in 2012 until

after this falls midterm election. But his book deal announced Friday is another sign hes gearing up for a run, as publishing a book has become a standard step for presidential wannabes. Potential Republican candidates Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee have all published books. Tyndale House Publishers of Carol Stream, Ill., will publish the volume. The company says in a press release it will include Pawlentys reflections on his life, career and vision for America. [Associated Press, 4/30/10] Evangelical Literary Agency Alive Communications Planned To Publish Pawlentys Memoir. According to The Minnesota Independent, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed on with evangelical literary agent Alive Communications and evangelical publisher Tyndale House Publishing to write his memoir Alive Communications is an evangelical literary agency headquartered in Colorado Springs. They are the agent for Sarah Palin and her recent book Going Rogue. They also represent religious right leaders such as Billy Graham, Tim LaHaye of the apocalyptic Left Behind series and works by the Promise Keepers Tyndale has published works by religious right luminaries such as Focus on the Familys James Dobson and his wife Shirley, as well as Watergate conspirator and born-again prison minister Chuck Colson. [The Minnesota Independent, 5/3/10] Pawlenty Would Not Disclose Advance Total He Expected To Receive For His Memoir. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Pawlenty said he hasnt started his memoir yet but said the book will focus on his personal experiences and vision for America The book is set to be released in 2011, which is the same time Pawlenty says hell make a decision about a White House run. Pawlenty said he will receive an advance for the memoir bout wouldnt disclose the sum. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/18/10]

Pawlentys Book, Courage To Stand Was Scheduled For Release On January 11, 2011. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty courageously squints into the future in the cover photo his publisher uses to promote his upcoming book, Courage to Stand. The governor, who may be squinting into a 2012 run for president, has penned (or had ghost-penned) the bio book to be published by Tyndale House Publishers. It is due out on the easy to remember date of 1/11/11. [The Star Tribune, 8/23/10] Commentary Editor D.J. Tice Of The Star Tribune Predicted Pawlentys Book Would Offer Rhetoric And Stories Rather Than Political Philosophy. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed, Star Tribune commentary editor D.J. Tice wrote Tim Pawlentys book is a lot like Tim Pawlenty. It is likable without being inspiring. It is adamant without being harsh. It is clear without being deep The book, however, will disappoint readers looking for political philosophy, rather than political rhetoric and stories. Why I became a conservative so early on is anyones guess, Pawlenty writes early in the volume. And the why of his conservatism still requires some guesswork at the end. It is clear as high noon what he thinks America is spending blindly toward the edge of a cliff -- but one searches mostly in vain for underlying economic, social and political ideas that persuade him spending cuts alone are is the only sane course ahead. He cites Reagan, Lincoln and a few other standard heroes. But intellectual lodestars? Burke? Hayek? Toqueville? Anyones guess. [The Star Tribune, 1/8/11] In January 2011, Pawlentys Memoir Courage To Stand Had Sold 4,765 Copies. According to The Star Tribune, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys week-old book blitz got him plenty of face-time on national television, but hes not in best-seller territory yet. Nielsen BookScan, a national data provider for the book publishing industry, shows a total of 4,765 sales of Pawlentys Courage to Stand as of Wednesday, the vast majority since the beginning of his national book tour in New York on Jan. 11. Actual sales could be a bit higher, since BookScan only counts sales at national bookstore chains, Amazon, and indy book sellers who chose to report. The general rule of thumb is that the service counts about 75 percent of total sales. [The Star Tribune, 1/19/11] Pawlentys Book, Which Debuted At #1 On The Washington Posts Hardcover Nonfiction Book List, Fell Below Top 50 By The Following Week. According to the Washington Post, The most astonishing tidbit is Tim Pawlentys memoir -- it debuted at #1 last week for all hardcover nonfiction books sold, and not only doesnt stay in the top 10, it sales didnt even qualify it for inclusion in the top 50 (and thus on this list, which is drawn from those figures). Not sure if thats good or bad ... [Washington Post, 1/30/11]

SPEAKING APPEARANCES
Pawlenty Signed Deal With Speaker Firm Leading Authorities To Arrange Speaking Appearances After He Left Office In 2011. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has hooked up with a noted speakers

bureau to arrange appearances after he leaves office in early 2011. The firm, Leading Authorities, announced Wednesday that it had an exclusive deal with Pawlenty. Terms werent disclosed The roster of Leading Authorities speakers ranges from former White House spokeswoman Dana Perino to retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal. [Associated Press, 9/29/10] Pawlenty Recalled Days As Produce Clerk In Address To United Fresh Produce Associations Winter Leadership Meeting. According to The Packer, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed the United Fresh Produce Association winter leadership meeting here and established his credentials immediately. I can talk fruits and vegetables with the best of them, Pawlenty said, recalling his days as a young produce clerk at an Applebaums grocery store in Minnesota. [The Packer, 1/20/11]

ETHICAL FAILURES
American Bankers Pay To Play Statement
Insurance Company American Bankers Received A Multi-Million Dollar Reduction In Fines After Making A $10,000 Contribution To The Minnesota Republican Party To Support Pawlentys Election Former Commerce Commissioner: Its A Good Example Of Someone Paying For A Favor. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, Last week, Pawlentys new commerce commissioner, Glenn Wilson, signed an agreement calling for American Bankers to pay $200,000 in fines and voluntarily withdraw from Minnesota for five years. American Bankers separately agreed to pay the state $1.8 million to cover the cost of the investigation. Commerce Department spokesman Bruce Gordon said there is no connection between the campaign contribution and the settlement. The company did not receive special treatment, he said, noting that fine and reimbursement represent Minnesotas largest penalty against an insurance company. But Jim Bernstein, the Ventura administration commerce commissioner who first brought action against American Bankers, called the deal tit for tat. Its a good example of someone paying for a favor, Bernstein said. The campaign contribution arrives, they back off and right after the new administration takes office its settled for significantly less. American Bankers exploited a loophole in campaign finance law to contribute money to the Minnesota Republican Party. The company funneled the funds to Minnesota through a national Republican committee, prompting a letter of thanks from state party chairman Ron Eibensteiner, according to a document obtained by the Pioneer Press. [The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 3/5/03] Pawlenty Called For An Investigation Into The Insurance Settlement. According to Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants the Legislature to investigate a settlement between his administrations Commerce Department and an insurance company that funneled $ 15,000 to the state GOP. Wed like to get to the truth as soon as possible in a bipartisan way, and Im asking legislative leaders to help us do that, Pawlenty said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 3/7/03] American Bankers Insurance Contribution Was Earmarked To Assist Pawlentys Election. According to Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Florida-based American Bankers Insurance contributed the cash to a unit of the Republican National Committee last fall and told the group it wanted the money spent to help Pawlenty. [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 3/7/03] American Bankers Was Fined $1 Million Dollars For The Contribution To The State Republican Party For Violating Corporate Contribution Rules Republican Chairman Ron Eibensteiner Faced Criminal Charges. According to Saint Paul Pioneer Press, A Florida insurance company has agreed to pay $ 1 million to settle criminal charges that it and two of its executives illegally contributed money to a state Republican political campaign last year, prosecutors said Monday. The settlement by American Bankers Insurance Co. also requires the two executives to testify against Minnesota Republican Party chairman Ron Eibensteiner, who faces four gross misdemeanors related to the campaign contributions and has not settled. Neither Eibensteiner nor his attorney returned calls seeking comment Monday. Eibensteiner is accused of helping American Bankers Insurance make $ 15,000 in illegal campaign contributions to the Republican Party during the 2002 campaign. Minnesota law forbids companies from making corporate donations to state political campaigns and bars insurance companies from making any kind of contribution. American Bankers was not required to admit guilt in the settlement, but special prosecutor Earl Gray was unequivocal in his view of the case. They made an illegal campaign contribution, he said. Gray and Mower County Attorney Patrick Flanagan -- the charges were filed in Mower County -- sought the seven-figure penalty to emphasize the seriousness of American Bankers conduct for other corporations. American Bankers faced a $ 40,000 fine if convicted, but will pay 25 times that amount to settle. The million dollars was structured so that we would deter other companies, Gray said. The settlement funds will go to Mower County [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 4/6/04] The Contribution Was Meant To Influence A Proposed Fine Settlement By The Previous Administration Levied Against American Bankers For Selling Illegal Insurance Policies. According to Saint Paul Pioneer Press, The American Bankers case boils down to the companys efforts to influence the 2002 election for governor. In late 2002, American Bankers was fighting a civil disciplinary action by Jim Bernstein, the Minnesota commerce commissioner under former Gov. Jesse Ventura. Bernstein wanted to hit the company with a heavy fine for selling illegal insurance policies and other violations. American Bankers admitted to state legislative auditor Jim Nobles in a separate investigation that it donated money to both the Republican and Democrat-Farm-Labor parties to help ensure that Independence Party candidate Tim Penny did not win. The company feared that Penny would reappoint Bernstein. Initially, American Bankers intended to donate the money to Gov. Tim Pawlentys campaign and to Roger Moe, the DFL candidate. The funds eventually went to the Republican National State Elections Committee and the Democratic Governors Association. American Bankers tentatively had agreed to pay a $ 3.5

million fine to settle with Bernstein. After Bernstein was gone, the company settled by agreeing to pay $ 200,000 in fines, voluntarily withdraw from Minnesota for five years and pay $ 1.8 million to cover the cost of the investigation. Bernstein said he is delighted that the company settled. He also questioned American Bankers contention that it is exonerated by the dismissal of the charges. The settlement shows this company was guilty. They knew they were guilty and this was probably the best outcome for them, Bernstein said. You do the math. [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 4/6/04] Pawlentys Campaign Manager Tim Commers Arranged The Campaign Contribution From American Bankers Insurance Group But Denied That He Knew The Money Came From American Bankers. According to the Associated Press, Commers told the Pioneer Press that lobbyist Ron Jerich called him in early August to discuss ways Jerichs client could give $10,000 to help Pawlentys cause. Jerich lobbies for a number of clients, including Assurant, the parent company of American Bankers. Commers said he told Jerich to call the state party because gubernatorial candidates cant accept contributions of that size in Minnesota. Commers said Jerich wanted him to influence Patrick Nelson, Wilsons chief negotiator on the American Bankers case. Basically, the message was that Pat Nelson is a very bad guy because he wont let the commissioner do the charity deal, Commers said. Jerich never referenced American Bankers. He probably figured I knew. I didnt know. I never made the leap from charity deal to American Bankers. Jerich didnt return calls from the Pioneer Press or The Associated Press seeking comment. [Associated Press, 3/14/03] Commers Admitted To Learning The Campaign Contribution Came From American Bankers Before The End Of The Campaign. According to the Associated Press, But Commers told the Pioneer Press that he didnt know that the lobbyist represented American Bankers Insurance Group when the contribution was first proposed. He said he learned of the connection only later in the campaign, and that he didnt connect the firm and its troubles with the state until nearly two months after the lobbyist contacted him in January to ask a favor. [Associated Press, 3/14/03] Commers Admitted American Bankers Contacted Him To Ask A Favor, But Denied Pulling Any Strings In The Settlement With American Bankers. According to the Associated Press, But Commers told the Pioneer Press that he didnt know that the lobbyist represented American Bankers Insurance Group when the contribution was first proposed. He said he learned of the connection only later in the campaign, and that he didnt connect the firm and its troubles with the state until nearly two months after the lobbyist contacted him in January to ask a favor. That contact came just days after Commers had moved into his new job in the Commerce Department, and the same week that American Bankers rejected a previously discussed $3.5 million penalty. But Commers said he didnt grant any favors and didnt tell Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson about the conversation. [Associated Press, 3/14/03] Minnesota Senate Commerce And Utilities Committee Investigated American Bankers Scandal. According to the Star Tribune, Ethics and ethical questions were last weeks attention-grabbers at the State Capitol. The Senate Commerce and Utilities Committee began its investigation into allegations that a Florida insurance company, which was accused of defrauding Minnesota customers in sales of credit insurance, got a lesser fine because of a $15,000 contribution it made last year to the campaign of Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Glenn Wilson, the states new Commerce commissioner, told the committee that he knew nothing of the contribution until after the record $2 million settlement his department reached with American Bankers Insurance Co. in February. But Attorney General Mike Hatch sharply contradicted that testimony, saying that he warned Wilson about the contribution in early January. Pawlenty, who has denied any link between the contribution and the penalty, called for a full-scale, independent investigation. [Star Tribune, 3/16/03] Pawlenty Asked For A Bipartisan Council To Investigate American Bankers Accusations. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday urged House and Senate leaders to appoint a bipartisan panel to look into accusations that his administration lowered a corporate fine in return for a campaign contribution made last year. Speaking on the issue for the first time since the story surfaced Wednesday, Pawlenty said there was no link between a $15,000 contribution made by American Bankers Insurance Group of Florida to the Republican National Committee and the penalty the company ultimately paid the state. [Star Tribune, 3/7/03] Legislative Auditor Found That Members Of The Pawlenty Administration Participated In A Questionable Settlement Offer Following The Campaign Contribution Report Was To Be Forwarded To U.S. Department Of Justice. According to the Star Tribune, The controversial $2 million enforcement settlement between the state and American Bankers Insurance Co. involved troubling actions by both the Commerce Department and Attorney General Mike Hatch, the legislative auditor reported Thursday. In a 79-page document, Auditor James Nobles and his staff determined that terms for the Florida company favored the insurer and that Hatch participated in a questionable settlement offer involving a charitable donation. The audit, however, does not substantiate allegations that political contributions by American Bankers influenced the administration of Gov. Tim Pawlenty in negotiating a more favorable settlement for the company. Hatch, who maintains

that the contributions were illegal because they came from a corporation, said he intends to forward the auditors findings to the U.S. Department of Justice for a criminal inquiry. The auditor reviewed the settlement at the request of Pawlenty and legislative leaders after questions were raised about a $15,000 campaign contribution on behalf of Pawlenty by American Bankers last fall and the subsequent $2 million regulatory action against the insurer, which at one point had been proposed at $3.5 million. [Star Tribune, 5/23/03] Republican State Party Chair Ron Eibensteiner Was Tried, But Found Not Guilty, Of Steering Illegal Campaign Contributions Related To The American Bankers Scandal. According to the Associated Press, Former GOP chairman Ron Eibensteiner was acquitted Tuesday on charges he helped steer an illegal campaign contribution into state Republican coffers in 2002. The jury deliberated less than three hours before finding Eibensteiner not guilty on four gross misdemeanor charges of violating state campaign finance laws. Furthermore, Eibensteiner apparently became a focus of the grand jury because he wrote a letter, on his own stationery, thanking a lobbyist for the company for a $10,000 contribution to the national committee. Another $5,000 was contributed later. He is charged with four gross misdemeanors. [Associated Press, 11/10/03; Associated Press, 11/16/05] Legislative Auditor Report Found That American Bankers Donations Were Part Of A Political Strategy. According to the Associated Press, In May, the legislative auditor determined that the money was part of a political strategy by the company to get either Pawlenty or DFL nominee Roger Moe elected governor. The company saw the men as more favorable to its interests than Independence Party candidate Tim Penny. The checks were routed through national groups, the report found. But under state law, a corporation cant contribute money to promote or defeat a candidate for political office. Its also illegal for an individual to aid, abet or advise such a contribution. [Associated Press, 11/10/03]

Secret Fraud Settlement

Pawlenty Commerce Department Failed To Publically Disclose A Legal Settlement With An Insurance Company Accused Of Deceiving And Defrauding Seniors. According to the Star Tribune, In an unusual move, Minnesota insurance regulators agreed in January not to disclose a legal settlement with a Texas insurance company that was accused of deceiving senior citizens to buy policies that they didnt need. In addition to not disclosing to the news media the $103,703 settlement with United American Insurance Co., state Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson Jr. also agreed not to comment about it to other state insurance agencies or to an information clearinghouse used by regulators nationwide. The secrecy clauses in the 34-page legal agreement sparked yet another disagreement Tuesday between the offices of Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state Attorney General Mike Hatch over who was responsible for it and what it meant. [Star Tribune, 7/30/03] Pawlenty Claimed The Agreement Was Negotiated By Former Administration And Attorney General. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver, responding to a KARE-11 TV report broadcast Monday, denied that the administration had done anything illegal. He instead said the seeds of the agreement had been sown by the Ventura administration and Hatchs office, which had negotiated terms of the deal with United American. In response, Hatch said that Wilson knew of the confidentiality agreements when he signed the legal papers. In addition, Hatch said he was not the one who recommended that they be put into the document. [Star Tribune, 7/30/03] Legislative Audit Found The Secrecy Provision Was Flawed Commerce Department Refused To Waive Attorney Client Privilege. According to an Editorial from the Star Tribune, That is the impression created by a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, released last week. It details the steps that led to a settlement earlier this year with United American Insurance Co., accused of defrauding senior citizens in the sale of Medicare supplemental insurance policies. The report found fault with the settlements confidentiality provision and its characterization of the required $103,000 payment as a fee reimbursement rather than a penalty or fine. It described how significant conflict between the state Commerce Department and the attorney generals office contributed to the flawed settlement. Pawlenty administration officials told the auditor that Hatchs attorneys appeared to support the settlement in the early going, then backed away later. But the department staff refused to waive attorney-client privilege to provide documentation of their complaint. The conflict continues, the audit report states, leaving one to wonder where next in state government the public interest will suffer because Hatchs attorneys and Pawlentys administrators dont get along. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 8/26/03]

Wasting Taxpayer Money

Audit Found Pawlenty Transition Team Failed To Follow Legal Requirements For Outside Contracts. According to the Pioneer Press, An audit of Gov. Tim Pawlentys transition to the governors office last fall found that state officials failed to follow all legal requirements when contracting for outside services. The legislative auditor reported that contractors provided services before they had fully executed contracts, contracts had to be amended for unanticipated travel costs and the transition team received $9,200 in legal services without a formal contract. Pawlenty was elected Nov. 7 and took office Jan. 6. In the two intervening transition months, he assembled a staff, made cabinet appointments and organized his office. The Administration Department faced challenges in administering the transition office because state funding for it had been slashed in budget cuts. Attorney General Mike Hatch provided $250,000 from his office budget to cover the governor-elects transition costs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/11/03] State Agency Used Funds Earmarked For Economic Development To Pay For Pawlentys Fishing Opener. According to the Associated Press, The state agency that controls taconite tax money for economic development on the Iron Range spent some of it without the proper approval, according to a legislative audit report released Wednesday. In some cases, the report said, the agency - Iron Range Resources - spent it on questionable uses, including $10,000 for Gov. Tim Pawlentys 2005 fishing opener and $25,000 for a 2001 golf tournament sponsored by former Gov. Jesse Ventura. From 2002 to 2004, Iron Range Resources issued $67 million in grants and loans that are supposed to strengthen and diversify the economy of northeastern Minnesota, according to state law. But the report by the Office of Legislative Auditor found that in a number of cases, agency officials issued grants without first getting approval from either the agencys board of directors, comprised mostly of state legislators, or from the governors office. [] Brian McClung, spokesman for Pawlenty, said the governor didnt know that an Iron Range Resources grant was used to help pay for the fishing opener. While calling the fishing opener a valuable tourism tool in that part of the state, McClung added that in this case it appears that the proper approval process was not followed and it should have been. [Associated Press, 10/5/07]

Flip Flopped To Benefit Developer Campaign Contributor

Pawlenty Was Beneficiary Of Contributions And Hosted Fundraisers From A Real Estate Developer Bruce Lambrecht Pawlenty Later Flip Flopped On Two Key Issues That Benefitted The Developer Financially. According to City Pages, Yet over the last three years, another politician has also been a beneficiary of Lambrechts largesse as a political donor: Tim Pawlenty. And during that time, Pawlenty has changed his position on at least two key issues that are of enormous potential benefit to the value of Lambrechts property. [City Pages, 9/14/05] Pawlenty Hired Lambrechts Wife, Jeanne Braun, And Former Lobbyist As Employees At His Capitol Office. According to City Pages, Also during this period, the governor has hired both Lambrechts wife and former Lambrecht lobbyist Brian McClung to work in his office at the Capitol. []On the day Pawlenty was sworn into office in January 2003, Braun was officially hired as a personal assistant to the governor at an annual salary that would reach $35,000. She held the job until May 26 of this year--three days before the conflicts of interest between Stenglein and Lambrecht hit the front page of the Strib. [City Pages, 9/14/05] Lambrecht And His Wife Contributed To Pawlentys Campaign And Hosted A Fundraiser. According to City Pages, In January 2002, about four months after Pawlenty announced he was running for governor, Lambrecht contributed $500 to the campaign. In early June, less than two weeks before Pawlenty engaged in a bruising battle with Brian Sullivan for the Republican endorsement at the partys state convention, Lambrecht wrote another $500 check. A month after the convention, on July 17, Lambrecht and his wife, Jeanne Braun, threw a fundraiser for the Pawlenty campaign. According to documents on file at the states Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board, Braun made an in-kind donation of $650.83, described as Food for Fundraiser. She and Lambrecht also each ponied up another $250 that day. In all, Lambrecht and Braun contributed more than $2,000 to help elect Pawlenty in 2002. [] Meanwhile, Lambrecht has been a generous and steady contributor to the Republican Party of Minnesota, giving six donations totaling $4,500 in 2003 and 2004. The couple also gave a total of $1,000 to Pawlentys campaign in 2003. [City Pages, 9/14/05] Pawlenty Flip Flopped On Public Funding For A New Twins Stadium. According to City Pages, The first issue: public funding for a new Twins stadium in downtown Minneapolis. Apparently putting financial profit before political philosophy, Lambrecht has lobbied hard over the past two years for government involvement in a stadium plan that would put a ballpark

on and near his real estate holdings. The very concept of Twinsville--in which a stadium would be surrounded by housing and related commercial development--is partly Lambrechts baby. Pawlenty steadfastly opposed public funding for stadiums as a state senator and gubernatorial candidate, but he effectively reversed that position with regard to the Twins stadium campaign. Suddenly, he was instructing his then-chief of staff Dan McElroy to receive and review stadium proposals in the hope of getting at least one and perhaps as many as three ballparks built. When all the grand stadium schemes fell through during the do-nothing 2004 session, Pawlenty hired Stengleins old aide and Lambrechts lobbyist at Twinsville, McClung, to be his press secretary at $70,000 a year. Before the 2005 session, Pawlenty demanded more citizen veto power on major government spending decisions. Yet a few months later he announced that he would not insist on upholding the existing state law that requires a public referendum on the $478 million stadium deal between Twins management and Hennepin County taxpayers. [City Pages, 9/14/05] Lambrecht Stood To Benefit From The Stadium Deal Because The Site Was Owned By Lambrecht. According to City Pages, As negotiations over a Twins stadium continued in April and May, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal reported that the stadium site was owned by a group of local investors led by Lambrecht and his partner, Rich Pogin. Their 2004 agreement to sell the land to the city of Minneapolis for $12.95 million had expired, and presumably the asking price would be higher. The article noted that, in addition to selling the site at a premium, Pogin and Lambrecht expected to retain control of about 500,000 square feet of land directly to the east and west of the site. Lambrecht and his partner further opined that there would be an additional $500 million in new development surrounding the ballpark. This would make for a pretty stellar payday: The Star Tribune has reported that the initial cost of assembling the parcel controlled by Lambrecht and Pogin was $3 million, and that the partners have put another $12 million into it. [City Pages, 9/14/05] Pawlenty Flip Flopped On Commuter Rail Line That Would Increase Property Calues For Lambrecht. According to City Pages, The second Pawlenty surprise: the Northstar commuter rail line, which would connect rural Big Lake with a terminal in Minneapolis not far from Lambrechts property. As a state senator, Pawlenty led the fight against the commuter rail line. He began to soften his stance during his 2002 run for governor. Even so, many did not expect the governor to include Northstar in his bonding bill request for 2004. When Northstar was defeated in the Republican House, Pawlenty unilaterally allocated $2.5 million from a Met Council transit fund to leverage $10 million in federal monies for Northstar, prompting complaints from right-wing Republicans that he was executing an end-run around the will of the Legislature. At Pawlentys behest, state bonding for Northstar was passed in 2005, money that was vital in ensuring that plans for the commuter line will go forward. [City Pages, 9/14/05]

Appointees Ethical Problems

Pawlenty Appointee, Deputy Education Commissioner Chas Anderson, Resigned After Violating Conflict Of Interest Rules By Attempting To Steer A State Contract For Grant-Writing To Herself. According to Minnesota Public Radio, An investigation into the states former Deputy Education Commissioner, Chas Anderson, has found she broke some conflict-of-interest rules in procuring herself a contract, but clears her of more egregious allegations that she tried to defraud the state. Chas Anderson ranked second only to Commissioner Alice Seagren at the Minnesota Department of Education before her resignation in June. The states Management and Budget Office investigated Anderson this summer to see if she had improperly procured herself a contract as she left her state position. Anderson had signed a $5,000 contract with the department to help write an application for a federal grant under a program called TIF, Teacher Incentive Fund. The contract was never executed. The office had planned to release its findings next week, but Anderson surprisingly preempted that move by releasing her copy of the report to media Friday afternoon through her spokesperson. The report states that Anderson broke some conflict of interest laws during the process of arranging her own contract - that she placed herself on both sides of a State business transaction, according to the report. But the probe also concludes investigators found no evidence of any effort by Anderson to defraud the State or to obtain any kind of windfall. [Minnesota Public Radio, 10/15/10]

PAWLENTYS REGULATORS CAME FROM THE BUSINESSES THAT THEY WERE REGULATING
Pawlenty Appointed Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Who Had A Conflict Of Interest Because Her Former Company Would Be Regulated By The Agency. According to the Associated Press, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlentys choice to lead the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency may have to stay out of some of the most important issues facing the

agency over the next two years, due to a conflict of interest. Sheryl Corrigan will have to excuse herself from water-quality permit matters during that period because of her affiliation with 3M Co., according to outgoing MPCA commissioner, Karen Studders, who faced a similar situation when she took the job almost four years ago. Corrigan is manager of environmental health and safety for 3M. When Pawlenty announced her appointment Monday, Corrigan said she knew of no current issues involving 3M and the MPCA that would complicate her new role. [] We are certainly aware of the issue, said Bob Schroeder, a spokesman for the Pawlenty transition team. Its not a surprise to us. Ive talked with Tom Skinner (the Environmental Protection Agencys regional administrator), and we agree that we just need to talk about it further to ensure compliance and also make sure the trains run on time. [Associated Press, 12/18/02] Pawlenty Appointed Sheryl Corrigan As Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Even Though The State Was Dealing With Contamination From Her Company Did not Recuse Herself For A Year And A Half. According to the Minnesota Independent, Pawlenty also riled critics with his 2002 appointment of former 3M employee Sheryl Corrigan as commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at a time when the state was dealing with contamination of water supplies by Corrigans company. Corrigan only recused herself from 3M-related business in a letter to the governor a year and a half after her appointment. Neither alleged conflict of interest was investigated by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, which relies mainly on citizen complaints to spur investigations. But in interviews with the Minnesota Independent, multiple lawmakers expressed concern about the lack of prompt disclosure or enforcement in Corrigans alleged conflict and the precedent set by the then-young administration. [Minnesota Independent, 12/22/09]

Pawlenty Hired Mortgage Bank Executive To Regulate Insurance, Securities And Real Estate Industries. According to the Pioneer Press, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty on Friday tapped a mortgage bank executive and a government insider to fill two more commissioner posts. [] Pawlenty named Glenn Wilson, first vice president for U.S. Bank Home Mortgage, to head the Commerce Department [] Pawlenty described Wilson, a 20-year banking executive, as someone with an incredible record of business and civil leadership. Along with banking, the department regulates the insurance, securities and real estate industries, plus a number of other professions. As commerce commissioner, Wilson will oversee 357 employees and a biennial budget of $311 million. Wilson, 64, said he was attracted to Pawlentys positive leadership, commitment, dedication and like values. Pawlenty has advocated state subsidies or tax incentives to boost the affordable-housing stock, if paired with private endeavors. Last year, Wilson came out of retirement to join U.S. Bank Home Mortgage, with a $12 billion portfolio of mortgage loans, to help it start a new housing program through the Housing Finance Agency. In the mid-1980s under President Reagan, he led Ginnie Mae, a government agency that provides home mortgages. He also started a real estate and development company in 1975 that was involved in many affordable-housing projects. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/28/02]

PAWLENTYS LABOR COMMISSIONER FAILED TO PAY FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION

Pawlentys Labor Commissioner Did Not Pay Workers Compensation Insurance For Her Law Firm Employees Resigned As A Result. According to the Associated Press, Jane Volz, the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry who acknowledged violating labor law herself, resigned at Gov. Tim Pawlentys request Friday. The move came five days after she disclosed that she failed to purchase workers compensation insurance - a requirement the department enforces for the law firm she owned for six years before being appointed in December. She has said the lapse was inadvertent. [Associated Press, 2/28/03] Investigator Recommended That Volz Be Fined $1,290. According to the Associated Press, Former state Labor and Industry Commissioner Jane Volz didnt act in bad faith when she violated state labor law, according to a report released Friday. The independent investigator who prepared the report recommended that Volz be fined $1,290. The Minnesota Department of Employee Relations officially accepted the report on Friday. A spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the department was likely to go along with the recommendation, but hadnt yet levied the fine. Volz resigned at Pawlentys request in February just days after she disclosed that she failed to purchase workers compensation insurance - a requirement the department enforces - for the law firm she owned for six years before being appointed in December. She said the lapse was inadvertent. [Associated Press, 5/2/03] Pawlenty Chief Of Staff Also Fined $1,400 For Failing To Purchase Workers Compensation Insurance. According to the Associated Press, The lapse and resignation formed the first significant blemish on Pawlentys young

administration. He also said Friday that his chief of staff, Charlie Weaver, was fined $1,400 in 2001 for failing to purchase workers compensation insurance for a daycare provider who worked in his home. [Associated Press, 2/28/03]

PAWLENTY PICKED FORMER LAW PARTNER FOR SUPREME COURT

Pawlenty Picked A Former Law Partner As Supreme Court Justice Of The Minnesota Supreme Court. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has picked his former law partner and the chair of his judicial selection committee as the next chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Pawlenty tabbed Eric Magnuson to replace Russell Anderson, who announced last week that he is retiring in June. [] When he takes the helm in June, Magnuson will be the first chief justice named to the court without Supreme Court experience since 1937. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/17/08]

PAWLENTY ON ROMNEY
Pawlenty Admitted That Mitt Romneys Tax Plan Lacked Specific Details. According to Talking Points Memo, Romney surrogate Tim Pawlenty admitted that when it came to the tax code, his plan cut loopholes and deductions is still vague on CBSs Face the Nation Sunday a charge Democrats and some in the media have been making for months. Pawlenty also said that in other areas, Romney was specific. So he hasnt put out a specific plan to eliminate any of the particular deductions within the tax code, Pawlenty said, but he has talked pretty specifically about how he would reform, reduce and slow down government spending overall. [Talking Points Memo, 6/24/12] Pawlenty Said He Said Romney As A Ronald Reagan-Type Figure. According to Talking Points Memo, Romney campaign co-chair Tim Pawlenty said he sees Mitt Romney as a Ronald Reagan-type figure in an appearance on Morning Joe Wednesday, rebutting comments made by Jeb Bush on Monday that the Ronald Reagan would have a hard time getting nominated in todays hyper-partisan GOP because they reached across the aisle. Obviously the party changes and evolves over time, but to say that, you know, the Republican party currently wouldnt endorse Ronald Reagan or something like that, you know we just nominated Mitt Romney, or presumptively nominated Mitt Romney, who is in the Reagan tradition, Pawlenty said. A conservative, with a conservative record, governed effectively in a blue state, working across the isle, somebody whos produced results. So to look at that and say, you know, the party wouldnt be capable of endorsing a Ronald Reagan-type figure today, I think Mitt Romney is a Ronald Reagan-type figure. [Talking Points Memo, 6/13/12] Pawlenty Said Rick Santorum Was Fundamentally Wrong In Saying There Was Little Difference Between Romney And President Obama. According to Politico, Pawlenty told CNNs Wolf Blitzer that Santorum was fundamentally wrong in saying there are just little differences between Romney and President Barack Obama. Obviously hes lashing out here in the final stages of his campaign, Pawlenty said. This race for the nomination as a practical matter is over. Its not quite numerically over. Theres going to be some more psycho-logical and emotional processing amongst certain parts of the discussion here politically, Wolf, but lets face it - Mitt Romney is going to be the nominee. Thats a great thing. Hes going to be a great nominee and a great president. [Politico, 4/3/12] Pawlenty Said Newt Gingrich Crossed The Line By Questioning Mitt Romneys Character. According to Romney For President, Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today made the following statement on Newt Gingrichs comments about Mitt Romneys character: I thought I had heard it all from Newt Gingrich, but for him to question the character of Mitt Romney is over the line. I have spent a lot of time with Mitt Romney, and I can tell you with zero hesitation that he is a man of flawless character. Mitt ran the state of Massachusetts and the Salt Lake City Olympic games with integrity beyond reproach. As President, he will govern with the same leadership guided by the morals and values that Americans hold dear. Newt Gingrichs attacks on his character are way out of bounds. [States News Service, 1/29/12] Washington Post: Pawlenty Proved To Be Far Feistier As A Romney Surrogate Than He Was in Promoting His Own Campaign. According to the Washington Post, Pawlenty has proved to be far feistier in defending Romney than he was in promoting his own candidacy. He has been working the crowds in the spin room after debates, giving TV interviews and making campaign appearances to boost Romney, and now doing the dirty work of the attack teleconference. [Washington Post, 1/24/12] Pawlenty Said Rick Perrys Claim That Romney Was A Vulture Capitalist Was Inaccurate And Unfair. According to CNN, during an interview with Piers Morgan, Pawlenty said, in response to Rick Perrys charge that Romney was a vulture capitalist at Bain Capital, Well, first of all, its inaccurate and unfair. Rick Perrys campaign, as you know, has had its share of challenges but the argument about free enterprise and economic freedom in this country is an important one. But we shouldnt be having Barack -- take Barack Obamas side on it. The Democrats are the ones who criticized private enterprise and economic freedom. Im disappointed that Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry and others are criticizing a Republican and using the Democrats arguments in a Republican primary. Its really unfortunate and I think is a very, shall we say, desperate or hail Mary pass, if this were a football game. [CNN, 1/10/12] Pawlenty Defended Romneys Pink-Slip Comment. According to MSNBC in terms of his, you know, authenticity or the so-called pink slip issue, Mitt Romney came out of college and started in an entry-level position in his firm, which he described again here in New Hampshire this morning. That when you`re a junior perpendicular, new in the door of any company as it has its ups and downs, of course you`re going to wonder, am I going to make it? Am I going to be the one laid off? It would be natural [MSNBC, 1/9/12]

Pawlenty Said Romney Was A Proven Leader Who Would Not Shrink From Challenges The U.S. Faced. According to a Romney campaign press release, Former Minnesota Governor and Romney for President National Co-Chair Tim Pawlenty made the following statement on tonights debate in Iowa: Mitt Romney won tonights debate. He clearly laid out the choice voters have in this election: do they want to vote for someone who is a creature of Washington or for someone who has been a strong leader outside Washington? Career Washington, D.C. politicians got us into this mess of high unemployment, runaway spending and reckless debt. We cannot rely on them to get us out of it. Mitt Romney spent his life working in the private sector. Mitt doesnt just have ideas about how jobs are created. He has real world experience creating them. Mitt is also a tested problem solver who has turned around big, troubled enterprises like the Olympics and Massachusetts. Iowans know our country is in trouble. As a proven leader, Mitt will not shrink from the challenges we face. [Romney For President, 12/10/11] Pawlenty Said The Number Of Jobs Created At Bain Capital Increased Under Romneys Supervision. According to MSNBC, during an interview with Rachel Maddow, Pawlenty said Bain Capital, if you look at the net job increases, when he was at Bain Capital, the number of jobs under his supervision increased, didn`t decrease. Now, there`s individual companies that had a hard time ort went bad. But overall, it was a net job increase, not increaseMitt by all accounts was a successful leader there, well liked. And people at Bain had high regard for him, not just as a leader but as a person. Number two, if you look at the whole Bain story, and private equity firms buy and sell companies, hold them for periods of time and did that over many years. So, are there going to be some companies that had difficult times, went bankrupt, had layoffs? Of course. But if you look at the full record and be fair minded about it, you`re going to see that the story is one of a net job add. And so, I know you want to be fair minded. I hope you`ll look at the whole story, not just one slice of it. [MSNBC, 12/5/11] Pawlenty Urged His Florida Supporters To Support Romney. According to St. Petersburg Times, Despite his low poll numbers, Pawlenty had won some prominent Florida endorsements and supporters, including fundraiser Phil Handy, and future state House Speakers Will Weatherford, Chris Dorworth and Richard Corcoran. We were very fortunate that we had great support in Florida from some emerging leaders. Im hoping that as many of them as possible will join the Romney team. Im certainly going to be talking to a number of them to make the case. [St. Petersburg Times, 9/12/11] Romney Announced That Pawlenty Would Serve As A National Co-Chair To His Campaign. According to a Romney campaign press release, Mitt Romney [] announced that former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will serve as a National Co-Chair of his campaign. [] It is an honor to have Governor Pawlentys support, said Mitt Romney. Tim will be a trusted adviser as I move forward with my campaign. Tim has always been an advocate for lower taxes, reduced spending, and an environment where jobs can be created. It is an honor to have him serve as Co-Chair to my campaign for the presidency. Mitt Romney is fighting for the same things I fought for as governor and during my campaign for president, said Governor Pawlenty. As a former blue state governor, I appreciate what Mitt was able to do in Massachusetts. He created jobs and balanced his budgets without raising taxes - even with an over eighty percent Democrat legislature. That ability to get things done is what we need in our nominee. In addition, he has a background which is unmatched - his understanding of the private sector proves he knows how jobs are created which will be critical in turning our economy around. I am proud to endorse his candidacy for president of the United States. [Romney For President, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Said Romney Was Good On His Word On Promise To Repeal The Affordable Care Act. According to Fox News, during an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty said I believe fully with my heart, and Mitt Romney is good to his word in terms of saying that he will repeal Obama care. And for most Republican primary voters, thats a very important commitment and hes made it. And take him at his word and I know hes committed to it. Ive talked to him about it directly. [Fox News, 9/13/11] Pawlenty Said Romney Had A Deep And Unquestioned Nation-Leading Experience In The Private-Sector. According to CNN, during an interview with Wolf Blitzer Pawlenty said I think one of the differentiating strengths of Governor Romney is this -- he has a deep and unquestioned and nation-leading experience in private sector job growth, starting businesses, growing businesses, running businesses, and of course, providing jobs, is the key to the quality of life for our fellow Americans. He just is unmatched in that category. [CNN, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Praised Romneys Business Experience And Record As Governor. According to the Iowa Independent, In a piece released today, former GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty has chosen to support Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination, citing a need for an economic leader to step forward and lead the nation. Having served as governor of Massachusetts, he turned that states budget around from deficit to surplus while simultaneously cutting taxes, but that is not the full measure of what he will bring to the presidency, Pawlenty wrote of Romney. His time in government was a

moment of service - a way to give back to our country - following a distinguished career in the private sector, where he launched companies and turned around troubled ones. [Iowa Independent, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Said Romney Believed In Conservative Ideals Of Limited Government And Free Enterprise. According to the Minnesota Independent, Pawlenty made the endorsement of Romney in an early Monday email. Alone among the contenders, he possesses the unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament, Pawlenty wrote. His abiding faith in our countrys exceptional historical position as a beacon of freedom will make him the most important leader in a world that depends upon a strong America to stay at peace. Pawlenty cited Romneys experience as governor of Massachusetts and as a family man. [Romney] believes in the bedrock conservative ideals of limited government and free enterprise. He will stand up for Americas allies when they are threatened, with fortitude. And he will face down our adversaries, Pawlenty wrote. He is a formidable person, and he will certainly be a formidable president. Our allies can count on it, and our enemies should expect it. [Minnesota Independent, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Said Romney Was Being Innovative In Creating Massachusetts Health Care Law. According to CNN, An NBC reporter asked, didnt the former governor of Minnesota once refer to Romney as a co-conspirator of President Barack Obamas health care plan? As Pawlenty took the microphone, Romneys grin got bigger. Pawlenty dutifully fell in lockstep: Governor Romney, I think correctly, took the approach that states should try different things, innovate, be the laboratories of Democracy as it was envisioned by the founders, said Pawlenty, referring to the comprehensive health care law implemented in Massachusetts during Romneys tenure. Hes committed to repealing Obamacare at the national level and I think thats the correct position and one that Im completely comfortable with. [CNN, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Served As An Adviser And National Co-Chairman Of Romneys Campaign. According to The Associated Press, Romney said that Pawlenty will be an adviser going forward, naming him a national co-chairman of the campaign. Other members of Pawlentys campaign team previously moved over to Romney. [Associated Press, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Endorsed Romney For President And Praised Romneys Unique Qualifications To Confront The Economy. According to The Associated Press, Vanquished Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty endorsed contender Mitt Romney on Monday, calling the former Massachusetts governor the candidate who possesses the unique qualifications to con-front our severe economic predicament. Pawlenty announced his endorsement on a Fox News show and the Romney campaign rushed out a letter from Pawlenty explaining the decision. In it, Pawlenty said Romneys business background makes him the ideal candidate to right the nations flagging economy. I believe he can turn it around, Pawlenty said. [Associated Press, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Said Polls Indicated That Romney Would Run Better Against President Obama Than Gov. Perry. According to MSNBC, in an interview with Joe Scarborough, Pawlenty said this is a long road, you know. And we`re in Labor Day before the Labor Day before the election. And so it`s hard to project all of this. But the polls are indicating that Mitt Romney runs a little stronger nationally than Rick Perry at this moment. And these are two very different people in terms of their backgrounds, life stories, experiences, perspectives, style. So within the Republican continuum, people are going to have a significant choice to make. [MSNBC, 9/7/11] Pawlenty Said Romneys Economic Plan Was Directionally Pretty Good. According to CEO Wire, during an interview with Fox News, Neil Cavuto said And when The Wall Street Journal, Governor, comes out and just eviscerates Mitt Romneys economic plan, the 59-point plan...And they liked your plan. This is the same paper that liked your plan. So, obviously, they dont glom on to winners, no offensedo you make sense of the fact that that could be a worry for Governor Romney, that the experts are picking apart his plan and saying maybe not; maybe the great economic hero, you are not? Pawlenty replied I havent read Mitts full plan yet. Im going to. I have got a plane ride home back to Minnesota tonight, so I will use that to read it. But the summary that I saw is directionally pretty good. Hes cutting corporate tax rates 35 percent down to 25 percent, wants to eliminate taxation on interest and dividends and capital gains, with some income limits He talked about entitlement reform. He talked about tax simplification, details to follow. So, lets give him a little chance to fill that in. But I think, directionally, it is sound. And its a heck of a lot better than...Obama, which is nothing, by the way. [CEO Wire, 9/7/11] Pawlenty Called Romneys Massachusetts Heath Care Plan as Obamaneycare. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare, Pawlenty said on Fox News Sunday. And so, we now have the same features - essentially the same features. ... And what I dont understand is they both continue to defend it. Romneys campaign responded by saying, Republicans should keep the focus on President Obamas failure to create jobs and control spending. [San Francisco Chronicle, 06/13/11]

Tim Pawlenty Said Mitt Romney Was The Front Runner. According to Politico, on CNBCs Squawk Box, Pawlenty said Ill acknowledge Mitt is going to be the front-runner to start because of his name ID, legacy, financial infrastructure from last time and his personal wealth However, were interested not in how were doing in national polls, where only half the people in the poll know my name. Were more interested over time how were doing in the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to start. [Politico, 06/08/11] Pawlenty Challenged Romney By Offering A Dramatic Tax Cut Proposal In His Economic Policy Speech. According to the New York Times, Tim Pawlentys economic policy speech on Tuesday took direct aim at President Obama. But the intended target may have been someone else entirely. By offering a dramatic tax-cut proposal, the former Republican governor of Minnesota was sending a message to the partys front-runner, Mitt Romney, that he does not intend to cede the economic issues as the two men battle for the Republican partys presidential nomination. [ New York Times, 06/08/11]

Pawlenty Criticized Obamaneycare

Pawlenty Said He Believed That States Could Try Their Own Thing In Regard To Health Care Reform. According to Fox News, during an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty said, Mitt and I agree on this. Each state can try their own thing. And Massachusetts tried its own way. But he agrees and I agree it is the wrong program, the wrong direction for the country. And hes committed to repealing it. And Mitt Romney, though, beyond that, you look at that debate last night. Look at his skills! I mean, steady, smart, engaged, informed, presidential. But importantly, his background is about turning around bad economies, bad economic situations. And that is precisely the talents that we need for the next president. [Fox News, 9/13/11] Pawlenty Said Romney Was Being Innovative In Creating Massachusetts Health Care Law. According to CNN, An NBC reporter asked, didnt the former governor of Minnesota once refer to Romney as a co-conspirator of President Barack Obamas health care plan? As Pawlenty took the microphone, Romneys grin got bigger. Pawlenty dutifully fell in lockstep: Governor Romney, I think correctly, took the approach that states should try different things, innovate, be the laboratories of Democracy as it was envisioned by the founders, said Pawlenty, referring to the comprehensive health care law implemented in Massachusetts during Romneys tenure. Hes committed to repealing Obamacare at the national level and I think thats the correct position and one that Im completely comfortable with. [CNN, 9/12/11] VIDEO: Pawlenty Admitted That He Erred In Not Attacking Romney; Attacked Romney As A Co-Conspirator In Health Care Reform. According to Politico, Pawlenty appeared on the Hannity show and acknowledged he made a mistake by not going after Romneys past on healthcare. Pawlenty: I think in response to that direct question I should have been much more clear during the debate, Sean. I dont think we can have a nominee that was involved in the development and construction of Obamacare and then continues to defend it and that was the question, I should have answered it directly and instead I stayed focused on Obama...I should have been more clear, I should have made the point that (Romney) was involved in developing it, he really laid the groundwork...I dont think you can prosecute the political case against President Obama if you are a co-conspirator in one of the main charges against the president, on the political level. [Politico, 06/16/11] Pawlenty Repeated Health Care Criticism On Romney, Saying It Was Easy To Attack. According to the National Journal, Its easy to take on Mitt Romney on health care, Pawlenty said Monday morning on NBCs Today show. The idea that Im not tough enough to take on Mitt Romney or anyone else is just ridiculous. Pawlenty defended the debate dithering by saying hed decided to focus on President Obama. I think the press was expecting a more direct confrontation with Gov. Romney, Pawlenty said. Im happy to give them that, if thats what they want. The presidential candidate also brushed off early poll results that show him with just 6 percent of the vote in Iowa. These early polls arent very good predictors of how the race is going to come out, Pawlenty said. Iowans decide late. [National Journal, 06/27/11] Pawlenty Said He Might Consider Changing Obamaneycare To Robamacare. According to Politico, As for the Obamneycare zinger itself, Pawlenty said hell probably use the word again. I might change it to something else, but, you know, the same or similarI kinda like Robamacare. [Politico, 06/21/11] Washington Post: Pawlentys Damage Control on Obamaneycare Raised More Questions On Pawlentys Ability To Compete In The General Election. According to the Washington Post, This entire effort at damage control (which probably was unneeded) was too late, too defensive and only underscored the issue. (Did he wimp on wimping?) An

experienced Republican consultant e-mailed me last night, Good grief! Thats one way of putting itIf Pawlenty thinks nice is going to win it, hes mistaken. That doesnt mean he has to be mean. It means he has to take the fight to opponents. If he cant do that in a primary, voters and donors wont believe he can do it in the general election. He needs to find a voice range, a vocabulary and an argument that suits him (phoniness is a sure loser) and then stick with it. [Washington Post, 06/17/11] Pawlenty Abandoned Obamaneycare Charge At Debate. According to Politico, =GOP Strategists are perplexed with Pawlentys decision to back down from a fight over health care with Mitt Romney. Pawlenty refused to call Romneys policy in Massachusetts as Obamaneycare a line he used recently. Few [strategists] could recall another example of a candidate unveiling an attack in one high-profile forum, as Pawlenty did on Fox News Sunday, only to then attempt to put the gun back in the holster in another such setting so soon afterward. [Politico, 06/14/11] Pawlenty Did Not Call Out Romney On Health Care, Flubbed On Obamaneycare. According to CNN, during GOP primary debate, PAWLENTY: Well, the issue that was raised in a question from a reporter was, what are the similarities between the two? And I just cited President Obamas own words that he looked to Massachusetts as a blueprint or a guide when he designed Obamacare. KING: But you chose -- you say you were asked a question, which is fair enough, but you chose those words. And so one of my questions is, why would you chose those -- choose those words maybe in the comfort of a Sunday show studio? Your rival is standing right there. If it was Obamneycare on Fox News Sunday, why isnt it not Obamneycare standing here with the governor right there? PAWLENTY: It -- President Obama is -- is the person who I quoted in saying he looked to Massachusetts for designing his program. Hes the one who said its a blueprint and that he merged the two programs. And so using the term Obamneycare was a reflection of the presidents comments that he designed Obamacare on the Massachusetts health care plan. [CNN, 06/13/11] Pawlenty Dubbed Romneys Massachusetts Heath Care Plan as Obamaneycare. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare, Pawlenty said on Fox News Sunday. And so, we now have the same features - essentially the same features. ... And what I dont understand is they both continue to defend it. Romneys campaign responded by saying, Republicans should keep the focus on President Obamas failure to create jobs and control spending. [San Francisco Chronicle, 06/13/11]

ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Anti-Choice
National Catholic Register: Pawlenty Had A Very Pro-Life Record As Governor. According to the National Catholic Register, As a legislator, Pawlenty was a leader in the fight to secure passage of the Womans Right to Know Act, which requires a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion can be performedThe law, which requires that women be informed of risks associated with abortion and instructed about fetal development, was regarded as one of the strongest informed-consent bills in the United States at the time of its passage Among the other measures Pawlenty has signed are: a law that made Minnesota the first state to provide perinatal hospice as an alternative for women who want to abort a child who has been diagnosed with a fetal anomaly, the Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act, which mandated that a woman aborting a child at 20 weeks or later be offered a painkiller for the child ,the Positive Alternatives to Abortion Act, which provides services such as medical and nutritional assistance to help at-risk women carry their pregnancies to term. [National Catholic Register, 06/20/11] Pawlenty Believed He Was The Most Pro-Life In Presidential Race. According to CNN, during the CNN debate Pawlenty said, The National Review Online, which is a conservative publication, said based on results -- not just based on words -- I was probably the most pro-life candidate in this race. As governor of the state of Minnesota, I appointed to the Supreme Court a conservative court for the first time in the modern history of my state. We passed the most pro-life legislation anytime in the modern history of the state, which I proposed and signed, including womens right to know, including positive alternatives to abortion legislation, and many others. Im solidly pro-life. The main pro-life organization in Minnesota gives me very, very high marks. And I havent just talked about these things; Ive done it. [CNN, 06/13/11] Pawlenty Touted His Record On Abortion To Amplify Social Conservative Credentials. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of about 65 people at a Council Bluffs restaurant. Taking questions from the audience, Pawlenty attempted to burnish his social conservative credentials by pointing to his record in Minnesota on abortion. The editor of LifeNews .com, writing for National Review Online, named him possibly the most pro-life candidate in the race. As governor, Pawlenty said he signed into law several pieces of legislation that give women information about abortion risks and fetal pain, while also directing state money to pregnancy centers to support alternatives to abortion. [Des Moines Register, 06/02/11]

PAWLENTY WOULD OUTLAW ABORTION IN MOST CASES

If Given The Opportunity, Pawlenty Would Outlaw Abortion In All Cases Except For Rape, Incest Or Life Of The Mother. According to the Pioneer Press Pawlenty chaired the executive committee that sets policy for the Republican caucus and participated with Sviggum as a nearly equal partner in negotiations with Ventura and DFL Senate leaders. He led negotiations with Venturas staff in 2000 that resulted in passage of a bill -- ultimately vetoed by Ventura -- that would have required a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions. If he had the opportunity, he would outlaw abortion in all cases except rape, incest or where the life of the woman was at risk, he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/4/02] Pawlenty Supports Allowing Abortion In Cases Of Rape. According to the Pioneer Press, Both men consider themselves anti-abortion. In response to a hypothetical question about counsel they would give to a young rape victim who is pregnant, Sullivan said he would advise the woman to carry the baby to term. Pawlenty said he supports allowing abortions in such cases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/12/02]

But Denied He Wanted Criminalize Abortion

Pawlenty: I Dont Think We Should Criminalize Abortion For Women. According to the Washington Times, As to whether abortion is murder, as many pro-life advocates maintain, [Pawlenty] said, Life begins at conception, so abortion ends that life, but I dont think we should criminalize abortion for women. [Washington Times, 10/4/09]

PAWLENTY: THE RIGHT TO LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY
Pawlenty: We Dont Honor The Constitution When We Elevate A Vague Idea That Is The Right To Privacy Over The Right To Life. According to Politico, Speaking at a closed-press fundraiser for the Susan B. Anthony List, a group that backs candidates who oppose abortion rights, Pawlenty and Bachmann fired up a crowd filled with many of the movements A-list members. [] We dont honor the Constitution when we elevate a vague idea that is the right to privacy over the right to life, Pawlenty said, going on to urge the assembled donors to re-arm for a renewed fight over abortion.[Politico, 3/25/10]

PAWLENTY WAS ANTI-CHOICE BECAUSE OF HIS CATHOLIC UPBRINGING

Pawlentys Said He Was Anti-Choice Because Of His Catholic Upbringing. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty says his views on abortion reflect his Catholic upbringing and the values instilled by his parents. [Star Tribune, 10/1/02]

Alternatives
Pawlenty Signed The Positive Alternatives Act Which Provided State Funding To Organizations That Supported Alternatives To Abortion. According to The New American, As Governor, [Pawlenty] supported and signed into law the Positive Alternatives Act, which provides state funding to organizations that provide support and assistance to women seeking alternatives to abortion. [The New American, 8/22/11] Anti-Abortion Advocates Credited Pawlentys Support Of Positive Alternatives Act With Minnesota Abortion Drop. According to Life News, Governor Tim Pawlenty is getting credit from the pro-life organization in his state with paving the way for todays announcement by the Minnesota health department that abortions have dropped again to a historic low. As LifeNews.com reported, Minnesota abortions dropped another seven percent to their lowest levels since 1975, thanks in part to an innovative law the former governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate signed that paves the way for state funding for groups that provide women with abortion alternatives. The Positive Alternatives program has provided thousands of women practical pregnancy support and assistance women who may otherwise have felt they had no financial option other than abortion in an unplanned pregnancy situation. Pro-life laws save lives and the legislation that Governor Pawlenty signed into law directly is saving lives in our state, Minnesota Citizens for Life executive director Scott Fischbach told LifeNews.com. Under Governor Pawlentys leadership we now have the lowest abortion number and rate since 1975, he said. Last years decrease of 7.1% was the biggest drop since 1983. We also saw a 16.8% drop in minors abortions these drops dont occur in these hard economic times without pro-life laws being in place. Governor Pawlenty was a stalwart pro-life leader who enacted pro-life laws and today, thousands of Minnesotans are alive because of his love of life, he added. [Life News, 07/26/11]

Criminalization
Pawlenty Did Not Support Criminal Sanctions Against Abortion Doctors Or Patients, But Said They Should Face Some Kind Of Penalty Or Consequence. According to Daily Times Herald, Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, an Evangelical Christian who liberally sprinkled his autobiography with biblical verses and describes himself as prolife on abortion, said Monday that he doesnt think women who have abortions or doctors who perform them should be penalized criminally. In an interview that touched on the topics of rural economic development and abortion after an event at the Pizza Ranch in Boone Memorial Day afternoon Pawlenty said he didnt have a specific penalty in mind for abortion. But Pawlenty, a former state legislative leader and attorney with experience as a prosecutor, offered an initial take on the question. I dont think we want to make it a criminal sanction but I think there should be some kind of penalty or consequence, but we dont have a specific proposal as to what that would be, Pawlenty told the Daily Times Herald. [Daily Times Herald, 06/01/11]

 Pawlenty Later Said He Did Support Penalizing Providers Possibly Criminally For Abortions. According to Daily Times Herald, This morning, his staff clarified that position, saying Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, wants to see abortion providers penalized, possibly criminally, but not mothers should his pro-life view prevail and abortion turn from the generally legal procedure it is today to a prohibited act. [Daily Times Herald, 06/01/11]

False Information
Minnesota Health Department Website Linked Abortion To Breast Cancer. According to the Star Tribune, Government e-mails obtained by the Star Tribune reveal that a division director and other insiders questioned an assertion on the departments Web site and in a pamphlet that some studies have shown that having an abortion might increase the risk of breast cancer. [] Critics of the departments position on abortion and breast cancer say the statement is designed to frighten women considering abortion, one of the most divisive issues in state politics. [Star Tribune, 12/8/03] Pawlentys Office Discussed Health Department Language With Staff. According to the Star Tribune, The e-mails reveal that an aide in Pawlentys office communicated with the Health Department over the language on breast cancer risk and fetal pain. [Star Tribune, 12/8/03]

Minors
Pawlenty Filed A Brief With The U.S. Supreme Court, Supporting NH Parental Notification Law. According to the Pioneer Press, New Hampshires abortion law, the subject of oral arguments Wednesday before the U.S. Supreme Court, was based on a similar law passed in Minnesota and, if overturned, could have an impact here, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in a brief filed in the case. The governor filed the brief earlier this year supporting New Hampshires law, which requires parents be notified if their minor daughters seek abortions. He and North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven jointly filed the brief on their own behalf, not their states. At issue in the Supreme Court case is whether New Hampshires law is unconstitutional because it lacks an exception for the notification requirement when the health of the pregnant girl is at risk. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/1/05]

Planned Parenthood
Pawlenty Approved Measure To Give $1.15 Million To Family Planning Special Projects Program, Which Provided Funding To Planned Parenthood. According to Mother Jones, in 2002, Tim Pawlenty moved into the Minnesota governors mansion, and by the start of his second term, the states family-planning money pot had dwindled to $3.8 million a year. The Minnesota legislature responded by voting to pump $1.15 million into the program. Despite his evangelical bona fides and staunch opposition to abortion, Pawlenty approved the cash infusion for Planned Parenthoods and family-planning clinics statewide. [Mother Jones, 07/07/11] Funding For The Family Planning Special Projects Program Increased During Pawlentys Governorship To $5 Million Per Year. According to Mother Jones, [A Planned Parenthood official] adds that funding for the Family Planning Special Projects program in fact increased over the entirety of Pawlentys governorship, up to about $5 million a year by the time he left office. And although he eventually flip-flopped back, [n]ear the end of his second term as governor, Pawlenty backtracked on his previous positions by quietly rejecting federal money for abstinence-only sex education in Minnesota. Instead, the state only funded programs that took a more rounded and proven approach to teaching young people about sex, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. [Mother Jones, 07/07/11]

Public Funding For Family Planning

Pawlenty Supported Legislation To Ban State Funding For Health Clinics That Mention Or Refer Patients To Abortion. According to the Star Tribune, As House majority leader, [Pawlenty] has overseen - and supported legislation

that would ban the state from giving money to health clinics that mention or refer patients to abortion. [Star Tribune, 10/1/02] Pawlenty Opposed Public Funding For Abortions And Supported A Mandatory Abortion Waiting Period. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty, who noted his opposition to public funding for abortion and so-called partial-birth abortion and his support for a state-mandated abortion waiting period, said he believes that abortion should be allowed in cases of rape and incest. He also has said exceptions should be allowed to save the mothers life. [Star Tribune, 6/12/02]

Right To Know
Pawlenty Signed The Womens Right To Know Act Which Required Informed Consent And A 24-Hour Waiting Period Before An Abortion. According to The New American, He also signed the Womens Right to Know Act, requiring informed consent and a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion. Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life credits those and other pro-life initiatives for a 7. 1 percent drop last year in the number of abortions in the state. The 11,505 abortions in 2010 was the lowest in Minnesota since 1975, according to statistics from the Minnesota Department of Health. [The New American, 8/22/11]

Ultrasounds
Pawlenty Said He Thought Virginias Transvaginal Ultrasound Proposal For Abortions Went Too Far. According to The Daily Progress, during a lecture at the University of Virginia One student asked Pawlenty about the recent push in Virginia to require transvaginal ultrasounds in connection with abortions. Pawlenty emphasized that he hadnt reviewed the actual language of the bill, but said it appeared the scrapped proposal went too far, in my book. [The Daily Progress, 3/28/12]

Waiting Period and Right to Know

Pawlenty Said He Was Proud Of Abortion Waiting Period Legislation. In a speech at the Value Voters Summit, Pawlenty said, In Minnesota weve done a number of things, I wont go through them all, but one that Im most particularly proud of and its been very impactful is Ive proposed and signed into law the so-called womens right to know bill, which provides women important information who are considering abortion, and it also provides a waiting period for them to consider their decision. That combined with many other measures and efforts of good-hearted people all across Minnesota has significantly decreased the number of abortions performed in my state, and its a very effective piece of legislation. [Value Voters Summit, 9/18/09] Pawlenty Signed Mandatory Waiting Period Legislation That Required Doctors To Provide Information About The Procedure Prior To A 24-Hour Waiting Period. According to the Associate Press, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty swiftly signed into law a bill requiring that women in Minnesota be told certain information and wait 24 hours before having an abortion. [Associated Press, 4/14/03] The Law Required Physicians To Tell Women About Pain A Fetus May Feel, The Age of The Fetus, State Benefits For Pregnant Mothers, And Paternal Child Support Requirements. According to the Associated Press, Among the other information the bill requires that women be told, in person or on the telephone: The probable gestational age of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to be performed. Medical risks associated with abortions and with carrying a child to term. That state benefits may be available for prenatal, childbirth, and neonatal costs. That the father must help support the child. [Associated Press, 4/14/03]

AGRICULTURE
Agriculture Budget Cuts
In 2010, Minnesota Agriculture Leaders Questioned Pawlenty Proposed Budget Cuts To Agricultural Research Center. Agriculture leaders are questioning some cuts Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes to balance the state budget. Especially troublesome to some is cutting the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute, a Crookston-based organization that looks for new ways to expand agriculture business through research. This program was created during the farm crisis in the 1980s, and since that time has created hundreds of jobs all across rural Minnesota, said Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, chairman of the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Committee. We worked hard to preserve these value-added and biofuels programs last session. We need the research and development AURI provides; it helps Minnesota businesses looking to create more value for state agricultural products, and more than ever, we need the jobs. Juhnke said he has not seen other budgets reduced by half, so wondered why the Crookston center is being treated like that. [Detroit Lakes Online, 2/16/10]

Big Farms vs. Small Farms

Pawlentys Rural Task Force Recommendations Were Criticized For Privileging Large Agribusinesses Over Small Family Farms By Removing Local Control. According to the Associated Press, The proposals, forwarded by a number of Democratic-leaning organizations and DFL lawmakers, were a rebuke to recommendations last year from a task force convened by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Critics of that task force said its recommendations could populate the rural landscape with more large, corporate-owned livestock feedlots similar to those in Iowa. That allowed Democrats to seize a traditionally Republican stance, arguing the Pawlenty groups proposals sabotage local control by letting the state make livestock yard site decisions, instead of township and county officials. If theres something people dont like, its to have big government and big business run over them, said Rep. Lyle Koenen, DFL-Maynard, a dairy farmer. I think itd be really bad to have big government and big business team up to roll them.The new proposals were introduced by a number of groups, including the Minnesota Farmers Union, the Minnesota National Farmers Organization and the Land Stewardship Project. Their proposals differed from Pawlentys, they said, by aiming to increase the number of farmers in the state instead of the number of livestock. [Associated Press, 1/10/05] New York Times Editorial: Pawlentys Task Force Report Was A Blueprint For The Destruction Of Family Farming In Minnesota By Removal Of Local Control Over Factory Farm Siting. According to a New York Times editorial, Given the results of the election, voters power should be strong and healthy in rural America. Perhaps it is when it comes to voting for statewide and national offices, but not when it comes to local environmental issues -especially concerning factory farms. The latest example is Minnesota. Unlike Iowa and Wisconsin, Minnesota still retains the principle of control at the township level. Local residents can, for instance, decide whether they want a large-scale hogconfinement operation next door. That has kept Minnesota relatively free of the mammoth factory farms that have polluted Iowa. But last year Gov. Tim Pawlenty convened a 14-member advisory group -- a virtual cross section of industrial agriculture in the state -- to find ways to increase the number of livestock in Minnesota. The task force released its report last June. Its principal recommendation is to weaken local control in order to remedy what the report calls the lack of predictability and uniformity in the creation of factory farms. The report also advises exploring the possibility of raising the number of animals allowed on such farms before environmental reviews kick in and moving the approval process to the state capital. And it attacks Minnesotas Corporate Farm Law, which prohibits corporate farming. The report has caused an uproar, for good reason. Its a blueprint for the destruction of family farming in Minnesota. The way to aid animal agriculture isnt to sell out to corporate interests or make rural residents feel powerless. Its to increase the diversity of Minnesota farming, build new markets and preserve rural life. Massive feedlots and hog-confinement operations do none of that. [Editorial, New York Times, 12/2/04]

Subsidies

Pawlenty Pushed For Ethanol Mandate In 2005, Then Later Called For The Subsidies To Be Phased Out After Announcing His Candidacy For President. According to The New American, When he announced his candidacy for President, Pawlenty called for the phasing out of federal energy subsidies, including those for ethanol - though in 2005 he pushed for and signed into law a mandate doubling the ethanol content required for gasoline in Minnesota to 20 percent. [The New American, 8/22/11] Pawlenty Said Subsidies Across All Industries Should Be Phased Out. According to Reuters, Pawlenty said, Given the financial crisis that were facing, we have to phase out not only those subsidies but subsidies across all industries. [Reuters, 05/24/11] Pawlenty Said He Wanted To Phase Out Energy Subsidies. According to the Los Angeles Times, Pawlenty said, Its not only ethanol. We need to change our approach to subsidies in all industries we need to phase out subsidies across all sources of energy and all industries, including ethanol. [Los Angeles Times, 05/23/11]

BUDGET IN MINNESOTA
Pawlentys Claim That He Cut State Spending In Real Terms For The First Time In 150 Years Received A Mostly False Rating. According to PolitiFact, In rating this statement, we find that Pawlenty did reduce spending for the two-year budget cycle for the first time since 1960. But there were several single-year decreases, two during Pawlentys tenure as governor (2009 and 2004), but also two before he was governor (1986 and 1983). The major reduction in the 2010-2011 budget cycle was achieved with a one-time infusion of federal dollars and measures that delayed state spending rather then permanently reducing it. Finally, we dont have 150 years of budget data to check. We only found data back to 1960, and Pawlentys campaign provided no data to back up the claim covering the 100 years previous when we asked for it. If data emerges, were willing to review the claim. But given the evidence at hand, we rate Pawlentys statement Barely True. [PolitiFact] Former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson Said Pawlentys Failure To Address Structural Deficit Caused Minnesotas Budget Crisis. According to Business Insider, Former Republican Governor of Minnesota Arne Carlson placed blame for Minnesotas present budget crisis squarely on Pawlenty. [W]hen Pawlenty became governor, they allowed the structural deficit to grow. Instead of dealing with the fundamental issues of spending and revenue he brought a box of Band-Aids and started applying them to the states budget problems. He borrowed money that left Minnesota with a $5 billion deficit, starting with borrowing over $1.9 billion from a tobacco settlement that was supposed to go towards healthcare. Now that money is gone. He borrowed more than $2 billion in federal stimulus funds and thats gone. He borrowed more than $1 billion from K-12 education, and now thats gone. Then there were hundreds of millions of dollars in fees, tuition increases, $400 million from the Healthcare Access Fund [for low-income families]. And then you have the accounting shifts. But the more insidious part is that those were eight years when he should have been dealing with the structural budget problems. But instead he basically said: I dont have the courage so I am going to use a bunch of short-term fixes. Now Minnesota is left with no place else to go. Now he wants to take on the federal mess. He says he wants to clean that up, but he refused to clean up the mess he left in Minnesota. [Business Insider, 06/27/11]

Pawlenty Left $2 Billion Larger Deficit Than The One He Inherited

PAWLENTY LEFT MINNESOTA WITH A $6.2 BILLION DEFICIT
Pawlenty Left A $6.2 Billion Deficit For Future Years Compared With A $4.5 Billion Budget Deficit He Inherited. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Earlier this month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty strolled to the podium in the ornate reception room outside his office at the Capitol and boldly stated that the states budget is balanced. The good news that were here to share with you, of course, is were going to end my time as governor in the budget cycle that were in with a surplus and money in the bank. Pawlenty was technically correct, since state finance officials say Minnesota has a $399 million surplus in the current two year budget. But what Pawlenty failed to highlight is that hes leaving Democratic Gov.-elect Mark Dayton and the Republicans ready to take control of the Legislature with a $6.2 billion budget deficit in the coming biennium. Pawlenty called the massive budget hole a work of fiction. Thats a dramatic departure from 2003 -- when Pawlenty characterized the $4.5 billion budget deficit he was inheriting as the Incredible Hulk of budget deficits. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Minnesota Faced A $6.2 Billion Deficit In The Upcoming 2012-2013 Biennium. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota is facing a $6.2 billion deficit in the upcoming biennium, up from earlier projections of $5.8 billion. The shortfall represents about 16 percent of the states two-year budget. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/2/10]

PAWLENTY ALLEGED BUDGET SURPLUS IGNORED FUTURE BUDGETS WHERE HE SHIFTED FUNDING AND RELIED UPON EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MEDICAID
Pawlenty Budget Surplus Only Looked At The Current Year Rather Than The Budget Situation He Left Behind. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Earlier this month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty strolled to the podium in the ornate reception room outside his office at the Capitol and boldly stated that the states budget is balanced. The good news that were here to share with you, of course, is were going to end my time as governor in the budget cycle that were in with a surplus and

money in the bank. Pawlenty was technically correct, since state finance officials say Minnesota has a $399 million surplus in the current two year budget. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Lori Sturdevant: Pawlenty Boasted That He Was Ending His Watch With Money In The Bank But Surplus Was Due To Extension Of Federal Medicaid. According to an op-ed by Lori Sturtevant in the Star Tribune, [Pawlenty] boasted that he was ending his watch with the state on the right track and with money in the bank. That bank balance would be the $399 million forecast to remain on the states bottom line come June 30. Its there in large part because of an extension of federal Medicaid help to the states earlier this year. But to hear Pawlenty describe it, youd think hed engineered shrewd accounting moves to keep state books in the black. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/4/10] Pawlenty Balanced The 2010-2011 Budget By Relying Heavily On One-Time Federal Stimulus Money And Delayed Payments To School Districts Which Resulted In An Unusually High Growth In Projected Expenditures, Because The Spending Commitments Remain As The One-Time Federal Funding Disappears. According to Minnesota Public Radio, When Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the DFL-controlled Legislature balanced the budget last spring, they relied heavily on one-time federal stimulus money and delayed payments to school districts. That temporary fix continues to hold and even resulted in a $399 million surplus on the current bottom line, meaning Minnesota will not have to borrow money in the short term to pay its bills. But the financial picture beginning in fiscal 2012 looks grim for Pawlentys successor and the new GOP legislative majority. Steve Sviggum, the newly installed commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, described it as unfinished business. There are significant structural problems ranging from anywhere to $2 billion and $3 billion a year, Sviggum said. The Legislature and the governor have played all of the cards that are available. Sviggum and his team of budget analysts explained that last sessions budget fix resulted in an unusually high growth in projected expenditures, because the spending commitments remain as the one-time federal funding disappears. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/2/10] Pawlentys Budget Still Relied On Federal Dollars To 2010 Budget Close Gap. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota lawmakers are counting on $400 million in federal Medicaid money to fill a portion of the remaining gap. [Associated Press, 4/1/10] Pawlenty Told Reporters The Remaining Budget Fix... Hinges On The Amount Of Federal Health Care Money Coming To Minnesota. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty signed a supplemental budget bill that erases about a third of the nearly $1 billion deficit. The measure reduces spending in the current two-year budget period by $312 million. The biggest reduction came from state aid to cities and counties. Pawlenty told reporters Thursday that the bill was a positive, substantial step. He said the remaining budget fix, as well as an early conclusion to the Legislative session, hinges on the amount of federal health care money coming to Minnesota. Its not yet resolved. If that crystallizes and becomes confirmed in the near-term it makes an early conclusion easier, Pawlenty said. If it drags on or is uncertain, you know its a question mark. The Republican governor offered a mostly upbeat assessment of the session. He said there has been good progress and pretty good relations so far. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/1/10] Nearly One-Third of [Pawlentys] Budget Fix Would Rely On $387 Million In Federal Stimulus Money. According to the Star Tribune, nearly one-third of the governors budget fix would rely on $387 million in federal stimulus money. That money isnt yet in the bank and, if it doesnt come through, the cuts could be far deeper. [Star Tribune, 2/16/10]

Pawlenty Created Surplus By Shifting $1.9 Billion In Education Funding To The Next Budget
Minnesota 20/20 Fiscal Policy Fellow: $399 Million Budget Surplus Under Pawlenty Was Because The State--At The Insistence Of Governor Pawlenty--Shifted $1.9 Billion Of State Funding For K-12 Education Into The Next Biennium. According to Jeff Van Wychen, a fiscal policy fellow for Minnesota 20/20 who wrote an op-ed for the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Governor Pawlenty was in a self-congratulatory mood after the release of the November forecast, touting the projected $399 million balance at the end of the current two-year budget cycle. When we scrutinize the numbers closely, the real legacy of no new tax policymakers is a gaping budget hole which dwarves anything seen previously. The only reason that Minnesota has any kind of surplus is because the state--at the insistence of Governor Pawlenty--shifted $1.9 billion of state funding for K-12 education into the next biennium. This further puts the screws to Minnesota public schools by compelling them to drain their reserves or borrow short-term. The $1.9 billion shift technically put the state budget in balance for the current biennium, but enlarged the deficit in the next biennium by $1.9 billion. [Jeff Van Wychen op-ed, Twin Cities Daily Planet, 12/21/10]

PAWLENTY HAD TO BORROW MONEY FROM SOMEWHERE TO MEET 2010 BUDGET

Pawlenty Administration Told Legislature That Minnesota Would Have To Borrow Funds For The First Time In 25 Years To Pay Its Bills. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget advisers informed legislators Thursday that the state might have to borrow money next year to cover its bills. It would mark the first time the state has had to borrow money for bills in 25 years, when it took out $1.6 billion short-term loans over a four-year stretch and had to pay almost $125 million more to service them. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson raised the prospect to a legislative panel and one of his deputies laid out several options, ranging from a bond sale to a negotiated credit line with a bank. [Associated Press, 11/12/09]

Pawlenty Traveled The Country Criticizing Obama And Democrats For Increased Government Spending And Borrowing While His Own Finance Official In Minnesota Announced Plans To Borrow To Pay The States Bills. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota finance officials say theyre making plans to borrow money next year to pay the states bills That could put Gov. Pawlenty in a difficult spot, given some of the things hes been saying about the federal budget. For the past few months, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been traveling the country campaigning for Republican candidates, and raising money for his national political action committee. In most of his speeches, Pawlenty has criticized President Obama and congressional Democrats for increased government spending and borrowing. Heres what he said last Saturday in Iowa. Are you embarrassed when the Secretary of State of the United States is over in communist China on rhetorical bended knee, pleading with the Chinese to buy our debt because if they dont, the United States of America cant pay its bills? But now, Pawlenty is the one who may be forced to borrow to pay the bills. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson told state lawmakers hes making plans for the state to borrow early next year, but wont know if its necessary until next month. [Minnesota Public Radio, 11/12/09]

Pawlenty Administrations Borrowing Could Harm Minnesotas Credit Rating. According to the Star Tribune, The last time Minnesota had to borrow money to pay its bills, taxpayers forked over millions in extra interest payments as the state sank into the financial doghouse for more than a decade. Minnesotas envied credit rating -- and cheap borrowing rates -could be in jeopardy again as state finance officials consider borrowing money, this time to pay bills next spring and possibly through the 2011 fiscal yearStill left unanswered is whether this would be a one-time cash infusion for a few months this spring or whether it will continue into 2011, a year in which the state forecasts even bigger cash-flow problems. The state must balance its budget by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Its still scary, state Budget Director Jim Schowalter said last month. Im not underestimating that. The need for short-term borrowing indicates the state needs to get better control of the lumpy budget cycle, said Ingison, the former finance commissioner. Governments totally control in-flow and out-flow of money, she said. Its a big deal to be doing short-term borrowing. Its certainly not a good thing.Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration is doing everything possible to avoid short-term borrowing, said Brian McClung, one of Pawlentys deputy chiefs of staff. Could the need to borrow tarnish the governors legacy as a fiscal conservative? McClung doesnt think so. [Star Tribune, 12/28/09]

PAWLENTY SACRIFICED EDUCATION IN BUDGET FIX ATTEMPT

Pawlentys Administration Delayed $423 Million In Aid Payments To School Districts To Fix Budget Deficit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota will delay another $423 million in aid payments to school districts this spring to help the state balance its books. Leaders in 231 of the states 337 school districts received a memo Tuesday outlining how much their payments would be reduced in March and April. State law requires the payments be made by May 30. These delays are on top of the $1.8 billion in aid Gov. Tim Pawlenty postponed to schools in July to help erase the states current budget deficit. That aid has not been paid, and there is no deadline for paymentThe state is expected to have cash shortages from March through May. State law requires Pawlenty to postpone payments to schools before borrowing money to pay the states operating expenses. Minnesota finance officials have said that short-term borrowing could jeopardize the states credit rating, which in turn could mean higher interest rates for state and local governments. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/10] Pawlenty Opposed Raising Teacher Pay, Vowed To Investigate School Districts That Raised Teacher Salaries By 1.01 Percent. According to WCCO, The Minnesota governors office says it is investigating how many Minnesota school districts are raising teacher salaries, ignoring Governor Tim Pawlentys appeal for a public employee pay freeze during the budget crisis. The governor said hes now considering cutting millions of dollars in school fundingthe governor said any pay hike in a budget crisis is excessive. Im going to be doing a little investigation into where the school districts are getting all that

money, said Pawlenty. We asked them to freeze salaries. We asked them to freeze compensation levels. But many of them have not done that. Minnesota school districts are reporting average settlements of 4.04 percent for the next 2 years, according to the Minnesota School Boards Association. The actual pay hikes for teachers in those packages are about 1.01 percent, says the teachers union Education Minnesota. Not a lot, but enough to prompt a warning from the governors office that school cuts are coming. Were looking into this. Were going to investigate this. And if we are finding out school districts arent tightening their belts then it is possible the state might have to do it for them, said Pawlentys communications director Brian McClung. [WCCO, 1/4/10]

CUT LOCAL AID

Local Officials Said Pawlenty Balanced Budget On Back Of Local Governments, Leading To Furloughs With Our Police Officers And Firefighters. According to the KTTC, Leaders of communities throughout Minnesota gathered Thursday at the State Capitol to send a message to Governor Pawlenty. They say they are sick and tired of trying to balance their budgets as local government aid continues to get slashed. Mayors with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota cities say communities throughout the state are at stake. They say decisions made in the next few weeks will be felt across Minnesota for generations. Many mayors expressed frustration. They say theyve cut their budgets repeatedly, but now there is nothing left to cut. After the Governors latest round of proposed cuts to local government aid, city leaders are calling on lawmakers to clean up the state budget before -quote- asking cities to do the dirty work. LGA has already, as a program, suffered a disproportionate part of the budget balancing at this point. Our point is that we have reacted, we have cut budgets, said Albert Lea Mayor, Michael Murtaugh. We are being disproportionately cut in the cities and theyre really hurting us. Cities have had to cut, in some cases, police officers and firefighters. Even in Rochester we are doing some furloughs with our police officers and firefighters, said Rochester City Council member, Michael Wojcik. [KTTC-DT, 5/7/10] West Central Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid Which Will Force Cities Across The State To Cut More Services And/Or Raise Property Taxes. According to an editorial in the West Central Tribune, Minnesota faces a $1.2 billion projected state budget deficit. Citizens should not expect to see a quick resolution to this growing challenge. Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will not call a special session to deal with the budget, but is considering an emergency unallotment plan that would hit cities again and even K-12 funding. The Minnesota Legislature does not meet until early February and will not likely take immediate action. It is likely the budget cuts will have impact all around the state. Unfortunately, Pawlentys likely budget strategy of unallotment of city and K-12 funding will hit hardest in Greater Minnesota, an area of the state for which Pawlenty has little empathy. While Pawlenty paints a broad brush of criticism of schools districts for approving pay raises, he continues to travel outside the state on a regular basis in pursuit of his own political ambitions for 2012. At the same time, many cities like Willmar have stepped up to mitigate recent local-government aid reductions by cutting services and/or dipping into reserves. Not all cities have been able to absorb these cuts. Now Pawlenty wants to cut Decembers LGA funding payment, which will force cities across the state to cut more services and/or raise property taxes. [Editorial, West Central Tribune, 12/5/09]

PAWLENTY LOST FEDERAL FUNDS AND CUT SERVICES AS A RESULT

Lori Sturdevant: Pawlentys Gambled And Lost On Federal Funds Coming Soon Enough To Cover Budget Deficit. According to Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune, It increasingly appears that the on-the-come bet Gov. Tim Pawlenty and, later, the Minnesota House made as they assembled their budgets wont pay off on time. The $408 million in additional federal funds in fiscal 2011 that their budgets banked on still looks likely to arrive, but not until after the Legislatures constitutionally required May 17 adjournment, budget commissioner Tom Hanson told legislators Tuesday. Congressional delay is one of two big possible disruptions to the budget repair work thats been underway at the Capitol for almost three months, in an attempt to erase a $1 billion deficit. The other: a ruling from the state Supreme Court, expected any day, on the constitutional permissibility of Pawlentys $2.7 billion unilateral spending cuts and delays, imposed last July. That ruling could hand the Legislature a much larger budget-balancing chore. [Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune Op-Ed, 4/28/10] After Pawlenty Did Not Get Federal Funds, He Cut Health Programs, Primary Education, And Economic Development Programs. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Governor Pawlenty released a budget plan today that would cut $176 million in state aid to local governments, $211 million in health and human services programs, $13 million in K-12 Education and takes $95 million from an Iron Range economic development fund. That comes to a total of $536 million

in cuts and one-time money. Pawlenty announced the plan after it became clear that $405 million in federal funds wont be available to plug the budget gap. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/4/10] Pawlenty Vetoed The DFL Budget-Balancing Plan. According to Minnesota Public Radio, After several closed-door meetings with Gov. Tim Pawlenty at the Capitol on Tuesday, Democrats and Republicans will continue negotiations today to solve the states nearly $3 billion budget problem. On Tuesday, Gov. Pawlenty vetoed a DFL budget balancing plan that would have cut spending and raised taxes. Gov. Pawlenty and Republicans say they wont support a tax increase or any other new revenue. Democrats in the Legislature continue to insist that the states budget problem cant be fixed with cuts alone. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/12/10] Minnesota Legislature Passed Budget That Included 2% Tax Increase On Highest Earners. According to the Star Tribune, Despite the promise of a swift gubernatorial veto, the DFL-led Senate and House narrowly passed a budgetbalancing package Monday that includes a $435 million income tax increase on higher earners. The bill adopts most of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed cuts, using the tax increase to bridge the gap Under the DFL proposal, married couples filing jointly with taxable income above $200,000 would pay a new tax rate of 9.15 on income beyond that amount. The current rate is 7.85 percent. Single filers with taxable income above $113,000 also would pay the higher rate. That means a married couple with a taxable income of $250,000 would pay an additional $478 in tax year 2010. A couple with $500,000 in taxable income would pay an extra $5,395. The income tax change would affect about 122,000 out of 2.1 million tax returns statewide. Roughly 75 percent of the $395 million raised by the proposal would come from filers with taxable income above $500,000, said Senate Taxes Chairman Tom Bakk. Bakk said the increase includes a trigger mechanism, that would sunset the tax increase at the end of 2013 if the state has a projected surplus of $500 million or more. The other $40 million in new revenue would come from ending a plethora of President George W. Bush-era tax breaks for the wealthy a year before they are already set to expire. DFL leaders are pushing the tax increase as a possible long-range means of repaying one of the most controversial elements of Pawlentys budget package -- $1.7 billion in delayed payments to K-12 schools. [Star Tribune, 5/11/10] Pawlenty: Compared Raising Taxes On Wealthiest To Serial Killer Jason From Friday The 13th Horror Movie Series. According to Politics In Minnesota, There was hardly any suspense this morning concerning Gov. Tim Pawlentys reaction to DFL legislative leaders proposed income tax increase on Minnesotas wealthiest earners. Pawlenty in 2005 memorably lashed out at a similar proposal as profoundly stupid. Pawlenty was more creative this year in denouncing the DFLs tax plan by comparing it to a horror film series. The DFLs proposed tax increase is like Jason in Friday the 13th-Its scary and it keeps coming back, Pawlenty said. [Politics in Minnesota, 5/10/10]

FAILED TO FIX LONG TERM BUDGET DEFICIT

Star Tribune: Pawlenty Budget Did Not Fix State Finances Beyond June 2011. According to a Star Tribune editorial, The 2010 Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty found just enough bipartisan agreement to avert a fiscal calamity for state government But the Republican governor couldnt claim that he and the Legislature had stabilized state finances beyond June 2011. They did not. The deal they assembled features payment delays to schools and business taxpayers totaling $2.2 billion, more than two-thirds of the gap to be closed. One-time cuts in spending, most of them identical to cuts Pawlenty made via unallotment in 2009, did much of the rest of the job The result: Another wide gap between projected revenues and expenditures, likely $5 billion or more, will confront the Legislature and new governor when they take office next January. A bigger bite out of the future deficit this year would have served Minnesota better. The way the Republican governor and DFL legislative leaders described the budget deals virtues was telling. Each side congratulated itself for avoiding unpopular budget-balancing options. In so doing, they were also unwittingly compiling a list of measures their successors will likely be compelled to consider to correct a problem they largely booted down the road. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/17/10] GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Emmer Opposed Pawlentys Budget Because He Said It Postponed The Day Of Reckoning. According to the Star Tribune, Rep. Tom Emmer, the Republican-endorsed candidate who has been less involved in legislative action, voted against the final budget agreement. He said that it postponed the day of reckoning. [Star Tribune, 5/18/10] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Almost Certainly Raises Property Taxes. According to a Star Tribune editorial, The bill did not raise state taxes, Pawlenty said. (But it almost certainly raises property taxes, which a Minnesota 2020 analysis says have climbed 73 percent statewide between 2002 and 2010.) It did not cut schools or nursing homes, DFLers said. (But it

increased the school payment delay Pawlenty imposed last year from $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, and offered only a claim against any future state surpluses to put the payments back on schedule.) [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/17/10] Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Pawlentys White House Ambition Caused Him To Leave Billions In IOUs To Be Paid By The Next Governor. According to a Nick Coleman column in the Star Tribune, Do Nothing-ism was the hallmark of the 2010 Minnesota legislative session that wound up a week ago with a final empty flourish that was the equivalent of politicians playing air guitar and waiting to be applauded for nothing. Call it The Year of Kicking the Can, as in kicking the problems down the road, into the future, for someone else to clean up. It was as if Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican with national ambitions, and the DFL majority in the Legislature, a bunch of Lilliputians who never even tried to get a rope around Pawlenty, entered into an unconscious alliance in which they agreed on One Big Idea: Punt. What to do about $1.7 billion in school funding that was delayed by Pawlentys unilateral -- and, it turned out, unconstitutional -- budget cuts last summer, pushing many state school districts towards insolvency? Fix it? Dont make us laugh. Pawlenty needed to hang tough to show he can strangle government as good as any other GOP contender for 2012. And the DFL leadership was tiptoeing through the tulips. They didnt stand for anything, so they stood for everything, letting the governor escape the budget trap he had made for himself. Another $200 million in school promissory notes were added to the pile, making a hole almost $2 billion deep to be solved next biennium. Altogether, Minnesotas Back to the Future deficit-grower shapes up to almost $6 billion in red ink that yawns ahead. What we have here is a slow-speed train wreck, or worse Pawlenty has left billions in IOUs to be paid by the next governor, and the legislators wouldnt call his bluff and put the problems on the table to be solved right now or to let the chips fall where they may. [Nick Coleman Column, Star Tribune, 5/22/10] Worthington Daily Globe: Pawlentys Budget Cuts To Local Governments Lead To A 60% Increase In Property Taxes. According to an editorial in the Worthington Daily Globe, Its no secret that Minnesotas Local Government Aid (LGA) program has taken a beating over the last few years. Since 2002, according to the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC), the state has slashed LGA by a total of more than $1 billion, which in turn has helped increase property taxes by more than 60 percent. So much for Gov. Tim Pawlentys much-ballyhooed no-new-taxes philosophy the buck is merely being passed. We have long been opposed to LGA cuts, and the reason is simple. The program helps communities with lower tax bases, such as Worthington and many others across Greater Minnesota, have access to essential services at prices affordable for property taxpayers. Its therefore no coincidence that as LGA has been reduced, local taxes have increased and services reduced, as well, in several instances. [Editorial, Worthington Daily Globe, 6/2/10]

FORCED CUTS TO VITAL SERVICES

Winona Daily News Editorial: Pawlenty Did Nothing To Solve The States Most Pressing Economic Issues. According to a Winona Daily News editorial, Heres a quick recap of the 2010 legislative session in St. Paul. Members went to St. Paul, did nothing to solve the states most pressing economic issues and then went home to declare victory. Last year, we lamented the DFL-controlled Legislature seemed unable to talk with preoccupied presidential wannabe Gov. Tim Pawlenty. This year proved to be a lesson in being careful what you ask for. [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 5/23/10] Winona Daily News: Pawlenty Unwilling To Make Painful Cuts To Budget, Instead Passed The Buck. According to a Winona Daily News editorial, Unwilling to find the political chutzpah to make the painful cuts or (gasp) raise taxes, Pawlenty agreed to go along with the DFL leadership, which opted to continue to cut funding for education and push the deficits farther into the next couple of years. Theres no problem now, but just wait. Pawlenty has managed to leave his sterling record of not spending while the state crumbles (bridges, roads and schools). And the DFLers have pinned their hopes on a more favorable political landscape next year. [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 5/23/10] Grand Forks Herald Editorial: Pawlenty Compromise On Tax Increases Necessary To Solve The Budget Crisis. According to an editorial in the Grand Forks Herald, Dust billows behind the car as the tires spin and vehicle picks up speed. In the front seat are Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Democratic leaders of the Minnesota House and Senate; and while one passenger has stomped down on the gas, no ones got a grip on the wheel. Its a political game of chicken, and itll play out over the next two weeks. But someone better grab that wheel and steer because the car is marked State of Minnesota and its headed for a cliff. Heres a face-saving way for the participants to steer out of danger and slow down. Its a compromise that not only would let each side get something that it wants, but also would put Minnesota on a more sustainable fiscal path for good Gov. Tim Pawlenty agrees to raise taxes. That, of course, has been the stumbling block for years. So, in order for the governor and likely presidential candidate to justify changing his mind, Pawlenty should insist on this: The Legislature must cut the states budget but it must do more than cut. It must reform the states collective bargaining rules and other labor

practices so that the cuts are sustainable over time, the tax hikes dont simply get eaten up in the next round of pay hikes and the state gets its long-term pension costs under control. [Editorial, Grand Forks Herald, 5/8/10]

Accounting and Budget Tricks

Former Governor Mark Dayton Said Pawlenty Left Him A Horrendous Fiscal Mess And Poorly Managed State Agencies. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Mark Dayton is delivering a harsh assessment of Minnesotas economy under his predecessor, Republican Tim Pawlenty. Dayton says he inherited a horrendous fiscal mess and poorly managed state agencies, according to the prepared text of his first State of the State speech on Wednesday Dayton also notes that the state had 77,000 more unemployed residents just before he took office last month than it did before Pawlenty came in eight years ago. The new governor says fewer people working were even though Minnesotas population grew. Dayton says the stagnation followed income tax cuts enacted when the Independence Partys Jesse Ventura was governor and Pawlenty was in the Legislature. [Associated Press, 2/9/11] Pawlentys Budgeting Hurt State Services And Led To Crumbling Infrastructure, Backlogged Courts, Less Health Inspections And Fewer Neighborhood Crime-Prevention Programs. According to the Star Tribune, The looming drama at the Capitol could deeply alter the level of services that Minnesotans have long expected government to provide. Once a flush government fueled by a demanding constituency, the state is an increasingly gaunter version of its former self. Freeways are grubbier. Want to travel in the fast lane? Itll cost you extra in some places. Wheel-eating potholes mark roads that a few years ago were table-top smooth. Even some of the stonework is crumbling at the states architectural gem, its 105year-old Capitol. In many Minnesota communities, building permits are now taking longer, court proceedings are getting delayed for months because of staffing cuts, restaurant inspections have fallen off and neighborhood crime-prevention programs have dried up. [Star Tribune, 1/5/11] Pawlentys Budget Cutting Led To Reducing The Number Of Police Officers And Firefighters They Have, Slashing Library Hours And Putting Off Street Repairs -- Reductions That Officials Say They Could Not Have Fathomed Five Years Ago. According to the Star Tribune, With little appetite for higher taxes among legislative leaders, more cuts in state spending are likely on the way. Communities statewide are looking at reducing the number of police officers and firefighters they have, slashing library hours and putting off street repairs -- reductions that officials say they could not have fathomed five years ago. More than 4,000 government jobs were lost in Minnesota over the past couple years, and hundreds more public workers could be pink-slipped this year. [Star Tribune, 1/5/11] Fiscal Policy Expert: Minnesota Budgeting Under Pawlenty Was Shifty; It Drained Reserves, Put Off Necessary Spending Into The Future And Pushed Problems Onto Local Government And Taxpayers. According to an op-ed in the Twin Cities Daily Planet by fiscal policy fellow for Minnesota 20/20, Jeff Van Wychen, The hallmark of Minnesota budget management over the last eight years can best be described as shifty. Budget deficits have been shifted into the future or on to other levels of government or on to property taxpayers; the shifty approach to budget balancing consists of two strategies. The first strategy is to pick the low hanging fruit--the easy solutions. Drain the reserves, exhaust state endowments, push state expenditures into the future so the next governor and legislature will have to deal with them. As a result of these strategies, future policymakers budget options are far more limited and unpleasant. The second strategy is to shift the budget problem to local governments and property taxpayers. A disproportionate share of state budget solutions has been to cut revenue sharing with local governments. This shifts the problem to counties, cities, towns, and school districts, compelling them to make the hard decisions regarding spending cuts and tax increases. It forces local officials to make the tough decisions that state policymakers didnt have the courage to tackle. The shifty approach to state budget deficits has had only one clear winner: it allowed no new tax politicians to claim that they did not increase state taxes. There are many losers, including property taxpayers, local officials, and future leaders who will have to deal with a far worse budget situation with far fewer options. [Jeff Van Wychen op-ed, Twin Cities Daily Planet, 12/21/10] Pawlentys Failure To Enact Permanent Spending Cuts To Tax Increases Caused Regular Budget Crises In Minnesota. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty has wrestled with budget problems since he first took office. Its partly due to a sputtering economy, but its also due to the failure to enact permanent spending cuts or tax increases that would have balanced the budget over the long-term. That failure meant a budget roller coaster that went mostly downhill over the past eight years. Pawlenty and the Legislature would see a surplus in 2006, when the governor said, Weve completed the biggest financial turnaround in Minnesota history. But just two years later, the state faced a growing deficit. Pawlentys main

governing principle was not to raise state taxes. With the exception of a fee on cigarettes of 75 cent per pack that he pushed in 2005, Pawlenty did not call for higher taxes during his eight years in office. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Minnesota Budget Surplus Wouldnt Exist Without Federal Stimulus Dollars And A $1.4 Billion Loan From Minnesotas Public Schools. According to an editorial in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, The Minnesota Management and Budget office projects a $6.2 billion deficit for the upcoming two-year fiscal period. Of course, even this figure is open to some political interpretation which is a polite way of saying that the spin doctors on either side were quick to jump all over it. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, after gleefully claiming victory about the short-term budget surplus, declared that the long-term deficit wouldnt exist or would at least be much smaller if the DFL werent allowing government spending to grow on autopilot.Its absurd that Pawlenty is boasting about leaving Minnesota with a balanced budget and money in the bank. Those claims will look good on presidential campaign literature, but the fine print should disclose this surplus wouldnt exist without federal stimulus dollars and a $1.4 billion loan from Minnesotas public schools an IOU that will come due in 2012. [Editorial, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/6/10] Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Pawlentys Economic Plan For Minnesota Wont Work If It Is Paired With A Continuation Of Pawlentys No New Taxes Policy. According to a Rochester Post-Bulletin editorial, Concerning the overall budget, we wont disagree with Pawlentys argument that the projected growth rate in state spending must be slowed. And well even go so far as to say that his idea of a Spending Accountability Amendment has merit. If state spending for each two-year period were limited to the amount of revenue received in the previous two-year cycle, a lot of guesswork would vanish. The end-of-session wrangling about the budget would be much less complex if everyone knew exactly how much money the state had to spend. But that approach wont work if it is paired with a continuation of Pawlentys No New Taxes policy. Minnesotas population is aging, which means were spending more on health care. There are hundreds of bridges and thousands of miles of roadways that need to be repaired. Our population is growing, which means we have more children enrolling in public schools. To meet those needs, we cant simply sit around, waiting for the economy to improve so revenues will grow on autopilot. [Editorial, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/6/10]

Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Inability To Compromise Led To Recurring Budget Shortfalls, One Government Shutdown, Unfinished Business And Unilateral Budget Cuts. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Crisis is not too strong a word to describe the situation that confronts the 2010 Legislature as it convenes Thursday in St. Paul. Not since the dark days of the 1930s have state and local governments financial prospects, short and long term, been dimmerThe past decade produced recurring budget shortfalls, one government shutdown, unfinished business and unilateral budget cuts by an uncompromising governor -- all traceable at least in part to partisan polarization in St. Paul. Seldom did Minnesotans see their elected leaders come together to serve the common good. That pattern urgently needs to change. A $1.2 billion deficit in a biennial budget thats already a quarter spent demands quick remedy. It wont wait for the next election, or for another Washington bailout, to be set right. It ought not get kicked down the road with accounting gimmicks. The 2010 Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty own this problem, and they owe it to Minnesota to cooperatively craft a lasting solution. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 2/2/10] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlentys Tenure Was Like A Continuing Drama Of Plugging One Hole Just In Time To Confront Another. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, The tenure of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, which began in 2003 and ends in January, seems like a continuing drama of plugging one hole just in time to confront another. And thats where we are today. Pawlenty, a Republican, and the Legislature, controlled by large Democratic-Farmer-Labor majorities, face the immediate problem of a $1.2 billion deficit in the current two-year budget cycle, which runs through mid2011. They also look ahead to an equally daunting projected deficit in the next two-year budget period. Currently pegged at $5.4 billion for the period from July 2011 to June 2013, that number could decrease or increase based on changes in the economy and on decisions made at the Capitol this year. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/16/10] St. Cloud Times Editorial: Pawlenty Content For State Government To Live Paycheck To Paycheck; Cut Services For Local Government And The Poor. According to an editorial in the St. Cloud Times, Lets be content for state government to live paycheck to paycheck, almost. Thats the message delivered from Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposals Monday to cover the states projected $1.2 billion shortfall for its 2010-11 budget. Pawlenty followed a familiar political pattern Monday in his budget solution. He wants deep cuts to Local Government Aid and health care and services for the poor. He relies on one-time (yet-to-come) federal money. And he cuts some corporate and small-business taxes. Combined with no mention of tax or fee increases, those ideas reflect similar political strategies Pawlenty has coveted for other state deficits. They also fit nicely with his not-so-subtle presidential ambitions and that he will not be around when his short-sighted solutions expire. Yes, his plan solves only the most dire short-term fiscal problems. And, yes, it does so by passing on the cost of public

services to other levels of government and other governors and Legislatures, which ultimately means the pocketbooks of every rank-and-file Minnesotan. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 2/17/10] Dave Shuster: For Nearly Four Years, [Minnesotas] Job Growth Lagged Behind The National Average And Budget Cuts Jeopardized The Quality Of Minnesotas Public Education System. According to an op-ed by Dave Shuster published in the St. Cloud Times, Although Pawlenty hoped his budgetary policy would serve as a stimulant to Minnesotas economy by encouraging private entrepreneurship, the opposite proved true. For nearly four years, the states job growth has lagged behind the national average. To add insult to injury, cuts in state spending have jeopardized the quality of Minnesotas once-respectable public education system. [Dave Shuster op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/4/09] Dave Hage: Minnesotas Economy Underperformed After It Enacted Major Tax Cuts. According to an op-ed by Dave Hage in the Star Tribune, Ten years ago, Minnesota embarked on an unplanned but historic experiment in state government. No, not the sort of social tinkering that once gave the state a reputation for Scandinavian paternalism. This was the opposite: a bet that lower taxes could give Minnesota a leaner, more competitive economy. Between 1997 and 2001, the Legislature passed five major tax cuts - not just temporary rebates but permanent rate reductions that reduced the states revenue stream by $1 billion annually and left state government, measured against the Minnesota economy, 10 percent smaller than it was in the mid-1990s. It wasnt long before local experts began to question the results. By 2004 Minnesotas economy had actually slowed down relative to the 1990s, and by 2005 the states council of economic advisers noted that, for the first time in years, Minnesotas economy was underperforming the nations. [Dave Hage op-ed, Star Tribune, 2/4/07] Dave Hage: State Aid To The Public Schools, Adjusted For Inflation, Has Gone Down Four Years In A Row. Thousands Of Families Have Lost Eligibility For Subsidized Health Insurance, And Major Transportation Projects Have Been Put On Hold Indefinitely. According to an op-ed by Dave Hage in the Star Tribune, State aid to the public schools, adjusted for inflation, has gone down four years in a row. Thousands of families have lost eligibility for subsidized health insurance, and major transportation projects have been put on hold indefinitely. Reversing those trends - restoring the fine public services and high quality of life that Minnesotans once took for granted - will require more money and higher taxes. Proposing a tax increase might not be a hit with voters. But who knows? It might be a pro-growth strategy. [Dave Hage oped, Star Tribune, 2/4/07] Dave Hage: No Apparent Evidence That Pawlentys Economic Plan Helped Minnesota. According to Dave Hague, who wrote an op-ed in the Star Tribune, In his first State of the State address three years ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty promised a new approach to Minnesota government, a strategy that would put a cap on taxes and a leash on spending, and give the state a leaner, more competitive economy Of course, Pawlenty is only the latest in a tradition of conservative leaders who have argued that high taxes smother economic growth and that Minnesota needs to improve its business climateThe state economy is actually producing fewer jobs today than it did a decade ago - about 2,000 jobs per month in the current expansion, as against 4,000 jobs per month in the recovery of the 1990s. Per capita income, the broadest measure of a states prosperity, also has decelerated, from about 5.7 percent annual growth in the 1990s to about 4.2 percent since 2002. In fact, the Pawlenty administration has had to downgrade its own economic forecasts at least four times since 2003The governor says he is not trying to turn Minnesota into Mississippi, just produce a more nimble version of the old North Star State, one that can compete in a global economy. That, too, is a perfectly sensible strategy. But it would be nice to see some evidence, beyond anecdotes, that its working. [Dave Hage op-ed, Star Tribune, 2/5/06] Star Tribune Editorial: A Big Cleanup Job Was Waiting For Pawlentys Successor Due To Budget Gimmicks Such As Delayed Payments To Schools, Health Care Organizations, And Businesses In Order To Ease A Cash-Flow Crunch. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, The financial management theme song of the latter days of Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration might be the Beatles classic about getting by with a little help from my friends. The administration announced Monday that another round of payment delays are in the offing -- for school districts, colleges and universities, health care organizations, and businesses owed refunds of more than $5,000 -- to ease a cash-flow crunch for the state Delaying payments and borrowing short-term cash have become familiar money-management tools for enterprises of all sorts as the deepest economic downturn since the 1930s continues to tilt balance sheets in the wrong direction. But that does not make state governments use of such tools trivial or harmless. Its a symptom of a financial cancer that is not yet in remission and is spreading to other enterprises, public and private Pawlenty said Monday that the states cash crunch is not a huge deal. If this were an isolated emergency at the bottom of a brief recession, that might be so. But in the context of a lagging recovery, and with state financial projections showing a deficit approaching $6 billion in the next two-year budget period, Mondays cash projection is another milepost on the wrong road. State governments financial house is not in good order. When Pawlentys successor takes office in January, a big cleanup job will be waiting. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 7/13/10]

Budget Cuts
Pawlenty Claimed That Minnesota Has Cut Spending, Protected Crucial Priorities, And Balanced The Budget Without Raising Taxes. According to a Tim Pawlenty op-ed in Politico, The White Houses midyear review will very likely try to present the case for tax hikes as inevitable. But they are not. Washington politicians may say you cant solve the problem by simply cutting spending, protecting crucial priorities and balancing the budget without raising taxes. But in Minnesota, weve proven: Yes, you can. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Politico, 7/14/10] Pawlenty Said With The Exception Of Military Veterans, Public Safety And Public Schools, [I Have] Cut Everything. According to the Star Tribune, David Gregory interviewed Pawlenty for Meet the Press on May 27, 2010. Pawlenty also said he has what it takes to make what Gregory called the painful choices to rein in government spending. You are talking to somebody who, with the exception of military veterans, public safety and public schools, has cut everything, Pawlenty said. [Star Tribune, 5/28/10] Nick Coleman: Minnesota Subsidized The Rich, Wealthiest 1% Of Minnesotans Paid 33% Less In Taxes Than Their Middle Class Neighbors. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman in the Star Tribune, Tough times call for tough measures, and Minnesota cant afford to subsidize the rich anymore. Its time for the rich to be taxed at the same rates paid by the middle class and the poor The wealthiest 1 percent of taxpayers pay combined state and local taxes, including business taxes, at a rate that is a third lower than rates paid by the middle class. And its not an unimportant difference: Raising tax rates on the richest Minnesotans to the rates paid by their less wealthy neighbors -- back to the rates the rich used to pay -- might boost state revenues by as much as $1 billion at a time when the state is predicting billions in deficits With state reserve funds already depleted, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty still duct-taped to his swivel chair by No New Tax extremists, state departments are preparing spending cuts for an already shriveled state at the exact time that government spending may be the only thing shoring up the economy. Wealth has not trickled down, as it was supposed to. So tax justice should burble up. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 10/30/08] Patrick Henry: Pawlentys Starve-Government, Veto-Pen Approach Simply Has Not Worked. According to St. Cloud Times columnist Patrick Henry, Pawlentys starve-government, veto-pen approach simply has not worked. While we count inflation on the income side of the state budget, we refuse to use the same inflation standard for budgeting adjustments to state spending. Instead of indexing the gas tax for inflation like our neighbor, Wisconsin, we have a 1988 gas tax of 20 cents thats now worth about 12 cents. No wonder our roads and bridges and schools are eroding, our job growth is down and our rank in personal income has declined. No wonder we have high property taxes and excess levy referendums for school costs that cant keep up with inflation. No wonder our quality of life in Minnesota is waning. [Patrick Henry op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 2/26/08] Pawlenty: Minnesota Was Overemphasizing Social Services And Welfare. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty would like to divert some of the growth in Minnesotas social service and welfare spending to other priorities. In an address Thursday to the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, the governor said the spending growth in welfare and social service is outpacing funding for other key areas. The state is overemphasizing social services and welfare at the expense of some other key priorities, like K-12 education, like higher education and like transportation, he said. If we dont get a handle on this at both the federal and at the state level, and at county, school district and city level, these programs are growing so fast and so out of proportion with the rate of the private economy, that within 15 years it will consume a vast majority of the states budget. [Star Tribune, 1/25/08] Lori Sturdevant: Pawlentys No-New-Taxes Pledge Led To Cuts In Low-Income Health Care And Increased HighEducation Tuition. According to the Star Tribunes Lori Sturdevant, Minnesota spent the last four years trying to recover from the setbacks of 2002-03. Climbing out of a $4.5 billion hole in 2003 while under Pawlentys strict no new taxes regime meant cutting eligibility for MinnesotaCare, the states low-cost health insurance for the working poor, and allowing higher-ed tuition to rise at a double-digit pace for four straight years. Child care and early ed programs took nasty cuts. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 1/27/08] Lori Sturdevant: Results Werent Good For Pawlenty Tax Cutting Ways; Government Services Of All Kinds Sputtered. Tuition At Public Colleges Spiked; So Did Property Taxes. Big-City Crime Rose As Police Forces Shrank. Fewer Minnesotans Could Afford Health Insurance Or Child Care. K-12 Class Sizes Rose; Poor And Minority Kids School Performance Lagged. According to the Star Tribunes Lori Sturdevant, In 2003, the Republican

governor came to office with a $4.5 billion deficit and a freshly minted promise not to raise taxes ever, period, amen. That deficit came in part from his mint, too. Pawlenty was House Republican majority leader before he was governor. He had a hand in big tax cuts in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and in a budget fix in 2002 that relied on Band-Aids and chewing gum that couldnt hold. The new governor had his way with the 2003 Legislature, which enacted a fix largely of Pawlentys design. Or, more to todays point, Pawlenty relied on governments existing design. He just forced the big rig to run on less fuel. The results werent good. Government services of all kinds sputtered. Tuition at public colleges spiked; so did property taxes. Bigcity crime rose as police forces shrank. Fewer Minnesotans could afford health insurance or child care. K-12 class sizes rose; poor and minority kids school performance lagged. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 1/25/09] Pawlenty: Im The Financial Pooper-Scooper. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty referred to himself as the states financial pooper-scooper because he said he was cleaning up the states fiscal messes. [Star Tribune, 3/2/03] Pawlenty Said Under No Circumstances Would He Raise Taxes. According an interview on Road to the White House, Pawlenty was, Are there any circumstances in which you would raise taxes? He responded, No. Im somebody who wants to stop the growth of government, limit it, and frankly, reduce it. And if you continue to have the escape hatch for all the pressure from the interest groups, all the bureaucracy, all the public employees and their unions, and all the entitlement programs, all the spending that takes place -- if the escape hatch is simply going to be raise taxes so we can keep all that going, Im not interested in that. I want to cap the amount of revenues coming in to government and focus it on key priorities, and I want to have limited functions done by government done well. And I want to start moving many of these other activities out of government. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10] Mayor Of Minneapolis: Business Leaders Had Growing Dissatisfaction With Pawlentys Single-Minded NoNew-Taxes Message According to an op-ed by Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak in the Star Tribune, Ive had scores of conversations with Minnesota business leaders and have heard an overwhelming consensus that tax cuts alone are not enough. If so many of them admit this in private, why are so few saying it in public? while most business leaders publicly supported Pawlenty as a candidate, there has been growing dissatisfaction with his single-minded no-new-taxes message. We saw business leaders break most visibly with Pawlenty over his refusal to invest in transportation, which many knew was slowing commerce. Business leaders played lead roles in encouraging voters to pass a state transportation amendment and backed overriding Pawlentys veto of a revenue-raising transportation bill. Now you hear a growing concern among business leaders that the state needs to invest in a long-term plan to attack the coming worker shortage. Leaders of large corporations are acutely aware that our aging population will mean fewer workers, and that the parts of our population that are growing suffer the greatest gap in skills and education. Tax cuts alone will not close the achievement gap or help hard-to-employ people become productive members of the workforce If so many business leaders know tax cuts alone dont create jobs, if they know you also have to invest in people and infrastructure and create a tolerant social climate, why arent they saying so in public? [R. T. Rybak oped, Star Tribune, 9/23/10] Pawlenty Said He Would Not Raise Taxes As President. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty was without doubt on other issues. [Meet The Presss David] Gregory asked whether a President Pawlenty would consider raising taxes. The crowd tittered. The people of Minnesota know the answer to that. No! Pawlenty said. [Star Tribune, 5/28/10] Pawlenty Said He Hoped It Was Verboten For Republican Governors To Raise Taxes To Balance Their Budgets. According to an interview with CNNs State of the Union host Candy Crowley, Pawlenty was asked, the governor of Arizona actually instituted some tax hikes in order to try to get her budget in balance. She is a Republican, obviously. Is it just verboten that Republicans raise taxes in order to get their state budgets under control? Pawlenty responded, Well, I sure hope so. I mean, one of the things that Republicans do stand for and should stand for is that we think the country and our states are taxed enough. In Minnesotas case, I have drawn a line in the sand and saying, we are not going to raise taxes. Minnesotas problem is not that were an undertaxed state. We have been trying to lower taxes in Minnesota, not increase them. So we just finished our legislative session and solved a significant budget deficit with no tax increases. And I think thats the direction that states should go. [CNNs State of the Union, 5/23/10] Darrell Ehrlick: For Nearly Every Taxpayer Taxes Have Never Been Lower. According to an editorial in the Winona Daily News, A message to tea partiers, conservatives, Republicans and other assorted angry people: Get a new bumper sticker, find a new issue. An article first published in USA Today last week, based on a report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, revealed a startling truth - Americans havent paid this little of tax in nearly two generations. Youd have to go back to 1950 to find a lower tax rate. The story said that federal, state and local taxes ate up 9.2 percent of all personal income in 2009 - well below the average of 12 percent for the past half-century. For nearly every taxpayer, that means taxes

have never been so low. So for Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin and all those other prattling and babbling about no new taxes, I say, Fine. How about the old ones, then? [Darrell Ehrlick op-ed, Winona Daily News, 5/16/10] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Spending Cuts Discredit The State. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Pawlenty has held fast to his opposition to a high-end income tax hike despite a widening gap between the effective stateplus-local tax rate paid by most Minnesotans (about 12 percent) and top earners (about 9 percent) This page shares the DFL view that, with a $3 billion gap yet to close in a half-spent $31 billion biennial state budget, a modest tax increase is in order this year. Legislators and the governor have already imposed $2 billion in spending cuts in 2009 and 2010, and DFLers said Monday they are willing to follow Pawlentys lead on spending cuts and payment delays to schools for another $2.5 billion. In that context, a tax increase in the $300 million range is not unreasonable, especially when that amount can avert cuts that deprive the poorest Minnesotans of a decent life. One such cut -- elimination of food assistance to low-income people whose chronic illnesses require special diets -- landed Pawlentys unallotment in court. Spending cuts of that sort discredit this state. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/10/10] Editorial: Pawlentys No New Taxes Rigidity Stands In The Way Of Needed Tax Reform. According to a Star Tribune editorial, We also agree that wealthy Minnesotans ought to pay their fair share of taxes -- provided those taxes do not cripple the states business competitiveness For that reason, we prefer expanding the sales tax to clothing, services and other exempt items (offset by a tax credit for low-income consumers), rather than raising income taxes only on upper-income Minnesotans. We also believe that among the $11 billion per year spent in income tax credits, exemptions and deductions are some that have outlived their usefulness and should end. Of course, those ideas would also find a frosty reception in the governors office. Pawlentys no new taxes rigidity stands in the way of needed tax reform. Adjustments to the state tax code for the sake of a better business climate are overdue -- but, barring a major change of gubernatorial course, they are not in the offing in the next few days. That leaves one plausible revenue-raising option for bipartisan exploration this week sin taxes. Under the guise of a health impact fee, Pawlenty agreed to raising the price of cigarettes 75 cents in 2005. He ought to be open to another hike An increase in state taxes on alcoholic beverages also ought to be under consideration this week. Minnesotas alcohol taxes have not been increased since 1987 and, in the case of wine, are now half as much per gallon as the national median. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/10/10] Albert Lea Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Is Leaving The State In Financial Shambles. According to an Albert Lea Tribune editorial, During the past eight years, Tim Pawlenty has held his promise of no new state taxes. As a result, property taxes have gone up. There are more fees and surcharges on everything to do with government. School districts have had to pass community-dividing referendum levies to afford taken-for-granted expenses like busing kids. Meanwhile, the state Legislature has had to bend over backward to meet the governors no-taxes pledge. He was willing to exercise a questionable power called unallotment stripping funding away after he had approved it. The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled Pawlenty exceeded his authority in using unallotment. The power was intended only in an emergency. Democrats argued Pawlenty created the emergency by approving the funding while striking down the tax bill to pay for it. Now Minnesota, a deficit-ridden state, finds itself facing an even greater deficit. Is this the legacy Pawlenty wishes to leave all to maintain a notaxes pledge? So he can run for president? Critics could try to blame the Democrats. But if you look at it even-handed, the conclusion is this: While Democrats indeed controlled the Legislature, it is Pawlentys signature on the spending bills. He even had line-item veto power as a means to cut spending. The old rule applies: If you approve the spending of money, you need the means to pay for it. And with this Pawlentys last year in office, he is leaving the state in financial shambles. [Albert Lea Tribune Editorial, 5/7/10] Pawlenty Said Creating Jobs Is Not Really Rocket Science. According to an appearance on On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty said, I think if everybody focuses on having a positive job and business climate it is a competition against each other, and overall that is going to lower tax burdens in the country, and thats a good thing. The founders of this country talked about the states being the laboratories of democracy, let them try new things. They are smaller, quicker, more nimble, more entrepreneurial. But one of the things a study shows released by the Chamber today, theres a general rule states that have lower taxes and lower cost structures had more jobs and weathered the recession better than states that had high taxes, and our own research in Minnesota bears that out It is really not rocket science. If you ask business people and not just large businesses but medium-sized and small businesses and people who would like to start businesses, they tell what the secret to their success and what the barriers may be. And they say keep my costs competitive as measured by taxes, regulation, insurance, permitting, energy costs, health care costs. Keep those costs down dont price yourselves out of the market. States that do that attract more jobs. [Fox News Network, On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, 5/3/10]

Pawlenty Claimed He Fundamentally Changed Minnesota By Cutting Spending And Lowering Taxes According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In his last address to a Republican state convention as governor, Tim Pawlenty told delegates Friday that he believes he changed the course of Minnesota government during his eight years as governor. Im not perfect. I made some mistakes, Pawlenty said in a speech punctuated by cheers. But I believe we have fundamentally changed Minnesota in terms of stopping the hemorrhaging. His predecessors talked about getting the state out of the top 10 in taxes. We did it on our watch, he said. He asserted he brought state spending under control. During several previous decades, the state had double-digit budget increases. He reduced the rate of growth to an average of 2 percent a year, he said, and last year for the first time reduced government spending in real terms. One of his proudest achievements, Pawlenty said, was to make Minnesota the most veteran-friendly and military-friendly state in the country. His administration produced rigorous new education standards for public schools and was the first in the nation to move teachers from seniority pay to performance pay, he said. He and his allies also created a model health-care system for the nation that provides incentives for state employees to choose high-quality, low-cost medical treatment, he continued. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/30/10] Post Bulletins Mark Thein On Pawlentys No Tax Pledge: It Is Foolish To Bind Yourself To A Pledge Made To A Special-Interest Group And Doing This Causes Lots Of Nonsensical Fees And The Use Of A Lot Of Smoke And Mirrors To Balance The Budget. According to an op-ed by Mark Thein in the Post Bulletin, I believe it is foolish to bind yourself to a pledge made to a special-interest group (to never raise taxes), and doing this causes lots of nonsensical fees and the use of a lot of smoke and mirrors to balance the budget. [Mark Thein op-ed, Post Bulletin, 4/29/10] Star Tribune Editorial Endorsed Pawlentys Opponent Because Pawlenty Demonstrated He Was Willing To Run Up The Price Of A College Education, Deny Poor Families Child Care, Slap A Surcharge On Nursing Home Residents And Take Away Health Insurance From The Working Poor To Adhere To His No New Taxes Pledge. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Time for a change. Today we apply that enduring political slogan to the race for governor. It will take a new governor for state government to become a more dependable ally of average Minnesotans with above-average aspirations for themselves and their state. The Star Tribune recommends the election of DFLer Mike Hatch. Those who think that todays apparently sound economy should guarantee a second term for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty are missing the anxiety many Minnesotans feel about the long-term prospects for themselves and their families Pawlenty demonstrated with his first budget that he was willing to run up the price of a college education, deny poor families child care, slap a surcharge on nursing home residents and take away health insurance from the working poor, all to adhere to a no new taxes campaign pledge. Two years later, with the veto of a forward-looking transportation bill, Pawlenty dashed hopes that the state would make a serious move anytime soon to ease serious transportation woes. The 2003 state budget and the 2005 transportation veto rank among the worst policy moves by a Minnesota governor in a generation. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 10/29/06] Pawlenty Touted Minnesotas Ranking As 16th In Total Taxes For Fiscal Year 2004. According to an editorial in The Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was so proud of last Fridays news about Minnesotas tax ranking that he held high the Star Tribune page carrying the story for GOP state convention delegates to see. The news: In fiscal 2004, Minnesota ranked 16th among the states in total state and local tax collections per $1,000 of personal income. Thats the states lowest ranking since at least 1958. Whats more, in fiscal 2004, in total state and local government spending per $1,000 of personal income, Minnesota was 28th among the 50 states. In total state and local government revenue (taxes, fees, tuition and the rest), Minnesota fell to the 36th spot. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 6/9/06] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Took Credit For Minnesotas High Rankings In Education, Employment, And Health CareWhich Can Be Traced To The Education And Infrastructure That Minnesotans Built During Five Decades Of Taxing Themselves At A Comparatively High Rate. According to the Star Tribune editorial board, Compared with other states, [Pawlenty] said, Minnesota ranks high in student test scores and longevity, low in unemployment and the health-care uninsured. But many of those measures can be traced to the education and infrastructure that Minnesotans built during five decades of taxing themselves at a comparatively high rate. Failures to keep pace with those investments now wont show their full effect for years to come. If those effects are deleterious, it will take more years and hard political battles to reverse them. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 6/9/06] Star Tribune: Indicators Signal Trouble Ahead For Minnesotas Education System, Infrastructure, And Economic Growth. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Indicators signal trouble ahead. Average spending per K-12 pupil in Minnesota fell to 7 percent below the national average in 2002, the most recent year for which data is available; as recently as 1997, it was 7 percent above the U.S. average. Teachers salaries in 2003-04 were also below the national average, and the student-teacher ratio in K-12 public schools was 14th highest in the country. Traffic congestion has

worsened faster in the Twin Cities in the past 20 years than in all but four other U.S. metropolitan areas. The cost of attending the University of Minnesota is now sixth highest among the nations public research universities. Minnesotas rank in employment growth slipped between 2003 and 2006. The state moved from 13th to 19th in rank of low-income children covered by health insurance. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 6/9/06] Former Minnesota Finance Commissioner: If He Wants To Honestly Balance The Budget, And Also Provide More Support For Schools And Roads Pawlenty Has To Abandon His Pledge And Raise Taxes. According to an op-ed by Minnetonkas city manager John Gunyou and former finance commissioner for Governor Carlsons administration in the St. Cloud Times, When he was running for governor, Rep. Tim Pawlenty took their pledge to oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes. Although he couldnt quite bring himself to use the T word, the governor has offered to raise cigarette taxes as part of a budget compromise. He insists on calling it a health-impact fee, but the governor deserves credit for joining the other state leaders nationwide for moderating his anti-tax stance. The Norquist Sword of Retribution was predictably swift. Less than a week after our governors conciliatory offer, he received a public threat from the head of the Americans for Tax Reform. Theres no weasel room in the pledge for redefining taxes as fees. Instead of repudiating his pledge as a youthful indiscretion, Pawlenty is trying to serve two masters - his constituents and the anti-tax extremists. Hes going to find it increasingly uncomfortable trying to straddle that picket fence. The only way out of his dilemma is a move to the middle. If he wants to honestly balance the budget, and also provide more support for schools and roads, the governor has to compromise with the folks on the other end of the political spectrum. That means Pawlenty has to abandon his pledge and raise taxes.Heres hoping our governor has taken his first step down that road of enlightenment. [John Gunyou op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 6/19/05] Deborah Locke: Pawlentys No Tax Pledge Was Holding The State Hostage To An Artificial Gesture Toward A Narrow Interest Group. According to an op-ed in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota is lucky to have a chief executive with such a great sense of humor. It warms the heart to see photos of a grinning Gov. Tim Pawlenty as he deftly vetoed the state transportation bill last week. Yes, nothing like a transportation bill to tickle the old funny bone. Yet you can bet that the governor expressed no glee when he signed the no new taxes pledge while campaigning for office a few years back. He made that promise to the Minnesota Taxpayers League, an august group for whom Pawlenty shows great respect. A few might gripe about the wisdom of holding the state hostage to an artificial gesture toward a narrow interest group. Let it be known, however, that this governor of ours takes his pledges very seriously, as did all those legislators who lined up to curry favor with the Taxpayers League. Each signed on the dotted line, and Minnesota is far better for it. I say let every right-wing interest group in the state step up with a pledge card that ties the hands of elected leaders for as long as they remain in office. If state highways continue to crumble and school buildings fall down, who cares? A pledge is a pledge, and the governor owes far more allegiance to the Taxpayers League than to the state Legislature, which merely consists of representatives whom voters put into office. [Deborah Locke op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/26/05] In Defiance Of Reagan, Pawlenty Said Fees Are Different From Taxes Because They Charged Only To Those Who Seek Specific State Services. According to the Duluth News Tribune, A tax is a tax, but a fee is a tax too, according to state Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview. A fee is spelled t-a-x Im quoting Ronald Reagan, Krinkie said during a recent budget debate in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Krinkie, the conservative chairman of the powerful House Tax Committee, is a leader among a growing and bipartisan group of state lawmakers challenging government budget-balancing strategies that raise revenues from fees instead of taxes. He feels so strongly about fees that he has authored legislation requiring state government to acknowledge that they and surcharges are taxes That debate will be timely as lawmakers work to craft the states two-year budget for the biennium that begins July 1. Before lawmakers is Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget balancing proposal that draws for the second time in two years on new and increased fees. Pawlenty and lawmakers initiated a host of new and increased fees in 2003 to help whittle away the states record $4.5 billion budget deficit. Pundits say Pawlenty can only maintain his campaign pledge of no new taxes by increasing fees. The governor maintains fees are different from taxes because they charged only to those who seek specific state services. [Duluth News Tribune, 4/7/05] Deborah Locke: Pawlentys No-New-Taxes Pledge Simply Shifted State Costs To Local Governments. According to Deborah Locke of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Many of our legislators will carry any water that curries favor with select, powerful special interest groups. Simply recall the ludicrous No new taxes pledge taken before the 2003 budget cuts by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and many legislators that simply shifted state costs to local governments. [Deborah Locke Op-Ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/31/05] Lori Sturdevant: Pawlentys Resistance To Anything That Could Conceivably Be Called A Tax Increase Has Been Eight Years Of Almost No Action To Better Advance The States Priorities. According to columnist Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune, The upshot of Pawlentys resistance to anything that could conceivably be called a tax increase has been

eight years of almost no action to reshape the states tax code to better advance the states priorities. It appears that when Pawlenty leaves office at the end of this year, hell leave his successor plenty of unfinished tax reform business. [Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune, 3/25/10] Poll: Majority Of Minnesotans Said Pawlenty Should Abandon His No-Tax-Increase Pledge. According to the Star Tribune, While most Minnesotans say state budget cuts have had little effect on them personally, more than one-third say those cuts have hurt them. Meanwhile, a solid majority say the governor should abandon his no-tax-increase pledge and pursue a mix of spending cuts, user fees and tax increases to balance the state budget, according to the latest Minnesota Poll People with more education and higher incomes were also among the most likely to call for an end to politicians no-tax-increase promises. Among those earning $75,000 or more, 66 percent favored a combination of tax increases, users fees and budget cuts. Overall, 57 percent said the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty should rely on both tax increases and spending cuts to resolve the budget crisis, while 30 percent said they should hold to their commitment not to raise taxes More Republicans (47 percent) favored the combination approach than favored continuing opposition to tax increases (36 percent) Results are based on a Star Tribune Minnesota Poll conducted statewide by telephone Jan. 23-26 with a representative sample of 832 Minnesota adults selected at random. [Star Tribune, 2/5/05] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Has Allowed A Single Campaign Promise, No New Taxes, To Define Too Much Of His Administration. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Minnesota needs to be a global competitor, Gov. Tim Pawlenty asserted Tuesday in his third State of the State address. Thats the right goal for Minnesota, and the right aim for a governor at midterm who has allowed a single campaign promise, no new taxes, to define too much of his administration. That promise has not changed. Pawlenty apparently felt obliged to renew and defend it as he spoke to assembled legislators, state officials and representatives of the speechs hosts, the city of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic. In the Republican governors view, any increase in state taxes would undercut competitiveness - even, apparently, if the increase came in a tax that Minnesota uses less than most states do, and if it was invested in ways that produce a high rate of return for the state. Pawlentys ideologically driven thinking about taxes remains his blind spot. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/19/05] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Unclear What Pawlenty Stands For. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, After two years in office, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has made abundantly clear what hes against: tax increases. Pawlentys signature accomplishment at the midpoint of his four-year term is keeping his campaign promise not to increase state taxes, even when faced with a record $4.5 billion budget shortfall in 2003. Whats less clear is what he stands for. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/2/05] Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Shirking [His] Duty By Wrecking An Education System That Made Minnesota A Leader In Favor Of No New Taxes. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman in the Star Tribune, We have reached a four-alarm crisis in the education of this states children, and the people who should be responding to the fire - the governor, the Legislature, local political leaders - are shirking their duty. No, they are doing worse than shirking. They are wrecking an education system that made Minnesota a leader. Last Tuesday, after announcing another massive state deficit, Gov. Tim Pawlenty continued to cling to his no-new-taxes pledge he made to the Tax Evaders League (they call themselves the Taxpayers League) like a pilot clutching the stick on a plane whose wings have been shot off. Some had hoped that after two years as governor Pawlenty might have become big enough to say he wont stand idly by while the schools go down. Nope. He is standing by. Idly. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/5/04] Economist: Pawlenty Believed If One Can Only Cut Taxes Enough, Everything Will Magically Work Out In The End. According to an op-ed by economist Edward Lotterman in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, There are few issues on which Republicans are more divided than fiscal policy. The view of President George W. Bush and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty -that if one can only cut taxes enough, everything will magically work out in the end -- certainly seems to dominate right now. Tax cuts continue to be seductive to many voters. [Edward Lotterman Op-Ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/22/04]

PAWLENTY LEFT GREATER DEFICIT THAN HE INHERITED

Ten Of The 14 Twice-Yearly [Budget] Forecasts During [Pawlentys] Tenure Have Shown Deficits. According to the Associated press, Pawlenty entered office in 2003 battling a mammoth budget deficit, and will spend his final year coping with one, too. Ten of the 14 twice-yearly forecasts during his tenure have shown deficits. Lawmakers have been in deficit mode since 2007. [Associated Press, 12/2/09]

Pawlenty Expected To Leave Nearly $7 Billion To Successor. According to Minnesota Public Radio, State finance officials said Tuesday that the states budget outlook improved slightly over the past three months, but they are projecting a mammoth budget problem in the future. Democrats say the forecast is a symbol of Gov. Tim Pawlentys legacy. Pawlenty argues there are other factors at play, and whoever succeeds Pawlenty as governor could be facing an even bigger budget gap. Finance officials are projecting Minnesota will have a $5.8 billion budget deficit in the next two-year budget cycle. Factor in inflation and the problem grows to nearly $7 billion. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/3/10] Pawlenty Took Office With Projected Deficit Of $4.56 Billion. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty and the 2003 Minnesota Legislature will have to plug a state budget gap as big as the Grand Canyon. State officials on Wednesday forecast a record $4.56 billion deficit for the 2004-05 budget. Thats 14 percent of the states spending for basic services. In addition, Pawlenty will inherit a $356 million shortfall in the final six months of the current budget, which ends June 30. The state constitution requires a balanced budget by that date, so state leaders will almost certainly have to cut some programs soon. The projected deficit would be more than $5.6 billion if it had been calculated in the same way as previous forecasts. In the past, state officials included the cost of inflation in their calculations, but the last Legislature passed a law barring the use of inflation in spending forecasts. This big budget deficit is now my problem... and we intend to fix it, Pawlenty told reporters. [Duluth News-Tribune, 12/5/02]

Economist: Pawlenty Did Not Propose A Realistic Balance Budget. According to economist Edward Lotterman, in an op-ed for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Unfortunately, our current batch of elected officials refuses even to recognize that there are rocks in the political ocean. That is one conclusion drawn from recent speeches by President Bush and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The two mens political programs are remarkably similar: Both ran on platforms in which tax cutting and spending restraint was a major plan; Both have taken pledges to not increase taxes during their terms; Both repeatedly argue that any budget deficits are a result of excessive spending rather than insufficient taxation; Both argue that failures to close budget deficits are due to inaction by the legislative branch rather than any contradictions in their own taxing and spending priorities; Both have proposed significant spending increases for popular programs; Neither has identified specific cuts in significant programs to fully close deficits; And, neither has ever proposed a realistic balanced budget. [Edward Lotterman op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/20/05]

Budgeting Gimmicks
Pawlenty Relied On Band-Aids And Bag Of Tricks To Pass The Buck On Difficult State Budget Decisions. According to the Star Tribune, Starting this week at the State Capitol, a new governor and new legislative leaders will attempt to dig Minnesota out of the $6.2 billion budget hole that it faces over the next two years -- and only exceedingly difficult decisions loom. Over the past few years, as a long, punishing recession sapped the state treasury, state leaders have tried to stop the financial bleeding with an assortment of Band-Aids, from payment delays to one-time federal windfalls of cash. Now that bag of tricks is just about empty. The easy and not-so-easy cuts already have been made What weve seen is that the states economy can bounce back pretty quickly and refill its reserves, State Economist Tom Stinson said. He cautioned, however, that his assumption is built on elected leaders who are willing to balance the state budget without the payment delays or additional one-time remedies that outgoing Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the DFL-controlled Legislature have relied on. [Star Tribune, 1/5/11] Report: Minnesota Under Pawlenty Was Second Among States Relying On One-Time Budget Fixes. According to the MinnPost, Minnesota is second only to Alaska among states that relied on one-time fixes to close their budget gaps for this fiscal year, according to an update from the National Conference of State Legislatures...In Gov. Tim Pawlentys solo postsession effort to balance the budget last year, he relied on one-time solutions to close 41 percent of the states gap, mainly by delaying payments to school districts...Further, Minnesota faces a structural budget imbalance of $5.4 billion, not counting general inflation. In other words, the state has a chronic shortage of funds to meet obligations that have remained in place through several rounds of one-time fixes in which the decision makers have neither raised taxes nor formally cut the programs tied to those obligations. [MinnPost.com, 2/2/10] In 2010, Pawlentys Proposed Budget Fix Relied On One-Time Money To Balance The Budget. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty is also relying on one-time money to balance the budget. He taps roughly $50 million in special funds, grants and payment delays to help erase the deficit. DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said Pawlentys budget isnt honest. His suggestion that he can balance the budget with cuts only...I think he has not done that yet and I request that he does that because this proposal does not balance the budget with cuts. It just doesnt do it, Pogemiller

said. Pawlenty correctly predicted that DFL legislative leaders wouldnt like his plan and said they should put forward an alternative that doesnt include tax increases. Pawlenty said he would use his executive authority to balance the budget only as a last resort. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/16/10] Even Conservatives Criticized Pawlentys Budget Gimmicks. According to Politico, Neither side disputed Pawlentys near-total victory in the budget talks, though [policy fellow at the conservative Center of the American Experience in Minneapolis Peter] Nelson and other conservatives directed moderated criticism his way for engaging in traditional budget gimmickry by shifting some spending, for accounting purposes, into the next budget cycle. [Politico, 5/17/10]

2005: Pawlenty Claimed He Created $701 Million Budget Surplus, But Ignored Schools Were Owed $795 Million, Resulting In $94 Million Budget Deficit. According to City Pages, in December 2005, Pawlenty boasted that he had presided over the biggest financial turnaround in state history, after the state had $701 million more than anticipated for the upcoming 2006-07 biennium. According to the report, however, Pawlenty ignored the fact that state law requires that the money be spent on the $795 million the state owes the school districts due to the delayed payments and cost shifts required to balance to 2002-03 budget. In reality, the report noted, Minnesota owed the schools $94 million more that it would take in for the next biennium. [City Pages, 12/7/05] 2005: Pawlentys Education Funding Failed To Keep Up With Inflation, Resulting In Cut To Education. According to City Pages, In 2005, Pawlenty proposed what he said was a 2 percent increase in spending for K-12 education. However, Pawlenty did not account for inflation. Using a 2.5 percent inflation rate, the education budget adopted by Pawlenty fell $73 million short of his claimed increase. [City Pages, 1/26/05] Pawlentys Budget Raided $20 Million From The Tax Relief Account. According to legislative documents, Pawlentys 2005 budget included A one-time transfer from the Tax Relief Account adds $20 million. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature (no. 05.03), Page 79] 2004: Pawlenty Used $110 Million In Federal Funds To Fix Budget Deficit. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty planned to use about $110 million in federal funds to close a 2005 budget gap. [Associated Press, 5/20/04] Pawlenty Used $30 Million In Federal Aid Meant For Low-Income Health Care To Balance The Budget. According to the Star Tribune Pawlenty planned to use $30 million left in federal health-care money that had been destined for a state health-care fund for low-income workers. The Tribune added, the projected deficit had originally been $160 million, but last week Pawlenty cut $97 million by tapping the same pot of federal health care money and cutting his agencies spending by 3 percent. [Star Tribune, 5/18/04] Pawlentys 2004 Budget Fix Caused Higher Deficit The Following Year. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys unilateral action to balance the states budget on his own earlier this week has had an unexpected outcome: It creates an even bigger headache for the state next year. According to a nonpartisan Senate analysis, Pawlentys use of more than $100 million in federal funds to close a 2005 budget gap will blow a $44 million hole in the 2006-07 biennium. On Monday, Pawlenty had said that the move would create a $12 million shortfall in 2007, which he called manageable. On Wednesday, his press secretary, Leslie Kupchella, confirmed the higher figure of $44 million, saying the initial estimate was a miscalculation. A shortfall of $44 million - with nearly $8 million of that coming in 2006 - would supersize the projected budget gap by 10 percent. The states last economic forecast projected a $441 million gap in 2006-07, not counting inflation, which is no longer factored into the forecast. Adding inflation would bring that figure to about $1 billion. Legislators would have to deal with that problem when they reconvene in January to begin the arduous task of crafting a 2006-07 budget. [Star Tribune, 5/20/04] Pawlenty Used Shortcuts To Balance The Budget In 2002 And 2003. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Shortcuts that Pawlenty and legislators used in 2002 and 2003 to get through those deficits have mostly been exhausted. And while inflation is built into the income side of the latest revenue forecast, it is not factored into the spending side. If Pawlenty keeps his 2002 campaign promise to oppose and veto any new taxes -- and he vows that he will keep the promise -- he and lawmakers will have to dramatically slow surging growth predicted in state-paid health care to fix the deficit and find new money for any other spending increases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/28/04] Pawlenty Used Accounting Gimmicks To Balance Budget In 2003. According to Bond Buyer, Pawlentys proposed FY 2004-2005 biennium budget used accounting gimmicks to shift about $510 million in payments around as well as one-time

revenue shots that wont help the state eliminate a $1.9 billion structural imbalance -- which occurs when ongoing expenses outpace ongoing revenues. [Bond Buyer, 3/3/03] Pawlenty Plugged $4.5 Billion Deficit With Reserves, Accounting Shifts And Program. According to the Associated Press, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the DFL-led Senate dont face voters again until 2006, so only House members have to answer for the decisions of lawmakers over the last two years. That includes the 2003 budget balancing, in which reserves, accounting shifts and program cuts were used to plug a $4.5 billion deficit. [Associated Press, 10/22/04] Pawlenty Balanced Budget In 2003 By Delaying Sales Tax Refunds To Businesses. According to the Duluth NewsTribune, Pawlenty delayed $50 million worth of sales tax refunds to businesses by 90 day, to help balance the budget. [Duluth News-Tribune, 2/8/03] In 2003, Pawlenty Proposed Delaying Payments To Schools To Help Balance The Budget. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed delaying state payments of $357 million to school districts, to help balance the budget in 2003. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/03] Pawlenty Would Not Commit To Immediately Repaying Schools Funds Pawlenty Raided To Balance Budget. According to the Star Tribune, The state Finance Department projected a $701 million surplus for 2006-07, in addition to $317 million already banked from fiscal 2005, which ended in June. The report added, state finance officials said that the $701 million indeed was committed to repaying education accounting shifts and that money will start flowing back to the school districts by mid-December. Pawlenty was more equivocal, saying that repayment is a good idea and that progress needs to be made on it, but stopping short of making a commitment to immediately repay the entire amount. [Star Tribune, 12/1/05] St. Paul Pioneer Press Called Pawlentys Delayed Payments To School Districts A Gimmick. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, State law requires that the $495 million surplus from the current budget be used to build back the approximately $1 billion in a cash-flow account and a rainy-day reserve that the state had before the recession and to begin reversing one of the accounting gimmicks that legislators and Pawlenty resorted to in 2003. That gimmick delayed state payments to school districts. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/2/04]

Pawlenty Raided Tobacco Endowment To Help Balance Budget. According to the Associated Press the bill contains about $7.5 billion in state spending, but thats about $1 billion less than it would have taken to meet the predicted costs of programs for families, the disabled and the poor. The bill also absorbs the states tobacco endowment, won in a lawsuit with tobacco companies, to help fill the states $4.23 billion budget deficit. [Associated Press, 6/6/03] Former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson: Pawlenty Ignored A State Law That Required A Balanced Budget For The Two Years Beyond The Current Biennium. According to station KFGO, Former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson says the governor and legislature are ignoring a new law that requires the states budget be balanced for the two years beyond the current biennium. Carlson contends whats driving it, is incumbents who want to get re-elected. He says for the past eight to ten years, the state has postponed painful decisions to either raise taxes or cut spending, and now faces a $7 billion longterm budget deficit. [KFGO, 4/30/10] Lori Sturdevant: Pawlenty Manipulated Budget Process To Understate Deficits While Candidate For Governor. According to Lori Sturdevant, who wrote an op-ed in the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty implied Tuesday that DFLers intentionally wrote the session-ending budget bill to inflate the size of the deficit thats been left for the 2011 Legislature and his successor to close. Its not that difficult to bring it down to something more manageable, the GOP governor said on MPRs Midday program. If DFLers are honest, theyll plead guilty as charged But DFLers could also retort to the governor, Well, you started it. Fiddling with forecasts for political reasons began in earnest in 2002, when, as House GOP minority leader and a candidate for governor, Pawlenty was party to a deal to remove forecasts of inflation from state spending, but not state revenues. The result understates deficits. Pawlenty is so fond of that forecasting gimmick that he vetoed a major tax bill in 2007, denying a much-needed state aid increase to cities and counties, to keep it in force. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 5/18/10] Star Tribune: The 2006-2007 Budget Cannot Continue To Rely On One-Time Ploys To Balance The Budget. According to a Star Tribune editorial, When financial trouble comes unexpectedly, it may justify draining savings, dumping assets or delaying payments just this once. But no good household or business manager would choose to cover continuing

expenses with repeated one-time patches after the crisis has passed. No responsible legislator or governor would build the next state budget that way, either. Minnesota needs a sizable bump in state spending this year. But the temptation to use more onetime ploys to pay for that increase must be resisted Four years of seeing red in the states bottom line has already awakened Minnesota voters in the know to the importance of sound government financial management. Rest yet another budget on a foundation of one-time money, and the states already degraded Wall Street credit rating will likely slip some more. Another revenue shortfall in 2008-09 could well be forecast. More political opponents will make hay with that information, and more voters will catch on. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 4/14/05] Minnesota Association Of Professional Employees Executive Director: Little Substance To Governors Tag Lines And Gimmicks In State Budget. According to Executive director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Jim Monroe, who wrote an op-ed in the St. Cloud Times, Theres little substance to the governors tag lines and gimmicks. The governors claim in his 2005 State of the State address that well end the current budget cycle with the books balanced is a direct contradiction to his own commissioner of finance, who forecasts continued deficits into the 2008-09 biennium. This is the same administration that enjoys tossing out budget numbers that dont figure in the cost of inflation. [Jim Monroe, executive director of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 2/13/05] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Pawlenty Administration Needed To Make Wiser Fiscal Choices For Minnesota And The Era Of Gimmicks To Mask The Problems Of More Outgo Than Income Must End. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, The state economic forecast projecting a $700 million shortfall in the next two-year budget cycle reveals yet again that the Pawlenty administration and the Legislature need to make wiser fiscal choices for Minnesota. The era of gimmicks to mask the problems of more outgo than income must end. In setting state budgets, the governor proposes and the Legislature disposes. It is up to Gov. Tim Pawlenty to step up and lead as the incoming Legislature meets the challenges of a structural deficit. This is not a partisan issue. Fixing the fiscal health of the state is a Minnesota quality-of-life issue. The solutions must come from putting all the options of taxation and spending priorities on the table, using honest numbers and seeking middle ground that fills the chasm of high partisanship that doomed the last Legislature and contorted the one before that. A useful point of entry into genuine budgeting is to change the law that largely excludes accounting for inflation in state expenditures. If this tool were to be given back to the public finance professionals, the hole in the bucket for fiscal 2006-07 would be twice as large, Finance Commissioner Peggy Ingison said Wednesday in a briefing at the Capitol Minnesotas fiscal challenges of balancing the budget are manageable. In the context of $30.1 billion in projected expenditures if current law were to stay in effect, a shortfall of $1.4 billion is substantial but not catastrophic. But fixing the structural causes is essential in next years legislative session. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/2/04]

IGNORED GOVERNMENT SPENDING INFLATION IN BUDGETING

Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Budget Gimmicks In 2002 Lead To Confusion For 2008-2009 Budget Cycle. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Some of the grief that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is getting from fellow Republicans over his 2008-09 budget goes like this: How come hes proposing a measly $227 million in tax relief to individuals when theres a $2.2 billion surplus? Pawlenty set himself up for that. In 2002, as House majority leader, he was party to a deficit-concealment deal that took inflation out of forecasts of state expenditures, but not revenues. Voila! About a billion dollars of red ink disappeared from forecasts - but not from reality. Increases in the cost of labor, health care, heating, transportation and materials could not be legislated away. If they had been tallied last fall, todays surplus would be closer to $1 billion - all of it one-time money. Pawlenty is now experiencing the fallout that false expectations bring. Yet he refuses to put inflation back on the spending side of forecast ledgersThe wild fiscal roller-coaster that Minnesota has been on in this decade should have the governor and Legislature looking for a way to smooth out the ride. Accurately seeing whats ahead is essential to that effort. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/25/07] Minnesota Under Pawlenty Violated Widely Prevailing Budget Practice Of Including Estimates Of Inflation In Spending Forecasts. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Most state governments do it. So do most businesses. But not Minnesotas state government. It is the widely prevailing budget practice of including estimates of inflation in spending forecasts. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Governor Ventura Finance Commissioner: Pawlenty Removed Inflation From Budget Projections Because It Suited Him Politically. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, So how did [disregarding state expenditure inflation] come about? [Former state finance commissioner] Wheelock blames the shift on politics. In 2002, Ventura proposed a tough budget that included tax increases and spending cuts. At that time, the majority leaders of the State Senate (Roger

Moe for the DFL) and the House of Representatives (Tim Pawlenty for the Republicans) were both getting set to run for governor. Moe leaned toward more spending, while Pawlenty tilted to tax cuts. Thus, Wheelock argues, the rosier scenario created by dropping inflation from the spending forecast suited both of them in different ways. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Minnesota Council Of Economic Advisors Member: Minnesota Was A Laughing Stock Around The Country For Budget Gimmicks Under Pawlenty. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Paul Anton, who is a member of the states Council of Economic Advisers, remains a critic of the states official exclusion of inflation from spending forecasts. Its seriously misleading, says Anton, chief economist for the research unit of St. Pauls Wilder Foundation. Were a laughingstock around the country for doing this. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Chief Economist For Ameriprise Financial Said Leaving Inflation Out Of Spending Estimates Is A Bad Practice. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Other economists on the council also want the Legislature to go back to the old way of doing things. Council member Dan Laufenberg, chief economist for Ameriprise Financial in Minneapolis, says leaving inflation out of spending estimates is a bad practice. Generally, he says, businesses regard such estimates as standard operating procedure, a matter of truth in accounting. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Tax Policy Center Public Finance Economist: Pretty Rare For States To Not Include Inflation Expectations, And Disappointing That Minnesota Does. According to St. Paul Pioneer Press, From a public policy perspective, national experts who track state budget practices concur. Its pretty rare for a state government to put into law a requirement that inflation not be part of a budget forecast, says Kim Rueben, a public finance economist at Tax Policy Center in Washington, D.C. It sounds unrealistic. Rueben was surprised to hear that Minnesota, typically a leader in sound budget practices, made such a move. Its disappointing, she says. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Governor Ventura Finance Commissioner Said Pawlentys Budget Gimmick Paints An Overly Optimistic Picture And Was Inconsistent With The Other Side Of The Budget OutlookTaxes And Fees. According to St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pam Wheelock also questions the change in the law. Wheelock, who was the states finance commissioner during the administration of former Gov. Jesse Ventura, says failing to include inflation estimates in forecasts paints an overly optimistic picture of the budget outlook. She adds that the practice is inconsistent with the other side of the budget outlook: the forecast for revenues from taxes and fees. Generally, that projection includes built-in assumptions for inflation. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06]

Revenue Commissioner Peggy Ingison, Which Pawlenty Appointed, Said The Budget Forecast Would Be A Lot More Realistic If It Accounted For Inflation. According to the Pioneer Press, Revenue Commissioner Peggy Ingison said the forecast would be a lot more realistic and would prod policy makers to make tough budget choices if it included expected inflation in spending. Pawlenty, who appointed Ingison and voted in 2002 to take inflation out of the forecast, said Wednesday that he supports referring to inflation in the forecast, perhaps in a footnote. He said he opposes directly including inflation in spending estimates. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/2/04]

Use Of Unallotment
PAWLENTY UNILATERALLY CUT MINNESOTAS BUDGET THROUGH LINEITEM VETOES AND UNALLOTMENT
Pawlentys Frequent Use Of Unallotment Powers Were Unprecedented. According to station WCCO, A 1939 statute allows the top finance official, Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson, to undo or delay payments during a deficit [known as unallotment], with the governors approval. Its the third time Pawlenty has invoked the power, which had been used only three times before him. [WCCO, 6/19/09] Pawlentys Unallotments Were 10 Times More Than Any Previous Governor.. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Express, Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to exercise a little-used gubernatorial power to unilaterally slash state spending by $2.7 billion to balance Minnesotas budget for the next two years. That amount is 10 times more than any previous governor has cut without the Legislatures approval and represents a vast expansion of the executive branchs power over the states purse strings. But Pawlenty doesnt think it will be a particularly historic moment. [St. Paul Pioneer Express, 6/24/09]

PAWLENTYS UNALLOTMENT CUTS HURT MINNESOTANS

Walter Mondale Said Pawlentys Use Of Unallotment Was An Abuse Of Power Similar To Nixons Impoundments. According to Walter Mondale and longtime aide David Lillehaug, in an op-ed for the Star Tribune, The idea of separation of powers is at the very heart of our system of government. Unlike its federal counterpart, the Minnesota Constitution expressly provides for a division of powers with three distinct departments, none of which shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others. Gov. Tim Pawlentys massive unallotment of $2.7 billion appropriated in bills passed by the Legislature and signed by him only days before is an historic threat to the separation of powers. Weve seen this movie before; it reminds us of President Richard Nixons massive impoundments in the 1970s. Mondale and Lillegaug added, Pawlentys unallotments are similar to Nixons impoundments, in at least three respects. First, they are a radical expansion of previous practice. No other Minnesota governor has used unallotment so frequently, and the most recent unallotments dwarf any other by a factor of 10. Second, no other governor has used unallotment at the very beginning of the two-year budget cycle, thereby ruling out compromise in a special session. Third, and most troubling, the governor has used unallotment virtually to make his own laws. [Walter Mondale and David Lillehaug Op-ed, Star Tribune, 11/29/09] Lions Share Of 4.9 Percent Property Tax Increase In Hennepin County Covered Pawlentys Cuts To Health Care Program For The Poor. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, This year, Pawlenty eliminated 15 months of funding for the states health care program for the poorest adults. But the costs arent going away. Taxpayers learned this week that the lions share of a 4.9 percent property tax increase projected for Hennepin County in 2010 will cover the county cost increase that the elimination of the state program is expected to cause. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 9/11/09] Pawlenty State Budget Director: Pawlentys Unilateral Budget Costs Jeopardized Over 14,000 Jobs. According to the Associated Press, [Pawlentys] plan to trim about $2.7 billion from the state budget will cost Minnesota a few thousand jobs and possibly more, his aides told lawmakers. The article continued. Pawlentys state budget director estimated at least 3,155 public and private jobs would be lost, and that could increase to 11,000 if school and other spending delayed until the next budget cycle never comes through [Associated Press, 6/18/09] Pawlentys Budget Director Said Unallotments Would Cost 3,000 Jobs And Increase Property Taxes By As Much As $228 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys state budget director told lawmakers, The [budget] cuts likely will trigger the loss of at least 3,000 jobs and could cause property taxes to rise by as much as $228 million over the next two years. [Star Tribune, 6/18/09] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Cuts Could Hurt Crime Prevention, Health Care, And Jobs. According to the Star Tribune, cities say [Pawlentys budget cuts] will force them to pull cops off the streets and hospitals say will force them to cut vital programs and thousands of jobs. [Star Tribune, 5/19/09] The Forum: Pawlentys Unallotments Threatened To Increase College Tuition, Cut Human Services When They Were Needed Most And Lead To Tax Increases. According to an editorial in The Forum, Slashing higher education by $50 million in the second year of the biennium likely will result in higher tuition at a time when the demand for a college education is up in part because of the soft economyIn human services, the governors message rings hollow. He said: Families are battling their way through this prolonged economic downturn by re-examining their budgets, cutting expenses, and tightening their belts. State government must do the same. But its precisely because of the recession that families in crisis need more access to human servicesRegarding local government aid, it appears Moorhead and Clay County will not be hit as hard as expected. Nonetheless, the reductions are significant and could result in diminishment of services or tax increases, or a combination of both. [Editorial, The Forum, 6/18/09]

ACCUSED OF PLAYING POLITICS WITH UNILATERAL BUDGET CUTS

Austin Daily Herald: Because Of Presidential Bid, Pawlenty Was Cowtowing To His Political Base Rather Than Doing Whats Right For Minnesota. According to an editorial in the Austin Daily Herald read, Considering the circumstances, the proposal by the Minnesota Legislature to increase the tax rate for the highest income earners to help erase a $3 billion budget deficit sounds reasonable. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, however, is almost sure to veto it, and his most ardent supporters in the Legislature will ensure the bill will not be overridden, which likely will result in a state government shutdown,

a special session, and more gridlock. We think Pawlentys unwillingness to compromise will be to the detriment of state residents. Under the proposal, married couples filing jointly with taxable income above $200,000 would pay a new tax rate of 9.15 on income over that amount. The current rate is 7.85 percent. Single filers with a taxable income above $113,000 also would pay a higher rate. Pawlenty would suggest that he is acting in the interest of state residents by vetoing any and all tax increases. Yet, when Minnesotans elected a DFL majority in the House and Senate two years ago, they did so knowing that most DFL legislators believe that, tax increases should be a part of balancing a budget deficit, and not simply spending cuts. Pawlenty, who clearly has aspirations beyond the governors office, clearly seems more interested in cowtowing to his political base than in doing whats right for Minnesota. And were all going to suffer for it. [Austin Daily Herald Editorial, 5/11/10] Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Seems To Be Relishing The Opportunity To Make His Bones With The Extreme Right By Demonizing, Once Again, The Poor. According to an editorial by Nick Coleman in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty, who behaves like a strangely chipper chopper as he approaches the self-appointed task of cutting $1 billion or more from the budget, seems to be relishing the opportunity to make his bones with the extreme right by demonizing, once again, the poor...[Nick Coleman, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/31/09] St. Cloud Times: Governor Failed To Do No.1 Job And Pass Balanced Budget. According to an editorial in the St. Cloud Times, They as in the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty failed. The most important job of this legislative session was to pass a balanced state budget for the next two years without going into special session. And if you have not heard by now, they as in the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty failed...Instead, a governor who claims to want government to live within its means says he will ultimately cut state spending to balance the state budget. But if he wont be straightforward, we will. His idea of cutting government to live within its means is, at best, misleading That is not living within your fiscal means. It is passing the buck something hes become very adroit at in setting three different state budgets. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 5/20/09] Timberjay: Pawlentys Unallotments Were A Breathtaking Power Grab By A Radical Ideologue Who Puts His Own Political Ambition Ahead Of The People. According to a Timberjay editorial, Pawlentys unilateral budget cuts were a breathtaking power grab by a radical ideologue who puts his own political ambitions ahead of the people of the state he purports to serve. [Editorial, Timberjay Newspapers, 5/22/09] Fargo Forum: Pawlenty Made A Bad Situation Worse With His Unallotments. According to a Fargo-Morehead Forum editorial, The red ink is deep and expected to get deeper. The consequences to public schools, cities, counties and basic functions of state government will be severe. Reductions already done because of Gov. Tim Pawlentys unallotments, and shortfalls in legislative appropriations, will feel like a walk in the park compared to the next round of cutsBut the test will be if the governor and legislative leaders can accomplish a difficult task in what is shaping up to be a knock-down, dragout election season. The outcome of the last go-round the governors post-session budget-balancing unallotments made a bad situation worse. Pawlentys cuts are being challenged in the courts. Surely the job can get done next year without resorting to such divisive measures and, we trust without a lutefisk tax. [Editorial, Fargo-Moorhead Forum, 12/6/09] Minnesota Supreme Court Ruled That Unallotments Exceeded Pawlenty Governors Executive Authority. According to the Twin Cities Business Journal, Gov. Tim Pawlentys unilateral budget unallotments exceeded the executive branchs authority, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in a closely split decision issued Wednesday. Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, writing for the majority, wrote that state law does not allow unallotment to address a state budget deficit that the governor and Legislature are unable to resolve. The unallotment statute provides the executive branch with authority to address an unanticipated deficit that arises after the legislative and executive branches have enacted a balanced budget, Magnuson wrote in the 47-page opinion. The statute does not shift to the executive branch a broad budget-making authority allowing the executive branch to address a deficit that remains after a legislative session because the legislative and executive branches have not resolved their differences. [Twin Cities Business Journal, 5/5/10] Pawlentys Illegal Use Of Unallotment Could Increase Minnesotas Budget Deficit. According to My Fox 9, The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled Gov. Tim Pawlenty exceeded his authority when he cut $2.7 billion from the state budget. Wednesdays ruling means Pawlenty and state lawmakers will see the current state budget deficit grow, perhaps to $3.7 billion. [My Fox 9, 5/5/10]

Even After Being Rebuked By The Minnesota Supreme Court, Pawlenty Refused To Consider Raising Taxes And Asked The Legislature To Approve His Cuts. According to the Wall Street Journal, In a statement Wednesday, the governor said he strongly disagreed with the courts decision on his unallotment powers. But he said his office and the legislature would have to grapple with the impact on the budget. The funds do not exist to reinstate my unallotments, and the

state budget needs to be balanced without raising taxes, he said. He urged lawmakers to ratify the unallotments now. [Wall Street Journal, 5/6/10] Pawlenty Said He Would Not Rescind Unallotments After Supreme Court Ruled Them Unconstitutional. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The solution here is not to raise taxes in a state thats already too highly taxed, Pawlenty said. The solution here is not to increase spending at a time when governments are spending too much. ... We need to solve this problem by tightening our belts. The Pioneer Press added, Pawlenty said he would not rescind his unallotments because the state doesnt have the money to cover the programs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/5/10]

St. Paul Mayor: The Supreme Court Has Rightly Rejected The Governors Go-It-Alone Strategy That Has Marked His Eight Years In Office. While That Approach May Have Served His Presidential Ambitions, It Has Not Served The People Of Our State. According to an editorial in the Echo Press, The courts decision, however, restores the checksand-balances system that has served the state well over the years. Giving a governor the unbridled authority to cut anything he sees fit, especially when the very same governor refuses to participate in a legislative compromise, would dangerously swing the pendulum of power to just one person. There isnt even a way to override such authority. Why would the Legislature even bother trying to balance a budget if it knew the governor could simply unallot everything it decided? St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman summed up the decision nicely: The Supreme Court has rightly rejected the governors go-it-alone strategy that has marked his eight years in office. While that approach may have served his presidential ambitions, it has not served the people of our state. [Echo Press Editorial, 5/7/10] Op-Ed: Pawlenty Accusation That Minnesota Court Was Activist Was Ridiculous Because He Appointed The Chief Justice Who Wrote The Opinion. According to an op-ed by Dan Cain in the Star Tribune, I always considered George W. Bush the Ken Norton of politics. Once he made a decision, he was going to stick with it through thick and thin. Despite good intentions, his inability to reassess and adapt was probably at the root of why he left office with such a low approval rating. Think Iraq. Now we have a pugilistic governor who just took one on the jaw. I am speaking of the Supreme Court decision to overturn his unilateral budgeting gaff of last year. Early indications are that hasnt changed his game plan. Pawlenty and his supporters continue with the ridiculous rhetoric of activist judges in spite of the fact that each of those voting in the majority was appointed by a Republican governor, with the final decision written by the Chief Justice Pawlenty himself appointed. The my way or the highway attitude seems to still be in place, as evidenced by his remarks yesterday. There is a school of thought that places great importance on developing a plan and sticking to it, regardless of the consequences. In that same school, there is even a premium placed on doubling down, upping the ante when dealt a setback. On the other hand, there are those who have defined insanity as doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different outcomes. Whether Pawlenty proves to be a Norton or an Ali remains to be seen. The quality of life in our State, and Pawlentys legacy, may well hang in the balance. [Dan Cain op-ed, Star Tribune, 5/6/10] Nick Coleman: Pawlentys Criticism Of The Minnesota Supreme Courts Unallotment Ruling Reveals That He Isnt, After All, A Fan Of Constitutions. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman in the Star Tribune, The puzzling thing is the disconnect between the governors lip service to constitutionalism while he thumbs his nose at the procedures of government meant to produce agreements about governing the state. Pawlenty has taken of late to referring to himself as a constitutional conservative (as opposed to unconstitutional ones, I suppose) and made common cause with Glenn Beck in denouncing anything they dont like as outside the Constitution. But when the court rejects political decisions to ignore the legislative branch and assert a dubious claim to act on his own without first reaching agreement with elected officials who represent far more of the publics opinion than his puny pluralities of 2002 and 2006, Pawlenty reveals that he isnt, after all, a fan of constitutions. The court decision was received disdainfully by a displeased governor. He disagreed with the majority, he said, as if it mattered. He liked the minority view better. He didnt apologize for wasting a year of the states time in dealing with the deficits by refusing to participate in bipartisan efforts and using unilateral methods now rejected by the court. He told the Legislature that his bad behavior was its problem, and that lawmakers should now shoulder the burden by simply endorsing the draconian budget-cutting he did last summer, the imperial stuff now in question. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 5/8/10]

FAVORED GOVERNMENT SHUT-DOWN AFTER SUPREME COURT BLOCKED HIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ALLOTMENTS
In Wake Of Supreme Court Ruling, Pawlenty Issued An Executive Order Taking Steps Towards Government Shut Down. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered state agencies on Friday to take an inventory of their

programs and identify discretionary payments that can be put off in case of a cash crunch after a court ruling threw budget negotiations into turmoil. Pawlenty eased off talk of a partial government shutdown after an emergency meeting of executive branch leaders. The Republican governor said his administration is merely planning for what he had described earlier as an imminent and severe cash flow crisis. The description was included in an executive order that instructed cabinet members to assess core functions pertaining to life, health and safety of Minnesota citizens. He didnt give a deadline for the spending inventory but said he told commissioners to make it a priority. [Associated Press, 5/7/10] Drew Falkenstein: Pawlentys Threat To Shut Down Parts Of Government To Save Money Could Cost Millions Of Dollars In Medical Costs, Many Illnesses, And Maybe Even Worse Due To Shutting Down Illness Detection Unit. According to an opinion piece by Drew Falkenstein in the Food Safety News, Last week, in the wake of the State Supreme Courts ruling in Brayton et al. v. Pawlenty et al., Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty issued Executive Order 10-07, which seeks to prioritize core government functions in anticipation of shutting down non-core government functions to save money for the states significant budget deficits. The detection of communicable diseases like E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter falls within the duties of the nations most dynamic and competent illness detection unit: Team Diarrhea, which operates within the purview of the Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture--both non-core government agencies. This critical group of illness sleuths, in conjunction with the states public health lab, are not only involved in, but are instrumental to, the detection of many outbreaks of not only state, but also national scope. Thus, in the wake of endless food poisoning outbreaks and recalls, the price of Governor Pawlentys anticipated shutdown of any aspect of Minnesotas public health machine may be millions of dollars in medical costs, many illnesses, and maybe even worse [Drew Falkenstein op-ed, Food Safety News, 5/11/10]

UNILATERAL BUDGET CUTS TO FOOD PROGRAM FOR THE POOR AND ELDERLY WERE RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Ramsey County District Court: Pawlenty Crossed The Line And Interfered With Legislative Powers When He Cut Aid To Elderly And Disabled People On Fixed Incomes With Special Dietary Needs. According to the Associated Press, A Minnesota judge ruled Wednesday that Gov. Tim Pawlenty crossed the line when he cut billions from the state budget on his own, ordering his administration to restore money to a food program for the poor. The ruling from Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin only deals directly with a small slice of $2.7 billion in cuts the Republican governor announced this summer. But her accompanying explanation criticizes his strategy to slice the budget without input from the Legislature. Pawlenty was using an executive authority known as unallotment. Gearin wrote that Pawlenty crossed the line between legitimate exercise of his authority to unallot and interference with the legislative power to make laws. The judge added that the power is reserved for an unforeseen budget crisis and is not meant to be used as a weapon by the executive branch to break a stalemate in budget negotiations with the legislature. Pawlentys administration was ordered to reinstate funding for the Minnesota Supplemental Aid Special Diet program going back to Nov. 1 and continue it until further court notice. Another hearing is scheduled for March 1. The program supplies cash grants to elderly and disabled people on fixed incomes to help them with special dietary needs stemming from other health concerns. It was estimated to cost the state $5.3 million, according to court documentsPawlenty issued a one-paragraph statement after the ruling. We are disappointed in the judges decision, Pawlenty said. We are weighing all of our options including appeal, re-establishing unallotments under the current forecast, potential legislative action, and other options. [Associated Press, 12/30/09] Pawlenty Criticized Judge Who Ruled Against Allotments For Inserting Herself Into A Political Dispute. According to the Associated Press, A court ruling that threw a lifeline to some Minnesota residents hit by Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget cuts brought limited hope Thursday to others who saw their state payments slashed. Meanwhile, Pawlenty began preparing an appeal of Wednesdays decision reinstating a food program for the poor. The ruling cast doubt on all $2.7 billion in cuts and payment deferrals Pawlenty made last summer using an executive power known as unallotment. The Ramsey County judges order saying the Republican governor abused the authority was read by some as an invitation for additional court challenges. But there probably wont be a rush to the courthouse because Pawlenty holds a trump card. A recent economic forecast predicting a $1.2 billion deficit would enable Pawlenty to enact new cuts an option he kept on the table Thursday. There is not a circumstance where all of this money gets simply reinstated, he saidAt a news conference Thursday, Pawlenty said he believes he was on solid ground. The judge has inserted herself into a political dispute and one of the long-term dangers of that type of action is to have future state budget debates and discussions be run out of a courtroom instead of out of a legislative process, Pawlenty said. We believe that judge misinterpreted and misapplied the statute in significant ways. Pawlenty said he will have his lawyers move quickly on the

appeal, but he wouldnt say if hell try to take the matter directly to the state Supreme Court. [Associated Press, 12/31/09] Sturdevant: Pawlentys Unilateral Budget Cuts Represented A Considerable Enlargement Of Executive Branch Power Over The Public Purse. According to Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune, Pawlenty employed unallotment authority in an unprecedented way -- at the beginning of a budget cycle, as part of the budget-setting process, rather than as a mid-cycle correction, as previous governors have done. If his action passes legal muster, it will represent a considerable enlargement of executive branch power over the public purse, and diminution of the legislative branchs authority. Its a situation thats ripe for review by the states judicial branch, and ultimately by the Minnesota Supreme Court. [Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune, 12/31/09] Bemidji Pioneer: The Executive Branch Clearly Overstepped Its Bounds To Unilaterally Impose A Budget Of Its Liking. According to an editorial in the Bemidji Pioneer, The governors unallotment authority in state law comes usually near the end of a budget cycle when revenues fall short, created a financial crisis that must have him cut spending to balance the budget. But the lawsuit alleges that the governor created that situation himself by not signing the revenue bills passed by the LegislatureWhile the temporary restraining order may be narrowly interpreted to affect only the supplemental special diet program, it could open the floodgates to further legal action to prevent a governor from ever taking such action again. And that would be a good thing. We have three separate but equal branches of government, and in this case, the executive branch clearly overstepped its bounds to unilaterally impose a budget of its liking. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 12/31/09] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Un allotments were Unprecedented Use Of Gubernatorial Power And Exceeded His Authority When He Chose To Make Unilateral Cuts Rather Than Pursue A Negotiated Budget Agreement With The Dfl-Controlled Legislature. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys $2.7 billion solo budget-balancing act last summer was an unprecedented use of the gubernatorial power known as unallotment Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin served notice that it may also have been unconstitutional. Her argument may not hold up on appeal. But it matches this newspapers view that the Republican governor exceeded his authority when he chose to make unilateral cuts rather than pursue a negotiated budget agreement with the DFL-controlled LegislatureGearins order speaks of the institutional competency possessed by the other two branches of government to break the present budgetary deadlocks. In the last decade, Minnesotans have seen too little evidence of that competency. What theyve seen instead are politicians clinging fiercely to their own disparate ideas about whats best for Minnesota. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/4/10] Winona Daily News Said Pawlenty Was Averse To Compromise And Derelict In His Duties When He Wouldnt Sit Down With Legislative Leaders To Hammer Out A Compromise. According to an editorial in the Winoma Daily News, a judge ruled Gov. Tim Pawlenty had overstepped his authority when he unalloted budget items in order to keep the state financially afloatThe problem seems to be one of leadership - the DFL, especially in the House, was outmaneuvered when it sent the budget bills to Pawlenty. Only a judicial technicality seems to be stopping Pawlenty from doing what he had to do - balance the budget. While we find fault with many of the decisions Pawlenty made as he cut his way to a balanced budget, he was, after all, doing what the Legislature wouldnt doMinnesotans have had awful leadership from both parties - a governor who has been averse to compromise and a Legislature that cant say no. So we have to demand better from both parties. When the Legislature convenes soon, Pawlenty would be well served to stop his galavanting across the nation and do the job he was elected to do - sit down with legislative leaders and compromise. Thats not just our suggestion: It was part of the judges ruling. A close look at the ruling says that what may have made Pawlentys unallotment illegal was that he used it at the end of the session - when there was no choice. In other words, the judge is all but saying Pawlenty was derelict in his duties when he wouldnt sit down with legislative leaders to hammer out a compromise. [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 1/5/10] Hospitals, Cities, Schools And Social Agencies Feared Reprisal From Pawlenty Administration If They Joined Law Suit Seeking To Stop Unilateral Budget Cuts. According to the Star Tribune, Hospitals, cities, schools and social agencies all have a stake in the outcome of a legal fight over Gov. Tim Pawlentys power to cut their budgets. But whether they join the battle depends on a variety of considerations, including one intangible: fear of reprisal. Organizations and government agencies that depend on state money are mindful that they could win a court battle over Pawlentys unconventional budget cuts, but suffer more conventional cuts by the governor laterPawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said Wednesday that there would be no such retaliation. If we cut anybodys budget or funding, it wont

be in retaliation for a lawsuit, McClung said. It will be because Governor Pawlenty is fighting to force government to live within its means. [Star Tribune, 1/6/10]

2010 Budget
$600 MILLION LOAN
Pawlentys Administration Borrowed $1.2 Billion, Including $600 Million In Loans From A Bank And From The State College Fund, And Left Next Governor To Pay For Them. According to MinnPost.com, State Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson today confirmed a $1.2 billion state borrowing and deferral plan one that Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller characterized as the current governor leaving the next governor with unpaid IOUs. Hanson told a joint House-Senate committee that the Pawlenty administration needs to borrow about $700 million from various state funds including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and defer another $500 million or so in payments to K-12 schools, the University of Minnesota and corporate refunds to keep the states budget cash flowing Commissioner Hanson also told the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy today that the state has arranged for a $600 million line of credit from U.S. Bank for any short-term borrowing that may be needed next year ... when a new governor is in office. Hanson told the committee that New York bond houses are aware of the unusual short-term borrowing mechanism, and he doesnt believe it will adversely affect the states bond rating. The payment deferrals are known as administrative actions. Many were previewed in hearings in July. They have been common mechanisms to aid budget shortfalls. Short-term borrowing is less common Come spring, according to projections presented to the commission, the state will likely need to borrow money short-term to meet its obligations. [MinnPost.com, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Said Budget Situation Not Ideal But Its Not That Big A Deal While Administration Took Steps To Delay Payments To Schools And Taxpayers Refunds To Meet Obligations. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty downplayed the likelihood that Minnesota would need to borrow money to pay its bills, even as his administration prepares to do just that. Pawlenty, a likely Republican presidential candidate, told The Associated Press today that he doesnt think the state will need to tap a line of credit officials are setting up to deal with a cash crunch. Projections show cash levels dipping below a minimum $400 million cushion as soon as December and thats after his administration juggles business tax refunds and payments to schools and the University of Minnesota to cover state obligations. The cash flow situation, while not insignificant, is simply a temporary cash flow issue, Pawlenty said from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport before departing on a trade mission to China and Japan. Its not ideal but its not that big a deal and its manageable, he said. [Associated Press, 9/9/10] Pawlentys $600 Million Line Of Credit Will Cost The State Nearly $1.6 Million Even If Its Never Used. According to the Associated Press, The line of credit Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration set up to keep Minnesota from running short of cash will cost the state nearly $1.6 million even if its never used, documents obtained by The Associated Press show. State leaders signed off last week on the $600 million line from four lenders led by Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank. Finance officials say its a necessary protection as Minnesotas cash sinks to worrisome lows. The credit line could wind up costing more if the state has to borrow any or all of the money, but finance officials wouldnt offer any estimate of how much. Similar to a home equity loan, a credit lines full cost depends on how much is borrowed and what interest rates are when its tapped. Details of the states arrangement had been kept confidential, but AP obtained legal documents, charts and other correspondence related to the deal through a public records request The state already has paid the banks $635,000 to set up the fund and will face $937,000 in fees if it doesnt use the money before the contract expires next summer. The state also expects to pay roughly $100,000 to a finance consultant who helped vet proposals for the credit line. Minnesota hasnt resorted to short-term borrowing since 1984. While it has a balanced budget now and is expected to end the next fiscal year with a positive balance the state doesnt always collect and spend dollars at the same rate. The goal is to keep the general treasurys daily balance above $400 million, but Minnesota officials expect it to start slipping below that in late October. By mid-December, the states checking account will be at just $109 million Under the Minnesota contract, any debt must be repaid by the end of June. Hanson and his staff raised the possibility the credit line could be terminated early if things look up. [Associated Press, 10/1/10] Pawlenty Used Minnesotas Taxing Authority As Collateral For Bank Loan, Meaning That In A Worst-Case Scenario The State Would Have To Raise Property Taxes To Make Good On What It Owes. According to the Associated Press, Among the credit line documents was a covenant signed by Pawlenty pledging Minnesotas taxing

authority as collateral, meaning that in a worst-case scenario the state would have to raise property taxes to make good on what it owes. [Associated Press, 10/1/10] Pawlenty Said Its Not A Huge Deal Either Way If The State Decides To Use $600 Million Line Of Credit Because Theres Always Some Up And Down On The States Cash Flow. According to the Associated Press, A credit line is viewed as a less damaging option for the state than if it would sell bonds to raise money. Minnesota has a nearperfect credit rating, which would undoubtedly suffer if it sold bonds instead. Pawlenty said he instructed his budget department to take out the credit line because of a volatile cash-flow situation. Its not a huge deal either way because well have a surplus at the end of the biennium and thats the main thing, Pawlenty said. Theres always some up and down on the states cash flow. [Associated Press, 7/12/10] Some Senior Lawmakers Accused Pawlenty Of Papering Over Acute Money Problems And Leaving The Republican Governors Successor With A Fiscal Mess. According to the Associated Press, Both budget steps were described to a panel of senior lawmakers, some of whom accused Pawlenty of papering over acute money problems and leaving the Republican governors successor with a fiscal mess upon taking office in January. This chart clearly shows the states being driven off the cliff, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said to Hanson, pointing to a spreadsheet showing a steady slide in available money. This is not an argument about whether the governor won or lost the legislative session, Pogemiller added. His budget has survived, and its not pretty. [Associated Press, 7/12/10] Former GOP Governor: 40% Of Deficit Was Due To Governors Postponement Of Payments, And Left A Huge Deficit Problem To The Next Governor. According to former GOP Governor Arne Carlson, who wrote to Tony Sutton, chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, If I may, allow me to suggest the followingTruly commit to the requirement of a balanced budget without permitting todays expenditures to be paid for with tomorrows revenues. Sadly, this has not been the case for the past eight years. For instance, in this recent legislative session, the $3 billion deficit was dealt with by pushing off $2 billion of payments to the next fiscal year. Surprisingly, there was not a single bill submitted by Governor Pawlenty or Republican legislators that reduced the costs of government by $3 billion or even suggested a mix of cuts and modest revenue increases that eliminated the deficit. Like prior budgets, the aim was to simply push the problem to the future. In this context, it should be noted that while much of the impending $5-$7 billion deficit is due to the downturn in the economy, at least 40 percent of the red ink spills from the Governors postponements of payments. In other words, failure to properly balance the budget in healthy years (2002-2007) has led to a huge deficit problem that will be inherited by the next Governor and legislature. These concerns are not mine alone. You will recall that Governor Pawlentys budgets have already cost Minnesota a downgrading from our AAA bond rating and recently another Wall Street warning was issued relative to concerns with the states financial management. That is not acceptable. [Arne Carlson open letter, MinnPost.com, 7/14/10]

DECEMBER 2009: MINNESOTA FACED A $1.2 BILLION DEFICIT

2009: Minnesota Faced A $1.2 Billion Deficit Which Could Result In Fewer Police Officers, Higher Local Taxes And Higher Tuition. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota faces a $1.2 billion deficit over the next 18 months that Gov. Tim Pawlenty characterizes as significant but solvable. Pawlenty said he plans to plug the hole in the state budget with spending cuts, not tax increases. Minnesota needs to live within its available resources, he said Wednesday at a Capitol news conference. The deficit, projected in a new economic forecast, represents 3.7 percent of the states two-year, $31 billion budget. Pawlenty didnt say what he would cut, but likely targets are state aid to cities and counties, funding for state colleges and universities, health and human services programs, and state agency budgets. Those cuts could result in fewer police officers, higher local taxes and higher tuition. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/3/09]

PAWLENTY PROPOSED CUTTING EVEN MORE FROM STATE PROGRAMS

Pawlenty Signed A Budget Bill That Included $312 Million In Cuts Including Aid To Local Governments, Public Colleges, Farm Programs And Prison Operation. According to the Associated Press, Thursday, Pawlenty made good on a promise to sign a plan cutting Minnesotas projected $1 billion budget deficit by one third. The bill slices $312 million in spending across an array of categories, including aid to local governments, public colleges, farm programs and prison operation. The biggest chunk comes from aid to cities and counties, which would fall by about $100 million. [Associated Press, 4/1/10]

Pawlenty Admitted His Budget Would Result In Layoffs. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty Monday acknowledged there will be layoffs if his budget passed. You cant insulate government from layoffs, he said. He didnt give an exact number of layoffs but his budget documents, and reactions from state officials, begin to tell the tale. The biggest single job loss estimate came from the state judicial branch. In a reaction to Pawlentys proposed $14.7 million cut to the judicial budget, the courts estimate at least 100 positions will be lost. According to details of Pawlentys proposed budget, about 29 people will lose their jobs when a state operated health care facility closes, 5.6 jobs would disappear when the state reduces an offender education program, six jobs would be lost from corrections MinnCorps program and four jobs will disappear from human rights. The state Tax Court and Capitol Area Architecture Board both anticipate unpaid leave or reduced hours for staffers under Pawlentys budget. [Hot Dish Politics blog, Star Tribune, 2/16/10] John Aloysius Farrell: Pawlenty Decided That What America Really Needs Right Now Is Some Good OldFashioned Bashing Of The Poor And Displayed A Lack Of Class. According to John Aloysius Farrell of the U.S. News & World Report, American politics can be, as Henry Adams once wrote, the systematic organization of hatreds. It doesnt need to be. But too often, we let it become so. There was evidence of this last week, in Minnesota, where Tim Pawlenty--a governor, hoping to become the President of the United States--decided that what America really needs right now is some good old-fashioned bashing of the poor. Not welfare cheats. Not illegal immigrants. Just anyone who doesnt have a lot of money. The poor. The folks that lost their jobs, or the value of their houses, or their homes, in this great recession. Who work at fast food joints, or cleaning office buildings, or as laborers. Who maybe arent as smart as Gov. Pawlenty, or as lucky. Who are trying to keep a family together, in a lousy apartment or a crowded trailer, with one spouse gone. Who have cancer, or a kid who is sick, and dont have health insurance. Who are trying to wring a few more miles out of that third-hand Toyota pickup truck. Who think Velveeta and a bag of chips is heaven. Yeah, the poor. Those inconvenient reminders of our frailty. The ones that Jesus told us to love. The ones that Christ said were blessed. The ones on whom Gods chisel, for some mysterious purpose, slipped. Pawlenty was appearing at a rally of the crazed and selfish with Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman, two deft purveyors of the politics of grievance. Maybe he just succumbed to peer pressure. Or maybe his complaint that We now live in a country where Wall Street gets a bailout and the poor get a handout was a window to his character. Either way, Pawlenty displayed a certain poverty of spirit. An ignorance of the old verities. A lack of class. [John Aloysius Farrell Op-Ed, U.S. News & World Report, 4/13/10] Pawlentys Welfare Cuts Would Reduce Some Recipients Income By Half. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Under the governors proposal, many families who receive federal income to support a disabled child or parent would no longer be eligible for a program known as the Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP. If approved, the change would take effect in November. In Dickens case, her family receives monthly income from three sources: $437 from MFIP, $519 in Supplemental Security Income, known as SSI, for her disabled son, and $483 in food assistance. That adds up to $1,439--barely enough, she said, to support herself and her three children. The governors plan would count her sons SSI as part of the familys income. The change would make Dickens ineligible for her MFIP cash grant, reducing her monthly income by $437. She would be left with just $519 to pay for rent, clothing, tuition, and her sons medical expenses. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/30/10] Pawlentys Proposed Budget Fix Was Good News For Corporations, Bad News For The Poor And For Local Governments. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget is bad news for low-income Minnesotans who rely on state health care and for mayors already struggling to balance their own budgets, but good news for corporations paying high taxes. The plan, released Monday, would erase a $1.2 billion state deficit largely through deep cuts in aid to local governments, in funding for health and human services and with an average 6 percent across-the-board cut to state agencies, likely to result in layoffsPawlenty also proposed corporate and small-business tax cuts. The cost -- and benefit -- of those reductions wouldnt fully materialize until after he leaves office next year. [Star Tribune, 2/16/10] Bemidji Pioneer: Pawlentys Proposed Budget Would Be Devastating To Minnesota. According to an editorial in the Bemidji Pioneer, Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed supplemental budget, if adopted, would be devastating to Minnesota. Budget reductions focus on Minnesotas most vulnerable citizens and would drag down local governments and increase local property taxpayers. They added, the governor proposes to cut $250 million from state aid to cities, with $118.1 million this year on top of the $102.4 million he unallotted last summer. To Bemidji, it would mean a total loss of $1.66 million. Its $581,323 on top of cuts already budgeted by the city. No doubt the latest round will force police and firefighter layoffs, little or no street maintenance, closed days for the public library, or a combination of all. The governor also proposes $347 million in cuts to health care programs that would affect another 40,000 Minnesotans. It just seems cruel, during the Great Recession when more people depend on public assistance to survive, that the door is slammed. He also proposes $181 million in state agency cuts. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 2/17/10]

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
League Of Minnesota Cities Exec Director: Pawlentys Proposed 2010 Budget Fix, Would Lead To Increased Property Taxes And/or Decreased Services. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Local governments are big losers. Already reeling from $300 million in cuts imposed last summer, they would lose another $250 million. The new cuts are more sweeping than before, touching cities with fewer than 1,000 residents for the first time.Jim Miller, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities, predicted a dire fallout. Either property taxes go up or services get cut or a combination of the two, Miller said, warning that local governments would face no choice but to cut back on two main expenses - public safety and public works. If you dont like the condition of the streets now, its not tough to imagine that theyre going to get worse, Miller said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/15/10] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Fix Too Likely To Produce Results Pawlenty Says He Aimed To Avoid -- Tax Increases And Cuts In Public Safety. According to a Star Tribune editorial, After almost a decade of repeated fiscal shocks in St. Paul, Minnesota badly needs to stabilize its state budget and set it on a sustainable, sufficient course. Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed measures Monday that would move some distance in that direction, as they close a projected $1.2 billion gap between revenues and expenditures emerging in the two-year budget period that began last July. But Pawlenty didnt go as far as he could have and should have to correct the problem in a lasting way. And the permanent spending cuts he did propose are too likely to produce results Pawlenty says he aimed to avoid -- tax increases and cuts in public safety. His disproportionately large cuts in aid to cities and counties are bound to lead to both higher property taxes and reductions in local law enforcement and fire protection forces. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 2/16/10] Winthrop Mayor Said Weve Increased Our Taxes And Cut Our Future Due To Pawlentys Budget, Taxes Were Rasied 5% While City Workers Were Laid Off.. According to the Mankato Free Press, Winthrop is among a group of similar- size cities that are in a particular pinch when it comes to looming cuts in state aid to cities. The Sibley County town of 1,315 people is just big enough that it wasnt protected from cuts in Local Government Aid -- a fate towns under 1,000 escaped. Yet Winthrop is small enough that it doesnt have the flexibility of large cities with multimillion- dollar budgets and a massive property tax base. Weve increased our taxes and cut our future, Mayor Dave Trebelhorn said of the response to previous LGA cuts. With a general fund budget of about $1 million, Winthrop saw close to $90,000 in aid cuts between legislative reductions and cutbacks authorized by Gov. Tim Pawlenty using special unallotment powers last year, said Winthrop City Clerk Treasurer Jenny Hazelton. The city is facing another reduction in state aid of $81,000 under Pawlentys proposal to fix a $1 billion shortfall in the current state budget. City property taxes were raised 5 percent for this year. Plans to replace certain pieces of equipment were set aside. In recent years, staff has been reduced by one police officer, one parks worker and one economic development directorSmall cities will have little choice but to raise taxes even higher if LGA continues to shrink -- or is eliminated completely -- incoming years. For Winthrop, nearly half of its budget is paid for through state aid, meaning taxes would have to double to maintain service levels if LGA ceases to exist. [Mankato Free Press, 3/14/10] Pawlenty Cut $1.9 Million In State Ethanol Producer Payments. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Pawlenty cut $1.9 million in state ethanol producer payments. From his detailed budget proposal This proposal reduces the Minnesota Department of Agricultures (MDA) program and grant spending by 6.7 percent. The largest reduction is a one-time decrease in ethanol producer payments ($1.931 million), with the remainder making up reductions in grants to county fairs, livestock breeders, agricultural research and education organizations and Second Harvest Heartland. Mental health grants, farm-toschool grants, livestock investment grants and MDAs dairy development and profitability enhancement program are also reduced. [Polinaut blog, Minnesota Public Radio, 2/15/10] Pawlentys Cuts To Agriculture Research Program Troubled Leading Farmers. According to Detroit Lakes Online, Agriculture leaders are questioning some cuts Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes to balance the state budget. Especially troublesome to some is cutting the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute, a Crookston-based organization that looks for new ways to expand agriculture business through research. This program was created during the farm crisis in the 1980s, and since that time has created hundreds of jobs all across rural Minnesota, said Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, chairman of the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Committee. We worked hard to preserve these valueadded and biofuels programs last session. We need the research and development AURI provides; it helps Minnesota businesses looking to create more value for state agricultural products, and more than ever, we need the jobs. Juhnke said he

has not seen other budgets reduced by half, so wondered why the Crookston center is being treated like that. [Detroit Lakes Online, 2/16/10]

THE POOR
Pawlenty Sought To Cut Renters Refund Program By Over A Quarter, Burden Would Be Felt By Poor And Middle Class Renters. According to Jeff Van Wychen, a fellow at the non-partisan think-tank Minnesota 2020, wrote in the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Dollar for dollar, no program does more to promote tax progressivity than the renters property tax refund. Credit progressive leaders in the House and Senate for maintaining funding for this program in the face of steady pressure from Governor Pawlenty to gut it. The rental property tax is the most regressive of all property taxes, meaning that a disproportionate share of the tax falls on low and moderate-income households that have the least ability to pay. The renters refund picks up a portion of the property tax that is passed on to lower-income renters in the form of higher rent. A cut in the property tax refund is a de facto increase in the taxes passed on to these low-income Minnesotans. This is the third consecutive year that the Governor has gone after the renters refund and the third consecutive year that progressive leaders have blocked it (at least so far). The Governor is currently seeking to cut $53 million (26%) from the renters refund. The Governor argues that current law overstates the share of rent that renters pay in the form of property taxes and thereby provides refunds that are too generous. However, the Governors data does not support his conclusion. The claim that current law overstates the property tax borne by renters is based on data for all renters, including higher-income renters who do not receive the refund. No information has been submitted that indicates that current law overstates property taxes borne by those lower-income renters who actually receive the refund. Previous analysis from Minnesota 2020 has demonstrated that since 2004 funding for the renters property tax refund has not kept pace with the growth in rental property taxes, thereby making rental property taxes-which were already among the most regressive taxes in the state-even more regressive. The Governors proposed cut to the refund further accelerates the drift toward greater regressivity. [Twin Cities Daily Planet, Jeff Van Wychen op-ed, 4/1/10] Pawlentys Budget Cuts Would Eliminate The Only Source Of Income For Many Homeless Adults. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Advocates for the homeless warn that thousands of the states poorest residents could lose their only source of income under the new budget proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governors budget would eliminate General Assistance, the program that provides $203 a month in cash assistance to low-income single adults who are unable to work, and replace it with a less expensive crisis assistance program. General Assistance served about 19,000 people each month in the last fiscal year, and is the only source of income for many homeless adults. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/17/10]

JUSTICE SYSTEM
Pawlentys Budgets Cuts Would Lead To Courthouse Closing And Staff Layoffs As Well Major Wait Times For Justice. According to station KAAL-TV, Budget cuts at the capitol could mean a slowdown at your courthouse. Governor Pawlenty proposed cutting nearly $15-million from the state judicial system. Many judges say this will mean courthouse closings and layoffs, not to mention major wait times that will bog down cases for months. We used to have a lot of murders we would try within 6 months after the charge. Now its at least a year and sometimes longer, says Chief Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin. An audit released Tuesday on the states public defender system found defenders are so overworked that theyre spending limited time with clients and are having problems preparing their cases. [KAAL-TV.com, 2/17/10] Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice: Pawlentys Budget Cuts To Justice System Would Bring It Nearly To The Point Of Breaking Down. According to the Star Tribune, Speaking outside the court for the first time since he announced his resignation, Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson said Tuesday that the states justice system is strained nearly to the point of breaking downFacing nearly $15 million in proposed budget cuts, Magnuson envisions more backlogs and delays, more drug court closings, public-counter closings and delaying justice to Minnesota citizens. Magnusons two years on the bench have been marked by a constant fight for money. As the head of the states judiciary, he led an extraordinary effort to push back against cuts proposed by the man who appointed him -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty. [Star Tribune, 3/17/10] Pawlentys Proposed Budget Cut $6 Million From The Courts System At Time Caseloads Were Rising. According to the Star Tribune, Under Pawlentys recommendations, the courts, with a two-year budget of roughly $103 million in 2008-09,

would get $6 million less in the 2010-11 budget period at a time when caseloads and expenses are rising. [Star Tribune, 2/22/09] Legal Aid Would Be Cut By $1.6 Million Under Pawlentys Proposed Budget. According to Mark Cohen writing in the Minnesota Lawyer, Legal Aid funding also suffered a substantial blow in the governors budget proposal. Under the plan, Legal Aid would lose $1 million in one-time funding, plus 5 percent of its base state funding, or about another $600,000. [Mark A. Cohen, The Minnesota Lawyer, 2/2/09]

PUBLIC SAFETY
Pawlenty Cut Nearly $10 Million In [Firefighter] Training Money To Help Balance The States Budget; Firefighters Say His Actions Endanger Public Safety. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A coalition representing the states 20,000 firefighters is criticizing Gov. Pawlenty for using nearly $10 million in training money to help balance the states budget. The firefighters say the money comes from a surcharge on fire insurance policies which were created in 2006 to help improve firefighter training across the state. Isanti Fire Chief Randy Polzin said Pawlentys decision to take the money means firefighters wont be properly trained to handle emergency situations. While claiming to protect public safety, Gov. Pawlenty is doing the exact opposite, Polzin said. His actions endanger public safety. His actions endanger fire fighters by preventing them from being properly trained and equipped. Gov. Pawlenty cant have it both ways. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/18/10] Pawlentys Cuts To Local Governments Caused The City Of Brainerd To Consider Eliminating Six Full-Time Equipment Operators. According to the Brainerd Dispatch, An effort to reduce Brainerds budget in the wake of a proposed $683,000 reduction in local government aid from the state could have a drastic change in how fire services are delivered. City Administrator Dan Vogt, in a memo delivered to city staff and council members Thursday, recommended $672,500 in cuts to the citys budget. The recommended cuts, in both funds and in personnel, would affect just about every department in the city. For the Brainerd Fire Department, it would mean six full-time fire equipment operators would be laid off as the department is changed over to a paid on-call fire department. [Brainerd Dispatch, 3/12/10] Due To Pawlentys Budget Cuts, St. Paul Police Force Was Forced To Cancel Police Academy. According to the Star Tribune, After going so far as to interview and narrow its recruit list, St. Paul police have scuttled an April police academy in the face of proposed budget cuts and anecdotal evidence that fewer officers are retiring in the faltering economy. The move comes three months after Minneapolis graduated an academy of 20 recruits only to promptly lay off 19 of them (along with six officers) due to budget issues. Minneapolis eventually rehired 15 of them using federal stimulus dollarsGov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a budget plan early last month that would cut $250 million in aid to local governments, a move that has cities across the state panicked. St. Paul had hoped to enroll up to 20 recruits who would undergo a years worth of training. The department had narrowed its list to about 30 contenders. [Star Tribune, 3/9/10] Pawlenty Cut $381 Million For General Assistance Medical Care Which Served Over 30,000 Adults With Chronic And Mental Illness. According to the Associated Press, Already, Pawlenty wiped out millions of dollars in approved spending through line-item vetoes. None was as deep as the $381 million cut to the General Assistance Medical Care program in the second year of the two-year budget, essentially ending the program beginning in mid-2010. The program serves 30,000 to 35,000 childless adults near or below the poverty line, most with chronic or mental illness. Some of them could qualify for a premium-based state insurance program. But hospitals worry they will feel the brunt of the cut because the level of uncompensated care could rise. They are already warning they will eliminate services and lay off staff to absorb the losses. [Associated Press, 5/18/09] Pawlenty Cut $236 Million From A Familiar Target, Health And Human Service. According to the Star Tribune, Health care services for poor Minnesotans have been a familiar target in Gov. Tim Pawlentys austerity exercises over the years, and they found themselves under the scalpel again Pawlenty said health and human services will come in for $236 million in additional cuts as part of his unallotment strategy. [Star Tribune, 6/17/09] Pawlenty Cut Health Care Funding For Poor And Elderly Right When The Number Of Uninsured Minnesotans Jumped By Over $100,000 Due To Recession. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, As the recession forced more of the middle class and college graduates to lose coverage, the share of Minnesotans lacking health insurance increased in 2009, according to survey results released Friday. The uninsured rate increased to 9.1 percent in 2009 from 7.2 percent in 2007,

according to data from the state Department of Health and the University of Minnesota. In real numbers, the states uninsured population increased from 374,000 to an estimated 480,000. Blame the recession. Minnesota saw increased enrollment in government-subsidized health plans for the poor and elderly but a steeper decline among people who lost workplace benefits Of the insured, 57.2 percent received coverage from employers last year -- down from 62.5 percent in 2007 The results were jarring for state lawmakers at the beginning of the 2010 session. Tops on the agenda has been whether to restore General Assistance Medical Care, a state plan covering thousands of low-income adults Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut last year to balance the state budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/5/10] Lori Sturdevant: Pawlentys Unallotment Of the General Assistance Medical Care Program Caused Property Taxes To Go Up In Hennepin County. According to Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune, Pawlenty signaled as much last week when he declined an opportunity to unilaterally nix a $437 million aid payment to cities and counties. Unallotment allows a governor to do just one thing: whack state spending. That only makes the big state-local government engine sputter. For example, consider the consequences already flowing from the impending elimination of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), the states health care program for its poorest adults. As a result of GAMCs scheduled demise, safety-net hospitals and group homes are downsizing and delaying expansion plans, property taxes in Hennepin County are rising, and another government-financed health insurance program -- MinnesotaCare -- is in jeopardy. Thats not to mention the consequences for sick, poor people for whom the MinnesotaCare alternative offered by the Pawlenty administration is a poor fit. Or the insured people whose premiums will rise as the cost of indigents medical emergencies gets shifted to everybody else. [Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune, 12/12/09] Pawlentys Unallotments Would Cause Some Nursing Homes To Close, Hurt Medical Care For Seniors. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, With more than a quarter of nursing homes in financial jeopardy, the withdrawal of rate increases may force some to close and reduce access for seniors. Rate adjustments to compensate for inflation already had been eliminated for 2011, but Pawlenty pushed the schedule up one year. Similarly, the state budget already capped personal care aides, or PCAs, at no more than 310 hours of work per month. Pawlenty would cut that to 275 hours. The cap could eliminate some fraudulent billing to the state some PCAs claimed more than 24 hours of work in a day but also push some quality aides out of the business. Seniors needing round-the-clock care may struggle to find help and end up in expensive nursing homes sooner than planned. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/16/09]

Pawlentys Cuts To General Medical Assistance Program Caused Hennepin County To Consider Raising Property Taxes By Three Percent. According to the Star Tribune, For 2010, a year in which county tax assistance will deliver two new suburban libraries and the Twins new open-air ballpark, Hennepin County is considering a reduced budget to hold down spending in the face of the weak economyBut even after cutting 163 jobs and reducing capital improvements, the county still needs to raise property taxes by 3 percent solely to pay increased costs at Hennepin County Medical Center, [County Administrator Richard] Johnson said. Those higher costs were caused by the states cancellation of General Medical Assistance for poor adults, he said. Hearing that, county commissioners began their budget deliberations by blasting Gov. Tim Pawlenty again for shifting the states budget problems to them. The county estimates that 40 percent of the states poor adults who were covered by General Medical Assistance live in Hennepin CountyRather than raising state taxes, Pawlenty is balancing the state budget on the backs of property taxpayers in counties and cities, [Commissioner Peter] McLaughlin said. The General Assistance Medical Care cut is the biggest example for us, he said. Pawlenty shifted those health care costs to the counties at the same time he is opposed to national health care reform. [Star Tribune, 9/30/09] Pawlenty Tried To Fix GMAC By Enrolling Recipients In MinnesotaCare, Which Would Increase Premiums for All Minnesotans. According to the St. Paul Legal Ledger, Despite Pawlentys executive order calling for the automatic enrollment of GAMC users into MinnesotaCare, some people are worried there will be gaps in the bureaucratic system. GAMC doesnt work seamlessly with MinnesotaCare, and its eligibility rules arent identical to that program, said Elaine Cunningham, outreach director at the Childrens Defense Fund. Meanwhile, state DFL legislative leaders quickly chastised Pawlentys executive order, calling it a short-term fix for a complex problem. Instead of solving the problem he created, the governor is shifting responsibility onto Minnesota families through higher property taxes and health care premiums, said Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, an assistant House majority leader. His decision simply sends a bill to cash-strapped Minnesota counties and hospitals to deal with the 30,000 Minnesotans who will lose their health care because of his veto. Counties and hospitals have already been pushed to the brink, Murphy continued. That means working Minnesota families will end up paying over $1.8 million in new property taxes and see another increase in their health care premiums. In this economy, that is unacceptable. State Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, chairman of the House Health Care and Human Services Finance Division, added, MinnesotaCare was never intended or designed to provide coverage to the 28,000 poorest and sickest Minnesotans currently receiving basic health care services from the GAMC program. [St. Paul Legal Ledger, 11/12/09]

Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Cuts To GMAC Shifted Health Care Costs Costs Off Of The States Ledger And Onto Others Mostly Those Of Privately Insured People And Mean Less Medical Infrastructure For Entire Communities. According a Star Tribune editorial, Beginning on or about April 1, the veto and unallotment will stop state payment for health care services obtained by some 32,000 uninsured adults with annual incomes of less than $8,000 a year. About three-fourths of people served by the program are chemically dependent, mentally ill or both. Some are poor because serious illness cost them their jobsBut simply eliminating GAMC does not remove all of the costs of care. It just moves those costs off of the states ledger and onto others -- mostly those of privately insured people -- and inflates them even more rapidly, as emergency rooms become the only source of care for the GAMC population. The toll in human suffering will increase if the poor are denied access to medication and clinical care. Hospitals say they will cut back on some high-cost services to compensate for lost GAMC revenue. That would mean a loss of medical infrastructure for entire communities. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 7/11/09]

Hennepin County Board Sought To Raise Property Taxes To Fill Hole For County Hospital In Wake Of Pawlentys Budget Cuts.. According to the Star Tribunem, The Hennepin County Board has pledged to raise property taxes by 3 percent to raise about $18 million for HCMC, but that only fills about a third of the hole. Meanwhile, safety-net groups are working to come up with a legislative fix for GAMC before the program ends March 1. [Star Tribune, 11/25/09]

DELAYED PAYMENTS TO SCHOOLS AND CUTS TO EDUCATION

Pawlenty Delayed Nearly $1.8 Billion Of Payments To Schools In Order To Balance Budget. According to the Associated Press, the recession is probably over, which means states financial troubles have only begunIn anticipation of a slow budgetary recovery, some states are seeking to push costs into the futureIn Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is balancing the budget by delaying nearly $1.8 billion of payments to schools until after the end of the current school year. The states action has created a ripple effect for school districts, which are tapping reserves and borrowing money to pay staff, food and utility bills. [Associated Press, 10/4/09] Pawlentys Delays To School Funding Forced Districts To Borrow Money, Which Will Cause School Districts To Lose Money Due To Interest On Loans. According to the Associated Press, School districts across Minnesota say theyll have to borrow money to cover their costs while the state holds back part of their aid to balance its books. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is delaying nearly $1.8 billion in payments to schools. Its a budget-balancing trick the state has used before in bad times and spent years correcting when the economy recovered. State education officials say districts will lose money by paying interest or, if they have savings, on interest they would have earned on their money. Scott Croonquist of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts says most districts in Minnesota will be forced to take out loans to get by. Superintendents say that takes money away from other priorities, including the classroom. [Associated Press, 6/22/09] Tuition At Minnesota State Universities Increased By At Least 5 To 7.5 Percent Due To Pawlentys Cuts To Higher Education Funding. According to Minnesota Public Radio, University of Minnesota plans to raise tuition 7.5 percent next year, but that increase could be larger if the U faces deeper than anticipated cuts during the next legislative session. Minnesota is facing a projected budget deficit of $1.2 billion this budget cycle, and a $5.4 billion shortfall in the following two years. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents asked state economist Tom Stinson to provide some context on the states budget problems at their work session on Thursday. For higher education officials in Minnesota, the news is grim. After years of declining state funding colleges are likely to see further reductions as the state works to balance its budget. Last spring, Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut $100 million of the Us funding to deal with budget problems. The university reduced spending, encouraged retirements and laid off workers to deal with the cutsThe Minnesota State College and Universities system faces the same challenge. Last spring, the governor also cut $100 million dollars from MnSCUs two-year budget. MnSCUs chief financial officer Laura King was hoping for better news this year. Its grimmer than we were hoping, but its not a terrible surprise, King said. King anticipates a $10 million cut to MnSCUs $615 million fiscal year 2011 budget. MnSCU plans to raise tuition next year by 5 percent, but that could increase if higher education funding faces deep cuts next legislative session. At the U, a 7.5 percent tuition increase is in the works, but that could also go higher. The prospect of bump in tuition is troubling to students. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/10/09]

CUT LOCAL AID LEADING TO HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND REDUCTION IN SERVICES
Collation Of Greater Minnesota Cities Spokesman: Local Government Aid Cuts May Be The Worst Blow Ever Dealt To Rural Minnesota. According to the Star Tribune, One of Pawlentys deepest cuts would be in aid to local governments, a perennial target of his administration. Critics say that choice merely pushes the problem onto residents in the form of higher property taxes. The proposed [aid] cut may be the worst blow ever dealt to rural Minnesota, said Glen Fladeboe, spokesman for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. If enacted, it will break communities apart. [Star Tribune, 5/4/10] City Leaders Said Pawlentys Budget Cuts Would Force Them To Reduce Police Forces. According the Forum, City leaders say they probably would have no choice other than to reduce police forces if Gov. Tim Pawlentys latest budget-cut proposal is enacted. Democratic legislative leaders, however, say they have no intention of cutting the $176 million the GOP governor wants to disappear. Pawlenty on Tuesday recommended cutting those local aid payments from cities across the state and another $95 million from the Douglas J. Johnson economic development fund for Iron Range cities. [Forum of FargoMoorhead, 5/7/10] Pawlentys Cuts To Local Aid Would Force Cuts To Core Municipal Services And A Rise In Property Taxes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys budget cuts would hurt core municipal services police, fire, snowplowing, pothole patching, parks, libraries [to be] on the table. In addition, they reported, Many city leaders have said they most want to protect public safety. Some cities that have made cuts this year have saved enough to prevent further cuts this year. Next year, however, cuts likely will hit deeper or property taxes will have to go up. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/16/09] [Pawlenty] Administration Acknowledges That His Local Government Aid Cuts Will Drive Up Property Taxes. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, The [Pawlenty] administration also acknowledges that his local government aid cuts will drive up property taxes. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 6/25/09] Pawlentys Budget Commissioner Admitted Local Aid Cuts Would Increase Property Taxes. According to the Star Tribune, Aid to local governments also is being cut severely, by about $300 million.[Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom] Hanson last week acknowledged that the aid cuts would drive up property taxes in some areas. [Star Tribune, 7/1/09] Bemidji Pioneer: Pawlenty No New Taxes Claim Was Bogus Because Cuts To Local Government Aid Would Require 15% Increase In Local Taxes To Cover Cuts. According to an editorial in the Bemidji Pioneer, The governor proposes to cut about $147 million in LGA over the two-year biennium, that from a program costing more than $1 billion. He defends his position by saying local governments must share in the states budget woes, so a 10 percent cut is sustainable through budget cuts and use of reserves. But LGA has been cut continually this decade, leaving cities with ever-decreasing aid. The governor, meanwhile, has maintained his no new taxes stance throughout his term. As evidenced by the Bemidji City Councils work session Monday, that claim becomes a bogus claim at the local level as city property taxes would have to be raised 31 percent to cover current cost levels. The city taxes would have to rise 15 percent just to cover the loss of LGA. The governor also tried to limit what local governments can do by capping property tax limits at between 3 and 4 percent, but there are ways around that as the levy limit doesnt apply to police and fire staffing. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 6/24/09] Jon Trevlin: Pawlentys Hometown Forced To Cancel New Police Hires And Consider Imposing An Eye-Popping Property Increase. Due To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid. According to a Jon Trevlin op-ed in the Star Tribune, Its that Pawlenty who gift-wrapped a holiday present for his hometown in December: a $354,804 unallotment. If Pawlentys expected cuts for the next two years come to pass, the city will lose another $480,638 in 2009, then absorb a $1,003,655 cut in 2010, according to King. From 2003 to 2008, Pawlenty slashed the citys Local Government Aid a similar amountWeve already tightened our belts, King said. Now were looking at cutting very basic services. Because of the meat-related industry, people made good money and paid their taxes and the standard of living was good. People grew up with expectations in regards to servicesTo make up for the millions already lost and the cuts to come, the city would have to impose an eye-popping property tax increase. While Pawlenty has criticized city officials who have complained that budget cuts force reductions in public safety, King says its already happened in South St. Paul. The city budgeted two new police hires for 2009 to help deal with increased gang activity and property crime. The unallotments caused the city to cancel the hires. [Jon Tevlin op-ed, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/13/09]

City Officials Warned That Cuts To Local Government Aid Would Reduce Capacity To Provide Emergency Response Staffing And Training For Nearby Nuclear Power Plant. According to the Star Tribune, As Xcel Energy pushes plans to extend the life of the Prairie Island nuclear plant, Red Wing officials say that Gov. Tim Pawlentys state aid cuts have made them less confident in their longterm ability to protect itIn a newsletter to residents, Red Wing officials said they have concerns regarding [the citys] diminishing ability to adequately address the unique obligations we have as a host city to a nuclear power plant. Red Wings capacity to provide emergency response staffing and training has been lessened, they said, by significant reductions in state aid -- including an estimated $898,590 next year -- along with state law changes that allowed Xcel to reduce its property tax paymentsIts going to be extremely difficult to provide these public safety services that I think are critical and necessary, said Marshall Hallock, the citys finance director. [Star Tribune, 7/13/09] Pawlenty Said Local Officials Who Claim They Cant Absorb Further Cuts In State Aid Are Talking Hogwash According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said that local officials who claim they cant absorb further cuts in state aid are talking hogwash. [Star Tribune, 5/21/09] Minnesota Republican Said Pawlenty Was Disingenuous When He Asked Local Governments To Cut Services While Pawlenty Relied To Budget Gimmicks And Loans To Balance Budget. According to the Star Tribune, Its a little bit disingenuous when you say, you guys tighten your belts, when [the state] couldnt tighten its belt without these gimmicks, said former state Rep. Dan Dorman, a Republican, referring to the bonds and accounting shifts Pawlenty proposed as deficit solvents, reported the Star Tribune. For example, Dorman said that Albert Lea may have to cut six police officers if it chooses not to raise property taxes. [Star Tribune, 5/21/09]

Austin, Minnesota City Proposed Raising Property Taxes By Over 4% To Deal With Pawlentys Unilateral Budget Cuts. According to the Austin Daily Herald, the city of Austin, Minnesota considered 4.59 percent increase [in property taxes that] would bring in an additional $170,000 based on the 2009 levy and, along with a number of discussed budget cuts, would be a way for Austin to deal with $876,833 that has been unallotted by Gov. Tim Pawlenty for 2010. [Austin Daily Herald, 8/4/09] Duluth Mayor: Pawlenty Caused Property Tax Increase Because Of Cuts To Local Government Aid. According to the Dulith News Tribune, Property taxes in Duluth are going up, and going up too fast, Mayor Don Ness said during a Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce forum Tuesday morning. But the blame belongs largely to the state and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has slashed state aid to local governments, and Duluth is doing what it can to hold down taxes while providing residents with needed services, the mayor saidAlthough the city will spend less for operating expenses next year, the savings are more than offset by cuts in state aid. To help cover the losses, the City Council voted in September to set a maximum property tax rate 5.4 percent higher than last year. Nearly 3 of those percentage points will go toward paying for a planned new police headquarters. [Duluth News Tribune, 11/4/09] Pawlentys Budget Cuts To Local Government Aid Caused Alexandria, Minnesota Raised Taxes By 8/ According to the Alexandria Echo Press, It could be a lot worse. Thats one thing Alexandria taxpayers can take comfort in when weighing the citys proposed levy increase of 8 percent for 2010. City leaders said that Governor Tim Pawlentys decision to unallot or pull back $206,691 in local government aid this year and his proposal to unallot another $476,915 in LGA next year hit the citys budget hard. At the city councils Monday night meeting, Administrator Jim Taddei said that the 2010 LGA unallotment amounts to 28 percent of the aid that the city was designated to receive. [Alexandria Echo Press, 12/16/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, Crosslake City Council Raised Local Tax Levy By 2.1 Percent. According to the Lake Country Echo, After holding a public informational meeting Dec. 7 to review Crosslakes proposed tax levy, the council on Monday, Dec. 14, unanimously approved the 2010 tax levy for the same amount as the preliminary levy. The council in September approved a preliminary levy of $2,787,699, which was a 2.1 percent increase from the citys 2009 levy of $2,729,176. The reasons for the increase were discussed in September and included an increase in the citys 2010 proposed budget and the citys attempts to recoup monies that were unallotted. Under normal circumstances, the city would have received $28,729 in Market Value Homestead Credit directly from the state. However, because of Gov. Tim Pawlentys unallotments to help balance the state budget, those monies will not be coming to the city. [Lake Country Echo, 12/16/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, International Falls Considered 17 Percent Property Tax Increase. According to the International Falls Daily Journal, International Falls residents have a chance to provide input into the citys proposed 2010 budget and tax levy when the International Falls City Council meets MondayThe council has

proposed to collect $2.047 million in property taxes in 2010, representing a 17-percent increase over the amount collected in 2009. The levy will help support a proposed $11.9 million 2010 budget. The 2010 proposed levy is 1.1 percent over the amount collected in 2008. City officials have explained that the increase in property taxes planned for 2010 is in direct relationship with cuts in local government aid by Pawlenty this year and in 2008. In fiscal 2009, the city lowered taxes by about 16 percent because Pawlenty promised Mayor Shawn Mason and Councilor Tim Chopper McBride that he would not decrease the LGA the city anticipated if the city provided property tax relief to its residents, Mason said. The governor broke his promise and withheld about $222,000 in 2008 and $138,000 in 2009 from state aid payments anticipated by the city. [The Daily Journal, 12/18/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, St. Peter Approved 14.28 Percent Property Tax Increase According to the St. Peter Herald, After a 12.5 percent decrease the previous year, the St. Peter City Council approved a 14.28 percent increase in the property tax levy payable in 2010. The increase, which brings the levy amount back to the same amount it was in 2008 ($2,020,342), was made necessary by a variety of factors, but most notably to cuts in Local Government Aid (LGA) funds. That levy amount is the same one as the preliminary levy amount set by the council back in September. [St. Peter Herald, 12/17/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, Winona Taxes Increased By 5 Percent. According to the Winona Daily News, As the City Council prepares to vote on its 2010 budget next week, its scrutinizing nearly every dollar it spends. The council has endorsed a 5 percent levy increase for 2010, but that doesnt mean city spending follows the same trend. For the second straight year, the council is likely to enact a real decrease in the citys operating budget, which pays for basic services like fire, police, roads and parks. In fact, Winona is slated to spend about 6.6 percent less on those services in 2010 than it did in 2008, according to figures provided by city finance director Mary Burrichter. Winonas spending cuts are mostly a reaction to declining aid from the state, which in recent years accounted for at least half the citys operating budget. State aid cuts are spurring the city to lay off workers, freeze wages for those remaining, and re-examine all city services, from senior center programs to subsidies for arts events. Whats worse, the state-funding picture appears to be bleaker in coming years. Minnesota officials predict a $1.2 billion budget shortfall this year and a far bigger deficit in 2012-13. Aid to cities has been a preferred target of Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2008 and 2009, and Winona leaders are bracing for more pain in this years legislative session. [Winona Daily News, 12/20/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, Stevens County Increased Taxes By 1.1 Percent According to the Morris Sun Tribune, Making up for state government unallotments of financial aid will triple Stevens Countys 2010 tax levy increase, and reserve spend downs also will increase significantly. The countys board of commissioners approved its 2010 budget and levy during its regular meeting on Tuesday. The countys proposed levy of $52,000 -- a 1.1 percent increase over 2009 -- will be added to a special levy for 2010 of almost $158,000 needed to make up ground following Gov. Tim Pawlentys unallotment of County Program Aid in 2009. Reserve spend downs also will increase from about $190,000 to almost $350,000 in 2010. Expenditures are expected to be down about 11.6 percent, but program aid will be down by almost 22 percent and revenues down by more than 24 percent. [Morris Sun Tribune, 12/18/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, City Of Goodview Increased Tax Levy By 2.65 Percent. According to the Winona Daily News, Goodview leaders are going it alone in 2010 by budgeting without aid from the state of Minnesota. Its a bold step for the Goodview City Council, which got fed up after seeing their state aid get cut in 2009 and in previous years. State aid made up about 10 percent of the citys budget just a year ago, but the council has patched together this years finances by increasing its levy, cutting spending and borrowing money for equipment purchases. The Council unanimously voted Monday night to approve its 2010 budget, which includes a 2.65-percent levy increase and a 1.1-percent spending cut from 2009. Goodview is slated to receive about $37,000 in state aid in 2010, but it will be viewed as a bonus if it arrives, City Administrator Dan Matejka said. Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut aid to cities in June, and more cuts are expected this legislative session as lawmakers grapple with a $1.2 billion budget deficit. [Winona Daily News, 12/23/09] Bemidji Pioneer: Bemidjis 19.9 Percent Property Tax Increase Can Be Directly Blamed On Gov. Tim Pawlenty Who Has Religiously Cut State Aid To Cities Ever Since Taking Office. According to an editorial in the Bemidji Pioneer, City of Bemidji taxpayers no doubt wont like the 19.9 percent property tax levy hike theyll see on their tax bills this spring. While we believe the City Council could have handled it better, much of the tax hike can be directly blamed on Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has religiously cut state aid to cities ever since taking office. While proclaiming a no-new-taxes pledge that he interprets to mean only state income taxes, property taxes by local governments have soared disproportionately as the states budget problem has been pushed to local government. The Local Government Aid to state cities is supposed to aid property-poor cities with basic services expenses, such as police and fire. But Gov. Pawlenty has constantly used that pool to

help balance the state budget. Last spring, he refused to sign a revenue bill that called for tax increases along with cuts, leaving the spending bill he did sign out of whack. He chose unallotment, and took LGA. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 12/23/09] In Response To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid, Waseca City Council Cut $221,284, Including Cuts To Recreation Funding And Health Insurance. According to the Waseca County News, With a unanimous vote, the Waseca City Council approved $221,284 worth of reductions to the 2010 city budget. The cuts were made in response to the state supplemental budget bill signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty April 1. The $312 million reduction in state spending includes a loss of $211,953 Local Government Aid to the city of WasecaThe cuts include reductions to Waseca Community Education recreation funding, Minnesota Valley Action Council transportation, personnel savings of $189,907 that include elimination of cost of living raises of $53,493 and changes to health insurance deductibles saving $62,412. Cuts to the summer recreation programs equaled the states reduction in LGA and translated to a 10.9 percent reduction, or $13,202. [Waseca County News, 4/21/10] 2009: Pawlentys Budget Proposed Cutting Local Government Aid By 15% In 2009 And 31% Percent In 2010. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal takes another big swipe at local government aid, cutting it by 15 percent in the 2009 calendar year and 31 percent in 2010, compared with current law. Last month, Pawlenty sliced the December LGA payment by 22 percent to fix a short-term budget problem. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Local Government Warned That Further Cuts To LGA Would Mean Taking Police And Firefighters Off The Streets. According to the Star Tribune, Local government leaders raised concerns Tuesday that the cuts will require increases in property taxes, loss of public-sector jobs and cuts to essential services Officials have warned that further cuts to LGA would mean taking police and firefighters off the streets, but Pawlenty has contended that any government that cuts police and fire because of the reductions has misplaced priorities. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Mayors Said Pawlentys Cuts To LGA Were Devastating. According to the Star Tribune, As promised, Pawlenty delivered a hard blow to counties, cities and townships -- a 10 to 15 percent reduction in projected subsidies known as local government aid. For some local governments, the aid supplies more than half their revenue. Mayors gathered in St. Paul on Tuesday called the proposed reductions devastating to already-reeling cities. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlentys Cuts To LGA Caused St. Paul Canceled A Police Academy. According to the Star Tribune, due to Pawlentys cuts to local government aid, St. Paul has frozen all salaries and instituted a hiring freeze. It has canceled the police academy that was to start in January. You have to have an honest conversation with the people of Minnesota about what services cost, said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Mayors Said Pawlentys Proposed Cuts To Local Government Aid Would Lead To Increased Property Taxes And Hurt Public Safety. According to an op-ed jointly written by the Mayors of Winona and Hibbing in the Star Tribune, City officials have drawn Gov. Tim Pawlentys ire by pointing out the consequences of his proposed cuts to city aid programs. For most Minnesotans, property taxes will go up, and essential services -- including public safety -- may be reduced. The governor thinks these claims are exaggerations. We wish he were right. They concluded, No matter how the governor spins his budget plan, cuts to local government aid translate into increases in property taxes increases and reductions in essential services, including public safety. Local government aid is a priority for cities, because we believe Minnesotans and businesses deserve safe, attractive, affordable communities, no matter what corner of the state they live in. [Jerry Miller & Rick Wolff, Star Tribune, 5/1/09]

Department Of Revenue: Pawlenty Proposed Budget Would Lead To $626 Million Increase In Property Taxes. According to the Mankato Free Press, A major fight over property tax increases is looming in the final two months of the legislative session with Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposing cuts in property tax relief programs more than double what Democratic lawmakers are suggesting. The Minnesota Department of Revenue is projecting real estate taxes will rise by $ 626 million under Pawlentys budget plan, although the governor believes local governments can avoid tax increases of that size if they freeze employee salaries. Detailed budgets are still being formulated in the DFL -- controlled House and Senate, but budget outlines target property tax aids and credits for reductions of about 7 percent compared to 15 percent in Pawlentys plan. That section of the state budget, which now totals about $ 3.4 billion, includes about $1 billion for Local Government Aid. [Mankato Free Press, 3/23/09] Bemidji Pioneer: Under Pawlentys Budget Again Cities Will Be Asked To Bail Out The State. According to an editorial in the Bemidji Pioneer, Again cities will be asked to bail out the state budget through a 25 percent loss in Local

Government Aid -- $1.37 million to Bemidji over two years. Since property tax increases are capped, look to closing the public library, forget about removing snow from walks, and fear the loss of police and firefighters. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 1/28/09]

CUT FUNDING FOR VITAL COMMUNITY SERVICES

Pawlentys Unallotments Hurt Nursing Homes And Residential Group Homes. According to the West Central Tribune, The unallotment of state funds is hurting community partners, such as nursing homes and residential group homesGov. Tim Pawlenty implemented the unallotment of $246 million in health and human service funds to offset a $2.7 billion state budget deficit. Kieft said those who provide services to county residents are feeling the impact of the unallotment. The squeeze is being put on them as reimbursements are delayed, reduced or frozen.[West Central Tribune (Wilmar, M.N.), 7/8/09] Pawlentys Budget Cuts Lead To Increase In Homeless After Pawlenty Eliminated Two Programs That Help Homeless In Minnesota. According to the Star Tribune, Emergency General Assistance and the states Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA) program are on their last legs, prompting county officials and homeless advocates to forecast an uptick in the number of the destitute -- especially single adults -- living on the streets. Starting next Monday, the $8.6 million programs will be gone. They were eliminated through unallotment by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to close the states yawning budget gap. The cuts will remain in effect through June 2011. Hennepin County, the states most populous, is the biggest recipient of EGA and EMSA funding, receiving $4.3 million last yearBy cutting back on housing funds, said Marcia Fink, basic needs director for the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Were not really saving the community money over time. Theres going to be a cost, long-term. Cathy ten Broeke, who manages Minneapolis and Hennepin Countys joint effort to end homelessness, said Emergency General Assistance funds have been used to help homeless veterans pay the damage deposit on homes they secured with Section 8 vouchers. Ten Broeke called Pawlentys 2004 initiative to end homelessness in Minnesota, which committed nearly $200 million to the cause in new money, tax credits and bonding, one of the best tools Ive seen during my time working. But eliminating EGA and EMSA, she said, shows that the governor is not paying attention to the big picture. [Star Tribune, 10/26/09]

Once A Pawlenty Priority, Governor Blamed Recession For The States 4 Percent Growth In Homelessness Since 2008. According to the Associated Press, Barely a year into his first term, Gov. Tim Pawlenty set out to end long-term homelessness in Minnesota by 2010, an audacious-sounding goal that he insisted was very real and attainable. Our homeless population in Minnesota isnt so large that we cant solve the problem in the near and intermediate term, he said in his January 2004 State of the State address. Almost six years later, the problem remains. The two-term Republican governors plan to create housing for the persistently homeless has stalled, with 1,500 of an estimated 4,000 long-term homeless housed and little development this year. Meanwhile, advocates say more people are becoming homeless as the recession and its aftereffects chew into once-stable lives. Minnesotas homeless population grew 4 percent last year in estimates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, even as homelessness dropped slightly nationwide. National advocates said they expect this years numbers to continue to grow; Minnesota officials are waiting for results of a statewide survey done in October. Pawlenty said theres a simple reason he hasnt fulfilled the goal: the recession. [Associated Press, 11/9/09] Pawlenty Cut Food Assistance Program That Aided Over 5,000 Poor Minnesotans With Special Dietary Needs. According to the Star Tribune, 65, Becton endures constant pain from a bad shoulder. Hepatitis C leaves him exhausted, and late-stage kidney disease tethers him to a dialysis machine three days a week. For five years, Bectons doctor has considered his medical problems so severe that she prescribed a special diet, heavy on lean meats, vegetables and grains. To help with the costs, Becton has gotten $250 from a little-known state program geared to such patients. Last month, Becton got a letter: No more grocery money from the state. Instead, the state has suggested he and the other 5,071 Minnesotans on the program scour local food shelves, apply for food stamps, or, for those with feeding tubes, Medical Assistance. Gov. Tim Pawlenty sliced the programs $5.3 million appropriation as part of a $2.7 billion emergency budget reduction in June. The nutrition cuts prompted a lawsuit that offers a glimpse into a program that serves some of the states poorest residents. [Star Tribune, 11/21/09] Pawlenty Administration Reached Deal To Freeze State Worker Salaries For 2 Years. According to the Associated press, [Minnesota] state workers wages would be frozen for the next two years under a tentative contract agreement reached between the state and the two largest unions representing public employees in Minnesota. [Associated Press, 4/23/09]

Pawlenty Used Other Agencies Budget To Pay For His Staff And Under Report His Spending. According to the Associated Press, State agencies kicked in $676,000 to support policy advisers and other staff working for Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the most recent budget year. Pawlenty uses his executive authority to spread out staffing costs, making his budget look slimmer. A new law requires the administration to report the staffing arrangement to legislators. Twenty-one state agencies and offices paid $290,585 for senior policy advisers, while 14 agencies kicked in $240,784 for Minnesota personnel in Washington. Four agencies contributed $82,912 for an adviser on faith and community services. The Department of Administration paid $61,801 for a groundskeeper at the Governors Residence. [Associated Press, 9/1/09] Pawlenty Opposed Cuts To His Staff And The Use Of A State Car By The Lieutenant Governor. According to the Albert Lea Tribune, Pawlenty wrote a letter to the legislature during negotiations over 2011-2012 budget that took issue with significant reductions in policy-level agency positions. He also opposed cuts to the use of a state car by the lieutenant governor which he said, represent an excessive infringement by the legislative branch upon the executive branchs ability to manage and operate the executive branch. [Pawlenty Letter, Albert Lea Tribune, 5/5/09] Report: Pawlenty Failed To Enforce Hiring Freeze, State Pay Roll Increase. According to the Star Tribune, About a year after Gov. Tim Pawlenty imposed a hiring freeze on state government to help combat budget problems, the state government work force has actually grown, according to a report on Minnesota Public Radio.. there were nearly 5,100 hires compared with roughly 4,800 positions that were vacated in the past 15 months Pawlenty issued his executive order to restrict hiring on Feb. 19, 2008. [Star Tribune, 5/14/09] Pawlenty Said I Dont Think Well Be Able To Avoid Layoffs Due To His Budget Cuts. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in reference to his budget cuts, Pawlenty said, I dont think well be able to avoid some layoffs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/9/09] AP: Pawlentys Proposed Budget Would Cut The Equivalent Of More Than 1,100 Full-Time State Employees By Mid-2011. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal would cut the equivalent of more than 1,100 full-time state employees by mid-2011, an Associated Press analysis has found. The projections are detailed in hundreds of pages of agency budget overviews posted by Minnesota Management and Budget. They cant be translated directly into job cuts because the figures include overtime, on-call pay and part-time, seasonal and temporary work. Even so, the figures show a trend toward lighter payrolls at Minnesotas largest single employer state government as unemployment swells. [Associated Press, 1/30/09]

LEFT $7.2 BILLION DEFICIT FOLLOWING CUTS

State Senate Tax Expert Said Pawlentys Unilateral Budget Cuts Will Leave $7.2 Billion Deficit In Two Years. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Gov. Tim Pawlentys decision to balance the state budget on his own with no new revenue will leave a $7.2 billion problem in two years for the next governor and Legislature, the Senates tax expert said [Bemidji Pioneer, 7/1/09]

After Pawlenty Leaves Office, Minnesotas Deficit Could Be As High As $7 Billion. According to the St. Paul Legal Ledger, Things at the state Capitol seem peaceful enough at the moment. Most of the focus this summer has been on the $2.7 billion in unallotments that GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty made in a very unusual move to bring the historically unbalanced 2010-2011 budget into balance. And the state is writing lots of checks that are paid for by temporary federal stimulus money that the state has received. The peace that has followed the contentious 2009 legislative session, however, is illusory. In the near future, as in 2012-2013, Minnesotas deficit could be as high as $7 billion - which would almost represent 20 percent of the general fund. The Ledger reported, The state officially estimates a $4.4 billion general fund deficit for 2012-2013. But that number becomes much larger when three important things are taken into account: inflation for expenditures, the property tax recognition shift that was one of the tricks used to fix the 2010-2011 budget and restoring general assistance medical care (GAMC). Adding inflation boosts the deficit by $1.3 billion for 2012-2013. Paying back the property tax recognition shift is estimated to cost $600 million. Restoring GAMC, the low-income health insurance program that Pawlenty unalloted, would cost $889 million. If those three things come about, add them in and without any further loss of revenue, the state would be short $7.2 billion for 2012-2013. [St. Paul Legal Ledger, 9/8/09] Pawlenty Called Predicted $7 Billion Budget Deficit Overblown And Disputed His Own Budget Departments Numbers On The Deficit. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty said predictions made by

the Legislatures nonpartisan fiscal staff that the budget shortfall could be a record breaking $7 billion in 2012 and 2013 are overblown. He said those predictions include inflation, which is not factored into budget forecasts, and the restoration of all of the spending he cut unilaterally. He also said paying back a school payment shift all at once, rather than in installments, is unlikely. They also reported, The governor even disagrees with his own budget department saying its estimate assumes that the entire school shift gets paid back at once. Pawlenty isnt the only Republican who is downplaying the problem. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/24/09] Lori Sturdevant Op-Ed: $5.9 Billion Deficit Pawlenty Left Successor Will Be The Largest In Modern Times. According to Lori Sturdevant in the Star Tribune, With unallotment, the state budget is balanced. Thats no small achievement, given that the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2010-11 was a yawning $4.5 billion five months ago and that a lot of states are still struggling with recession-related budget woes. But Minnesotans need to know that the state is still in a deep fiscal hole. Just how deep was measured by state Senate fiscal analyst Matt Massman for the Legislative Advisory Commission this week. Using current laws spending requirements, a projection for 2012-13 -- the biennium that follows the one that started Wednesday -- shows a huge $5.9 billion deficit. Factor in expected inflation in state costs, and the hole grows to $7.2 billion. If those numbers hold, the budget problem that will confront the 2011 Legislature will be the largest in modern times. A $7.2 billion deficit constitutes about a 20 percent gap between expected revenues and forecasted spending during that period. Those numbers count Pawlentys line-item vetoes and unallotment as one-time measures. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/2/09] Pawlenty Declined Invitation To Minnesota Leadership Summit Where The Participants Are Expected To AddressThe $4 Billion To $7 Billion Deficit Pawlentys Successor Will Inherit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Former governors, legislative leaders and state finance experts have been invited to a Minnesota Leadership Summit at the Capitol on Tuesday to discuss ways to solve the states recurring budget crisesFormer Govs. Arne Carlson, Al Quie and Wendell Anderson will attend the meeting, as will nine former House speakers and Senate majority leaders, four former state finance and revenue commissioners, the state economist and demographer and the Legislatures nonpartisan fiscal staffGov. Tim Pawlenty declined an invitation to the meetingOne issue the summit participants are expected to address is the $4 billion to $7 billion deficit Pawlentys successor will inherit after the governor leaves office at the end of 2010. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/3/09]

AP Reported Pawlentys Budget Advisers Informed Legislators That The State Might Have To Borrow Money Next Year To Cover Its Bills. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget advisers informed legislators Thursday that the state might have to borrow money next year to cover its bills. It would mark the first time the state has had to borrow money for bills in 25 years, when it took out $1.6 billion short-term loans over a four-year stretch and had to pay almost $125 million more to service them. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson raised the prospect to a legislative panel and one of his deputies laid out several options, ranging from a bond sale to a negotiated credit line with a bank. [Associated Press, 11/12/09] Grand Forks Herald Editorial: Pawlentys Inability To Compromise Lead To Yawing Budget Gap. According to an editorial in the Grand Forks Herald, If theres one thing Minnesota doesnt need next year, its another budget stalemate. But judging by Republican and Democratic leaders recent actions, thats exactly what the state is going to get. A gigantic budget crisis looms, yet the two sides fritter the days and weeks away by proposing dead-on-arrival constitutional amendments (Pawlenty) or taking budget issues up with the courts (Democratic majority leaders in the state House and Senate). There is a better way. That way, of course, is compromise. And Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the person with whom it has to start. A compromise has to start with Pawlenty because Pawlenty is the one who has refused to compromise in the past. During the 2009 session, the Democrats never offered dramatic compromises of their own; more about that in a minute. But they clearly were willing to compromise and might have agreed to real reforms if Pawlenty had spelled out his terms. Sadly, Pawlenty never did that. He simply stood firm on his no new taxes pledge successfully, as it turned out, when a tactical error by the Democrats let him balance the budget through unallotment. But Pawlentys one-time win was a long-term loss for the state. For it did nothing to correct the states structural deficit: the shocking, multi-billion-dollar imbalance between Minnesotas revenues and expenditures. [Editorial, Grand Forks Herald, 11/22/09]

OPPOSED BALANCED BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT RAISED TAXES

Pawlenty Vetoed Opponents Plan To Raise Taxes On Credit Card Companies, Alcohol, And The Wealthy To Pay For Health Care, Education, And Nursing Homes. According to the Associated Press, Majority Democrats have failed

to override Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of a $1 billion tax plan. The Minnesota House lacked the needed 90 votes to reverse the veto. Sundays vote was 85 to 49. The bill would have raised taxes on alcohol, some credit card companies and families making more than $250,000. That tax money would have been earmarked for education, health care and nursing homes. It was the second failure of an override attempt by Democrats. Earlier Sunday, they couldnt undo Pawlentys veto of funding for a statesubsidized health program. Pawlenty and Democrats could still strike a budget deal before the Legislature adjourns at midnight Monday. But if they dont, the GOP governor says hell balance it on his own. [Associated Press, 5/18/09] Pawlenty Chose To Make Unilateral Budget Cuts Rather Than Compromise With Legislature. According to the Post Bulletin, If the governor follows through with a veto of the tax bill, it will be up to him to slice $3 billion to balance the twoyear budget. Pawlenty announced last week he would not call lawmakers back for a special session, and if a deal could not be reached, he would use his executive authority to make cuts. [Post Bulletin , 5/19/09] Former Republican Governor Carlson: Pawlenty Should Consider Tax Increases To Balance The Budget. According to station WCCO, Former Republican Governor of Minnesota Arne Carlson said Pawlenty should consider tax increases to help balance the budget. For example, he says, extending the sales tax to clothing or making a small increase in the income tax could be done with a three-year expiration date. [WCCO, 5/14/09]

VETOED IRON RANGE ECONOMIC FUND

Pawlenty Eliminated The Iron Range Economic Development Fund. According to Fox 21 News, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to drain an Iron Range economic development fund to help fix the state budget. The Douglas J. Johnson Trust Fund gets its money from taconite taxes and has a balance of $95 million. Pawlenty is asking lawmakers to take all of the money as part of his latest budget-balancing proposal. Pawlenty unveiled another round of proposed cuts Tuesday because it appears federal lawmakers wont act on Medicaid funding until after the state deadline. He had originally proposed a $30 million cut to the fund, and is now proposing taking the remaining $65 million as well. [Fox 21 News, 5/4/10]

2009 BUDGET GIMMICKS

Pawlentys Proposed Budget Relied On $920 Million In Federal Stimulus Funds, Could Have Been As High As $3 Billion. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty is also counting on at least $920 million in federal stimulus funds to help the state out of its deficit hole. The figure is actually expected to be much higher -- about $3 billion or more -- but Pawlenty pointed out that fully half that money may go to shovel-ready projects that will benefit the states economy, but not its budget. Whatever additional money comes in, he said, could serve as a cushion against the deeper declines expected in coming months. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlentys Budget Proposal Inflicts The Least Short-Term Pain But Would Leave The Largest Longer-Run Problems. According to the Star Tribune, The DFL-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty still face a $4.6 billion hole in the 2010-11 budget and, so far, theres no agreement on how to fix it. Pawlentys approach inflicts the least short-term pain but would leave the largest longer-run problems. He would cut $1.3 billion in spending, borrow $1 billion through the sale of long-term bonds and temporarily shift $1.3 billion by delaying state payments to schools. He also would tap the states Health Care Access Fund for $700 million. That makes for $3 billion in one-time money, not counting $800 million in federal stimulus funds, another one-time solution. The report also noted that Pawlenty has pledged to veto any budget proposal that includes a tax increase. [Star Tribune, 4/11/09] Pawlenty Raided Tobacco Settlement Funds To Pay Off Bonds. According to the Star Tribune, Nearly $1 billion would be raised from the sale of bonds to be repaid with money that Minnesota receives each year under the 1998 tobacco suit settlement. The annual amount is about $200 million, though it can change with inflation and the volume of tobacco sales; Under the Pawlenty proposal, about half of the yearly tobacco payment to the state would be used to pay off the bonds; The lump sum gained from the bond sale would be applied to the states overall debt service payments, currently projected at $1.067 billion for the 2010-11 biennium. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Proposed Budget Stretches The Normal Bounds Of Prudent Management, And It Could Put The States AAA Credit Rating At Risk. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty also proposes something new: issuing nearly $1 billion in bonds, to be repaid with currently undedicated annual receipts from the states 1998 tobacco lawsuit

settlement. The borrowed money would be used to cover the states debt service obligations in 2010-11. Add to that the expected $1 billion he is booking from the federal government -- an amount that may be conservative -- and nearly 10 percent of the state spending Pawlenty recommends in 2010-11 would be paid from funds that would disappear in 2012-13. That stretches the normal bounds of prudent management, and it could put the states AAA credit rating at risk. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Randy Krebs: Pawlenty Leans Too Heavily (Again) On Cost Shifts And Gimmicks. According to an op-ed in the St. Could Times, In failing to provide substantial structural changes to the states budget process, Pawlenty leans too heavily (again) on cost shifts and gimmicks. Tops on the list in this plan is delaying $1.3 billion in state payments to schools until the next fiscal year. A close second is the idea of selling bonds tied to the states annual tobacco settlement funds. Regarding school aid, that might balance the state books on paper, but it does so only in the short term and it forces school districts to spend tax dollars on borrowing money until the state checks arrive. Just like the governors sweeping cuts to Local Government Aid and amid echoes of his 2003 solution, this strategy amounts to the state really only passing its buck down to other levels. The only way to make such moves close to fair is to invoke concepts such as lessening state mandates on these jurisdictions or at least acknowledging the state is only serving itself, not the taxpayers who fund both it and those other jurisdictions. As for the tobacco bonds, that idea is so far removed from spirit of the settlement it should be the last resort. And, yes, that includes after taxes have been raised. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/29/09] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Borrowing To Fund Government Was Like Taking Out A Second Mortgage To Cover This Years Mortgage Payments. According to the Star Tribune, One of Pawlentys one-time money proposals is particularly objectionable. He would borrow $1 billion and pledge future state revenues to pay the debt service. Thats like taking out a second mortgage to cover this years mortgage payments. It pushes the problem ahead, and makes it worse when it recurs. [Editorial, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, 4/12/09] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Plan Would Trigger More Than $500 Million In Property Tax Increases. According to an editorial by the Star Tribune, Pawlentys budget raises new revenue, too -- not directly, but via $1 billion in borrowing against future state taxes and deep state aid cuts to cities and counties that are projected to trigger more than $500 million in property tax increases. Pawlentys borrowing plan has been likened to taking out a second mortgage to buy groceries -- never a good idea. [Editorial, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/22/09]

WANTED TO LOWER BUSINESS TAXES DESPITE BUDGET CONCERNS

Despite Huge Budget Problems, Pawlenty Proposed Cutting States Business Tax In Half. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, With Minnesota facing huge budget problems, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday proposed a counterintuitive solution: Cut business taxes. In his seventh State of the State address to a joint session of the Minnesota House and Senate, Pawlenty called for a smorgasbord of tax breaks designed to cut the costs of doing business in the state Calling his plan the Minnesota Jobs Recovery Act, Pawlenty proposed cutting the states business tax rate in half -- from the current 9.8 percent to 4.8 percent -- over six years. He also put forward a series of tax breaks to spur small-business expansion The Republican governor did not say, however, that those tax cuts would reduce state revenue and force him and legislators to make deeper cuts in programs to close a projected $4.85 billion gap in the states next two-year budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/15/09] Randy Krebs: Minnesota Simply Cannot Afford This Year To Cut Business Taxes. According to an op-ed in the St. Cloud Times by Randy Krebs, The states fiscal situation is so fragile now that it simply cannot afford this year to cut business taxes. As we noted last week, thats a move to be made in better times - and only with substantial evidence it will ultimately help state coffers more than it hurts them. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/29/09] Economics Professor: Tax Cuts Will Do Little To Help The State Economy Now And Will Probably Hurt It As Minnesota Confronts This Recession. According to David Schultz, a Hamline University School of Business professor, writing in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys call in his State of the State Address to cut business taxes to spur economic development begs two important questions: Do tax cuts encourage economic development? If so, is this the time and place to cut taxes? Social science research is clear: Tax cuts will do little to help the state economy now and will probably hurt it as Minnesota confronts this recession. Schultz added, His cuts do little to help the economy. Instead, they may exacerbate the recession in Minnesota. During the early days of the 1930s Depression, many states cut state consumption and spending as a way to address their economic problems. The cuts only made matters worse as they left more workers unemployed and depressed economic output even more. Pawlentys tax cuts for business, if

accompanied by additional decreases in state spending, will repeat this foolish path and only damage the state economy in the short and long term. Under some circumstances, taxes and cutting them do matter, but not now. Pawlenty has it exactly wrong in his call for tax cuts, and this policy should be rejected because it is based on hope and myth, not facts. [David Schultz op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/28/09] 2009: Projected $6.4 Billion Deficit. According to the St. Cloud Times, Tuesdays state budget forecast spelled out how deep the states revenue hole is for the next two years - $6.4 billion, a $1.8 billion increase in red ink since November, all tied to falling tax revenues. One-time help from the federal stimulus bill will knock that down to $4.6 billion, perhaps taking some of the sting out of the decisions that have to be made next. [St. Cloud Times, 3/4/09]

STATE HEALTH CARE PLAN

Pawlenty Proposed Cuts Would Drop 113,000 Minnesotans From State Health Care Plan. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys cuts to health care would make an estimated 113,000 Minnesotans ineligible for subsidized health care starting in January 2011. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/27/09] Pawlenty Health Insurance Benefits From Same-Sex Couple, Threatened Veto. According to a letter written by Tim Pawlenty and published in the Albert Lea Tribune, to the legislature stating his opposition to provisions that require that state-paid health insurance must be made available to domestic partners if a collective bargaining agreement or plan provides state paid health insurance to spouses. Pawlenty added, I oppose this provision and will not sign a bill that includes this expansion of benefits. [Pawlenty Letter, Albert Lea Tribune, 5/5/09] Minnesota Hospital Association: Pawlentys Health Care Cuts Would Diminish Access To Care And Jeopardize Health Care Infrastructure. According to the Alexandria Echo Press, Totaling $857 million, the cuts would seriously damage the states already strained and fragile health care system, diminish access to care and jeopardize health care infrastructure, according to Flaig and the Minnesota Hospital Association..[Alexandria Echo Press, 4/15/09] Hospital Officials Were Critical Of Pawlentys Plan To Drop 84,000 People From Minnesota Care To Balance The Budget. According to the Woodbury Bulletin, Hospital executives also complain that the Republican governors budget plan drops 84,000 people from the state-subsidized MinnesotaCare health insurance program over the next 1.5 years. [Woodbury Bulletin, 4/23/09] Childrens Hospitals Of Minnesota Said Pawlentys Proposed $36 Million Cuts Would Have Severe Long-Term Impacts On Core Services And On Quality Of Care. According to the Minnesota Post, Pawlentys Medicaid budget proposal before the Legislature would have taken a devastating $36 million from our budget for the 2010-11 biennium (including a $6.6 immediate unallotment last December). Goldbloom said, A cut on the scale of $36 million, however, would not be reasonable at all. It would represent an extreme, disproportionate impact on our hospitals and the children we treat, who come from every corner of the state. Put bluntly, it would be terribly unfair to sick children, who unfortunately dont have much political cloutWe would never turn our backs on sick children. But without question, a cut on the level previously proposed by the governor would have severe long-term impacts on core services and on quality of care. Our patients and their families would feel it, and not just the low-income population because we treat all children alike, regardless of insurance coverage. [Minnesota Post, 6/9/09] Childrens Hospitals Rallied Against Pawlentys Plan To Cut Health Care Funding. According to KARE11-Twin Cities, the heads of Minnesotas Childrens Hospitals held a rare news conference on May 4, 2009 to ask for fairness from lawmakers and Governor Tim Pawlenty. The CEO of Childrens Hospitals, Alan Goldbloom said that Childrens stands to lose $36 million in Medicaid funding in the next two years, if Governor Pawlentys cuts to subsidized health care become law, and thats on top of $58 million in Medicaid cuts the Childrens system has sustained since 2003 according to Goldbloom. [KARE-11 Twin Cities (MN), 5/5/09]

Pawlenty Told Hospitals To Stop Carping And Complaining About his Proposed Budget Cuts To Health Care. According to the St. Cloud Times, Pawlenty suggested that health care providers come up with an alternative to the cuts he proposed if they cant live with them. The St. Cloud Times reported Pawlenty said, Instead of carping and complaining, perhaps they should put some ideas on the table. [St. Cloud Times, 5/11/09]

Rochester Post-Bulletin: Pawlentys Hospital Budget Would Cause Hospitals To Lay Off Employees, Refuse To Accept New Medicare Patients And Charge Paying Customers Even More To Make Up For The Loss In State Revenue. According to an editorial in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Gov. Pawlenty seems to believe that the best way to deal with the rising cost of medical care is to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding to hospitals and to cut thousands of people off the state medical programs that help pay their billswere fairly certain that these spending cuts would simply cause hospitals to lay off employees, refuse to accept new Medicare patients and charge paying customers even more to make up for the loss in state revenue. The editorial added Simply telling Minnesotas hospitals to tighten their belts isnt an answer -- unless your top priority is to balance the states books while avoiding anything that might be called a tax increase. [Editorial, Post-Bulletin, 4/28/09] Pawlenty Proposed $500 Million Cuts To Minnesota Health Over Two Years, Including Programs For The Poor, Including People With Traumatic Brain Injuries And Disabilities As Well As Older People At Risk Of Nursing Home Placement. According to the Star Tribune, About 55,000 Minnesotans would lose health care coverage this year and another 29,000 next year under Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed two-year budget. Most of those affected are adults without children who are now on MinnesotaCare, the health-care-subsidy program for low-income working people, said Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman. The cuts would save about $500 million over two years, compared with forecasted spending. Others losing coverage would be in various Medical Assistance programs for the poor, including people with traumatic brain injuries and disabilities as well as older people at risk of nursing home placement. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlentys Budget Proposal Cut Fees To Hospitals By 3 Percent, Nursing Home Rates By 1.3 Percent. According to the Star Tribune, Under the governors proposal, fees would also be cut by 3 percent to hospitals and others serving people on Medical Assistance and programs keeping older and disabled people at home instead of in institutions. Nursing home rates would be cut 1.3 percent, and 1 percent of new applicants would be denied nursing home care because they are not sick enough to be eligible under the new standards. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Podiatry, Chiropractic Or Adult Dental Care Would No Longer Be Covered By Government Health Plans. According to the Star Tribune, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and General Assistance Medical Care no longer would cover podiatry, chiropractic or adult dental care, and spending for personal care assistants would be cut. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlentys Budget Plan Would Anti-Smoking And Obesity Efforts By Nearly Half. According to the Star Tribune, The $47 million approved last session to finance community efforts over two years to reduce obesity and smoking would be cut to $26 million over four years. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09]

Hennepin County Medical Center Specifically [Directed] Blame At Gov. Tim Pawlenty And His Budget Cuts For Layoffs At Hospital. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, Hennepin County Medical Center is but the latest Twin Cities hospital to announce a workforce reduction, but one of the first to specifically direct blame at Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his budget cuts. A statement released Monday by HCMC said the cuts are necessary to confront the governors $73 million reduction in state health and human services spending for the current year. HCMC expects under this decision, which Pawlenty announced Dec. 19, to lose $5 million in supplemental payments to offset the cost of treating the poor and disabled, and $7 million to offset the cost of training medical students and residents. The Minneapolis hospital plans to eliminate nearly 100 positions, though mostly by not filling as many as 80 open positions, and to freeze most capital and technology expenditures this year. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/27/09] Mayo Clinics Rural Hospitals Would Take A Hit From Pawlentys Proposal To Cut Reimbursements According to the Rochester-Post Bulletin, Mayo Clinics rural hospitals would also take a hit from cuts in state reimbursements for treating uninsured patients, clinic spokesman Bryan Anderson saidMayo Clinic is also concerned about cuts in state payments to hospitals. The clinic is reimbursed for 29 percent of the cost for treating Medicaid patients, but the governors proposal is estimated to trim it to 24 percent. The governors plan calls for money from a tax on hospitals, which funds the Health Care Access Fund for low-income patients, to be used to fund non-health care related budget items. Mayo, which paid an estimated $50 million under the tax last year, opposes that option. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 1/28/09] Pawlentys Cuts To MinnesotaCare Would Jeopardize $1.89 Billion In Stimulus Funding. According to Finance & Commerce, Criticism continues to mount over Gov. Tim Pawlentys deficit-cutting plan to reduce the number of lowerincome residents receiving help from the MinnesotaCare program. Paring adults from MinnesotaCare rolls is part of Pawlentys proposed mix of spending reductions, borrowing and budget shifts designed to plug a projected $4.8 billion

shortfall for the two-year budget cycle starting July 1. Pawlentys plan would cut a bit more than $1.3 billion during the next budget cycle, reducing Minnesota Department of Human Services funding by $792 million and taking $638.6 million from the Health Care Access fund. But a maintenance of effort provision in the $819 billion economic stimulus package passed last week by the U.S. House would slash $1.89 billion in funding for federally supported state health care programs through mid2011 if the governors cuts are made. [Finance & Commerce, 2/5/09] Budget Think Tank Senior Fellow: Its Strange To Me That The Governor Would Propose To Cut Medicaid And Lose Out On Federal Funding. According to Finance & Commerce, Its strange to me that the governor would propose that, said Judith Solomon, a senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). Solomon said tightening health program eligibility, as Pawlentys proposed budget cuts do, represents an all-ornothing gamble to lose federal funding for the 17-year-old MinnesotaCare program - one of the nations first low-income health care programs. We havent seen a lot of the eligibility cuts. A lot of states went to other places for cuts, Solomon said. [Finance & Commerce, 2/5/09]

Pawlentys Proposed $36.3 Million In Cuts Would Only Creates Deeper Future Problems. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Long-term care facilities face cuts under Gov. Tim Pawlentys state budget proposal, but that only creates deeper future problems, advocates say Pawlentys proposal, which will be updated after Tuesdays budget forecast, affects both access and economic stability, she said. It limits access to nursing facilities and waivered services by tightening the standards for nursing home admittance, she said. The next two-year budget would cut $36.3 million to facilities. The budget also eliminates dental coverage for adults and critical access dental care, leaving Medical Assistance elderly waiver patients without access to routine dental care. It would save $50.3 million. The budget also eliminates coverage of rehabilitation services, denying needed rehab services to patients not covered by Medicare, saving $6.8 million. Cullen said Pawlentys proposal would reduce funding for nursing facilities by repealing rebasing and a reduction in an incentive for bed closures. Rates are now based on 2002 costs, and rebasing would refigure rates based on current costs. That move saves $4.65 million. Even bigger, Pawlenty proposes to reduce the long-term care rate for home and community-based services, saving $84.9 million. [Bemidji Pioneer, 3/1/09] Pawlenty Cut Aid To The Poor Right When They Needed It Most. According to the Star Tribune, Across Minnesota, more and more people are slipping through the public safety net, a web of programs that has grown thin with budget-cutting over the past six years and may face further cuts in this years state budget crisis. As a result, more and more are landing in the states private safety net -- including food shelves, emergency shelters, community clinics and hospital emergency rooms -- and this network, too, is starting to fray. State data tell the story. The number of Minnesotans receiving food support (formerly food stamps) and on medical assistance is climbing steadily. But the number of families collecting cash assistance has dropped by 20 percent in the past five years, even though the number living in poverty has risen by 20 percent. The number of people getting subsidized medical coverage through MinnesotaCare has fallen by 25 percent, even though the number of uninsured Minnesotans is rising. The share of jobless workers who receive unemployment benefits is dropping, even as the job market suffers its worst recession since 1982. [Star Tribune, 3/31/09] Nick Coleman Said Pawlentys Proposal Elimination Of Safe Haven Services For Homeless Was Penny Wise And Pound Foolish. According to a Nick Coleman opinion piece in the Star Tribune, Advocates for the homeless are worried that the state deficit may mean deep cuts for some of the programs that are far more affordable than locking up the homeless or letting them freeze on the street. One unique program, a two-year-old effort to provide safe shelter for mentally ill persons (a large percentage of the homeless suffer from mental illness), is run by People Incorporated. Called Safe Haven Services, and run in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry, the program brings scores of the most vulnerable homeless people in from the cold, arranges treatment, and gets them into real homes. Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to eliminate the $460,000 state program. That move is penny wise and pound foolish, and about as useful as No Trespassing signs. It wont save our money. It will end up costing more money. Because Safe Haven Services saves taxpayers millions. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 2/5/09]

HIGHER EDUCATION
2009: Pawlenty Proposed Cutting The University Of Minnesota And The Minnesota State Colleges And Universities By More Than 10%. According to the Star Tribune, Under the governors budget proposal, the University of Minnesota faces a $153 million reduction in state funding over two years, while the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system would get $145 million less. Both represent cuts of more than 10.7 percent from current law About 21 percent of

the Us budgeted revenues for 2009 come from tuition and fees; 24 percent come from the state. The governors budget leaves intact the State Grant program, which provided $175 million in aid to 85,000 students in 2007-08. But it proposes cuts to a new program, Achieve Scholarship. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Minnesota State Colleges And Universities CFO Said Cuts Could Cause Higher Tuition, Enrollment Caps, Campus Closures. According to the Star Tribune, At a recent legislative hearing, MnSCUs chief financial officer, Laura King, said deep decreases in the systems budget could necessitate higher tuition, caps on enrollment and possibly closing one or more of MnSCUs 54 campuses. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09]

EDUCATION FUNDING
Pawlenty Delayed $1.7 Billion In Payments For Primary Education, Cut $50 Million For Higher Education And $200 Million From Health And Human Services. According to the Star Tribune, K-12 schools will suffer a $1.7 billion accounting shift that delays -- but does not cut -- their funding. Some school districts have said they will incur some loss because they will be forced to do short-term borrowing to cover the delay. The University of Minnesota and the state colleges system each face cuts of $50 million. Several programs administered by the Health and Human Services department are being cut by more than $200 million. [Star Tribune, 7/2/09] The Daily Journal Editorial: Seems Like [Pawlenty Picked Programs That Help The Most Vulnerable In Our State For Budget Cuts. According to an editorial in the Daily Journal, thumbs down to Gov. Tim Pawlenty for making cuts to funding for schools, cities and counties, and health and welfare programs. Seems like our governor picked programs that help the most vulnerable people in our state. [Editorial, Daily Journal, 6/18/09] Pawlenty Admitted Budget Cuts Would Make Some Citizens Lives More Difficult. According to the Wall Street Journal, The move isnt sitting well with some of Mr. Pawlentys constituents. Religious leaders organized a protest, a lobbying association for cities considered suing him, and the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor party criticized him for making an end-run around lawmakers. But blocking tax increases is a signature political move for Mr. Pawlenty, who is the subject of growing speculation about a possible presidential run in 2012. He said last month that he wont run for a third term next year. This week, hes been calling for Republicans to restrain federal and state spending. In an interview, Mr. Pawlenty called spending control the central premise of the revitalization of the Republican party. As for the presidency, Im not ruling anything in or out, but I dont know what the future holds for me, he saidMr. Pawlenty said he would consider a compromise on the health-care program, which was set to expire after the legislature reconvenes. He acknowledged his budget cuts would make some citizens lives more difficult, but said, I think it is consistent with what society is going through generally. [Wall Street Journal, 7/11/09] Pawlenty Increased Funding For k-12 With Strings Attached. According to the Star Tribune, Schools lucked out in the governors budget, winning funding increases at a time when overall state spending would be cut But there are varying degrees of luck for schools. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Schools That Showed Progress On State Tests Would Get Increase Of $91 Million. According to the Star Tribune, The biggest hunk of the funding increase -- $91 million -- would go to schools whose students show progress on state tests. How many students improve and the degree of improvement would determine the size of the bonuses. For Gov. Tim Pawlenty, it makes perfect sense that schools that do better should get more money. For DFLers, it means many schools that need the money the most -- often those with low-income and minority students -- could get left out in the cold. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlenty Budget Included $41 Million To Expand Merit Based Pay Program. According to the Star Tribune, DFLers reacted more positively to Pawlentys proposal that $41 million more be spent to expand his Q Comp plan to every school in the state. Thats the plan meant to tie pay raises more to student performance and peer evaluations than to years of service. Still, DFLers probably will push for more money to go directly onto the basic school formula, which would give equal funding increases to all school districts. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09]

HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS

Pawlenty Proposed Cut Homeless Veterans Funding By $750,000 When Number Of Veterans From Iraq And Afghanistan Were Growing. According to the Mankato Free press, The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans is receiving $1 million from the state for the fiscal year ending July 1, but that will drop to $250,000 for each of the next two years under budget proposals from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The falling funding comes at a time when the number of veterans being served including a growing number who served in Iraq and Afghanistan is surging. [Mankato Free Press, 4/23/09]

2008-09 Budget: Cutting Critical Funding While Raising Fees

2008: Minnesota Faced A Projected $5.3 Billion Deficit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota economists are forecasting the states revenues will come up $5.3 billion short of projected spending between now and June 2011. The hole in the budget will mean lawmakers and the governor will have to scramble during the legislative session to fill in the gap by cutting spending, raising taxes and fees, using reserve funds or some combination of all three. The forecast deficit will be the states largest ever, in dollar terms, and would represent a gap of almost 14 percent of the states total $38 billion budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/3/08] Pawlenty Unilaterally Drained The States Rainy Day Fund And Cut Spending. According to the Associated Press, The Republican governor used an executive power called unallotment to pull back scheduled spending after draining the states $155 million rainy day fund, and warned that more cuts might be needed early next year as the recession eats into a $34.6 billion budget that runs through June. [Associated Press, 12/19/08] 2008: Pawlenty Chose To Drained Every Last Cent From Rainy Day Fund To Fix Budget Deficit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesotas top state finance officer on Thursday informed legislative leaders that the Pawlenty administration will drain every last cent from the states rainy-day reserve fund to help plug a $426 million hole in the budget. State Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson told the Legislative Advisory Commission, made up of six high-ranking lawmakers, that the administration will use the $155 million budget reserve to start reducing the deficit. That expected announcement opens the door for Gov. Tim Pawlenty to begin cutting spending on his own without the Legislatures approval. State law requires the governor to use up the budget reserve before he can exercise his rarely used power to unallot, which is Capitol jargon for the governors extraordinary authority during a fiscal crisis to reverse the Legislatures spending decisions. To balance the current two-year budget, which ends June 30, Pawlenty would have to slice $271 million from programs and services. The state constitution requires a balanced budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/11/08] Pawlenty used His Allotment Power To Cut $271 Million. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Area cities, counties and colleges stand to lose millions in funding cuts announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty Friday as a means to solve a $426 million budget deficit To solve the budget shortfall, the governor used all of the remaining $155 million in state reserve funds and announced $271 million in spending cuts. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/20/08] Pawlentys Unallotment Cut $110 Million From Local Government Aid. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, State aid to cities and counties took the biggest hit, with a cut of $110 million. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/20/08] Pawlentys Unallotment Cut Department Of Health And Human Services By $73 Million. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Also hit hard was the states Department of Human Services, with a total of $73 million in cuts that will affect a wide array of programs, including those that fund medical education and medical assistance payments to hospitals. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/20/08] Pawlentys Unallotment Cut Higher Education Funding By $40 Million. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Other cuts included $40 million from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and University. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/20/08] In Response To Pawlentys LGA Cuts, Woodbury Increased Building Permit And Athletic Field Fees For The First Time In A Decade. According to the Star Tribune, in response to Pawlentys cuts to local government aid, Woodbury increased building permit fees for the first time in a decade and added athletic field fees. It also will keep police cars a year longer-- for four years -- before replacing them. [Star Tribune, 12/19/08] Minnetonka Postponed Building Improvements. According to the Star Tribune, in response to Pawlentys LGA cuts

Minnetonka postponed $525,000 of park and building improvements until building fees rebound. [Star Tribune, 12/19/08] Rochester Police Chief: Pawlentys Cuts To LGA Could Hurt Public Safety At The Time Crime Was Increasing. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Call it a major collision. Crime is up at the same time local law-enforcement agencies are faced with the need to cut their budgets. Its not a pretty picture for the heads of the Rochester Police Department and Olmsted County Sheriffs Office Police Chief Roger Peterson was hoping to hire additional officers to fill vacancies in the patrol division created when five officers shifted to a new street crime unit. That might not happen now. Instead, he is looking at creative ways to fill the void from within. He is eyeing putting a crime prevention officer back on the street along with the officer who now supervises the new civilian service officer unit. Dismantling the street crime unit is a last resort, he said. And its all coming at a time when there is increased demand for services. We are seeing an increase in crime, both overall and violent crime, Peterson said. It probably is not to the extent that people would perceive, but it is a bad trend, obviously, and one we want to get in front of. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/27/08] North County Hospital CEO: Hospitals Were Asked To Bear 50% Of Unallotments. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Minnesotas hospitals continue to take disproportionate cuts in state aid to solve the states budget woes, says Jim Hanko, president and CEO of North Country Health Services. In order to meet a projected $426 million budget shortfall in the current biennium which ends June 30, Gov. Tim Pawlenty earlier this month said he would unallot $271.4 million in state spending, including $73 million in health and human services spending. Hanko said Tuesday that $38 million of that (health and human services) unallotment -- greater than half of that unallotment -- came at the expense of hospitals. Funding to hospitals account for 15 percent of the states health and human services budget, but we were asked to bear 50 percent of that unallotment cost, said Hanko, who heads North Country Regional Hospital. This is the fourth time the state has come to hospitals, specifically, and have asked them to take the cut. [Bemidji Pioneer, 12/31/08] North County Hospital CEO: State Cant Ask For High Level Of Care While Continually Cutting Reimbursement Rates And Funding. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, To not look at all parts of the state budget in making unallotment decisions isnt fair, [North County Hospital CEO] Hanko said. Unless the option of increasing state revenues, such as income taxes, is put on the table, then state officials need to tell hospitals and their medical staffs who work very hard on behalf of its region like in Bemidji, these are the things you no longer have to do in terms of patient care. These are the services you no longer have to provide, because we (state officials) realize were only paying you less than 80 cents for every $1 worth of cost unit for Medicaid patients. [Bemidji Pioneer, 12/31/08]

Rochester Post-Bulletin: We Would Like Gov. Tim Pawlenty To Openly Disavow His No New Taxes Pledge. We Cant Cut Our Way Out Of This Mess. According to an editorial in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, We knew it was coming. We knew it was going to be bad. But now that we know the real numbers, we still cant help but be stunned by the size of the state budget deficit: $5.2 billion over the next 21/2 years. Thats 14 percent of the entire state budget we know the federal government cant and wont fix this mess for us. Belt-tightening will be needed at the local level we would like Gov. Tim Pawlenty to openly disavow his no new taxes pledge. We cant cut our way out of this mess. Targeted tax increases are a likely component in any plan to get the state out of this fix. [Editorial, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 12/5/08] Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Cant Stop Sipping The Kool-Aid Of The No New Tax Cult Despite $5 Billion Budget Crisis. According to an op-ed in the Star Tribune by Nick Coleman, Minnesota faces a historic deficit -- $5 billion over the next two years -- which, in truth, is more like $6 billion and could be larger. With the economy failing, government is one of the resources we have to keep people afloat. But it is being kept out of the fight -- like the ship that sat idly by while the Titanic went down -- by the same people whose unhinged political ideologies helped unleash the greed on Wall Street that got us into this mess. You know the mantras: Government is not the solution, government is the problem. No new taxes. Let the markets be free of regulation. Pawlenty still is a prisoner to the deceitful no new tax cult that has cut income taxes for the wealthy while raising fees and property taxes on everyone else. Even in the face of looming crisis, he cant stop sipping the Kool-Aid. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/9/08] A $1 Billion Surplus In February 2007 Became A Nearly Billion Dollar Deficit In February 2008. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota has slipped from a $1 billion surplus projected in February 2007 to a $935 million deficit projected last month, with revenues tumbling in every major tax category. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08] Pawlentys Fixes To the 2008 Budget Used One-Time Money And Accounting Shifts, Putting The 2010 Budget In The Red By Nearly $700 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys proposal to balance the budget would reduce the growth in state spending by $341 million. They also would use one-time money and accounting shifts to plug the

remainder of the states anticipated $935 million budget gap. Because so much of the money comes from one-time sources, the state would still be in the red by nearly $700 million in 2010-11, with the figure increasing to $1.8 billion when inflationary increases are assumed. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08] After Balancing 2008 Budget, Minnesota Faced A $1-$2 Billion Deficit In 2009-10 Budget. According to the Star Tribune, Looming over the celebration of bipartisan cooperation is the realization that the state faces the possibility of a $1 billion to $2 billion structural deficit for the upcoming two-year budget cycle that begins in 2009. [Star Tribune, 5/19/08] Budget Deal Capped County and City Property Tax Increases at 3.9%. According to the Star Tribune, County and city property tax levy increases capped at 3.9 percent a year for three years. [Star Tribune, 5/19/08]

PROPOSED SALES TAX CUT

Despite $1 Billion Deficit, Pawlenty Passed Cut In Sales Tax That Would Actually Deepen Minnesotas Anticipated Deficit. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget fix comes with a twist: In addition to spending cuts, hes proposing a statewide sales tax reduction. The 1/8th of a percent cut to the sales tax would actually deepen Minnesotas anticipated deficit, which economic forecasters say will hit $935 million. Pawlenty, a Republican, said Friday that the sales tax cut would provide an economic stimulus and cost the state treasury $77 million over the next 16 months. This is a modest tax cut, but its a step in the right direction, Pawlenty said. His plan seeks to use $250 million from the state budget reserve and shifts another $250 million from a health care fund to cover subsidized care for disadvantaged Minnesotans. Nobody will be removed from government health programs, he said. But he said a planned expansion of coverage would be canceled. Tax collectors would pull in $102 million more by doing away with an exemption some corporations used to shield income from overseas operations. He said more than $340 million of the fix comes in the form of cuts. Public colleges would lose a combined $54 million, although Pawlenty cast that as a reduction in a planned increase in state money for them. Hes also seeking 4 percent reductions to most state agency budgets. He said the departments of Veterans Affairs, Military Affairs, Transportation, Public Safety and Corrections are either exempt from cuts or would see minimal reductions. [Associated Press, 3/7/08] Rochester Post-Bulletin: Sales Tax Cut Stinks Of Voodoo Economics At Its Worst. According to a Rochester PostBulletin editorial, Pawlenty wants to cut the state sales tax by one-eighth of 1 percent. He calls it a modest stimulus for the economy. We see it as a thinly disguised end-run around some of the tax increases that the DFL-controlled Legislature has passed over his veto. The numbers work out this way. A consumer who buys a new iPod for $100 will save about 12 cents. In the market for something bigger? Buy a used car for $10,000 and your tax savings will be $12.50. For individuals, that paltry amount of money simply wont be felt. But at the state level, those nickels and dimes of lost revenue will add up to another $77 million per year that will have to be cut from budgets that already are stretched thin. To help pay for this stimulus package, Pawlenty would delay a long-promised 2 percent pay raise for workers in long-term care facilities, and would halt a plan to give two months of health insurance to children who currently are ineligible for state-subsidized coverage. More than 20,000 children would be affected. We know our governor hates tax increases, and we wish they werent necessary. But this symbolic tax cut in a time of economic crisis stinks of voodoo economics at its worst, and we hope our legislators waste little time in sending it to the cutting-room floor. [Editorial, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 3/13/08]

CUTS TO HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION

Pawlentys 2008 Budget Would Cut Higher Education By $54 Million in The Current Biennium And Another $108 Million In The Next Budget Cycle. According to the Star Tribune, A long-term perspective also puts in a dim light proposed higher education cuts -- $54 million in the current biennium, $108 million in the next. The University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities were treated much as any other state agencies by the governor, who recommended about a 4 percent appropriation cut for most offices. The problem with that is that the University of Minnesota and MnSCU arent ordinary state agencies. They are the vessels in which ride the Minnesota dream of prosperity built on brainpower. Only in the last two years have those state-sponsored schools been able to rein in tuition increases that rose at a double-digit pace in the first half of this decade. Cuts of the size Pawlenty proposes are a momentum stopper, said University Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer Richard Pfutzenreuter. If thats true for the university, its also true for Minnesota -- thats how entwined are higher education and the states future. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08]

Pawlenty Advocated For Cuts To University Of Minnesota Administration After Cutting Budget $26 Million, Also Cut Minnesota State Colleges And Universities By $26 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Among those who will feel the pinch most are the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), both of which would be cut more than $26 million in 2008-09 Pawlenty said that both systems should be able to cope through judicious belt-tightening and use of their own reserves. The U, he noted, could start with cuts in its administration. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08] University Of Minnesota CFO: Pawlentys Cuts To Minnesota State Colleges And Universities Were Significant Momentum Stopper And Could Increase Tuition. According to the Star Tribune, Richard Pfutzenreuter, chief financial officer for the University of Minnesota, called the proposed cuts a significant momentum-stopper that could result in increased tuition. MnSCU officials said they, too, may have to consider higher tuition. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08]

Pawlenty Proposed Cutting $2.4 Million For K-12 Education. According to the Minnesota Budget Project, In [Pawlentys] FY 2008-09 supplemental budget, the Governor proposes a small cut of $2.4 million in total general fund expenditures for K-12 education. [Minnesota Budget Project, 5/08] Pawlenty Aimed To Roll Back Hard-Fought Increase In Health Care Coverage Including For Lower-Income Children And Childless Adults. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty would also roll back hard-fought DFL increases in health care coverage, including increased coverage for lower-income children and childless adults. No one who has health care coverage right now would be cut, he said, but the state cannot afford extensions in coverage. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08] Pawlentys Proposed Using $250 Million From Health Care Access Fund To Close Budget Gap. According to the Minnesota Budget Project, The Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) collects money through health care provider taxes and premiums from MinnesotaCare enrollees. Created in 1992, the HCAF was intended to provide low-cost health insurance for working Minnesotans, so use of these funds for other purposes is controversial. However, the HCAF is a popular place to look for additional resources whenever the state faces a budget deficit. The Governors supplemental budget draws $250 million outright from the HCAF and transfers it to the general fund to help solve the budget deficit. And the Governors budget draws an additional $48 million in this biennium (and another $101 million in the FY 2010-11 biennium) from the HCAF by refinancing how the state pays for a transitional health insurance program for adults without children. Refinancing means changing which fund pays for a particular program. This health insurance program has been funded from the general fund since it was implemented during the 2005 Legislative Session. The refinancing would reduce resources available in the HCAF by $149 million over the next three years without making any improvements in access to health care for working Minnesotans, and the Governor actually cancels some scheduled improvements. In total, the Governor draws $399 million over the next three years from the HCAF to resolve the budget deficit. [Minnesota Budget Project, 5/08] Pawlenty Opposed Health Care Bill That Saved Money Through Free Market Solutions In Part Because He Wanted To Use MinnesotaCare Money To Close Deficit. According to the Star Tribune, The huge state health care reform bill, the product of two bipartisan panels that spent months creating an elaborate framework for change, hit a major and potentially fatal roadblock Tuesday. DFL leaders said that Gov. Tim Pawlenty had abruptly withdrawn his support for the bill because, they were told, it lacked support from Republican House members. Its very disappointing, said Sen. Linda Berglin, DFLMinneapolis. This is exactly the framework we negotiated, and now hes backing out. Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said that Pawlenty, in fact, never supported this bill, because it expanded health care rolls without offsetting savings. McClung warned that if legislators proceeded, they know that a veto is among the options. The bill, the product of a panel appointed by Pawlenty and a legislative committee, champions many of the governors proposals. The proposed savings would come through measuring and publicizing how well doctors and hospitals perform and what they charge, as well as the other efforts. About $20 million of the 2009 costs would be paid by health insurers and providers to fund community grants to communities to tackle obesity and smoking, and $29 million would come from the states Health Care Access Fund. That pot of money now is used to finance MinnesotaCare, the state-sponsored health plan for lower-income people, and other health initiatives. Pawlenty has proposed tapping it to reduce a $935 million projected state budget deficit. [Star Tribune, 3/26/08] Pawlenty Threatened To Veto Health Care Bill That Would Save Minnesota Money And Extend health Insurance To 47,000 Minnesotans. According to the Star Tribune, The bill is projected to slice health care spending nearly 20 percent by 2015 while extending coverage to 47,000 more Minnesotans. Proposed long-term savings could add

up to $12 billion, through efforts such as obesity and smoking reduction, and reductions in the uninsured. But it would cost money up front -- $49 million in 2009 alone, under one proposalThe 50-page bill delves into many areas of health care in Minnesota. It aims to trim up to $12 billion in health care costs that otherwise were projected to soar to $57.4 billion by 2015. If the state met those cost-cutting goals, the bill would have allowed for an estimated 47,000 more people to join MinnesotaCare. Through a system to be developed by an appointed commission, the state would provide incentive payments to providers to improve quality and trim prices -- then publish that information to help patients choose the best care. The bill would encourage doctors and clinics to become health care homes offering comprehensive and coordinated care to patients, especially those with chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes -- intended to improve overall health of Minnesotans. A new Health Care Impact Fund would set up the framework for $18.6 million in state grants to communities to tackle obesity, smoking, illegal drug use and alcoholism. The Star Tribune reported, Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said that Pawlenty, in fact, never supported this bill, because it expanded health care rolls without offsetting savings. McClung warned that if legislators proceeded, they know that a veto is among the options. [Star Tribune, 3/26/08] Minnesota Health Care Bill Would Reduce Costs By 10% While Expanding Coverage To 40,000 Minnesotans. According to the Star Tribune, Fifteen months in the making, a bill changing how health care in Minnesota is provided and paid for was approved late Monday by the Legislature, a measure one sponsor said is at least the first stage on the road to health-care reform. Although significant, the changes provided by the bill are far less dramatic than those recommended at the start of the session by separate panels appointed by the governor and the Legislature. The bill would start a statewide campaign to reduce smoking and obesity and offer public data on the quality and costs of doctor and hospital services. The bill would also certify doctors and clinics that provide medical homes with comprehensive and coordinated care, and expand eligibility to add about 40,000 people to MinnesotaCare, the insurance program for lower-income working poorIf the bill is enacted, about $67 million would be spent over three years to improve the health of Minnesotans and slow the growth of health-care costs to consumers, employers and the state. Health care in Minnesota will cost about $30 billion this year and could soar to $57 billion by 2015. Proponents said earlier forms of the bill would have cut spending by 20 percent. Now, Berglin said, it may cut costs by 10 percent by 2015. [Star Tribune, 5/13/08] Health Care Bill Would Report Public Health Care Data. According to the Star Tribune The state would gather and make public data about the costs and quality of health care. Patients would see an overall ranking or tier of quality in which a provider falls. Part of physicians pay would be based on their quality of care instead of the number of services they give. [Star Tribune, 5/13/08] Health Care Bill Would Create Medical Homes. According to the Star Tribune Medical homes: Participating doctors, groups of doctors and clinics would provide comprehensive, coordinated care. It would focus first on patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes to keep them healthier and reduce care costs. Providers could offer one-price baskets of care for specific chronic conditions. [Star Tribune, 5/13/08] Health Care Bill Would Funds Grants To Lower Smoking And Obesity Rates. According to the Star Tribune Statewide health improvement program: To lower rates of obesity and smoking, communities would receive state grants totaling $20 million in 2010 and $27 million in 2011. [Star Tribune, 5/13/08]

Pawlenty Vetoed The Health Care Bill Because It Made Too Many People Eligible For MinnesotaCare. According to the Star Tribune, Major bills on health care and education policy drew vetoes Tuesday from Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who hammered the former for excessive public subsidies and the latter for including new unfunded mandates. The health care bill - which was passed late Monday by a veto-proof margin in the Senate but more narrowly in the House -- emerged after months of study and debate with the aim of taking a step toward reform of what many consider a broken and costly system. Instead, Pawlenty wrote in his veto message, the bill merely expands access to health care without cutting costs or improving quality. He said much of the bill simply makes more people eligible for MinnesotaCare, the states subsidized health insurance program for the working poor. The state cannot afford to further expand subsidized health programs without certainty of reform that will control costs [Star Tribune, 5/14/08] Pawlenty Proposed Budget That Cut Health And Human Services By $376 Million Over 2 Years. According to the Star Tribune, The budget cuts include about $170 million from health and human services in the 2008-2009 budget cycle and $206 million for the following two years, the largest target for reduction. But nursing homes will see a 4 percent increase. [Star Tribune, 5/19/08]

Arne Carlson Criticized Pawlentys Desire To Cut Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Program. According to the Star Tribune, Former Gov. Arne Carlson hasnt always agreed with current Gov. Tim Pawlenty on fiscal decisions. Carlson on Thursday criticized the administrations proposed cuts to a fetal alcohol syndrome prevention program that Carlsons wife founded, and he said too many officeholders had become obsessed with every little zing and chess game. Speaking before a Senate committee, Carlson said the programs funding had decreased from $7 million annually when he left as governor in the late 1990s and would stand at $1.2 million if cuts recommended by Pawlenty were adopted. Pawlenty has recommended eliminating a planned funding increase for the program. Maybe the time has come for us to get into the business of taking a few days off from passing bills and start discussing some topics that transcend party lines, (Carlson) added. [Star Tribune, 3/15/08] Pawlenty Asked Minnesotas Low-Income Families, Children, Elderly And People With Disabilities To Bear A Large Share Of Balancing. According to the Minnesota Budget Project, The Governor released his supplemental budget proposal in early March, outlining a way to solve the shortfall for this biennium. The Governors proposal relies more heavily on spending reductions, asking Minnesotas most vulnerable our low-income families, children, elderly and people with disabilities to bear a large share of balancing the budget. [Minnesota Budget Project, 5/08]

PUBLIC SAFETY
2008: Pawlentys Proposed Budget Cut $4.7 Million From Public Safety As Well As $5.5 Million From District Courts. According to the Star Tribune, Public safety and corrections also is targeted for $4.7 million in cuts. The states court system also would be cut $5.5 million, which could result in shorter hours and reduced days for district courts. [Star Tribune, 5/19/08] Pawlentys Cuts To The Judicial System Would Place Responsibility On County Budgets. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, A one-two punch is hitting Minnesotas courts this summer. The left jab is coming from the depressed economy, which is taking an expected toll: more foreclosures, bankruptcies, divorces, disputes and criminal activity. The right hook was delivered by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature. A $3.8 million cut to the states public defender system and a $19 million shortfall in court budgets are combining to sap the judicial system, just when it needs to be strengthened. Next month, 70 of the states 441 public defender positions will go vacant, 23 of them because of layoffs. Those cuts will result in delay -- and, perversely, higher costs. But those costs will fall on county ledgers, not the states. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 6/24/08]

TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Under Pawlenty Number Of Highway Miles In Poor Condition Increased While Number Of Employees Was Cut By 19% Because Department Of Transportation Failed To Fix Roads Instead Of Building New Roads. According to the Star Tribune, The report, meanwhile, painted a sobering picture of Minnesotas roads. The state had more miles of trunk highway in poor condition in 2007 than five years before, a period when the number of Minnesota Department of Transportation employees dropped 19 percent, the report said. And though the agency had a policy of preservation first making repairs to existing roads the top priority - the report showed that more than half of MnDOTs spending on trunk highways was spent on expansion projects in the past five years. When adjusted for inflation, Nobles said, tax revenues for the trunk highway fund have decreased since 2003. One result, he said, was that MnDOT is increasingly committing more money for road construction and less on operations, research and support Noble, whose office is non-partisan, urged both Republicans and DFLers to reach a funding compromise, and also said that legislators and the agency needed to show some improvement in the rapport. [Star Tribune, 2/20/08] Pawlenty Vetoed The First Gas Tax Increase In 20 Years. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a $6.6 billion transportation plan on Friday, setting the stage for an override attempt by the Democrat-led Legislature as soon as Monday. Pawlentys long-promised veto came less than 24 hours after lawmakers sent him the bill, which would raise the state gas tax for the first time in 20 years. His veto letter called the package an overreaching, massive tax increase. The plan would plow $660 million a year into roads, bridges, buses and rail over the next decade. It would raise the state gas tax a nickel per gallon this year and another 3-1/2 cents later to pay off road construction debts. It would add another 0.25 percent to the sales tax in seven metropolitan counties for trains and buses and increase annual tab fees for new cars. [Associated Press, 2/22/08]

Pawlenty Said First Gas Tax Increase In 20 Years Would Lead To A Tax Revolt. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today predicted Minnesota taxpayers would revolt against the gas and other tax increases that Democrats in the Legislature imposed on them Monday by overriding his veto of the transportation bill. Yesterday the DFL had their day raising taxes, Pawlenty said at a Capitol news conference. Now the taxpayers of Minnesota will have their days between now and when they get to decide how they want this Legislature to run in the future and whos going run it. Yesterday will be the day that began a tax revolt in Minnesota, he said with uncharacteristic passion. The Republican brand, the Republican credibility depends on keeping a lid on and reducing taxes, he said. Thats who we are. Thats what we do. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/26/08]

House Republicans Who Voted To Override Pawlentys Veto Of Transportation Bill Were Stripped Of Their Leadership Positions. According to the Star Tribune, Less than 24 hours after six rogue Republican House members voted to override a veto of a $6.6 billion tax-raising transportation bill, they were stripped of their leadership positions, a swift and unusual recrimination explained as an effort to stitch together a fractious House GOP caucus. Several of the dissenting members did not go willingly or quietly, telling House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, that he would have to fire them from the positions. The Star Tribune added, Seifert said dissenting members were aware of the possible consequences before the vote was taken, including the possibility of losing staff support and other resources. But he said he decided that removal from the caucus or other extreme measures would not be taken. Even so, stripping the members of leadership positions was unusual enough that no one could recall a similar action in recent history. We expect Republicans to follow other Republicans, and there is obviously a mixed message with what happened yesterday, Seifert said at a news conference Tuesday. Were not taking anyones secretary away. Im not throwing their computers down the Capitol steps. Im not severing their phone lines. [Star Tribune, 2/27/08] GOP Rep Who Voted To Override Pawlentys Veto Of Transportation Bill Was Threatened With Reduced Media Privileges, Staff Members And Research Resources Should He Oppose The Governor. According to the Star Tribune, Rep. Ron Erhardt, R-Edina, said GOP leaders threatened to take away media privileges, staff members and research resources should he oppose the governor. Erhardt called them a bunch of bullies and, after casting his vote Monday, voiced concern about his reelection. Im worried about it, but what can I do? he said. [Star Tribune, 2/26/08] GOP Who Voted To Override Pawlentys Veto Of Transportation Bill Said She Did Whats Right. According to the Star Tribune, Im assuming Ill have several people running against me for the Republican nomination, said Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, R-Andover, who voted for the bill Thursday and then for the override, two days after her Republican endorsement for reelection was postponed because of her support for the proposal. She said that despite facing what she called her toughest vote in her 12 years in the Legislature, she did whats right and that Ill sleep good tonight. [Star Tribune, 2/26/08] Randy Krebs: We Didnt Expect Our Governor And His Political Party To Take Such A Low Road In Response To Six Votes Cast For Team Minnesota, For Once, Instead Of Team GOP. According to the Star Tribunes Rand Krebs, The Legislatures passage of a $6.6 billion, 10-year statewide transportation bill was never going to be portrayed as a high point in Minnesota history. But little did we expect it to spur a decidedly low point in party politics for this state Most troubling, though, are the aftershocks emanating from the Republican Party and Pawlenty. Within hours of the override, it became clear the party expects to punish Heidgerken and the other five House members for breaking ranks with the party and instead voting for what they believed was best for their constituents and all Minnesotans. Heidgerken said he will lose his post as lead Republican on the House K-12 Finance Committee. News reports indicate other consequences could include others resigning similar posts, losing staff and research services, or not getting party support in re-election bids. The Pioneer Press quoted Pawlenty as follows on this issue: If you are going to be a team, you know, then there are going to be some team rules and team expectations, and Ill leave that up to the caucus leaders how they are going to address this further. We expected a lot of things in the wake of this transportation bill passing safer bridges, higher taxes and, yes, some Election Day changes. We didnt expect our governor and his political party to take such a low road in response to six votes cast for Team Minnesota, for once, instead of Team GOP. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 2/27/08]

Minnesota Transportation Alliance: If Pawlentys Transportation Veto Was Upheld, Projects Would Have Had To Have Been Deferred Because The Costs Are Getting So High Existing Revenues Simply Would Not Allow A Lot Of The Projects To Stay On Schedule. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, [Transportation bill] will mean, in addition to new funding for state roads, an additional $12.5 million over 10 years for Beltrami County state-aid roads and $1.4 million for city

of Bemidji state-aid streets, said Margaret Donahoe, MTA [Minnesota Transportation Alliance] executive director. If this bill hadnt passed, projects would have had to have been deferred because the costs are getting so high existing revenues simply would not allow a lot of the projects to stay on schedule, she said. While the funding package will be a key piece in accelerating some projects now, Donahoe says there is a fear that lawmakers may consider their work done and not reconsider road and bridge funding for years again. When it takes a long time to pass, people think this is a pretty big bill and that transportation is finally taken care of, she said. We really didnt take care of transportation. We made a great step forward in addressing the problems, but if you look at the identified needs ... it really only meets about a third of that identified need. [Bemidji Pioneer, 10/3/08]

$1 BILLION BONDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION

Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing $1 Billion For Capital Improvements. According to the Star Tribune, More than 600 deteriorating bridges across Minnesota would be replaced under a $1 billion capital investment proposal made by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday. Nearly 40 percent of the borrowing, or bonding, plan is devoted to transportation, Pawlenty said, a record amount But even at $225 million, his recommendations would replace fewer than a third of the 1,800 deficient county, city and township bridges scattered across Minnesota. [Star Tribune, 1/15/08] Star Tribune: Pawlentys $1 Billion Bonds Is No Substitute For A Permanent, Ongoing Increase In Spending On Roads, Bridges And Transit. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Its fair to think of Gov. Tim Pawlentys state capital improvements proposal for the coming legislative session as his post-bridge collapse bonding bill - because, clearly, he does.It may be that Pawlenty wants the bonding bill - which has a good chance to pass - to emphasize transportation because prospects for accord on a transportation funding bill are not good. In response to that notion, Minnesotans should put him and the Legislature on notice: A one-shot spurt of bridge construction, paid for over the next 20 years, is no substitute for a permanent, ongoing increase in spending on roads, bridges and transit. Ending the 20-year drought in transportation funding increases ought to rank alongside the bonding bill as the 2008 Legislatures twin must-do priorities. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/15/08] Minnesota 2020 Transportation Fellow: Pawlentys Capital Improvements Bond Proposal Was Only A Fraction Of What Is Needed For Transportation Funding. According to, Conrad deFiebre, a transportation fellow at Minnesota 2020, and Minnesota 2020 founder Matt Entenza wrote an op-ed published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that read, Most policymakers agree that Minnesotas transportation needs are enormous. Gov. Tim Pawlenty acknowledged that himself this week by announcing that he had earmarked nearly 40 percent of his proposed 2008 bonding bill to transportation. But that proposal is one-time dollars and only a fraction of what is needed. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says its current funding is $2.4 billion a year short of meeting its goals for trunk highway maintenance and expansion through 2014. And thats for just a portion of Minnesotas road system. For local roads, bridges and transit to keep up, you can boost that number to $3 billion annually. [Conrad deFiebre op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/16/08] Pawlenty Line-Item Vetoed $208 Million From Public Works Bill. According to the St. Paul Pioneer press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today opted to do surgery on the Legislatures $925 million public works bill, cutting it down to $717 through line item vetoes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/7/08] Ramsey County Commissioner: We Did Everything [Pawlenty] Asked For And He Still Vetoed Central Corridor Line That Pawlenty Previously Supported. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The biggest single veto was for the Central Corridor line, which caused some jaws to drop in the second floor of the Ramsey County Courthouse and St. Paul City Hall as news of the veto spread. It makes no sense, said Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, after a Pioneer Press reporter told her of the veto. After conferring with a county lobbyist, she continued: It was his proposal to begin with. We did everything he asked for. We reached consensus. So he vetoes himself? [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/7/08] Pawlenty Vetoes Cost St. Paul Over $100 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Vetoes involving projects affecting St. Paul included $70 million from a proposed light-rail corridor between Minneapolis and St. Paul; $11 million for an expansion of the Como Zoo; $24 million for a new Bell Museum of Natural History on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, and $5 million for a proposed Asian Pacific Cultural Center. [Star Tribune, 4/8/08]

INCREASED SPENDING AND FEES

Star Tribune: Pawlentys Consistent Trademark During Budgeting Was To Balance The State Budget By Shifting Costs To Someone Else. According to the Star Tribune, In four years managing Minnesotas finances, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has shown a consistent trademark: Balance the state budget by shifting costs to someone else. Just ask homeowners, whose property taxes have soared as the state cut aid to local schools, or Minnesota college students, whose tuition bills have skyrocketed as the state squeezed public colleges and universities. The latest casualty of this cost-shifting tactic is Minnesotas hospital system. As reporter David Phelps documented in Sundays Star Tribune, charity care and unpaid bills at the states hospitals rose nearly 50 percent between 2003 and 2005 - exactly the period when the Pawlenty administration was cutting thousands of families from eligibility for MinnesotaCare, the insurance program that pays medical bills for the states working poor. This is health care reform in reverse, and the Legislature should put an end to it this session by restoring the states once-admired public insurance programs. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 4/12/07] Star Tribune: Pawlentys 2008-09 Budget Does Too Little To Prepare Minnesota For Its Future. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, If all you wanted from the Legislature this year is no new taxes, youre probably pleased with the output of the session that ended late Monday night - as Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he is. But Minnesotans who look to state government for a lot more wont find much to praise on this years list of lawmaking accomplishments. The regular session leaves in its wake an unremarkable state budget, and a litter of unmet needs and expectations. The big strides Minnesota needs in education, transportation and health care werent taken, often because the governor stood in the way. More than any other lawmaker, Pawlenty bears responsibility for a 2008-09 state budget that does too little to prepare Minnesota for its future. His seven big-bill vetoes, sustained by a disciplined Republican minority, left a decisive mark A return to big DFL majorities in House and Senate didnt do enough to alter the no new taxes course charted from the governors office since 2003. Pawlenty won contest after contest with DFLers. To the winner now goes the accountability. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/23/07] Pawlentys 2007 Proposed Budget Recommended Increases In A Variety Of Fees. According to an overview of Pawlentys FY 2008-2009 budget, The Governors budget recommendations decrease net revenues to the general fund by $142.2 million in FY 2008-09. Table 6 (on the next page) illustrates these revenue changes on a committee basis. In general, the Governor is recommending decreases in tax revenue and increases in a variety of fees. Much of the decrease in the Higher Education and Workforce Development area is not an overall decrease but a transfer of revenues from the general fund to other funds. The other revenue items are highlighted in the summary for each committee area. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2008-09 Budget Recommendations (no. 07.04), Page 6] Pawlenty Requested $40 Million For Renewable Energy Projects Such As Solar Rebates, Hybrid Vehicles And Biofuels. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Environment and energy: Pawlenty recommended $40 million over two years to test and clean up lakes and rivers. Thats less than the $25 million the 2006 Legislature approved for this year and well below the $100 million a year advocacy groups say is needed for the federally required effort. Environmental groups called the proposal disappointing. Pawlenty also proposed $40 million for an array of renewable energy objectives. They include $10 million for biomass technology to encourage new biofuels, $5 million in grants for solar rebates, plug-in hybrid vehicles and methane digesters and $12 million in grants to develop 1,500 more E-85 fueling stations. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/07] Pawlentys Budget Recommended Borrowing $1.7 Billion, Legislature Opposition Wanted To Raise Gas Tax. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The governor recommended borrowing $1.7 billion over 10 years to fund transportation projects. Last year, lawmakers rejected a $2.5 billion transportation borrowing proposal. Senate and House members have proposed gas and vehicle tax increases to pay for that work. Pawlenty also offered a one-year, $95 million infusion to speed up important highway projects around the state and $5 million for a project aimed eventually at replacing the gas tax with a mileage-based tax. He also recommended shifting tax revenues that come from leased vehicles from the general fund to transportation and transit, providing an extra $67 million. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/07] Pawlentys Budget Included $281 Million In Tax Cuts, Mostly For Property Taxes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Except for an increase in the fee on cigarettes, which some call a tax, Pawlenty has never relied on statewide taxes to balance his budget. He avoided tax increases again and called for $281 million in new tax relief. Much of that $150 million would go to hold down property taxes on homes. Property taxes are projected to increase 6.3 percent next year on an average home, valued at $216,000. Pawlentys plan would cut that increase to 3.2 percent. About 1.5 million homeowners would get property tax reductions through an expanded market value credit. For example, if you

own a home valued between $76,000 and $414,000, the state would pay an additional $38 on your 2008 tax bill. If your home is worth more than $455,778, youd get nothing. To hold down local property taxes, Pawlenty also recommended a $10 million-a-year, or 2 percent, increase in state aid to cities with strings attached. He wants the state to impose a cap on property tax increases at roughly the rate of inflation on about 87 cities that derive more than one-third of their general revenue from the state. The cities would include North St. Paul and St. Paul; the others are outstate. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/07] Pawlentys 2007 Budget Allocated $45 Million For Health Care Initiatives. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The governor said the states health and human services budget continues to grow, leaving little room for other budget priorities Pawlenty proposed having the state spend more money on: Increasing payments for long-term care providers, with a bonus payment for facilities that meet certain benchmarks. Those payments would cost about $92 million over the next two years; Preparing for a pandemic flu, at a cost of $20 million; Improving the states mental health care systems. That series of initiatives, which won backers in the Legislature last year but never came to fruition, would cost $45 million. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/07] Pawlenty Said $320 Million For Kindergarten Was Too Expensive. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, House and Senate members have pushed all-day, every-day kindergarten to help those younger kids. That would cost $320 million over two years, which Pawlenty has said is too rich for these budget times. Pawlenty wants to bump higher education funding by $454 million, or about 16 percent. Higher education officials said the budget goes in the right direction but doesnt include all the money they need. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/07] Pawlenty Requested $74.8 Million For Free College Tuition And Tax Breaks For Veterans. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a $74.8 million plan to help active-duty troops and veterans Monday, including a Minnesota GI bill that would let thousands of veterans and their family members go to public universities for free. The Republican governor also wants to eliminate state income taxes on military pay and pensions. [Associated Press, 1/8/07] Pawlenty Proposed 2007 Budget Raised Fees At The DMV. According to the Associated Press, After rising $3 in the last budget, drivers license fees would be bumped up another 75 cents to make a standard license cost $22.25. Roughly 1.7 million license and ID cards are issued annually. Theres another 75 cents in added vehicle title fees and $1.75 more to purchase a license plate, except for collector-car versions; theyd jump $15. [Associated Press, 1/23/07] State Parks Fees Went Up In Pawlentys Budget. According to the Associated Press, Enjoying the outdoors could cost a bit more, too. Campground fees at state parks - now used by 750,000 people a year - would climb an average of $2 in 2008. [Associated Press, 1/23/07] Pawlentys Budget Raised Fees For New Born Babies Screening And Increased Fees On Pre-Paid Funerals. According to the Associated Press, Being born and dying also comes with added expense. A fee for screening the estimated 72,000 newborns a year for health disorders would rise for the second time in four years, going from $61 to $81. Funeral homes, crematories and morticians would pay more to be licensed and reports related to pre-paid funerals would carry a higher fee. [Associated Press, 1/23/07]

Pawlentys 2008-2009 Budget Gave a $9 Million Tax Break To Publishing Firm So They Could Get a Discount On Construction Costs. According to the Star Tribune, A large tax break earmarked for an unidentified corporation this week in Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal would apparently be given to Thomson West, the giant legal publishing company, to help subsidize a major expansion in Eagan. Pawlentys budget recommended that an unnamed firm receive nearly $9 million in sales-tax exemptions to cut costs on construction materials, tools, equipment and fixtures for a possible $100 million expansion. Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, said Tuesday night that a lobbyist for Thomson West told her that the firm would be the beneficiary of the break. The company was unavailable for comment Thomson West has more than 6,000 employees on its Eagan campus. The governors budget said the exemption would go to a company that size to build a new office and data center that could lead to an additional 2,000 jobs. The governor warned that the firm was considering building the facilities in two other states, adding, In order for Minnesota to remain competitive as the company weighs its location options, the lowering of the tax burden on the construction of the facilities is necessary. [Star Tribune, 1/24/07] Thomson West Was Major Contributor To Pawlentys Gubernatorial Campaign. According to the Star Tribune, On April 10, 2006, even top executives of Thomson West each wrote $1,000 checks to the reelection campaign of Gov. Tim Pawlenty. That money came on top of $2,000 that another executive of the firm and his wife contributed to the

campaign a few months earlier. The contributions triggered concern Wednesday among DFLers as they considered the governors proposal to give Thomson West, a legal publishing firm based in Eagan, a tax break on an expansion a veteran DFLer and a government ethics watchdog questioned the propriety of giving the firm, a giant in its industry, a large break and said the timing of the contributions and the governors tax break proposal creates a troubling appearance. [Star Tribune, 1/25/07] Attempts To Lure Thomas West To Other States Appear To Be Either Weak Or Nonexistent. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Why does Thomson Corp., a publishing giant with $8.4 billion in gross revenue, need more than $10 million in tax breaks to expand in Eagan? State officials have said the incentives are needed to beat out possible competitors near Mason, Ohio, and Carrollton, Texas. But those competitive threats appear to be either weak or nonexistent. The company has ruled out Mason as a possible option and also doesnt appear to be seriously considering Carrollton So why does a highly profitable company need a handout from taxpayers? Cities and states recognize its competitive, and the cost of attracting new businesses is far greater than the cost of keeping existing businesses in the same location, [Thomson spokesman John] Shaughnessy said. Its a good investment for the city, county and state. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/27/07] Pawlenty Gave Tax Breaks To Company That Paid Handful Of Executives $25 Million A Year Combined. According to the Star Tribune, Should the state give millions of dollars in tax breaks to a business that pays its top few executives a combined $25 million a year? That question is being debated by legislators, an economist and academics regarding a request by the Eagan publishing firm Thomson West that was backed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The state Senate this week is considering a less expensive version. The company says it needs state tax exemptions over four years for an expansion that will create 2,000 jobs, and it implies that it might expand somewhere else if Minnesota doesnt save it some taxes. But because the tax savings would represent only about 9 percent of annual compensation for the companys top five executives, some argue that the deal really subsidizes executive incomes and benefits - such as Thomson President and CEO Richard Harringtons $7.5 million in 2006 - rather than creating jobs. When you give these kind of tax breaks to companies, who realizes the benefits? asked Arthur Rolnick, an economist and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Its either the shareholders or the CEOs or the top employees there. [Star Tribune, 3/29/07]

CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE

Star Tribune: Shows A Disappointing Lack Of Leadership. By Pawlenty On Childrens Health Care, Failed To Cover Enough Children. According to a Star Tribune editorial, At a Capitol news conference last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had finished outlining his much-awaited plan to expand health insurance coverage when a reporter asked how many Minnesotans would gain coverage under its provisions. An aide consulted some notes and replied: 23,000 people, including 13,000 children. That number is too low. Its a small fraction of Minnesotas 70,000 uninsured children, and less than onetenth of its uninsured adults. In fact, it could be less than the number of people who lost coverage from state budget cuts in 2003. It shows a disappointing lack of leadership in a state that prides itself as a leader in health care - and that now measures itself against states where Republican governors have embraced universal coverage. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/17/07] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Moved Goal Post From Covering All uninsured Children To Only Covering 20%. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Gov. Tim Pawlenty may no longer be taking the pledge, but hes still the no new taxes governor. On Monday, he showed Minnesotans what state government can do in the next two years without raising taxes. More precisely, he showed them how little government can doCover all kids with health insurance? Pawlentys proposal would cover only about one out of five uninsured Minnesotans under age 18. His budget would not put back on the rolls thousands of Minnesotans who lost their MinnesotaCare coverage during the deficits of 2002-04. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/23/07] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Vetoed Health Care Bill Born Of Bold Compromise And Packed With Smart Reforms. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Too often, it seems, the final weeks of Minnesotas legislative session resemble the last act of a Greek tragedy. Good souls strive for great ends - and then botch the plot by being a little too human. Thats a fair summary of whats happened to the Health and Human Services bill, vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty late last week. Born of bold compromise and packed with smart reforms, the measure promised help to many vulnerable Minnesotans. Yet the assurances will evaporate if the petty posturing at the Capitol doesnt quickly give way to conciliationIn his veto message, Pawlenty rejected as inherently inflationary a move to adjust rates to sustain nursing-home care. The remark characterizes the governors sentiments about much in the HHS bill. Though he claims to want a sound health and social-services network for

Minnesotans in need, he apparently cant face the fact that sustaining it entails writing a check. Ignoring the safety nets true cost isnt a plausible governance strategy. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/14/07]

TRANSPORTATION
Lori Sturdevant: Pawlentys $1.7 Billion Bonds Only Funded 10% Of What Experts Said Was Needed. According to an op-ed in the Star Tribune, Transportation was the conspicuous by its absence issue in Pawlentys State of the State address. It got fine-print billing in his budget rollout. Theres $95 million in one-time money (by comparison, one interchange upgrade, at Hwy. 169 and I-494, costs $148 million, according to the Minnesota Transportation Alliance). Theres dedication of the sales tax on leased vehicles, shifting $67 million in the next two years to roads and transit. Theres a baby-step $5 million pilot project, to come up with a fuel-neutral mileage charge that might be enacted someday. Theres a controversial proposal to issue $1.7 billion in trunk highway bonds over the next 10 years. Thats about the amount transportation advocates say should be spent every year for the next 10 or 12, to keep todays traffic clog from getting worse. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 1/28/07] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Plan To Borrow $1.7 Billion For Transportation Solves Little. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Voters wise decision last November to gradually shift proceeds from sales taxes on autos to transportation needs was widely understood to be a modest downpayment, a first step in overcoming Minnesotas vexing inability to invest in the roads and transit system needed to serve a growing population. Now comes the question: What will be the next step? Legislative leaders want to take a giant stride that, when combined with Novembers result, would fill about 70 percent of the annual $1.7 billion transportation shortfall. Their initiative would raise the gasoline tax (a user fee, really) by 10 cents per gallon, nearly matching the rate of adjoining states. They want also to restore license tab fees to pre-Jesse Ventura levels. And they would authorize metropolitan counties to levy a half-cent sales tax to expand on the success of light rail and actually build the metrowide transit system first promised in the 1970s and now well underway in competing cities Alas, the governor, even after shedding his no-new-taxes pledge, has denounced the new plan. And although its popular in many traffic-choked Republican suburbs, the GOP has quickly made the plan a tax-and-spend example of what happens when the DFL takes control of the Legislature. Pawlenty and his allies propose a more modest step. The governor would continue his borrowing program while not raising taxes. That solves little. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/10/07] Economist Edward Lotterman: Pawlentys Transportation Borrowing Does Not Reduce Taxes, It Just Moves Them From One Year To Another. According to St. Paul economist and writer Edward Lotterman, The dispute between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and many legislators over highway funding boils down to the old question of jam today or jam tomorrow? On second thought, that is not quite accurate. Both the governor and legislators want jam today. The legislators want to pay for the jam today. The governor wants to put the jam on a credit card and let our kids pay the bill tomorrow. The question of when governments should tax and when they should borrow is an old one. We face it right now at the federal level, where, despite a good economy, we are borrowing large sums to fund everyday government operations it is important to remember that government borrowing does not reduce taxes, it just moves them from one year to another. Some elected officials rely on public misunderstanding of the word bonding to mislead the public about this. Bonding does not mean that money somehow floats down from heaven to pay for a project. It simply means borrowing money. This borrowed money has to be repaid, with interest, at some point in the future. Those principal and interest payments can only come from taxes Gov. Pawlentys threat to veto any gas tax increase can be interpreted two ways. Is he really saying, I wont let us pay for better roads that we ourselves will drive on; our children and grandchildren should pay instead? Or does he mean, No one will pay more taxes while I am governor; they can pay more after I move on to a better job? The voters eventually will decide. [Edward Lotterman op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/22/07] Pawlenty Vetoed A Transportation Funding Bill That Would Have Increased The Gas Tax. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, By vetoing the transportation-funding bill, Pawlenty again kept his no-new-taxes pledge. In addition to increasing the gas tax and metro sales taxes, the measure would have removed $189 and $99 caps for license-renewal tabs on new vehicles and authorized the state to borrow $1.5 billion over the next decade for transportation. With more than $5 billion in tax and fee increases, this bill would impose an unnecessary and onerous financial burden on Minnesota citizens and would weaken our states economy, Pawlenty wrote in his veto message. The entire array of tax increases in this bill would cost an average family in Minnesota up to $500 per year. Pawlenty chided lawmakers for not accepting his transportation plan and accused them of overreaching. He said he issued the veto quickly so they would have time to pass another bill without tax increases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/14/07]

Star Tribune: Pawlentys Veto Of Transportation Bill Prevented Minnesota From Taking Advantage A Good Bargain In Federal Matching Funds. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Smart shoppers know that a buy one, get one free offer is a good bargain, and buy one, get four free is too good to pass up. A smart governor should know as much, too. Yet deals that good with the federal government were among the things Gov. Tim Pawlenty rejected when he vetoed the Legislatures capital projects bill last week. Similar buying opportunities are on the line in the transportation bill that the Legislature is expected to send to the governors desk before this week ends. It, too, faces a likely veto. Federal money isnt free, of course. Minnesotans pay their share of federal taxes to supply it. But Minnesota isnt receiving a reverse flow of federal dollars comparable to the stream that reaches most other states. In part, thats a desirable problem, the consequence of this states relative prosperity. But the other part is decidedly undesirable. Minnesotas failure to adequately invest in infrastructure, particularly roads and transit, has been leaving federal matching money on the table and allowing other places to get ahead of Minnesota in line for funds. The new Democratic majority in Congress has given Minnesota a special advantage in that competition, in the person of Eighth District Rep. Jim Oberstar. When Oberstar took the gavel of the U.S. House transportation committee, Minnesota lawmakers should have seen their cue. Nows the best opportunity Minnesota will likely ever have to tap the federal transportation spigot. The most recent federal transportation bill put $4.3 billion in matching funds within the states reach; that money could go elsewhere if there are no transportation and bonding bills this year. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/10/07] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Veto Did Nothing To Address An Outmoded, Energy-Wasting Transportation Infrastructure Is Taking A Mounting Toll On Pocketbooks And Lives. According to a Star Tribune editorial, No impasse from this Legislature and governor is more damning or damaging to Minnesotas quality of life than inaction on transportation funding. Vetoes stopped both the capital improvements and transportation bills for the year, leaving Minnesota unable to tap matching federal funds at a time when a native son eager to supply them, U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, chairs the U.S. Houses transportation funding committee. Throughout the state, an outmoded, energy-wasting transportation infrastructure is taking a mounting toll on pocketbooks and lives. The estimated cost just to keep up with the congestion and construction backlog has swollen to more than $1.7 billion per year. Yet for what seems like the umpteenth time, an attempt by serious legislators of both parties to take a meaningful bite out of the backlog faltered. It was tripped by a governor who condemns any boost in gasoline taxes as an overreach, and proposes only more long-term borrowing in its place. The bill he felled would have hiked the existing 20-cent tax by a nickel this fall and another 2.5 cents over the next several years, as well as raising license tax fees for new vehicles and opening the door to sales tax support of transit. These are typical of the transportation resources employed by other states. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/23/07] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Veto Prevented Substantial Progress Against The States Most Gnawing Problem: The 20-Year Failure To Adequately Build And Maintain Its Transportation System Due To Personal Ambitions. According to a Star Tribune editorial, The transportation bill got 137 votes in the Legislature this session. Thats a solid 70 percent majority and, if you believe in representative government, pretty good evidence that Minnesotans are willing to pay for fixing their crumbling roads and expanding their skimpy transit systems. But Tim Pawlenty isnt willing. And so, for the second time in three years, a veto, wielded by a governor who has never been elected by a majority of Minnesotans, has prevented substantial progress against the states most gnawing problem: the 20-year failure to adequately build and maintain its transportation system The editorial continued, Pawlenty will be blamed for leaving Minnesota behind on all of these fronts. He has placed ideology and national political ambition ahead of his states best interest. Rather than raise the taxes and fees required to face head-on the annual $1.7 billion transportation shortfall, the governor has stuck to his incrementalist policy: Borrow about one-tenth of that amount, force our children to pay it back and nibble away at the edges. Thats like attacking an iceberg with an icepick. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed A $334 Million Capital Improvements Bill. According to the St. Cloud Times, A swipe of Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto pen wiped out the Legislatures decision to spend $10 million to upgrade the National Hockey Center, $250,000 to study an extension of the Northstar commuter rail line and almost $53 million to pay for repairs on state college and university campuses. Rather than spare the projects he liked, Pawlenty on Tuesday vetoed an entire state construction funding bill. He told legislators theyll have to scale it back to must-do items if they want his signature in round two. The $334 million bill got House and Senate approval the day before. It also authorized borrowing or cash payments for flood mitigation in Browns Valley, an arena expansion in Duluth, seed money for new transit lines and general repair of prison buildings, among other projects Pawlenty attacked the bill as too large and said it came to him too soon in the process. Pawlenty said he asked leaders to withhold the public works bill until after a broader budget agreement was struck.Pawlenty had proposed a $71 million capital improvements bill, less than one-fourth the size of the bill lawmakers approved. He had the power to slim the Legislatures plan by vetoing items one by one, but he said that wasnt practical. [St. Cloud Times, 5/2/07] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Capital Improvements Veto Was Lost Opportunity To Help The Economy. According to

the Star Tribune, A capital investment bonding bill is often touted as the 2008 Legislatures chance to pump money quickly into the economy. But building projects dont ramp up that fast, [state economist Tom] Stinson said. Typically, only 15 percent of a projects authorized spending occurs in the first year. Years two and three are the big spending years, he said. In other words, its clear with the benefit of hindsight that when the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty failed to agree on a bonding bill in 2007, they missed their chance to use bonding to help Minnesota weather this seasons economic storm. Pawlentys May 1 veto of a fine bill - $135 million in bonding, $164 million in cash expenditures - looks to be a lost opportunity. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/31/08] Pawlenty Vetoed $200,000 For Job Training Program. According to the Star Tribune, Youth may be our future, but in the world of employment, so is something called sectoral workforce development. Thats when training programs ask employers in growing industries what they need in a new hire, then find unemployed people and equip them as quickly as possible to fill those needs. Its not as simple as it sounds, because lots of those unemployed people are new immigrants or high school dropouts who need basic help with such things as child care, transportation, work clothes, and simple encouragement. And in Minnesota, thats where HIRED comes in. Since 2005, the nonprofit agency has handled the support needs of about 100 people training at Hennepin Technical College for manufacturing jobs - sometimes in as little as 12 weeks, and into jobs that often start at $13 an hour and offer a career ladder to double that. Because of that success, HIRED was surprised to find a request for an extra $200,000 this year vetoed by Gov. Tim PawlentyHIRED, a large agency with nearly 70 other programs, cant afford to keep covering the rest of the expense, [executive director Jane] Samargia saidThe governors office didnt return calls for comment. It could be he misunderstood the purpose of the requested money. Its also possible that he felt the state has already funded the group enough, or that balanced budgets force cuts of even small, worthy programs. [Star Tribune, 6/7/07]

TAXES
Randy Krebs: Pawlentys Clings More To His Divisive First-Term Pledge Of No New Taxes Than It Does To Adequately Investing In The States Future. According to an op-ed in the St. Cloud Times by Randy Krebs, The highlights of Gov. Tim Pawlentys 2008-09 budget proposal are labeled Paying for Better Performance: Investing in the Future. We respond with Yes, but not enough. Overall, we agree with the governors strategic approaches on many issues. Thats why we endorsed him last fall. But we also heard him state that if re-elected, he would govern in tactical ways that show he learned from experience, that if the fiscal picture became brighter, he would invest accordingly. Four months later, he is offering a budget that clings more to his divisive first-term pledge of no new taxes than it does to adequately investing in the states future. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/25/07] President Of Taxpayers League Of Minnesota Said Pawlentys 2008-2009 Budget Was Knocking On The Door Of Spendthrift. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in reference to Pawlentys 2008-2209 budget, Its knocking on the door of spendthrift, said David Strom, president of the fiscally conservative Taxpayers League of Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/07] Pawlenty Spokesperson: A Bipartisan Compromise On Transportation Bill Would Invite A Veto. According to Star Tribune, The governors spokesman calls it veto bait, loaded with more tax increases than an average highway project has orange cones. Transportation advocates call it a small, necessary step toward bridging Minnesotas road and transit funding gap of more than $2 billion a year. However you look at it, an aggressive, bipartisan transportation funding package has moved near the top of the 2007 Legislatures agenda. The Star Tribune added, Included are proposals to increase the states 20cents-a-gallon gasoline tax by 10 cents, raise registration fees on new vehicles and authorize counties to impose a half-cent sales tax increase for transportation purposes, plus $20-per-vehicle sales taxes and annual wheelage taxes, in some cases subject to voter approval Pawlentys position on raising taxes to fund transportation hasnt changed, said his spokesman, Brian McClung. [Star Tribune, 1/7/07] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlenty Should Compromise And Support A Gas Tax Increase Because The Time Is Right To Modernize And Upgrade Our Transportation And Transit System, And That New Money From A Gas Tax Hike Is The Best Way To Do It. According to a St. Paul Pioneer editorial, There is an interesting battle going on at the Minnesota state Capitol, which will go dark this week for a Passover-Easter recess. We encourage Minnesotans to take the opportunity to weigh in. The question is: Does Minnesota need higher statewide tax rates to improve its transportation and education systems and to try to keep a lid on local property taxes? Our 2 cents is that the time is right to modernize and upgrade our transportation and transit system, and that new money from a gas tax hike is

the best way to do it the governor, who has supported tax hikes in the past two sessions (a cigarette fee in 2005 and a Hennepin County-only sales tax for a Twins stadium last year) has shown that he can bend. He needs to give a little this year. The area with the strongest public support for additional revenue is transportation. Few deny the need for road, bridge and transit improvements. The governor has been more than willing to borrow and spend; tax-and-spend, in this area, is a more responsible approach. A hike in the gas tax, frozen since 1988, is needed to get Minnesota moving and to recognize the costs of good roads up front. It has the additional benefit of encouraging conservation. This is one place where the tax-averse governor and the tax-happy Legislature can meet in the middle of the pothole-filled road. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/31/07] Pawlenty Was Not Supportive Of Health Insurance Premium Caps Because He Claimed Artificial Price Controls Wont Improve Health Care Access. According to the Associated Press, A leading DFL senator outlined a plan Wednesday to limit increases in health insurance premiums, saying her idea would put hundreds of dollars back into the wallets of average Minnesotans. Sen. Linda Berglins premium cap is part of a package that would move the state toward universal health coverage by 2010. Her bill, Senate File No. 2, is a top priority of the DFL-led Senate. Berglin said her plan would help as many as 40,000 uninsured people get covered. The bill would cap yearly premium increases for all health insurance at a few percentage points above inflation. Berglin said such a cap would have saved the average consumer $384 last year. She said consumers should benefit from administrative cost cuts outlined in her bill But a spokesman for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty was cool to the idea of a premium cap. Governor Pawlenty believes the health care system needs real reform, and artificial price controls wont get us there, said Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung. Pawlenty will unveil a health care proposal thats been months in the making on Thursday. McClung said the governors reforms will be market-based. [Associated Press, 1/10/07] Pawlenty Released An Ad Shortly After Being Elected That Warned Of Gas Tax Or Increased Income Taxes On Wealthy Minnesotans. According to the Star Tribune, Tim Pawlentys campaign committee has released a new radio ad decrying DFL tax-increase proposals in the Legislature The ad begins with a womans voice echoing a phrase Pawlenty has used to warn of tax-and-spend programs now that the state has recovered from its budget crisis. When you finish a diet program you dont celebrate with a trip to the all-you-can-eat buffet, the voice-over warns. It speaks of Pawlentys proposal for what the ad calls tax relief and reasonable increases in priorities like health care and education and warns of gas-tax and income-tax increases proposed by DFLers. We just dug ourselves out of a big budget hole. Lets not spend ourselves back into one, says Pawlenty, who urges listeners to contact their legislators. [Star Tribune, 4/4/07] Pawlentys Ad Was Criticized For Failing To Mention The $2 Billion Increase In Property Taxes Under Pawlenty And 83% Increase In Tuition At State Colleges. According to the Star Tribune, The advertising campaign came under quick criticism from DFLers, who said Pawlentys claims of not raising taxes fail to mention $2 billion in property-tax increases, $1 billion more in fees and tuition increases of as much as 83 percent for the states colleges during Pawlentys first term Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, said the ad misleads listeners into believing DFL income-tax plans increase taxes on all Minnesotans. The income-tax proposals would increase taxes on a small percentage but reduce taxes for the vast majority, she said. Eighty-two percent of those who would pay more under the Senate DFL plan earn over $500,000 a year, Clark said. [Star Tribune, 4/4/07]

Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Under Pawlenty The Quality Of Life In Minnesota Has Been Deteriorating And The Cost Of Government Has Shifted Unfairly To The Middle Class. According to Nick Coleman of the Star Tribune, While the quality of life in Minnesota has been deteriorating in almost every way that matters to common people, Minnesotas wealthiest have been getting a tax break that they dont need and dont deserve. And the result is that the cost of government has shifted unfairly to the middle class while the things that matter to the middle class - public schools, roads, public safety - have declined. If raising taxes on the wealthiest 1 percent of Minnesotans to the level they were at before conservative Candy Men went on a welfare-for-the-rich binge is what it takes to turn things around, well, I think Minnesotans would make the sacrificeThe Senate tax plan would shift some of the increased tax burden on the wealthiest to property tax relief, a reasonable effort to relieve pressure on middle-class homeowners. To hear Pawlenty tell it, the DFL is just up to its dirty old tax-and-spend tricks. But the real trickster here is Pawlenty, who has started running radio ads, paid for by his campaign committee, trying to confuse voters dont be fooled by No New Taxes Pawlentys ads: What they really are saying is, Please dont ask the wealthiest 1 percent to pay as much as you do. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 4/4/07] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Opposed Property Tax Relief For 90 Percent Of The States Homeowners, In Order To Allow The States Top 28,000 Earners To Keep Paying An Effective Tax Rate Lower Than The One Borne By Middle Earners. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, So much for fairer state and local taxes, for this session. Last years narrow brush with defeat by a campaign that decried the growing tax-and-fee load on the middle class evidently

didnt persuade Gov. Tim Pawlenty to change his tax tune. With Tuesdays veto, Pawlenty said no to direct property tax relief for 90 percent of the states homeowners, in order to allow the states top 28,000 earners to keep paying an effective tax rate lower than the one borne by middle earners - and dropping by the year. The Republican governors veto was no surprise. But it is deeply disappointing. It keeps Minnesota on a road toward more regressive taxation. Thats the wrong road for this state. States with regressive tax burdens - that is, those that pile a disproportionate load on low- and middle-income earners - tend to be low-tax, low-services states. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/17/07] Poll: Majority Of Minnesotans Support Increasing Income Taxes On Wealthy To Pay For In Order To Lower Property Taxes Or Increase Education Spending. According to the Associated Press, Large majorities of Minnesotans support higher income taxes on the wealthy to pay for lower property taxes and boost education spending, a new poll shows. The Minnesota Public Radio News poll released Friday found that 72 percent of likely voters favor taxing wealthy incomes at a higher rate to lower property taxes, and 69 percent favor the same approach to pay for education. The poll findings come amid a dispute over income tax rates at the Capitol, with Democratic leaders favoring a top-tier income tax hike and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty steadfast in opposition. [Associated Press, 5/11/07]

Pawlenty Vetoed Against Lowering Property Taxes By Increasing Taxes On The Wealthiest One Percent Of Minnesotans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, As promised, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a Democratic-FarmerLabor tax bill that would have increased income taxes on the wealthiest 1 percent of Minnesotans to reduce property taxes for 90 percent of homeowners. The tax bill Pawlenty vetoed Tuesday was the DFL majoritys attempt to deliver on its centerpiece campaign promise to provide property tax relief. To pay for it, lawmakers would have created a new, 9 percent top income tax rate on the states highest earners. That would have given Minnesota the third-highest top income tax rate in the nation. The revenue from that tax would have provided state-paid refunds to homeowners making less than $150,000 a year if their property taxes exceeded 2 percent of their household income. The DFL property tax plan is a shell game designed to pick money from one pocket and put a little bit back in the other, Pawlenty said in a statement. My budget proposal is a roadmap to significant property tax relief without raising other taxes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/14/07] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Cared More About Hiding The Real Cost Of Future Government Services From The Public Than Combating Rising Property Taxes. According to a Star Tribune editorial, The tax bill veto will cost you, Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Youre supposed to be the anti-tax-increase guy. Yet you demonstrated that you care more about hiding the real cost of future government services from the public than you do about combating rising property taxes. And you allowed your big-business friends to continue to take advantage of a never-intended corporate tax goodie thats costing the state $125 million a year But most of all, you taxpayers are going to pay, if Wednesdays veto is the end of the Legislatures tax story this year. Thats especially so if youre a homeowner with an annual income below $77,520, a resident of Minneapolis, St. Paul or an outstate regional center, a member of the National Guard serving in Iraq or a Minnesotaheadquartered corporation that doesnt have foreign operations. For you, the veto wasnt about how state officials calculate future government costs. It was about real money. The tax bill would have shaved about $125 million off next years expected $600 million increase in property taxes statewide. The help would have been most generous to lower-income homeowners in cities that took a hard financial hit when state aid was cut four years ago, and whose tax bills have been galloping higher ever sinceThis veto adds a bitter aftertaste to the already bland results of the 2007 legislative session. Only the governor has the power to give it a more positive postscript. Only he can call a special session. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 6/1/07] Executive Director Of Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Said Taxes Is Not A Fun Word, But The Delusion That We Can Cut Them For The Wealthy Without Having Serious Consequences Is Over. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman in the Star Tribune, Taxes is not a fun word, but the delusion that we can cut them for the wealthy without having serious consequences is over, says Brian Rusche, executive director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, an inter-faith advocacy group pushing, with other organizations, for a return to a fair tax system in Minnesota. Those who have benefited most from the blessings of our free market should pay more. Now, they pay less. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 10/30/08]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID

Pawlenty Vetoed A Tax Bill With $70 Million In Local Government Aid And $33 Million In Property Tax Relief. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty fulfilled a threat and vetoed a tax bill on Wednesday, taking down with it more than $70 million in local government aids and $33 million in direct homeowner property tax relief. [Star Tribune, 6/2/07]

Pawlenty Vetoed Bill With $33 Million Per Year For Property Tax Aid To Low- And Middle-Income Homeowners. According to the Star Tribune, A $33 million per year increase and a handsome restructuring of the refund program of direct help to low- and middle-income homeowners whose property tax bills are disproportionately high, compared with their incomes. The maximum refund would grow from $1,450 to $1,810 for those with the lowest incomes. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/30/07] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Vetoed A Bill With A Provision That Would End The Ability For Multinational Businesses To Dodge State Taxes. According to the Star Tribune, A new definition of foreign operating corporations, eliminating the opportunity for multinational businesses to assign Minnesota-derived income to foreign operations to dodge state taxes. DFLers sought this $125 million annual change and Republicans fought it for four years; this year, to his credit, Pawlenty consented and even defended the change as consistent with federal definitions. [Star Tribune, 5/30/07] Pawlenty Vetoed Bill That Included Additional Property Tax Relief For Disabled Veterans. According to the Star Tribune, Disabled veterans would get an additional $3.7 million in property tax relief in 2008-09, and $8 million in 201011. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07]

Pawlenty Vetoed The Bill Because It Did Not Include Budget Gimmicks And Would Calculate Inflation Into Future Projections. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty struck down a wide-ranging tax bill over a clause that would force finance officials to factor inflation into their budget calculations. Wednesdays action cancels additional local aid for townships, cities and counties; blocks tax breaks for business expansions at the Mall of America and publisher Thomson Wests Eagan campus; and deprives organizers of the Republican National Convention of a $39 million safety netDFL leaders have countered that Pawlenty is standing in the way of honest budgeting. It would have reverted to a pre2002 practice where finance officials considered the year-to-year rise in costs of offering state programs. Forecasters now build inflation into revenue projections, but ignore it on the spending side. Pawlenty argued that it puts government on autopilot by making it seem every program is entitled to a boost. [Associated Press, 5/31/07] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Scuttled An Important Bill In Order To Avoid Straight Talk With Minnesotans About The Real Future Cost Of Government Services Would Be Unconscionable. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, The bill containing aid to cities and counties and the spare remnants of the sessions promised property tax relief is headed towards a veto, Pawlenty said Tuesday. His reason: He opposes a requirement that state budget forecasts again tally expected inflation in spending, as they did before 2002 and as they always have for revenues. Scuttling an important bill in order to avoid straight talk with Minnesotans about the real future cost of government services would be unconscionable. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/23/07] Star Tribune: Vetoing Tax Bill Because It Did Not Include Budget Gimmicks That Painted Overly Rosy Picture Of State Finances Was Too Much To Sacrifice, Just To Be Able To Continue To Hide The Real Future Cost Of Government Services From The Public. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Depending on ones view of what constitutes honesty in state fiscal forecasting, the omnibus tax bill that officially arrived on Gov. Tim Pawlentys desk Tuesday is seen at the Capitol as either a thing of beauty, or fatally flawed Its such a solid piece of lawmaking workmanship that if Pawlenty vetoes it - and we urge him not to - he should feel obliged to help rebuild the bulk of it as soon as possible, by calling a special session. This bill isnt a tax-increase bill. If it were, it would not have received 10 Republican votes in the Senate. Rather, its a tax-exchange bill, raising a modest sum by closing an unintended corporate tax loophole, and using that money to pay for property tax relief and a break to Minnesota-based corporations Its too much to sacrifice, just to be able to continue to hide the real future cost of government services from the public. Inflation belongs in state forecasts, and this bill belongs in the statute books, this year. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/30/07]

Local Officials Supported $93 Million In Local Government Aid That Pawlenty Vetoed Because It Would Help Reduce Property Taxes. According to the Associated Press, Local officials had lobbied Pawlenty not to strike down the tax bill, saying the $93 million in extra assistance would help them pay for their services without dramatically increasing property taxes. The bill also contained millions of additional dollars for direct-to-taxpayer relief programs. He pushed a property tax increase on Minnesota taxpayers. Thats really what it amounts to, said John Sundvor of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Local governments that were counting on increases in state aid will either have to cut services or jack up tax rates, he said. [Associated Press, 5/31/07] St. Paul Mayor Said Pawlenty Put His Personal Politics Ahead Of Whats Best For Minnesota Cities.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In separate letters sent to the citys 3,400 employees and top city officials, Mayor Chris Coleman warned of turbulence as the city tries to balance next years budget. And the mayor is blaming Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor has once again chosen to put his personal politics ahead of whats best for Minnesota cities, especially the city of St. Paul, Coleman said in a letter to City Council members, all of whom are DFLers. City leaders are stomping mad over Pawlentys veto of a tax bill that would have increased state aid to local governments. The move left St. Paul with a projected $15 million budget shortfall, one year after closing a $16.5 million gap without layoffs. Pawlenty vetoed the bill after warning Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders not to include a provision that would have included inflation in future budget projections The tax bill would have netted St. Paul an extra $9 million - about 12 percent of the citys 2007 tax levy - in local government aid over last year, leaving it short $6 million. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/31/07] Minneapolis Mayor Said Pawlentys Veto Of Local Government Aid Will Only Mean Higher Local Property Taxes And Fewer Cops On The Streets Of Cities Throughout The State. According to the Star Tribune, The impact of the governors stubbornness is clear: this veto will only mean higher local property taxes and fewer cops on the streets of cities throughout the state, said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. [Star Tribune, 5/31/07] St. Paul Mayor: Pawlentys Veto Shifted The Fiscal Burden To Local Governments And Jeopardized Their Ability To Invest In Public Safety. According to the Star Tribune, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said Pawlentys decision to shift the fiscal burden onto local governments has ... jeopardized our ability to continue investing in public safety programs and provide quality core services such as parks and libraries. [Star Tribune, 5/31/07] Pawlentys Veto Of Local Government Aid Denied Ramsey County Of $1 Million, Leading To A Proposal To Increase Property Taxes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In the first of many shoes to drop, Ramsey County officials said today they expect to hit homeowners with tax hikes that outstrip the rate of inflation over the next two years. In announcing a $567 million budget, the county said it plans to raise taxes five percent in 2008 and 2009. It is the first potential property tax increase to be released in what is expected to be a series of local government tax announcements over the next several weeks Had the state provided to the counties the same level of increased spending that the state is giving to itself, the levy would have been 2.4 percent, rather than the proposal that Im putting forward, County Manager David Twa said Twa said Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of a tax bill cost Ramsey County $1 million in county program aid, and the biennial 2008-09 budget represents a continuing trend of balancing more of the budget through property taxes, rather than other revenue sources. In 2000, property taxes made up 36 percent of revenues, but that number will rise to 43 percent by 2009. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/24/07] Pawlentys Veto Of Local Government Aid Denied St. Paul $9 Million And Forced City To Decide Between Raising Property Taxes or Cutting 200 Jobs. According to the Star Tribune, As St. Paul stares down a $16 million budget gap, city officials have been wrestling with the options: To avoid raising property taxes, the city would have to cut 200 jobs and shut down a number of recreation centers and libraries, said Matt Smith, the citys finance director. Mitigating those cuts would require an increase in the tax levy, because thats the only significant revenue stream the city controlsFor months, the city has been looking at how to address a budget gap. Initially, city leaders hoped to receive another $9 million in local government aid. But when Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a tax bill in May, it became clear the city would have to address the $16 million gap. [Star Tribune, 7/24/07] St. Paul Mayor: Pawlenty Was To Blame For Property Tax Increases. According to the St. Paul Pioneer press, Should St. Paul taxpayers blame the state of Minnesota if their property taxes go up next year? Thats what St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman suggested Tuesday in his budget address. If the state gives the city $10 million more in aid next year, Coleman said he would ask for a 7 percent increase in the citys 2008 property tax levy. But if the state doesnt give St. Paul a bigger allowance, the mayor said he would need to boost taxes by 14.6 percent. A spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty suggested Coleman and the St. Paul City Council are to blame for a big tax increase. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/15/07]

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Pawlenty Signed A Health And Human Services Bill, But Vetoed $18.8 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty signed the omnibus health and human services bill [It] contains $1.46 billion in new spending over the next two

years. The bill expands publicly funded health care for children and adults, enrolling 30,000 more youngsters, and contains other health care reform measuresPawlenty vetoed nine items from the bill, totaling $18.8 million. [Star Tribune, 5/26/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $7.3 Million To Help Welfare Recipients Work. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed a $7.3 million appropriation that would have helped welfare recipients with supported work. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $1.5 Million For Additional Welfare Aid Including Car Repairs And Loans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed $1.5 million in each of the next two years for car repairs, loans and grants for people who are eligible for welfare. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $2 Million For A Media Campaign On Behalf Of State Health Care Programs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed nearly $2 million for a statewide media campaign for the states subsidized health care programs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07]

JOBS BILL VETOES

Pawlenty Vetoed $5 Million From $340 Million Jobs Bill. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday signed into law three of the major spending bills lawmakers rushed to pass Monday. But he vetoed several provisions in the jobs programs, health and human services, and state agency budget bills In the jobs programs measure, he vetoed about $5 million of appropriations out of about $340 million in new spending. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $2.5 Million For St. Pauls RiverCentre Debt Service. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed a $2.5 million appropriation for St. Pauls RiverCentre debt service. He said he might support such help in the future but would need a clear and strategic outline for how the money would be used. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $350,000 For Inver Grove Heights Community Center Debt. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed a $350,000 grant to Inver Grove Heights to reduce debt on its community center. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $500,000 Grant To Upper Sioux Water System. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed a $500,000 grant to the Upper Sioux community to improve its water system. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlenty Vetoed $75,000 Grant For Hockey Hall Of Fame Museum. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed a $75,000 grant for Eveleths Hockey Hall of Fame Museum. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07]

STATE GOVERNMENT BILL

Pawlenty Signed A $709 Million Government Omnibus Bill Which Deleted Department Of Government Relations. According to a Pawlenty press release, The $709 million State Government Omnibus Bill will strengthen state information technology security, enhances tax compliance, implements reforms in state procurement, property management and licensing and abolishes the Department of Employee Relations. Key provisions of the bill include: $8 million to begin a comprehensive information technology security program that protects citizen data and critical government systems; Preliminary preparations will be made for an electronic licensing system for state-issued business and professional licenses and a study of alternative funding mechanisms to continue and complete the system; $20 million will fund additional activities to identify and collect tax liabilities from individuals and businesses that currently do not pay all taxes owed. This initiative is expected to ensure everyone pays their fair share and nets new general fund revenues of $82 million for the next two years; State procurement reform will provide a variety of tools to ensure the best value possible for the goods and services the state purchases with taxpayer dollars; $2.5 million to implement a shared computer system for managing the states 5,000-plus buildings and the land associated with them. The state currently has no single system for keeping track of its real estate holdings; Small Agency Resource Team (SMART) will receive funds to implement a shared services organization that would provide human resources and financial management services for the states small agencies, boards, commissions and councils; Funding is provided to

begin preparations for the 2010 federal census, helping to ensure an accurate count of Minnesotans necessary to protect federal funding, congressional representation and ensure accurate allocation of local government aid funds; As proposed by Governor Pawlenty, the bill formally abolishes the Department of Employee Relations and transfers its duties to the departments of Administration and Finance on or before June 1, 2008. [Governor Pawlenty press release, 5/25/07]

PAWLENTY SIGNED A TAX BILL

Pawlenty Signed A Tax Relief Bill To Conform To Federal Tax Code Which Helped Low And Middle-Income Minnesotans Pay For College. According to the Associated Press, College students and teachers are in line for modest relief when they file their 2006 taxes after Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a fast-tracked tax bill into law Tuesday. The $24.2 million law matches up Minnesotas tax code with changes made by Congress late last year, and the state Revenue Department aims to alert taxpayers before they file. The bulk of the relief will go to 111,000 low- and middle-income Minnesotans who pay for college costs. They could save about $165 each after deducting up to $4,000 for tuition and related expenses. About 54,000 schoolteachers who furnish supplies for their classrooms could save an average of $20 each through a $250 tax deduction. [Associated Press, 1/31/07]

2006-07 Budget
Star Tribune: When Gov. Tim Pawlenty Proposes A Budget That Wont Even Cover The Cost Of Inflation And Population Growth For The Next Two Years, We Wonder Where He Is Leading This State. According to an editorial in the Star tribune, In the last three years, Minnesota school districts have laid off nearly 4,000 teachers. The University of Minnesota has raised annual tuition by more than $2,000. Some 12,000 children have lost subsidized child care, and in Minneapolis half the public libraries are closed three to four days a week. Last Wednesday, in a move that should shock Minnesotans, the Pollution Control Agency said it will postpone the cleanup of five contaminated Superfund sites because it lacks the money to do the job. So when tax hawks at the Capitol say Minnesota doesnt have a revenue problem, we wonder what state theyve been living in lately. When Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes a budget that wont even cover the cost of inflation and population growth for the next two years, we wonder where he is leading this state. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 4/3/05] Deborah Locke: Pawlenty Relied On The Lowest-Paid Or Completely Impoverished Minnesotans To Balance The Budget. According to Deborah Locke of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Since the legislative session began, weve heard and read about tough choices. And boy, theyre really tough. Do House Republicans and the governor stick it to their own to balance the budget, or do they stick it to the people who are least likely to rebel and the least like them? Talk about a tough, tough choice. Seems the party that once prided itself on fiscal responsibility just cant easily keep the old ship Minnesota afloat these days. After months of anguished deliberation, our elected officials decided to stick it further to the lowest-paid or completely impoverished Minnesotans. Now that tough choice took courage. [Deborah Locke op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/5/05] Economics Professor: Pawlentys Budgeting Relied On Gambling, Protection, And Extortion Treating Minnesotas Schools, Its Poorest And Most Vulnerable Citizens As Pawns Because Pawlenty Was Scared To Raise Taxes. According to C. Ford Runge, a professor of applied economics and law at the University of Minnesota, In the Minnesota Legislature, the governors endgame is now clear. Pawlenty has a failed gambling plan, but has threatened to cut education funding and MinnesotaCare if he doesnt get what he wants: $200 million in gambling revenues. The reason: He has staked a balanced budget, which he is constitutionally required to achieve, on getting the 200 mil The Christian gambler is in trouble. Having failed at protection, he is moving to extortion: If there is no gambling deal, the $200 million forgone (dubious anyway in light of probable legal challenges) will come out of the hide of Minnesota schoolchildren, higher education and the sick but uninsured Such is the moral vacuity of Pawlentys brand of budget gaming, which has slipped down a slope from gambling to protection to extortion, treating Minnesotas schools, its poorest and most vulnerable citizens as pawns, all because he is scared to death of violating a profane pledge not to raise taxes. Are these actions criminal? No. But in terms of Minnesota traditions, they are as out of place as a zoot suit in a fishing boat. [C. Ford Runge op-ed, Star Tribune, 5/17/05]

$1.4 BILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL

Pawlenty Blamed A $1.4 Billion Budget Deficit On Health Care Costs, The 3rd Shortfall In A Row. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty blamed the skyrocketing costs of state-sponsored health-care programs for much of a projected $1.4 billion state budget shortfall announced Wednesday. The shortfall affects the coming budget cycle, which begins July 1, 2005 and ends June 30, 2007. While the official shortfall was pegged at $700 million, it ignores inflation, which should be included in the states financial planning, said Peggy Ignison, finance commissioner. With inflation, the shortfall would be closer to $1.4 billion, Ignison said at a St. Paul news conference. Two years ago, lawmakers removed inflation from the law that dictates how forecasts are done. The shortfall is the third that Minnesota has faced in as many years. [Duluth News Tribune, 12/2/04] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Budget Shortfall The Pawlenty Administration [Needs]To Make Wiser Fiscal Choices For Minnesota And Criticized The Use Of Budget Gimmicks To Gloss Over Budget Problems. According to an editorial in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The state economic forecast projecting a $700 million shortfall in the next two-year budget cycle reveals yet again that the Pawlenty administration and the Legislature need to make wiser fiscal choices for Minnesota. The era of gimmicks to mask the problems of more outgo than income must end. In setting state budgets, the governor proposes and the Legislature disposes. It is up to Gov. Tim Pawlenty to step up and lead as the incoming Legislature meets the challenges of a structural deficit. This is not a partisan issue. Fixing the fiscal health of the state is a Minnesota quality-of-life issue. The solutions must come from putting all the options of taxation and spending priorities on the table, using honest numbers and seeking middle ground that fills the chasm of high partisanship that doomed the last Legislature and contorted the one before that. A useful point of entry into genuine budgeting is to change the law that largely excludes accounting for inflation in state expenditures. If this tool were to be given back to the public finance professionals, the hole in the bucket for fiscal 2006-07 would be twice as large, Finance Commissioner Peggy Ingison said Wednesday in a briefing at the Capitol. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/2/04] Pawlenty Could Not Use 2003s One Time Budget Fixes In 2004. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Shortcuts that Pawlenty and legislators used in 2002 and 2003 to get through those deficits have mostly been exhausted. And while inflation is built into the income side of the latest revenue forecast, it is not factored into the spending side. If Pawlenty keeps his 2002 campaign promise to oppose and veto any new taxes -- and he vows that he will keep the promise -- he and lawmakers will have to dramatically slow surging growth predicted in state-paid health care to fix the deficit and find new money for any other spending increases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/28/04] Revenue Commissioner Said More Gimmicks Cannot Fix The Budget Deficit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Revenue Commissioner Peggy Ingison said Minnesota faces a long-term difference between revenues and spending that more gimmicks will not cure. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/2/04] Pawlenty Appointed Revenue Commissioner Said The Budget Forecast Would Be A Lot More Realistic If It Accounted For Inflation; Pawlenty Voted To Removed Inflation From The Forecast While Running For Governor. According to the St. Paul Pioneer press, [Revenue Commissioner Peggy Ingison] said the forecast would be a lot more realistic and would prod policy makers to make tough budget choices if it included expected inflation in spending. Pawlenty, who appointed Ingison and voted in 2002 to take inflation out of the forecast, said Wednesday that he supports referring to inflation in the forecast, perhaps in a footnote. He said he opposes directly including inflation in spending estimates. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/2/04]

LARGEST BUDGET IN STATE HISTORY

Pawlentys Proposed 2006-2007 Budget Was The Largest Budget In Minnesota History, Increased Spending By 5.8%. According to a Gov. Pawlenty press release , The budget Pawlenty presented eliminates a projected budget shortfall of $700 million for the two-year state budget that begins on July 1, 2005. Proposed general fund spending for the FY06-07 budget is $29.667 billion, a $1.6 billion or 5.8 percent increase over the current budget. [US States News, 1/25/05] Pawlenty Signed A $30.6 Billion 2006-07 Budget That Increased Spending By 8.4%. According to the Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature, After the final bills of the enacted budget were adopted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in mid-July, the general fund budget is balanced with both revenues and expenditures of $30.6 billion for the FY 2006-07 biennium. The general fund revenues of $30.6 billion are an increase of $1.8 billion or 6.1 percent over revenues in the FY 2004-05 biennium. The revenue level of $30.6 billion is $875 million higher than the FY 2006-07 revenue in the February forecast. The general fund spending of $30.6 billion is an increase of $2.4 billion or 8.4 percent over the spending in

FY 2004-05. The spending of $30.6 billion is $397 million higher than spending projected in the February 2005 forecast. Spending in FY 2006-07 increases at a greater amount and rate than revenue compared to the FY 2004-05 biennium because a substantial amount of revenue raised in FY 2004-05 was not spent, rather it was used to rebuild budget reserves. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature (no. 05.03), Page 1]

FEES AND TAXES

Pawlentys Budget Proposal Included $80 Million In New Fees. According to the Associated Press, Finance Commissioner Peggy Ingison said the budget calls for about $80 million in new fees, but most will be used to fund related programs. An exception is a proposed $10 increase in a state surcharge on tickets for speeding, reckless driving and more serious crimes. The governor is counting on $24 million more from that surcharge, which is currently $60. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] Pawlentys Proposed Budget Would Increase Tax Revenues By Over $300 Million From 2006-2009. According to an overview of Pawlentys budget recommendations, For the FY 2006-07 biennium, the Governors recommendations would increase general fund tax revenues by $159 million and reduce general fund expenditures by $73 million. For FY 2008-09, the Governors proposals would increase general fund tax revenues by $154 million and reduce general fund expenditures by $82 million. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations (no. 05.02), Taxes & Local Aids, Page 1] Pawlenty Signed 2006-2007 Budget Which Included $559 Million In Fees. According to the Associated Press, Minnesotans will pay about $559 million worth of new fees and fee increases under the states new two-year budget, according to a draft analysis by nonpartisan Minnesota House fiscal staff. The largest portion will come from the so-called Health Impact Fee. The new 75-cent-per-pack duty on cigarettes on top of an existing 48-cent tax and other tobacco charges will raise more than $401 million, according to the analysis released FridayThe second-largest group of fee increases a 25-cent increase for all telephone numbers will generate $34 million for Minnesota to improve the states 911 emergency system. Other public safety fee increases include a $3 increase in the cost of drivers licenses, a $20 fee increase for people who fail their road tests the first two times and a $10 increase for those who fail their written test twice. They will produce about $5.5 million over the next two years. Increased fees and new surcharges on court fines and real estate recording will add more than $32 million to the states courts. The first significant hike in boat registration fee in more than two decades will generate $3.6 million for the Department of Natural Resources. Fee increases in snowmobile trail stickers and cross country ski passes will raise $5 million and $280,000 respectively. [Associated Press, 7/30/05] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Proposal Pushed [Budget Problems] Around Until They Become Somebody Elses Problems. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Gov. Tim Pawlentys 2006-07 budget proposal adroitly demonstrates how the states money problems can be pushed around until they become somebody elses problems. The twoyear plan the Republican governor released Tuesday would, he said, put Minnesota back on solid footing financially, without raising taxes. Thats true if by Minnesota, Pawlenty means only state government. Local taxes are bound to rise if his budget is enacted, while the working poor, college students, hospitals, low-income parents and others who depend on government services would find themselves on shakier financial ground. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/26/05] Duluth News-Tribune: Pawlentys Fee Increases Nick Just About Everyones Wallet A Little Or A Lot. According to a Duluth News Tribune editorial, Since taking office, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has repeated no tax increases as his mantra, even as he has had to craft budgets that address substantial revenue deficits. But he has never incanted no fee increases. Far from itPawlentys two-year, $29.6 billion budget plan unveiled this week not only addresses all of the bigticket items everyone expects -- ranging from education to public safety and every state service in between -- without raising taxes (although it continues a couple about to expire), but within its thousands of pages it calls for increases in dozens of fees designed to nick just about everyones wallet a little or a lot. [Editorial, Duluth News Tribune, 1/27/05] Duluth News Tribune: It Was Ridiculous :To Run The State On Fees While Not Facing The Reality Of Imposing Taxes When There Are State Revenue Shortfalls. According to a Duluth News-Tribune editorial, Thanks to a law that went into effect Friday, the states surcharge on parking tickets jumped from $3 to $4, which, when tacked on to Duluths $6 fine, hits errant parkers for $10. Whats the big deal? A buck? Well, the big deal is it isnt only parking, but nicking local parking fines to increase state revenues. That symbolizes the ridiculousness of trying to run the state on fees while not facing the reality of imposing taxes when there are state revenue shortfallsThe first $3 payout to the state for local parking was

enacted two years ago as one of a myriad of fees spread through the court system designed to allow Gov. Tim Pawlenty to collect more revenue without calling it a tax increase Pawlentys loyalty to the special interests who helped him get elected by getting a no new taxes pledge in exchange for their support is getting old, just as this confusion between what is a fee and what is a tax is aging fast. [Editorial, Duluth News Tribune, 7/6/05] Pawlenty Called Raising Taxes On The Wealthiest Minnesotans A Profoundly Stupid Idea. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday dismissed a Senate DFL proposal to raise taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans as profoundly stupid, while Republican legislative leaders predicted its quick demise. The proposal, which is the centerpiece of the Senate DFLs $1.4 billion tax bill, would raise nearly $1 billion by subjecting the states richest 42,000 taxpayers to a special income tax rate of 10.7 percent on the top part of their income Pawlenty criticized the proposal in the strongest terms, saying that if this bill passes, you might as well put up a sign that says Welcome to Minnesota. Take your jobs somewhere else. This is a very stupid idea. Pawlenty again made the case that such a tax increase would hit hardest at business. More than 70 percent of the states businesses pay taxes through the individual income tax rather than the corporate tax, he said. Those same small and mid-size businesses employ one in five Minnesotans, he said, and now they will be asked to pay the highest income tax rates [in the country] by far. I cant believe the Senate DFL is proposing this. [Star Tribune, 5/6/05] Pawlenty Said Proposal To Raise Income Tax Increase On The Wealthy Was Grotesque. According to the Star Tribune, A Thursday summit meeting that had been billed by Senate DFL leaders as a potential breakthrough in the states budget impasse fizzled badly, possibly pushing Republicans and DFLers even further apart on the basic outlines of a deal Pawlenty and House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, received the [new budget] proposal from Johnson and House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul. Pawlenty and Sviggum said they would study it and respond, and the DFLers left. About a half-hour later, Pawlenty and Republican leaders lowered the boom on the latest offer. Pawlenty said that he, too, wanted to avoid a July 1 shutdown but that the proposal was deeply disappointing and that the income-tax proposal was grotesque. Even though the highest marginal tax rate had been trimmed by DFLers, Minnesota still would have the highest top tax rate in the nation - 9.9 percent in a new fourth tier for married couples earning about $250,000 or more. [Star Tribune, 6/10/05]

K-12 FUNDING
Pawlenty Claimed He Proposed A 2 Percent Increase In K-12 Funding. According to the Associated Press, in the 2005 budget Pawlenty recommends putting an extra 2 percent onto the basic per-pupil education formula in each year. School districts that revamp their teacher pay model to base it more on performance would qualify for bonus funding. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] Pawlentys Education Funding Fell $73 Million Short When Adjusted For Inflation. According to City Pages, Pawlenty plan likely wont compensate for the states annual inflation rate. A credible 2.5 percent inflation rate--the DFLs estimate--would add $363.7 million to the states current education budget, or a nearly $73 million funding shortfall. [City Pages, 1/26/05] Critics Said Pawlentys Reliance On Local Taxes Increased Inequality In Schools. According to the Associated Press, Democrats immediately took aim at Pawlentys reliance on local levies for things they think the state should be paying for. A few years ago, the Legislature made it a priority to take on more school funding costs, but districts have been seeking help from property taxes with state funding mostly stagnant. Pawlenty is passing the buck to the school boards who are desperate so they are willing to raise these property taxes, charged Roseville Rep. Mindy Greiling, the top Democrat on the House K-12 Finance Committee. She added that districts in areas with low property wealth are at a disadvantage because hiked levies carry a greater sting. It just increases the inequities around the state. [Associated Press, 1/13/05]

Pawlentys Proposed Budget After Improved Economic Outlook That Increased K-12 Funding By $66 Million. According to the Star Tribune, With a boost from last months rosier state economic forecast, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced a supplemental budget proposal Thursday that raises basic school funding by $66 million over the next two years. Thats on top of about $309 million in added school funding he included in his initial 2006-07 budget plan. What that means, Pawlenty said, is that he is now proposing annual increases of 2.5 percent in the basic funding amount that goes to all schools over the next two years, instead of the 2 percent increases announced in January. The revision is the result of a February forecast that showed a $234 million improvement in state finances projected for fiscal 2006-07. The forecast cut the states

projected deficit to $466 million for that period.[in total for education] He proposed an additional $108 million, including $66 million for basic K-12 funding and $22 million for special education [Star Tribune, 3/11/05] In Supplemental Budget, Pawlenty Added $22 Million To Special Needs Education, $14 Million For Pawlentys Merit Based Pay Program And $5 Million For Advanced Classes For High School Students. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Public schools would get an additional $108 million over the next two years under an amended budget recommended Thursday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty...The increased school spending includes about $22 million for specialeducation programs, a $14 million increase in the $60 million that Pawlenty previously had recommended the state offer school districts that negotiate performance-pay contracts with their teachers, and $5 million to help high schools provide new advanced classes. [Duluth News Tribune, 3/11/05]

HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING

Pawlenty Proposed A 2 Year $29.6 Billion Increase To Higher Education Funding. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his two-year, $29.6 billion budget on TuesdayThe University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system would see a shared increase of 8.4 percent over current budget levels, which is about $215 million in all split roughly in half. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] Pawlentys Increase In Higher Education Funding Would Not Stop Tuition Hikes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing an additional $220 million for Minnesotas public universities, colleges and technical schools over the next two years. But dont expect the extra money -- a combined 8.4 percent boost -- to hold the line on tuition increases. Even if the Legislature passes the budget untouched, University of Minnesota students will pay 5.5 percent more in each of the next two years. For MnSCU students, the annual tuition increase could be as much as 9.5 percent Specifically, Pawlenty is seeking a $113 million -- or 10.3 percent -- increase in this biennium for the University of Minnesota. The money would go to food safety and biotechnology research, getting those new products and cures to market, recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty and more financial aid for some of the universitys brightest students. Pawlenty wants to give the sprawling MnSCU system of technical, community and state four-year colleges a $107.5 million -- or 8.5 percent -- increase. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/05]

Pawlentys Higher Education Bill Was Likely Could Not Stop A 5-8 Percent Tuition Increase. According to the St. Cloud Times, The second big budget bill to make it to Gov. Tim Pawlentys desk this session would add $213 million to the states colleges and universities in the next two years but could still mean significant tuition increases. The final, conference committee-approved higher education budget bill would spend $5.1 billion in the next two years, about a 9 percent increase. Unlike the transportation bill Pawlenty vetoed Thursday, this bill has his stamp of approval. It also won widespread support in the House and Senate. College tuition statewide - and at St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical College - could still increase 5-8 percent each year for the next two years, after increasing almost 60 percent in the previous four years. The current state budget cut funding for the University of Minnesota by $185 million and for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system by $191 million from previous years. Supporters argued the state cant make up for its limited funding of higher education in recent years all at once. [St. Cloud Times, 5/21/05]

HEALTH CARE COSTS

2005: Pawlenty Proposed Limiting MinnestaCare Eligibility, Which Would Have Resulted In 40,000 People Losing Health Care Over Two Years. According to the Star Tribune, To ease a projected $700 million budget deficit, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed removing more than 40,000 adults from MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized program for working low-income people. The change would affect 33,700 adults with no dependent children, and 7,000 adults with dependent children and whose incomes exceed 190 percent of poverty and force some to go on welfare or risk becoming sick without insurance coverage. [Star Tribune, 1/31/05] Pawlenty Cuts To Minnesota Care Gives People Who Lost Coverage 2 Options, Find A Job With Health Insurance Or Go Under The Poverty Line To Qualify For General Assistance Medical Care Program. According to the Associated Press, Tens of thousands of childless adults and some parents would be kicked off the MinnesotaCare health program under Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal. Pawlenty gives them two options: Find a job with health

coverage, or use up their income and assets on doctor bills until they fall under the federal poverty line. Then they can sign up for the states General Assistance Medical Care program. [Associated Press, 1/26/05] Cost Of Cuts To MinnesotaCare Could End Up On The Taxpayers, Anyway. According to the St. Cloud Times, The change is aimed at reducing what Pawlenty calls runaway spending increases in the states Health and Human Services budget. His cuts would reduce the total increase in those areas from 18 percent to 15 percent in the next two years. But hospitals and then the public at large could end up paying the cost of uninsured medical treatment, said Roma Steil, Stearns County Human Services director. Either more people will be walking around without health-care insurance or there will be more uncompensated care at hospitals, she said. Either way, the cost will be passed on to the rest of the users. [St. Cloud Times, 1/26/05] Pawlentys Proposed Cuts To MinnesotaCare Could Cause A Significant Hidden Tax On People Who Pay Increased Premiums For Health Care. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed cuts to state health programs would send more uninsured patients to emergency rooms for medical care they cant afford, raising the cost of care for hospitals, the privately insured and some property taxpayers, hospitals said Wednesday It would be the state of Minnesota enacting a significant hidden tax on people who pay increased premiums for health care and on people who pay for health care out of their own pockets, said Bruce Rueben, Minnesota Hospital Association president. These people still get sick and need health services. [Associated Press, 1/26/05] Department of Human Services Official Said Uncompensated Hospital Care Probably Will Go Up Under Pawlentys Budget Proposal. According to the Associated Press, Uncompensated hospital care probably will go up under Pawlentys budget proposal, said Brian Osberg, assistant commissioner of health care for the Department of Human Services. [Associated Press, 1/26/05]

Pawlenty Cuts To Hospital Reimbursement Rate Would Result In $50 Million Lost From Federal Matching Funds. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Pawlentys health care cuts included provisions that reduce by 5 percent the reimbursement rate for those enrolled in state-sponsored health-care programs and the change would also result in a loss of $50 million of federal matching money for a total cut to hospitals of about $100 million. [Duluth News-Tribune, 7/13/05] President Of Minnesota Medical Association Said Pawlentys Cuts Just Dont Make Sense And Would Lead To Higher Costs In The Long Run. According to the Duluth News Tribune, The Minnesota Medical Association, representing 9,000 doctors, urged the governor and lawmakers Wednesday not to cut health-care programs further, saying it would lead only to higher state costs in the long run. Our fear is that lawmakers will reduce the number of people eligible for state programs or cut the benefits that are covered, Dr. Michael Gonzalez-Campoy, MMAs president, said in a prepared statement. That just doesnt make sense. Lack of insurance keeps people from going to the doctor for their immunizations and checkups, the kind of care that prevents serious illnesses. Lawmakers instead should consider raising taxes on cigarettes by $1 a pack, raising an estimated $265 million a year, Gonzalez-Campoy said. According to state health department research, smoking-related illnesses and losses in productivity cost Minnesota an estimated $2.6 billion a year, he said. If a higher tobacco tax doesnt raise enough money to avoid drastic cuts to our safety net, the state should consider raising other broadbased taxes to fund our state programs, Gonzalez-Campoy said. We cant turn our back on our neediest citizens. [Duluth News Tribune, 12/2/04] Star Tribune: Cuts To MinnesotaCare Would Weaken Minnesota. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Anyone who has listened to Gov. Tim Pawlenty discuss state finances lately has probably heard him use a peculiar new phrase, welfare health care. Its no mystery why the governor wants to attach such a stigmatizing word to Minnesotas health insurance programs - he wants them to furnish something like $450 million in savings over the next two years, by far the biggest piece of his budget-balancing plan. But that doesnt mean Minnesotans should accept the governors new formulation. Its a misleading way to describe who actually benefits from state health care, and its an insult to thousands of working Minnesotans. They continued, Minnesota over the last 15 years designed programs to promote low-cost preventive care, reduce high-cost emergency care and reduce the charity care that doctors and hospitals have to charge off to other customers. Unraveling that system will only weaken Minnesota, and using disparaging language to do it only makes the changes more demeaning to a proud state. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 2/2/05] St. Cloud Times Derek Larson: In Lieu Of Real Reforms Pawlenty Was Instead Playing Politics With Health Care, Vilifying The Minnesotacare Program. According to an op-ed by Derek Larson of the St. Cloud Times, Like everywhere else, health-care costs in Minnesota are out of control So the poster child is sick. Youd think state leaders would be worried

by this and look for a cure, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty is instead playing politics with health care, vilifying the MinnesotaCare program by labeling it welfare health care and proposing budget cuts that would add 27,000 more people to the rolls of the uninsured in our state. A crass observer might look at the demographics of the uninsured and see few Republican voters. But Pawlentys narrow no new taxes ideology has left him few options in dealing with a crisis that goes well beyond a sick poster child We know today the system is broken. The inability of our leaders to even address the situation demands more from us as individuals - and we should demand better from our leaders than one-liners about welfare health care or political distractions intended to focus our attention on much less pressing matters. [Derek Larson op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 3/2/05] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Pawlentys Cuts To MinnesotaCare Would Hurt Rural Small Business Owners Who Do Not Provide Health Insurance Benefits. According to an editorial by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Further cuts to the MinnesotaCare health care program mean more trouble for an overlooked group in rural Minnesota: small business owners who cant or wont provide health insurance benefits. To legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who hope to drain the MinnesotaCare fund balance and pour the money into another program for even more destitute people, please reconsider. No one wins when fewer people are insured. Options exist for preserving MinnesotaCare, such as a $1 proposed hike in the cigarette tax. We urge a consideration of them Pawlenty proposes to remove 27,000 Minnesotans who are single and without children from MinnesotaCare. Changes in eligibility requirements plus limitations on hospitalization coverage enacted from the 2003 legislative session have already eroded MinnesotaCare. Dumping 27,000 additional people from even minimal coverage is penny wise and pound foolish, as weve pointed out before. Now, the Center for Rural Policy and Development points out more of the obvious -- that a high proportion of those dropped from MinnesotaCare will be rural employees who already earn about 20 percent less than metro-area workers. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/19/05]

CHILD CARE REIMBURSEMENTS

Pawlenty Proposed $109 Million In Cuts To The Children & Economic Assistance. According to Pawlentys budget recommendations overview, The Children & Economic Assistance Grants & Management Divisions within the Department of Human Services are under the jurisdiction of the Jobs & Economic Opportunity Finance Committee for the first time in the 2005 Legislative Session. The Governor recommends that the Divisions be funded at $901.282 million in the 2006-07 biennium. This is a 10.5 percent reduction from the Divisions base funding level of $1.01 billion. The dollar reduction is $109.43 million. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendation, March 2005]

Child Care Advocated Said Pawlentys Freeze On Child Care Reimbursements Was Denying Access To Child Care For Low-Income Families. According to the Star Tribune, Ann Kaner-Roth of Child Care Works, a statewide coalition of child care advocates, noted that Pawlenty plans to save $70 million over two years by extending a freeze on existing state reimbursement rates to providers who care for low-income children. What hes really doing is denying access to child care for low-income families, she said. [Star Tribune, 1/26/05] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Child Care Reimbursement Freeze Hurt Low-Income Parents And Child Care Providers. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune , under Gov. Tim Pawlentys 2006-07 budget proposal lowincome parents and child care providers also would bear more costs, as a freeze in the states reimbursement for child care costs is extended. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/26/05]

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Pawlenty Proposed Cutting $17 Million From Economic Development Department. According to an overview of Pawlentys 2006-2007 budget recommendations, The Governor recommends that the Department of Employment and Economic Development receive a General Fund appropriation of $74.856 million in the FY 2006-07 biennium. The recommendation represents a reduction of $17.116 million from the biennium base. The Governors major recommendations by programs and activities are given in the table below. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005]

BORROWING

Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Did Not Propose Enough Transportation Funding And Included To Massive Borrowing. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Give Gov. Tim Pawlenty a B for effort on his transportation budget. Unfortunately, his phobia against raising new tax dollars means his proposal is too uncertain and, even if everything goes right, provides too little, too late. Lets take a closer look. With the metropolitan regions population expected to approach 4 million by 2030, administration experts anticipate the need to spend an extra $1 billion a year locally on transportation over the next decade just to prevent traffic from getting worse. Pawlenty proposes only about half that much - an extra $7.1 billion statewide. Thats not sufficient, but its a good start and an important gesture, given Minnesotas two decades of transportation neglect. Heres the problem, however: The governors biennial budget postpones real progress until 2008, and even then his long-range plan devotes less than 15 percent - an extra $100 million a year - to metro-area transit. Thats too slow a start, and its half of whats needed to build and operate the half-dozen new rail and bus transitways that the Met Council and local governments propose, and to begin doubling the regions undersized bus network, a vital component of any workable transit system Pawlentys strategy, as with highways, is to make promises now while pushing costs into the future. His roads plan includes massive borrowing - $4.5 billion for a decade of projects, repaid over 30 years. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 2/3/05] Pawlentys Budget Cut Funding For Outdoors And Environment Nearly In Half. According to the Star Tribune, Paul Austin, executive director of the League of Conservation Voters, said the percentage of general fund dollars spent for conservation, the environment and outdoors continues to dwindle. Historically, over the past 20 to 30 years, about 2 percent of the general fund went to programs that affect the outdoors, he said. Its 1.3 percent now, and it drops to 1.1 percent under this budget. [Star Tribune, 1/30/05]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID

Kanabec County Saw $500,000 Drop In Local Government Aid Funding While County Budget Rose $1 Million. According to the Associated Press, Kanabec Countys state aid dropped from $1.3 million in 2003 to $854,000 this year. Four hundred thousand dollars may not sound like much, but to a small, poor county like us ... thats a lot of money, said County Coordinator Alan Peterson. During that same period, the county budget rose by about $1 million. The problem, Peterson said, is that even while state aid has decreased, state officials havent eased up on the duties and services it requires counties to provide - the so-called mandates that have become a dirty word in county circles. Peterson estimated that 87 percent of county spending is to conform with state mandates. For Kanabec County, the biggest costs are for law enforcement and housing of prisoners. The laws and sentencing guidelines are set by the state, but must be carried out by a county with seven deputies, a 22-bed jail and an exploding methamphetamine problem. If they can reverse our tax increases, then we should be able to reverse the state mandate that caused it, Peterson said. [Associated Press, 4/29/05]

GIMMICKS
Minnesota Had A Projected Budget Surplus Of $181 Million In 2006. According to the Grand Forks Herald, Minnesota state government has a projected budget surplus of $181 million, according to a new revenue forecast released this morning. It is the first time in five years that the states regular February forecast has not predicted a deficit. But the $181 million will be reduced to $88 million if legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty do not change current law. The law requires them to complete repaying money the state borrowed from school districts through accounting shifts that delayed state aid payments in previous deficits. A $701 million surplus predicted in November is not part of the new forecast. Thats because that money was already allocated under law to repaying the school districts. The state also has $317 million set aside in a tax relief account for unspecified tax relief. But the fate of $200 million a year the state is still collecting from a new fee on cigarettes remains a question mark in the latest forecast. A judge in December ruled the fee is illegal, but the state is continuing to collect the money while appeals the ruling to the state Supreme Court. [Grand Forks Herald, 2/28/06] Part Of Minnesotas Projected $701 Million Budget Surplus Was Promised To School Districts In Repayment Of Cost Shifting. According to the Grand Forks Herald, State revenues are now projected to exceed expenditures by about $701 million during Minnesotas current two-year budget cycle, the state Finance Department announced today Current law requires that all the $701 million surplus now predicted for the current two-year budget to go to school districts. The money will repay a debt to school districts that the state incurred through an accounting shift in 2003. The shift allowed the state to delay aid payments to the districts. Most of the $701 million improvement in the states bottom line results from a 2.3 percent $694 million upward revision in the taxes and fees the state now expects to collect during the budget cycle that runs until mid-2007. [Grand Forks Herald, 11/30/05]

Pawlenty Signed A $1.684 Billion Crime Bill That Increased Funding By 16%. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday signed into law what he called the most significant crime bill in Minnesota in a decade. The overall bill appropriates $1.685 billion for more law enforcement, court and prison resources to fight crime. The amount is a 16 percent, two-year increase in tight budget times. [Star Tribune, 6/3/05] 2006: Pawlenty Passed $1 Billion Public Works Bill The Year After Borrowing $962 Million. According to the Associated Press, By the time the dust cleared on the 2006 session, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers had run up quite a tab. They passed a $999 million public works bill a year after they adopted a $962 million borrowing bill. They also divvied up $205 million for state programs and allowed more than $500 million worth of state and local tax dollars to go for stadium construction. Its a far cry from the frugality they showed just a few years ago. Pawlenty took office as a determined fiscal conservative, and in 2003 and 2004 he and lawmakers pinched every penny as they turned a whopping deficit into a modest surplus. That started to change in 2005, with the sizable bonding bill and passage of a 75-cent-per-pack tobacco surcharge to support a bigger budget Indeed, those who favor smaller government and less spending are getting agitated [President of the conservative Taxpayers League of Minnesota David] Strom said back-to-back years of borrowing plans exceeding $950 million could spell trouble for Republicans, who risk alienating donors and their fiscally conservative base. Traditionally for Republicans when theyre upset, they dont turn out, he said. [Associated Press, 5/23/06] Pawlenty Proposed $1.6 Million In Corporate Tax Breaks By Speeding Up A Conversion Of The Formula. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed giving Minnesota-based businesses a $1.6 million tax break by speeding up a conversion of the states corporate income tax system to a formula that takes into account only sales within the state, not property and payroll. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $4.7 Million In Tax Credits For Dairy Farmers. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed Offering a $4.7 million state subsidy through tax credits to dairy farmers who expand or modernize their operations. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $2.1 Million For A Law Enforcement Team To Target Crimes Committed By Illegal Immigrants. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed Spending $2.1 million to establish a 10-person law enforcement team aimed at investigating criminal violations by illegal immigrants. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $6.1 Million For Early Childhood Education. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed Spending $6.1 million to improve early childhood education programs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $3 Million For Facial-Recognition Technology For Drivers Licenses. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed Spending $3 million to incorporate so-called facial-recognition technology into drivers licenses to combat fraud. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $1.1 Million In Tax Credits To Help Illegal Immigrants Become Citizens. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed Offering $1.1 million worth of tax credits to immigrants to help cover their cost of becoming citizens. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $26 Million For Veterans Services. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty proposed $26 million over three years for veterans services, including assistance programs, county grants and the creation of veterans assistance offices at the states four-year colleges and universities. [Star Tribune, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $20 Million For The Clean Water Legacy Act. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty proposed $20 million in 2007 for the Clean Water Legacy Act. [Star Tribune, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $18 Million For Biotech And Genomics Projects At U Of M. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty proposed $18 million in 2007 for the University of Minnesota/Mayo partnership on biotech and genomics projects. [Star Tribune, 3/15/06] Pawlenty Proposed $16 Million For The Rochester Branch Of U Of M. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty proposed $16 million over three years for the universitys Rochester branch. [Star Tribune, 3/15/06]

Pawlentys Proposed Budget That Would Use Fund For To Pay For Things Other Than Their Intended Purposes. According to the Star Tribune, The marriage penalty, which results in higher state income taxes for more than 400,000 Minnesotans, would be eliminated in time for tax-filing time next year under a supplemental budget proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday. He also would boost funding for the treatment and supervision of sex offenders and mentally ill criminals by nearly $100 million, the single biggest set of spending proposals in his recommended budget adjustments, and would implement other limited spending increases in various programs The supplemental budget comes in the second year of the states two-year budget period. This year, Pawlenty and legislators have about $400 million to draw on, a combination of $317 million in extra tax collections from 2005 and an $88 million surplus projected for 2006-07. Pawlenty would increase spending beyond those amounts by redirecting money in a couple of special accounts, the health care access fund, which provides health insurance for MinnesotaCare recipients, and federal welfare funds, some of which Pawlenty would use for early-childhood proposals. DFLers object to tapping either pot of funds for anything other than their intended purposes. [Star Tribune, 3/15/06] Despite Budget Surplus, Pawlenty Did Not Include Property Tax Relief And Instead Proposed Caps. According to the Star Tribune, Legislative leaders on both sides joined Pawlenty in calling for the $29 million marriage penalty elimination, making it a likely prospect for passage this year. But Republican and DFL leaders alike broke with the governor on the subject of property tax relief. He recommended none in his budget, despite double-digit increases in some parts of the state, choosing instead to call for levy limits that would prohibit local officials from raising property taxes beyond a certain point. [Star Tribune, 3/15/06] Pawlentys Supplemental Budget Included $203 Million In New Spending. According to the Associated Press, The supplemental budget signed by Pawlenty includes $203 million in new spending, including money to upgrade the states sex offender facilities, and for bird flu preparedness, veterans programs and for lake and river cleanup programs. It also contains $202 million in tax relief, including elimination of the marriage penalty that forces married couples to pay higher taxes, to reduce the alternative minimum tax that hits about 44,000 state residents, and tax credits for those whove served in the military since Sept. 11, 2001. [Associated Press, 6/2/06] 2006: Minnesota Had A $2.2 Billion Projected Surplus. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota state government faces a projected budget surplus of $2.2 billion over the next 31 months, a new revenue forecast predicts. The total includes a short-term surplus, for the rest of the current fiscal year that ends June 30, of about $1.04 billion, plus a longerterm surplus of $1.13 billion for the next two-year budget cycle. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/29/06] Star Tribune: 2006 Surplus Was Artificially Inflated Because Projections Did not Take Into Account Inflation, Which Wiped Out Half The Surplus. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Reports that the 2007 Legislature will have an extra $2.2 billion to spend might have visions of tax cuts or new programs dancing in some Minnesota heads. Wed advise turning off the music. A $2.2 billion pot might look big, but this one shrinks upon closer inspection. Consider: Inflation isnt factored into the spending side of projections for the coming budget period. Account for inflation, and the 2008-09 share of the surplus - roughly half of the total - disappears two factors make the 2006-07 surplus forecast shaky too: For the first time since the Great Depression, the price of housing is declining. Wednesdays forecast has already projected the loss of 10,000 jobs due to the housing slowdown. That figure might be too low; [and] corporate profits are running unusually high, in a way that has economists concerned about their sustainability. Growth in corporate income taxes - the states most volatile tax - accounts for a third of the projected surplus in the current budget. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 11/30/06]

2006 BONDING BILL

Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing Almost The Entirety Of $897 Million State Construction Program. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press,Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed an $897 million state construction program Tuesday to pay for everything from new college classrooms and prisons to commuter and light-rail lines and the Minnesota Zoo. The price tag would make Pawlentys plan the third-highest capital budget in state history Most of the projects would be paid for by $811 borrowing million through the sale of state-backed bonds to investors, to be repaid over about 20 years. The rest of the construction money would come from user fees, highway revenue and the state general fundSome of the big projects Pawlenty recommended include:$128 million for repairs and new classrooms at the University of Minnesota; $143 million for Minnesota State College and University buildings and facilities; $60 million to complete the Northstar commuter rail line from downtown

Minneapolis to Big Lake; and $21 million to upgrade the Minnesota Zoo. The Republican governor offered $2.5 million for the most sought-after East Metro project: the $840 million Central Corridor for either light-rail trains or high-speed buses between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/18/06] Pawlenty Signed Into Law $1 Billion Public Works Law including Commuter Rail, State Borrowed Most Of The Funds For The Bill. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday signed a $999.9 million public works bill into law, giving the thumbs-up to projects ranging from new university buildings to local bridge repairs. Projects in line for funds include the Northstar Commuter rail line, an expanded sex offender lockup in Moose Lake, a bigger Faribault prison, a medical bioscience building at the University of Minnesota and expanded science facilities at Minnesota State University Mankato. Pawlenty signed the bill at the University of Minnesotas Carlson School of Management, which will get $26.6 million for an expansion. He highlighted the bills spending on college and university buildings, which added up to $307 millionThe bonding bill also contains money for water projects, parks and trails, housing for the homeless, infrastructure for a steel plant in Itasca County, a bioscience center in Rochester and event centers in Marshall and Bemidji. The state borrows money to pay for the projects, backing most of the loans with its general fund taxes. [Associated Press, 6/1/06]

2005: Government Shutdown

Pawlenty Said He Shut Down Minnesotas Government And Won By Refusing To Accept Spending Demands From Democrats. According to The New American, In this years summer of discontent, as the nation faced a possible government shutdown in the battle over the debt ceiling, presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty was assuring voters he could handle such a crisis when his turn came. As a former Governor of Minnesota, he has, as they say, been there, done that. I shut down a government and won, Pawlenty said in one TV ad. Another says, Minnesota government shut down. Why? Because Tim Pawlenty would not accept Democrats massive tax and spending demands. Result? Pawlenty won. [The New American, 8/22/11] Pawlenty Said Officials Who Spun Minnesota Government Shut Down Should Be Ashamed Of Themselves. According to The New American, At the time, however, the Governor did not sound so triumphant. When the partial shutdown ended after nine days in July of 2005, Pawlenty cautioned against boasting by either side. Given what the states been through, anybody who tries to spin this as a partisan victory should be ashamed of himself or herself, he said at a press conference. [The New American, 8/22/11] Pawlenty Flip-Flopped On Shutdown As Political Win. According to The New American, In this years summer of discontent, as the nation faced a possible government shutdown in the battle over the debt ceiling, presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty was assuring voters he could handle such a crisis when his turn came. As a former Governor of Minnesota, he has, as they say, been there, done that. I shut down a government and won, Pawlenty said in one TV ad. Another says, Minnesota government shut down. Why? Because Tim Pawlenty would not accept Democrats massive tax and spending demands. Result? Pawlenty won. At the time, however, the Governor did not sound so triumphant. When the partial shutdown ended after nine days in July of 2005, Pawlenty cautioned against boasting by either side. Given what the states been through, anybody who tries to spin this as a partisan victory should be ashamed of himself or herself, he said at a press conference. [The New American, 08/11/11] Pawlenty Said Minnesota Budget Commission Was The Political Equivalent Of Jurassic Park. According to Politico, Tim Pawlenty escalated his war of words Thursday night with former Vice President Walter Mondale. The former Minnesota governor put out a two paragraph statement blasting the recommendations of the committee convened by Mondale and former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson, both vocal Pawlenty critics, to end the stalemate that has kept Minnesotas government shutdown for the last seven days. This commission is the political equivalent of Jurassic Park, Pawlenty said. Their proposed solutions are antiquated, out of touch with todays realities and needs, and they wont work. [Politico, 07/07/11] Minnesota Democrats Said The States Government Shut Down Was Pawlentys Fault. According to The Nation, Pawlentys home state critics say he contributed to the predicament in three ways: he failed to correct the structural imbalance in Minnesotas finances, he balanced his own budget by pushing expenses into the future for which the bills are now coming due and he abdicated his leadership responsibility to help Minnesota find a sustainable budget trajectory. With the state government starved for revenue, Minnesotans have been paying through other means: local property taxes rose regularly to pick up the slack in funding for government services, although Pawlenty then signed a property tax cap in 2008. Meanwhile

the state government imposed brutal budget cuts. Without increasing revenue, though, Pawlenty was unable to cut spending sufficiently to balance the budget. Instead, Pawlenty used every budget gimmick and shift, says Kristin Sosanie, communications director for the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party. He borrowed money from K-12 schools and put off payments to falsely balance the budget. Specifically, since Minnesota budgets on a biannual cycle, the state had given 90 percent of funding for education to localities in the first year and 10 percent in the second year. Pawlenty shifted the balance to 70-30, making his last budget seem balanced but leaving a $1.4 billion hole in the budget that Governor Mark Dayton is trying to balance now. Other budgetary duct tape used by Pawlenty in his last year in office, according to the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, includes delaying $152 million in tax refunds. All told, when Pawlenty left office there was a projected $6.2 billion budget shortfall [The Nation, 07/07/11] Pawlenty Unveiled An Advertisement In Iowa Focused On Government Shutdown In Minnesota And Union Strikes. According to Politico, Tim Pawlentys campaign will go on the air in Iowa today with a 30-second ad touting his record of confrontation with labor unions and Democrats in the Minnesota legislature. The statewide buy ups the ante on Pawlentys results, not rhetoric slogan, spotlighting his willingness to allow a transit strike in 2004 and a state government shutdown in 2005 in order to control spending and block tax increases. [Politico, 07/05/11] Pawlenty Criticized Walter Mondale For Forming A Committee That Intended To Aide In Ending The 2011 Minnesota Government Shutdown And Claimed Mondales Platform Would Call For Higher Taxes. According to Politico, Pawlenty said Walter Mondale ran for president against Ronald Reagan on a platform that called for higher taxes. Arne Carlson supported John Kerry, Barack Obama and other Democrats. It should surprise no one that they both support more spending and higher taxes in Minnesota. We did it the right way for the last eight years, with dramatically lower spending and tax cuts. I commend the Republicans in the Legislature for sticking to their guns, even when politicians of the past call for old-fashioned high tax and spend solutions. [Politico, 07/05/11] Pawlenty Said The Minnesota Shutdowns Were The Result Of Increased Spending Under Democrats. According to The Star Tribune, The equivalence is this: Both in 05 and now, you had Democrats demanding that we raise taxes and raise spending, Pawlenty said. The upcoming deficit is preposterous in the sense its based on a massive increase in spending. ... If state government would simply live with the revenues it has available, it wouldnt have any deficit at all. The last budget for which I was governor ends tonight at midnight, and its going to end in the black, he said on Thursday night. Its going to end with a surplus. And as to the next budget, that has a projected deficit. Its based on a massive increase in spending that I never would have allowed as governor. [The Star Tribune, 07/02/11] Pawlenty Said Government Shutdown Could Be A Good Thing And Wished That The 2005 Shutdown Would Have Lasted Longer. According to Politico, Presidential candidate and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said that he wished the 2005 government shutdown he presided over would have lasted longer, and that the paralysis underway now in the state could be a good thing. I think it was nine days (of government shutdown) at that time, and I think we could have gotten a better deal if we had allowed that to continue for a while, Pawlenty said Thursday night at a press conference at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport. [Politico, 07/01/11] Pawlenty Blamed Mark Dayton For Minnesotas 2011 Government Shutdown. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty commented regarding the 2011 Minnesota Government shutdown. Pawlenty: The equivalence is this both in 05 and now -You had Democrats demanding that we raise taxes and raise spendingin 2005, the shutdown ended with Pawlenty inking a budget deal that included what he called a health impact fee, but most called a cigarette tax. He said he bore no responsibility for the $5 billion deficit economists projected he left behind and the current lawmakers and governor are working to close. He said the deficit is a projected deficit based on spending he would not have approved. [Star Tribune, 06/30/11] Pawlenty Said His Use Of Unallotment And Ensuing Government Shutdown Were His Proudest Achievements as Governor. According to Rush Limbaugh.Com, when Limbaugh asked Tim Pawlenty what was his proudest achievement as governor, Pawlenty touted his spending record, including his use of unallotment that was ruled unlawful by the Minnesota Supreme Court. Well, Im proud of the fact that I brought Minnesota spending down from over 40 year, two-year average to 21%, down to barely zero -- and then, for the first time in the states history, actually cut state spending in real terms. So if I had to pick one thing: It was getting Minnesota, a very liberal place, to come to terms with its excesses. It wasnt easy, Rush. I had a government shutdown, first in 150 years. I set a record for vetoes in my state. I used executive power to un-allot more money out of my budget in my eight years of the states budget than 142 years of governors preceding me. So I drew lines in the sand, I had big battles, and I won most of them, and we put Minnesota on a more conservative path. [Rush Limbaugh, 5/23/11]

Pawlenty Called Special Session To Deal With Spending Bills For Primary Education, Agriculture, Health Care And Transportation. According to the Associated Press, For state legislators, summer vacation will have to wait. Gov. Tim Pawlenty wont let them loose until the budget is done. The Republican governor ordered the Legislature to begin a special session once they adjourned the regular session on Monday. His decision to have them roll into an immediate special session keeps the pressure on them to hammer out deals on education, health programs and taxes. The Legislature failed to finish the job before the adjournment deadline at midnight, prompting the ninth special session in 11 years. .. One budget bill - funding public safety initiatives - won approval before the gavel fell. A $2.8 billion spending bill for public colleges passed last week. A third budget bill, one paying operating costs for several state agencies, passed with about an hour to spare Still hanging out there were spending bills for K-12 education, agriculture and natural resources, subsidized health care programs and transportation. Besides the budget, lawmakers are likely to use the overtime session to consider bills for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark and University of Minnesota football stadiumThe Legislature and Pawlenty need to sign off on the spending bills by June 30. Without them, some government programs could shut down. [Associated Press, 5/24/05] Government Was Shut Down After Senate And Pawlenty Could Not Find Compromise On Budget. According to the Star Tribune, the DFL Senate and Pawlenty failed to agree on spending bills, Pawlenty presided over a partial government shutdown and finally proposed to raise revenue on cigarettes through what he called a health-impact fee. He was pilloried by conservatives for violating his no new tax pledge and suffered political damage for shuttering some state agencies. [Star Tribune, 5/19/09] 2005 Was First Government Shutdown In Minnesota History. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, it was the first state government shutdown in Minnesota history. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/10/05] Mike Jacobs: Pawlenty Needed To Compromise More To Avert Government Shutdown. According to Mike Jacobs of the Grand Forks Herald, [Senate Democrats are ] not in a compromising mood. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a little better, but only a little. Hes forsaken his no-taxes pledge by endorsing an increase in the tax on cigarettes. This isnt a general tax increase, of course, and it doesnt raise as much money as Minnesota needs to maintain its position as one of the most livable states. So, the governors compromising mood is not expansive enough. [Mike Jacobs op-ed, Grand Forks Herald, 6/17/05] Fargo Forum Editorial: Pawlenty Was Stubborn During Budget Negotiations. According to an editorial in the Fargo Forum, With a state government shutdown looming, Minnesotas governor and Legislature are putting political agendas ahead of the states welfare Pawlenty has been - in a word - stubborn. We dont mean stubborn as in defending some sort of high-minded principle. Rather, the governor backed himself into a box with his no-taxes pledge to the antigovernment crowd in his party, and has been dealing with that mistake since he took office. In reality, however, he has played fast and loose with semantics, opting for fees to raise revenue. But what the governor characterizes as a fee is, in most cases, a disguised tax. [Editorial, The Forum (Fargo), 6/21/05] Duluth News Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Could Avoid Government Shutdown If He Would Compromise. According to a Duluth News Tribune editorial, Though under the judges order the states health and safety functions would continue uninterrupted, the looming July 1 shutdown bodes to be a mess in almost every other arena The states coffers would suffer a direct hit if state parks are closed, particularly during the July 4 weekend. Not to worry, though; Pawlenty has said he would entertain measures to pay for keeping the parks open. But if he realizes the urgency of that issue, why not act to head off the entire shutdown? More than any other single individual, Pawlenty has to power to do so, and its called compromise. [Editorial, Duluth News Tribune, 6/26/05] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Deserves A Scolding For Helping Cause Minnesotas First-Ever Government Shutdown. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislators deserve a scolding for conducting the peoples business so childishly that they caused the states first-ever partial government shutdown. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 7/15/05] Randy Krebs: Pawlenty Failed To Provide The Leadership Necessary To Avoid A State Shutdown. According to the St. Cloud Times Randy Krebs, Since 1927, Time magazine has named a Person of the Year. Well this year, the St. Cloud Times Editorial Board would like to start a similar tradition. We call it Difference Makers. Here are the people this board believes made the biggest impact - good or bad - on Central Minnesota in 2005. So, in no particular order, here are our selectionsGov. Tim Pawlenty, House Speaker Steve Sviggum and Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson: They failed to provide the leadership necessary to avoid a state government shutdown. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times,

12/11/05] Government Shutdown Cost Minnesota At Least $12 Million. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Minnesotas government shutdown and the Legislatures special session have cost more than $12 million, and the 8,900 state employees who were locked out of their jobs bore most of that price. State employees contributed $10.1 million worth of either lost pay or vacation time during the shutdown, state Employee Relations Commissioner Cal Ludeman said Monday. You could also say the state lost $10 million worth of productivity on the part of those employees. And should lawmakers approve a proposal to reimburse state employees for shutdown-related lost wages and vacation time, that cost will be shifted to taxpayers. Most furloughed employees are able to collect vacation pay for the eight days they were out of work. But more than 1,650 already had exhausted their vacation time and therefore have lost wages, according to the two largest state employee unions. Ludeman estimated the state also spent $2 million to $3 million preparing for the shutdown. That included erecting barriers at highway rest stops, shutting down and restarting computer systems, staff time and legal costs. [Duluth News Tribune, 7/12/05] Pawlenty Did Not Want To Cover Some Health Care Costs During Shutdown Fight; Ramsey County District Judge Ruled Medical Assistance Must Continue. According to the Associated Press, A judge ruled Thursday that all state spending on medical assistance must continue during a government shutdown, ignoring a suggestion by Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration that some health care costs might not be covered. Ramsey County District Judge Gregg Johnson, whos overseeing the legal preparations for a shutdown that was just hours away Thursday, said the governors office should correct a letter sent to recipients two weeks ago. It indicated some state payments for medical assistance, general assistance medical care and MinnesotaCare would cease during a shutdown. This court finds that despite the lack of a budget, there are still revenues coming into the state, Johnson said. If the state is able to continue funding for road projects, and now possibly for state parks, then I find that providing health care for its most vulnerable citizens is certainly a core function. Johnson ruled after listening to Pawlentys attorneys and Attorney General Mike Hatch - a hearing which at times grew testy. Hatch was arguing that letters the administration sent to assistance recipients were confusing and could have left the impression that they couldnt get health care during the shutdown. Hatch said a ruling by Johnson last week made it clear that medical assistance to vulnerable citizens was a core function of state government. [Associated Press, 6/30/05] Pawlenty Rejected Budget Compromise That Included Spending Cuts And Revenue Increases He Had Previously Supported. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Democrats in the Minnesota Senate on Monday proposed a deficitreduction package that they said would quickly fix a $466 million budget hole and allow lawmakers to move on to tougher choices about education, transportation and health care spending. Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders presented their plan as a two-stage process in which lawmakers would first cure the deficit -- a relatively small problem -- with scores of spending cuts or revenue increases previously suggested by Gov. Tim Pawlenty But Republican leaders, including Pawlentys top aide, criticized the DFL plan as incomplete at best and as political gamesmanship at worst. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/22/05] Republican Legislators Called Government Shutdown Process Unconstitutional. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, An expanded group of Republican lawmakers this week challenged the constitutionality of court orders that kept significant parts of Minnesota state government functioning for 13 days in July while legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty argued over a budget. Seven state senators and 13 representatives, including House Speaker Steve Sviggum, filed the litigation on Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court. Earlier the 13 Republican House members had tried unsuccessfully tried to take the case directly to the Supreme Court, but the high court refused to assume jurisdiction. The lawsuit argues that the process by which state officials, including Pawlenty, persuaded a judge to order continued funding for many services that otherwise would have shut down on July 1 was unconstitutional. The litigation contends that the courts should not have intervened in a budget battle that was being waged between legislators and between lawmakers and the governor. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/1/05] Pawlenty Tried To Trade Cigarette Fee For A Litany Of Items Including, School Vouchers, A Ban On Teacher Strikes, And Reducing The Legislature To One-House. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, On Wednesday morning, Pawlenty returned to a demand he made when he first proposed his 75-cent cigarette fee. He insisted Democrats agree to meaningful government reform from a menu of policy changes he favors. The options include: school vouchers, a ban on teacher strikes, a constitutional amendment that would allow initiative and referendum, a one-house Legislature, the so-called Taxpayers Bill of Rights that would strictly limit government spending and tax increases, and performance pay for lawmakers and the governor. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/30/05]

CRITICIZED BY MINNESOTA NEWSPAPERS

Star Tribune: Under Pawlenty, Minnesota Cant Be Called The State That Works. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, It was on that day that the 2005 Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty buried the motto that Time magazine bestowed 32 years ago Minnesota: The State that Works. A big portion of state government wasnt working Friday. More than 9,000 state employees werent on the job. And legislators and the governor, though at the Capitol and drawing paychecks, werent functioning in Minnesotas best interests either. If they had been, they would have agreed to the outline of a new state budget, and reopened state government for business. Their failure to do so is a blot on their records that will be hard to erase. No previous Legislature and governor in state history have carried a budget dispute to a result so damaging to a precious Minnesota asset: dependable, high-quality public services. All those who were party to causing it should be ashamed. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 7/2/05] Fargo Forum: During Government Shutdown, Pawlenty Put Political Agendas Ahead Of States Welfare. According to an editorial in the Fargo Forum, With a state government shutdown looming, Minnesotas governor and Legislature are putting political agendas ahead of the states welfare. Time and again, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Democratic legislative leaders have tried to come to a budget compromise that would avoid a shutdown of services Minnesotans depend on. And time and again negotiations have collapsed in a haze of political posturingPawlenty has been - in a word - stubborn. We dont mean stubborn as in defending some sort of high-minded principle. Rather, the governor backed himself into a box with his no-taxes pledge to the anti-government crowd in his party, and has been dealing with that mistake since he took office. In reality, however, he has played fast and loose with semantics, opting for fees to raise revenue. But what the governor characterizes as a fee is, in most cases, a disguised tax. [Editorial, The Fargo Forum, 6/21/05] Dave Beal: Effects Of Government Shutdown Could Harm Minnesotas Business Climate. According to an op-ed for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Businesses hate uncertainty, but Minnesota legislators have been dishing it out to them by the carload these days. For the third time in five years, legislators have been unable to agree on a state budget without a special session. Now, the state is facing its first-ever shutdown of government services if legislators and the governor cant agree on a budget by the end of Thursday. He continued, Its reason enough to cry for Minnesota, once so proudly known as the state that works. Here, legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty ought to collectively hang their heads for allowing the process of governing to deteriorate so badly. At some point, its time to stop the gamesmanship and get on with the deal making required to balance the budget and run the state properly. Clearly, weve passed that point. For Minnesotas political leaders, timely compromise has become a lost art. Their failures can affect businesses by making tax levels uncertain and in many small ways. Often, the individual troubles are not huge, but the cumulative effect weakens the business climate. The longer the political gridlock lingers, the worse its likely to get. [Dave Beal op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/29/05] Pawlenty Proposed Withholding Paychecks From Legislators When They Miss Budget Deadlines. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants lawmakers to feel a financial pinch the next time they fail to complete a budget on time. He toured the state Thursday promoting his Performance Pay for Politicians proposal to withhold paychecks from himself and legislators the next time they miss a critical budget deadline. The Republican governor said from the Capitol steps that he wants the plan to be the first bill passed by the 2006 Legislature Under his proposal, lawmakers and the governor would forego their June salaries if they blow by the May adjournment deadline in years when they are supposed to pass a budget. If their work spills into July - when the new budget period begins - they would miss out on pay for July and August as well. [Associated Press, 8/4/05] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Withholding Of Legislator Pay Papered Over The Real Cause Of Government Shutdown Which Was His No-New-Tax Pledge. According to a Star Tribune editorial, By urging legislators to dock their own pay - and the governors, too - whenever a session runs overtime, Tim Pawlenty wants to paper over the real meaning of what happened last June and July. He wants to leave the impression that lawmakers missed their deadline because they failed to act as grownups, and that he, too, is willing to take his lumps If anything, the session was made inflexible by the foolish no-new-tax pledge taken by the governor and many GOP legislators. Pawlenty says he wont take the pledge again, and thats a good thing. Maybe politicians should take a pay cut every time they fall captive to a narrow interest group Indeed, the governors expertise and sophistication on the issue exposes his performance pay scheme for what it really is: pure politics and a clever diversion. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 8/8/05]

FINAL BUDGET BILLS

2006-2007 Budget Bills Total $30.5 Billion And Increased Taxes On Cigarettes. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the remaining state budget bills Thursday, as he tried to shift the focus at the Capitol away from the bruising legislative session and toward what he said was a banner year for public schools. Surrounded by education officials and school leaders, Pawlenty signed a K-12 funding bill he said is the best the state has seen in 10 to 15 years. The governor made less fanfare of signing three other budget bills: taxes, transportation, and health and human services, which includes a 75-cent-a-pack increase on cigarettes. The bills comprised the final details of a $30.5 billion state budget for the next two years, which lawmakers approved the night before. By Thursday morning most legislators had cleared out of St. Paul, happy to leave after a 6 1/2-month session that saw a partial government shutdown for the first eight days of July. [Associated Press, 7/14/05] 2006-2007 Budget Included $559 Million In Fees. According to the Associated Press, Minnesotans will pay about $559 million worth of new fees and fee increases under the states new two-year budget, according to a draft analysis by nonpartisan Minnesota House fiscal staff. The largest portion will come from the so-called Health Impact Fee. The new 75-cent-per-pack duty on cigarettes - on top of an existing 48-cent tax - and other tobacco charges will raise more than $401 million, according to the analysis released Friday. In addition, The second-largest group of fee increases - a 25-cent increase for all telephone numbers - will generate $34 million for Minnesota to improve the states 911 emergency system. Other public safety fee increases include a $3 increase in the cost of drivers licenses, a $20 fee increase for people who fail their road tests the first two times and a $10 increase for those who fail their written test twice. They will produce about $5.5 million over the next two years. Increased fees and new surcharges on court fines and real estate recording will add more than $32 million to the states courts. The first significant hike in boat registration fee in more than two decades will generate $3.6 million for the Department of Natural Resources. Fee increases in snowmobile trail stickers and cross country ski passes will raise $5 million and $280,000 respectively. [Associated Press, 7/30/05] Pawlentys Signed Provision To Require Doctors, Before Terminating A Pregnancy Of At Least 20 Weeks, To Tell The Mother If Anesthesia Could Eliminate Fetal Pain And Then Administer The Anesthesia If Requested. According to the Star Tribune, the Health and Human Services bill will require doctors, before terminating a pregnancy of at least 20 weeks, to tell the mother if anesthesia could eliminate fetal pain and then administer the anesthesia if requested. Doctors who fail to do so could be sued for damages Relatively few abortions will be affected, however. In 2003, only 125 of the 14,024 abortions in Minnesota were performed after 20 weeks of pregnancy. [Star Tribune, 7/14/05] Pawlentys Health Bill Included An Increase To MinnesotaCare Premiums. According to the Star Tribune, Nursing home workers will get a pay raise. Welfare recipients living in public housing were spared a $200-a-month benefit cut. And doctors who treat Medicaid patients will be asked to follow treatment guidelines outlined by the state All Minnesotans enrolled in MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized health insurance program for low-income workers, would remain eligible. They would, however, see their premiums rise. And adults without children would no longer have a $5,000 limit on annual outpatient benefits. Likewise, doctors who treat Medical Assistance patients will be subject to closer review, as the state begins the process of implementing evidence-based medicine guidelines for Medical Assistance patients. The state will encourage doctors to follow best practices procedures, and will ultimately rate providers accordingly For the first time, nursing homes would be rated and paid accordingly under a provision that lays the groundwork for higher state reimbursements to higher-quality nursing homes. Welfare recipients living in public housing breathed a sigh of relief with the compromise agreement, which eliminated a controversial House proposal that would have cut $200 a month in their benefits. Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wound up with full funding for his $10 million homeless-prevention initiative. Some programs were less lucky. Hospitals and pharmacies wound up with some reductions in their state reimbursements for Medical Assistance. [Star Tribune, 7/12/05]

Pawlenty Signed A $3 Billion Tax Bill That Extended Taxes On Rental Cares And Alcohol. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, The tax bill extends special sales taxes on alcohol and rental cars that were due to expire, requires people leasing cars to pay their sales tax upfront and steps up state efforts to ban the use of tax shelters labeled as abusive by the Internal Revenue Service. It includes Gov. Tim Pawlentys relatively modest $3 million effort to close corporate tax loopholes. It adds $45 million to state aid to cities, with Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth particularly benefiting. Other highlights: The bill authorizes state tax deductions for health care savings accounts, increases charitable donation deductions for some people, creates a tax credit for organ donations and gives income tax breaks to National Guard members. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/14/05] $4 Billion Transportation Bill Pawlenty Signed Included Not Increase In Funding And Vetoed Gas Tax. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The two-year budget for roads, bridges, airports and mass transit is essentially the same amount

of money as the previous two years, disappointing everyone from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to the Minnesota Transportation Alliance and mass transit advocates. During the regular session, the House and Senate passed a 10-cent-pergallon gas tax increase that would have provided new funds for mass transit and highway construction, but Gov. Pawlenty vetoed it to keep his no-new-taxes pledge. This final bill provides an additional $46 million from the general fund to close a deficit for mass transit systems. Other highlights: It raises the vehicle registration fee from $4 to $10, increases the cost of drivers licenses by $3, allows military veterans to obtain special license plates and makes it illegal for those younger than 18 to talk on cell phones while driving. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/14/05] 2005: Pawlenty Signed A $12.6 Billion Education Budget Bill That Included Merit Based Pay And Relied On Property Tax Increases. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the primary education bill cost $12.6 billion. They reported, The two-year budget for schools goes up 4 percent. After three years of flat funding, school districts are cheering the passage of this bill. Among the initiatives are $78.5 million for a teacher-pay program that encourages school districts to develop new contracts that dont base salaries on years of experience and level of education. Democrats criticize the bills reliance on property tax increases. Other highlights: Encourages high school juniors and seniors to take college-level courses; authorizes districts to offer rewards to solve crimes on school grounds; encourages students to read Americas founding documents. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/14/05]

2004-05 Budget
PAWLENTY PROPOSED THE LARGEST BUDGET IN STATE HISTORY
Pawlenty Proposed The Largest Budget In Minnesota History. According to the St. Cloud Times, Pawlenty proposed the largest budget in state history - $28.1 billion - that actually increases spending by 3.8 percent or $1 billion from the 2002-03 budget cycle. It would wipe out the $4.2 billion budget deficit and leave the state with a $500 million cushion. [St. Cloud Times, 2/19/03] Finance Commissioner Said Pawlentys Budget Spends Significantly More Than In The Last Biennium. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, This is the largest budget in state history, said Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy. It spends significantly more than in the last biennium. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/16/03] Pawlenty: This Is The Largest Budget In State History And Increased Spending By $1 Billion. According to the Star Tribune, In his presentation, Pawlenty took great pains to note that as tough as parts of his budget might appear, the overall proposal actually would increase spending by $1 billion over two years - a 3.8 percent rise from the current twoyear budget period to the 2004-05 fiscal years. This is the largest budget in state history, he said, noting that a number of the rollbacks are not actual cuts, but reductions in projected growth. [Star Tribune, 2/19/03] Pawlenty Stressed That His Budget Proposal Largest Budget In State History. According to the Star Tribune, In his effort to convince Minnesotans that his proposed budget cuts arent so horrible, Gov. Tim Pawlenty frequently claims that his plan calls for spending $1 billion more than the current budget and that its the largest budget in state history. [Star Tribune, 3/2/03]

GIMMICKS
Pawlenty Used Accounting Gimmicks, One Time Revenue Shots That Do Not Address Structural Budget Issues. According to Bond Buyer, Pawlenty used accounting gimmicks to shift about $510 million in payments around [and] onetime revenue shots that wont help the state eliminate a $1.9 billion structural imbalance -- which occurs when ongoing expenses outpace ongoing revenues. [Bond Buyer, 3/3/03]

FEES
Pawlenty Supported $276 Million In Revenue Enhancements In 2004-2005 Budget. According to the Associated Press, To solve a $4 billion-plus budget problem without raising taxes, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature approved dozens of

new or increased fees, surcharges and co-payments. Among them: A new $3 state surcharge on all parking tickets. A $100 boost in the fee to file a lawsuit. Ten more bucks to get a marriage license. And a $3-a-head charge at the Minnesota Zoo for elementary school kids who used to get free admission on field trips. Estimates differ widely on the additional cost of fees and the like on Minnesota citizens and businesses. Pawlentys administration says its about $276 million more, if medical co-pays providers will receive are counted. A House estimate puts the figure at $385 million. A Senate tally pegs it $683 million after accounting for anticipated college tuition hikes and bus fare increases. Pawlenty himself estimated earlier this week that the higher charges make up about one-tenth of the fix to Minnesotas $4.23 billion projected deficit. The rookie Republican governor, who carried through on a pledge to avoid state tax increases, doesnt consider the new fee revenue in conflict with his tax goal. [Associated Press, 6/6/03]

CUTS TO THE POOR AND STUDENTS

St. Cloud Times: Programs That Serve Minnesotas Poor, Elderly And Those With Disabilities Absorbed Roughly Half Of The Cuts Needed To Balance The Budget Without Raising Taxes. According to an editorial in the St. Cloud Times, Minnesotas Republican-led government balanced the budget and kept Pawlentys campaign promise at the expense of this states most needy and vulnerable citizens. Dont let any incumbent running in 2004 or 2006 tell you otherwise. Early estimates show programs that serve Minnesotas poor, elderly and those with disabilities absorbed roughly half of the cuts needed to balance the budget without raising taxes. Yet these programs account for about a fifth of state spending. For example, $1 billion in cuts will mean almost 20,000 residents will lose health care coverage and thousands of families will lose child care subsidies. While a handful will be able to get by without that aid, legislators and the governor effectively made this states working poor poorer. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 6/2/03] St. Cloud Times: Pawlenty Budget Fails Miserably At Demanding Courage And Sacrifice From Us All, Especially The Wealthy. According to an editorial in the St. Cloud Times, Sadly, the two-year budget deal the House, Senate and governor agreed to late last week after almost six months of debate technically upholds no new taxes. But it fails miserably at demanding courage and sacrifice from us all, especially the wealthy. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 6/2/03]

Deborah Locke: Pawlenty Budget Cuts Would Inflict Real Pain. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press op-ed by Deborah Locke, Against that framework, Pawlenty wants to combine the General Assistance Medical Care program with the MinnesotaCare plan for a savings of $208 million. Included in that total is the $93 million hospitals will pay for indigent health care. The consolidation means at least 30,000 working-age adults whose incomes are almost at the poverty level will pay some health costs. Unpaid costs will be passed to the medical provider. Also, MinnesotaCare only serves people who have an address. The states homeless will be without health care. Pawlenty will eliminate Minnesotas share of the Meals on Wheels program, and the Senior Corps volunteer program. The savings: $5.7 million. He wants to cut $10.8 million from the early childhood family education fund that annually serves 300,000 Minnesota families. The program teaches childhood development and parenting skills. Pawlenty himself took ECFE classes. The governor also plans to cut $7.4 million from the Women, Infants and Children program; $11 million from the Limited English Proficiency program which goes to school districts; $2 million from the displaced homemaker program; $3.7 million from the state youth job training program; and $622,000 from the mental illness employment support fund.[Deborah Locke, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/6/03] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Has Proposed That Minnesota Make A Wholesale Retreat From Its Commitment To The Common Good. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Pawlenty has proposed that Minnesota make a wholesale retreat from its commitment to the common good. His budget scales back support for health care for the poor, higher education, early childhood development, mass transit, vulnerable children and adults, aid to low-wealth communities and much more. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/30/03] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Broke Faith With The Voters By Increasing Uninsured By 68,000 And Cuts To Public Safety. According an editorial in the Star Tribune, Pawlentys budget keeps faith with one tenet of his campaign. But in another sense, it breaks faith with the voters. He did not disclose last October an intention to cut child care for the working poor or after-school programs for at-risk kids. He made no mention of adding 68,000 people to the ranks of Minnesotas uninsured. He did not speak about cuts in police and fire protection, the courts, libraries, transit - the skeletal tissue of Minnesotas shared life. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/30/03] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Budget Included Tax Increases by Another Name Through Fees And Tuition Increases According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Almost in spite of himself, the Republican governor [Tim Pawlenty] also

proved that a tax increase is unavoidable in todays dire fiscal circumstances. His budget is loaded with fee and tuition increases, tax increases by another name, falling disproportionately on a few. At just the University of Minnesota, the Pawlenty budget would make resident undergraduate tuition climb at a $1,000-per-year clip for the next two years. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/30/03] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Decision Reduce Health Care Eligibility And Coverage Was Shortsighted And Will Cause Minnesota Needless Medical And Financial Problems Over The Long Haul. A Star Tribune editorial wrote, When lawmakers have to choose between balancing their states budget and protecting the states most vulnerable citizens, just how cautious must they be? Thats the question before a Ramsey County judge this month in a class-action lawsuit brought by a handful of poor and disabled Minnesotans who say the 2003 Legislature changed Minnesotas Medical Assistance program in ways that violate federal law and deny them essential health care... Health care consumes something close to 20 percent of the state budget, so it was a natural target when Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the 2003 Legislature had to solve a $4 billion deficit last year. One decision was to simply reduce eligibility for several medical programs and deny coverage to more than 30,000 needy adults. That decision was shortsighted and will cause Minnesota needless medical and financial problems over the long haul. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 8/10/04] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlentys 2003 Health Care Cuts Merely Shifted Costs Elsewhere To Hospitals And Eventually To Consumers. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The 2003 cuts to three state health insurance programs, which primarily hit low-income Minnesotans, saved taxpayers $517 million, according to the Minnesota state budget. In reality, poor people did not stop seeking medical care. The cuts merely shifted the costs elsewhere - to hospitals and eventually to consumers, the very taxpayers that the cuts were meant to benefit. Thats no savings. A survey from the Minnesota Hospital Association shows that uncompensated care costs - hospitals charity care and unpaid bills - rose 28 percent statewide between 2003 and 2004, from $258 million to $329 million. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, Editorial, 2/28/05]

FEDERAL FUNDS
2004: Pawlenty Used Over $100 Million Of Federal Funds To Fix Minnesotas Budget Deficit. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty used $30 million left in federal health-care money that had been destined for a state health-care fund for low-income workers. The Star Tribune added, the projected deficit had originally been $160 million, but last week Pawlenty cut $97 million by tapping the same pot of federal health care money and cutting his agencies spending by 3 percent. [Associated Press, 5/20/04; Star Tribune, 5/18/04] Pawlentys 2004 Budget Fix Will Blow A $44 Million Hole In The 2006-2007 Budget. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys unilateral action to balance the states budget on his own earlier this week has had an unexpected outcome: It creates an even bigger headache for the state next year. According to a nonpartisan Senate analysis, Pawlentys use of more than $100 million in federal funds to close a 2005 budget gap will blow a $44 million hole in the 2006-07 biennium. On Monday, Pawlenty had said that the move would create a $12 million shortfall in 2007, which he called manageable. On Wednesday, his press secretary, Leslie Kupchella, confirmed the higher figure of $44 million, saying the initial estimate was a miscalculation. A shortfall of $44 million - with nearly $8 million of that coming in 2006 - would supersize the projected budget gap by 10 percent. The states last economic forecast projected a $441 million gap in 2006-07, not counting inflation, which is no longer factored into the forecast. Adding inflation would bring that figure to about $1 billion. Legislators would have to deal with that problem when they reconvene in January to begin the arduous task of crafting a 2006-07 budget. [Star Tribune, 5/20/04]

EDUCATION
2003: Pawlenty Cut 27 Million To Primary Education And $50 Million To Higher Education. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Education programs covering early education through the 12th grade were cut by $27 million out of a total of more than $5 billion. Higher education spending was cut by $50 million out of $1.4 billion. More than $5 million was taken away from the Department of Children, Families and Learning grants to community action agencies that provide food shelf, Head Start and senior dining programs. Another $5 million was taken from after-school program grants that go to Boys and Girls Clubs, Youth Service Bureaus and neighborhood association. Other cuts went to adult education, teacher seminars and grants to youth violence prevention programs At St. Pauls Ronald Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning on University Avenue, staffers were anticipating program cuts, said Willie Nesbit, the centers director. The Hubbs Centers Adult Basic

Education program served about 9,000 people in 2001, making it the largest in the state. Those programs include English language learner courses, skills training, college preparation and GED courses. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/8/03] Nearly Half Of School District Saw Per-Pupil Funding Cut. According to the Associated Press, Education administrators warned of painful cuts ahead after seeing Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed budget for the next two years. Pawlentys budget would reduce per-pupil funding for nearly half of the states school districts in the next school year. While Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke said the reduction would be less than 1 percent for most districts where the funding declines, K-12 advocates predicted teacher layoffs and program cuts. Officials at public colleges and universities said the picture was worse for them, with cuts so deep that even 15 percent annual tuition increases wouldnt close the gap. Pawlenty would limit tuition hikes to that amount. His proposed higher-education cuts amount to $204 million over two years for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system and $185 million for the University of Minnesota, school officials said. [Associated Press, 2/19/03] Pawlenty Agreed To Budget That Cut $197 From University Of Minnesota And $189 Million From Minnesota State Colleges And Universities Which Could Lead To A 15% Increase In Tuition. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the $2.56 billion higher education bill that House and Senate negotiators agreed on would cut state spending on the University of Minnesota by $197 million, and on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by $189 million. For students and their families, that means tuition increases of up to 15 percent next year, the third consecutive year of double-digit increases with another round likely in the 2004-05 school year. They added, Pawlenty agreed on funding plans for higher education. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/20/03] Pawlenty Proposed Balancing Budget By Delaying Payments To Schools. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed, delaying state payments of $357 million to school districts in order to meet budget obligations. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/03] Pawlenty Would Not Commit To Repaying Schools When States Budget Was In Better Situation. According to the Star Tribune, the state Finance Department projected a $701 million surplus for 2006-07, in addition to $317 million already banked from fiscal 2005, which ended in June state finance officials said that the $701 million indeed was committed to repaying education accounting shifts and that money will start flowing back to the school districts by midDecember. Pawlenty was more equivocal, saying that repayment is a good idea and that progress needs to be made on it, but stopping short of making a commitment to immediately repay the entire amount. [Star Tribune, 12/1/05]

HEALTH CARE
Pawlenty Chose To Kick Over 60,000 People Off Of Health Insurance Rather Than Increase Taxes On The Wealthy. According to the Associated Press, A state agencys analysis of Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget plan predicts 34,000 people will lose their state-sponsored health care this year under the proposal and double that number will lose coverage by 2006. Pawlentys budget would make significant changes in MinnesotaCare and other state-funded health insurance programs as part of an effort to erase a $4.2 billion deficit without raising taxes or cutting school funding. The plan calls for consolidating two state-funded health insurance programs and making fewer people eligible. It would save about $361 million by fiscal year 2007. Nearly 3,000 of the newly uninsured would be pregnant women who would no longer get pre- and postnatal care, according to the analysis done by the state Department of Human Services. [Associated Press, 10/10/03] Pawlentys Proposed Budget Increase Premiums For Low-Income Minnesotans Receiving Subsidized Health Insurance. According to the Star Tribune, Thousands of low-income Minnesotans using subsidized health insurance would have to start paying higher premiums under Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed budget - as much as about $ 260 a month for a childless adult earning $ 7,000 a year. [Star Tribune, 2/19/03] Pawlenty Proposed Passing Costs of Unpaid Health Care To Hospitals And Doctors. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty wants to combine the General Assistance Medical Care program with the MinnesotaCare plan for a savings of $208 million. Included in that total is the $93 million hospitals will pay for indigent health care. The consolidation means at least 30,000 working-age adults whose incomes are almost at the poverty level will pay some health costs. Unpaid costs will be passed to the medical provider. Also, MinnesotaCare only serves people who have an address. The states homeless will be without health care. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/13/03]

Pawlentys Changes To Health Care Plan Would Make It Difficult For Homeless To Receive Care. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty wants to combine the General Assistance Medical Care program with the MinnesotaCare plan for a savings of $208 million. Included in that total is the $93 million hospitals will pay for indigent health care. The consolidation means at least 30,000 working-age adults whose incomes are almost at the poverty level will pay some health costs. Unpaid costs will be passed to the medical provider. Also, MinnesotaCare only serves people who have an address. The states homeless will be without health care. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/6/03]

Pawlenty Capped How Much Insurance Program Would Pay For Prescription Drug Costs. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Pawlenty supported a $5,000 capon annual payments by the insurance program for out-patient care or prescription drugs. [Duluth News Tribune, 7/7/05] Under Pawlentys Budget, Babies Will Not Be Covered Under Medical Assistance Plan. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, under Pawlentys budget proposal babies will no longer be automatically covered by Medical Assistance up to age 2, which will affect about 4,400 children in 2007. They will still be automatically covered until they are a year old and may be eligible for coverage under a different insurance program. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/9/03] Pawlenty Proposed $100 Million In Cuts From Senior Programs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys proposed budget had $100 million in proposed cuts to nursing homes and a variety of senior citizen programs. [Pioneer Press, 3/28/03] Pawlentys Proposed Cuts To Nursing Homes Would Affect 38,000 Seniors At 417 Nursing Homes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys 2003-2005 budget reducing state reimbursement to nursing home care providers by 4 percent, affecting about 38,000 elderly residents in 417 facilities. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/03]

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Pawlenty Recommended Cutting Jobs And Economic Development Programs By Over 16 Percent. According to Pawlentys 2004-2005 budget recommendations overview, The Governor recommends General Fund appropriations of $330.229 million in the FY 2004-05 biennium for 22 state departments, agencies, boards and councils under the budget jurisdiction of the Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee. The recommendation is $63.4 million below base funding level, which is slightly more than a 16 percent reduction. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2004-05 Budget Recommendations, March 2003] Pawlenty Signed Budget That Cut Jobs And Economic Development Programs By Over $58 Million Representing A 14 Percent Decrease. According to a summary of Minnesotas 2004-2005 budget, the 2003 Legislature approved FY 2004-05 general fund appropriations totaling $335.258 million for 22 state departments, agencies, boards and councils under the budget jurisdiction of the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee. The appropriated amount is $58.366 million below the FY 2004-05 base funding level, a 14.8 percent reduction. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of the 2003 Legislature, June 2003] Pawlentys Cuts To Courts Would Hurt Children In Abuse And Neglect Cases. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, But Minnesota court workers said Wednesday that one of the most unexpected and distressing effects of Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed budget cuts will be on children in abuse and neglect cases. The governors cuts would make it impossible for judges to fulfill a federal law to provide a court-appointed guardian for kids in child-protection hearings, said Kathleen Blatz, chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Even before the proposed cuts, about 700 children -or 20 percent -- dont receive a guardian ad litem. The guardians represent the children in court and pay monthly visits to them, their parents, teachers and relatives. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/20/03]

LEASED CARS FOR STAFFERS

Pawlenty Opposed Bill That Would Stop State From paying For Cars For Pawlenty Staffers; State Paid Over $6,000 For Pawlentys Chief Of Staffs SUV. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys appointees would lose their free wheels under a bill introduced Monday in the state Senate. The measure, proposed by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, would bar the administration from leasing motor vehicles for the governors staff,

Cabinet members and all other state employees except the governor. When we provide pretty good salaries to the governors appointees, we dont also need to provide free cars, Cohen said. Pawlenty opposes Cohens bill. Leasing vehicles, we firmly believe, saves taxpayer dollars, said Pawlenty press secretary Leslie Kupchella. Theres greater flexibility if we have the ability to lease vehicles versus renting or buying. Quite frankly, he should probably spend a little bit more time, we believe, focused on the budget at hand, Kupchella said. The issue surfaced last month when state officials signed a $6,036-a-year lease to provide a sport utility vehicle for Charlie Weaver, Pawlentys chief of staff. Weaver slammed the brakes on the lease after Cohen and other Democratic lawmakers criticized the free vehicle as extravagant at a time when Pawlenty wants to cut funding for many programs. But Weaver has continued to use a Dodge Intrepid that the state leased for him when he was Gov. Jesse Venturas public safety commissioner. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/18/03] Pawlentys Chief Of Staff, Who Was Paid Over $100,000 A Year, Had State Pay $6,000 A Year For His Car. According to the Associated Press, First Charlie Weaver got a raise when he left his post as Jesse Venturas Commissioner of Public Safety to become Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff. Now hes getting a better ride. State officials recently signed a $6,036 per-year lease to provide Weaver a four-wheel-drive Toyota Highlander for the next four years. Its a step up from the Dodge Intrepid that Weaver, of Anoka, was provided as commissioner, but Weaver has volunteered to pay $100 per month of the Highlanders cost. If youre on duty 24-7, you need to be able to get there when they call you, said Weaver, noting that Venturas top aide had a Jeep leased for him. Lets say theres a terrorist act this weekend. I need to get there, so I needed a four-wheel drive. Weavers pay is $120,000, up from the $108,383 he made as commissioner and nearly as much as Pawlentys $120,311. Weaver and Pawlenty are longtime friends, but each described Weavers move from commissioner as a sacrifice of sorts because the former lawmaker liked his job. [Associated Press, 2/14/03] Leased Car For Pawlentys Chief Of Staff That Was Canceled After Political Pressure Could Still Cost The State Thousands. According to the Associated Press, The state could be out several thousand dollars for a lease for a Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle that Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff never got to drive. Saying it had become a distraction from the budget crisis, Charlie Weaver declined to take delivery of the vehicle last month after Democrats criticized the propriety of the lease and its $6,036 yearly cost. But the lease with Coon Rapids Chrysler Plymouth Jeep held that the state would have to pay a substantial charge for terminating the lease early. Based on the lease, the state could owe up to seven monthly payments, which would amount to $3,521. The lease also may hold the state liable for license and registration fees as well as taxes on the $30,200 vehicle. Pawlenty spokeswoman Leslie Kupchella said the state is now negotiating over the potential penalty. A call to Robert Banse, president of the dealership, was not returned Thursday. [Associated Press, 3/13/03]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID

Pawlenty Cut Over $310 Million In Local Government Aid To Cities And Over $170 Million To Counties. According to the Research Department of the Minnesota House of representatives, Pawlenty signed a budget that included cuts to state aid to cities and counties by $491 million over two years. [Aid Cuts to Local Governments in CY 2003 and 2004, Research Department, Minnesota House of Representatives, February 2004] Pawlenty Originally Proposed $645 Million Cut To Local Government Aid. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys original proposal cut Local Government Aid to cities and counties by $645 million, part of his proposal to close the states $4.2 billion deficit. [Star Tribune, 4/23/03]

Pawlenty Admitted He Broke Campaign Pledge When He Cut Local Government Aid. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty candidly admitted he broke one campaign promise. After telling city officials he would not cut local government aid, he reduced it by one-third. When the projected budget deficit nearly tripled after his election, he said he had no choice but to put LGA on the table. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/11/04] Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid Lead To Tax Increases. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Property taxes in Minnesota were increased nearly $500 million to compensate for cuts in state aid to cities, according to the League of Minnesota Cities. [Duluth News Tribune, 1/4/04] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Tacitly Acknowledged His Cuts To Local Government Aid Would Lead To Property Tax Increases. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Pawlenty tacitly acknowledges that his budget will compel local property tax increases, even as he proposes new strictures on local officials authority to enact them. The regressive,

unforgiving property tax is the last one Minnesotans should want to raise when recession is nibbling at personal incomes. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/30/03]

2003 Budget Fix

Pawlenty Took Office With A $4.56 Billion Deficit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty and the 2003 Minnesota Legislature will have to plug a state budget gap as big as the Grand Canyon. State officials on Wednesday forecast a record $4.56 billion deficit for the 2004-05 budget. Thats 14 percent of the states spending for basic services. In addition, Pawlenty will inherit a $356 million shortfall in the final six months of the current budget, which ends June 30. The state constitution requires a balanced budget by that date, so state leaders will almost certainly have to cut some programs soon. The projected deficit would be more than $5.6 billion if it had been calculated in the same way as previous forecasts. In the past, state officials included the cost of inflation in their calculations, but the last Legislature passed a law barring the use of inflation in spending forecasts. The magnitude of the deficit stunned many state officials. Most had anticipated a shortfall in the $3 billion range. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/5/02]

PAWLENTY PROPOSED BORROWING MILLIONS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET

Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing $130 Million To Pay For Road Construction Immediately After Taking Office. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, The biggest component of the short-term budget cure, and one that is opposed by many House Republicans, amounts to borrowing to fix part of the deficit. It is a plan to borrow, instead of paying $ 130 million in cash, for road and bridge projects. Last year, the Republicans refused to accept a Senate plan to borrow the money. The Republicans argued the change would reduce total construction. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/15/03]

PAWLENTY USED GIMMICKS AND RESERVES TO HELP BALANCE THE BUDGET

2003 Budget: Pawlenty Used One Time Accounting Gimmicks To Balance Budget. According to Bond Buyer, accounting gimmicks to shift about $510 million in payments around and one-time revenue shots that wont help the state eliminate a $1.9 billion structural imbalance -- which occurs when ongoing expenses outpace ongoing revenues. [Bond Buyer, 3/3/03]

INCREASED FEES AND DELAYED TAX REIMBURSEMENTS TO BUSINESSES

Pawlentys 2003 Included At Least $300 Million To $400 Million In Fees, Minnesota Citizens For Tax Justice Called Them Stealth Taxes. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesotans wouldnt pay higher income or sales taxes under Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget-balancing proposal. But they would pay more if they want to stay on the states subsidized health insurance program or if they attend a state college. And they would pay more if they run a charitable gambling operation, or if they lobby at the State Capitol, or if they camp in a state park, screen their newborn for rare diseases or own a child-care center. Residents would pay at least $300 million to $400 million more over the next two years in about 60 such increased charges in the Pawlenty planThese are stealth taxes, said Wayne Cox, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice, a group financed by civic organizations and labor unions. Pawlenty has argued that hes just trying to protect the pocketbooks of regular families, but hundreds of thousands are going to be hit in their pocketbook by these changes. Meanwhile, people at the top 1 percent, who are still getting $5,000 a year in income tax cuts [from rate reductions in recent years] will come out winners no matter what fees are changed. Pawlenty disagrees. Theres nothing stealthy about them, he said. People will know exactly what they are paying for the services they get. Pawlenty also said he has been upfront from the beginning of his gubernatorial campaign that his no-tax-increase promise did not apply to fees, tuition and local property taxes. [Star Tribune, 3/23/03] Pawlenty Delayed Paying $50 Million That Minnesota Owed To Businesses. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday announced immediate spending cuts and budget moves to resolve a $356 million projected deficit

through JuneAll told, Pawlenty cut $281 million, took the last $24 million from state reserves and deferred $50 million in sales tax reimbursements to businesses for capital equipment purchases [Associated Press, 2/7/03]

Additional Budget Issues

Pawlenty Said Zero-Base Budgeting Was A Tremendous Goal And That Almost Every Piece Of Legislation Should Have An End Date On It. According to Pawlentys PAC Freedom Firsts Facebook town hall on March 31, 2010, Pawlenty was asked to comment on zero-base budgeting. Pawlenty said, I think thats a tremendous goal, one that I think should be used... we should have a sunset legislation. I think almost every piece of legislation should have an end date on it, so that it comes up for renewal and it must be fundamentally evaluated whether it should start over again, start over again in some modified form, or just be allowed to go out of business. Thats another way to force zero-based budgeting. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10] 2006 Senate Fiscal Analysis: Pawlentys Office Budget Is Being Subsidized By State Agencies By About $700,000 Per Year. According to the Associated Press, State agencies are subsidizing Gov. Tim Pawlentys office budget by about $700,000 a year, according to a new analysis requested by a state senator. The money has allowed Pawlentys budget to grow at nearly twice the rate of comparable state spending over the current two-year budget cycle, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Twenty agencies from agriculture to veteran affairs pay part or all of the salaries of nine top Pawlenty aides and the cost of a two-person staff in Washington, D.C. The review of the agreements was conducted by a nonpartisan Senate fiscal analyst, Kevin Lundeen, at the request of Sen. Sheila Kiscaden, D-Rochester Kiscaden said she did not object to Pawlentys practice but wants to know what hes doing with the money. She said she might hold a hearing on the matter. Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung did not dispute that the Republican governors budget is growing by 14.6 percent McClung refused to say how Pawlenty planned to spend the additional money he has gained through the salary subsidies, except to say: Its being used for personnel costs. [Associated Press, 4/2/06]

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Child Care
Pawlentys Continued A Freeze Of Child Care Reimbursements For Lower Income Families - Advocates Claimed It Reduced Kindergarten Preparation. According to the Pioneer Press, Child-care advocates Tuesday called on the state Legislature to reject Gov. Tim Pawlentys child-care assistance funding proposal, which would limit the states payment on child-care fees on behalf of poor children to what it paid in 2001 Child-care advocates say the rate freeze, initially enacted in 2003, has meant fewer children are ready for kindergarten and fewer families are achieving economic self-sufficiency. Childcare providers and parents also noted the cost-cutting that providers have had to make because of the rate freeze has affected the overall quality of child care...The governors proposal, which would save the state $70 million in the next two-year budget cycle, anticipates some 700 families on welfare dropping out of the child-care assistance program, according to the state. That drop-off concerns advocates who say reliable, affordable child care is a major hurdle to families being self-sufficient. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/23/05] In 2003, Pawlenty Vetoed A Pilot Project For A Child Care Rating System. According to the Star Tribune, A pilot project to launch Minnesotas first child care rating system was vetoed Friday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. It would have been the first step toward creating a statewide system to help parents identify the quality of child care organizations and to offer providers training and incentives to improve care. In a statement, Pawlenty said the system did not measure meaningful outcomes and did not dovetail with K-12 educational standards. He vetoed the $1 million start-up funding, which was part of a supplemental budget bill that he signed into law on Friday. The ratings would have been based on such indicators as staff training and curriculum. [Star Tribune, 6/3/06]

Bullying
Pawlenty Vetoed Anti-Bullying Bill That Included Sexual Orientation. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed an anti-bullying bill, saying the current law is already sufficient to deal with schoolyard harassment. The bill would have created 14 categories protected from bullying, including sexual orientation, national origin and disability. Pawlenty said Saturday bullying is a serious issue that must be vigilantly monitored, but the proposed bill duplicated a law that already prohibits bullying. Backers of the proposal have said the current law has vague guidelines for race, gender and religious harassment. They also say the rules are enforced inconsistently throughout the state. [The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 5/24/09] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Was Wrong To Veto Anti-Bullying Legislation. According to the Star Tribune, Kids should not feel frightened in school because of other students. Thats why the Minnesota Safe Schools for All Act, an antibullying and harassment measure, should not have been vetoed over the weekend by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. []The Legislatures approach was reasonable; its unfortunate that it was vetoed. [Editorial, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/26/09]

Proposed Banning Flavored Cigarettes

Pawlenty Was The First Governor In The Nation To Propose Banning Flavored Cigarettes. According to the Associated Press, Cigarettes infused with lime, vanilla, berry and other candy flavors would be pulled off Minnesota store shelves under a proposed ban by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who accused the tobacco industry Thursday of marketing the specialty products to teens. [] Pawlenty appears to be the first governor to promote an outright ban. [Associated Press, 2/11/05]

SCHIP
Pawlenty Signed Letter Asking Congress To Extend And Fund SCHIP. According to the St Cloud Times, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other leaders of the National Governors Association last week sent a letter to Washington, D.C., asking Congress to extend the State Child Health Insurance Program and provide it with sufficient funding to avoid shortfalls that

would be passed on to the states. Pawlenty, as chairman of the NGA, said full, bipartisan reauthorization of SCHIP is essential. But while bipartisan support was present for a bill that extended SCHIP eligibility beyond its current enrollment, President Bush vetoed it, asking Congress to adhere to his budget request for the program, which would freeze funding and thereby cut eligibility. The nations governors recommend the extension include sufficient funds so no state faces a shortfall during the time of the extension. Going forward, full reauthorization of SCHIP remains our top priority and we are hopeful that Congress and the Administration will continue discussions to ensure a sensible, bipartisan SCHIP reauthorization proposal is reached as soon as possible, Pawlenty wrote. [St. Cloud Times, 12/23/07] Pawlenty Signed A Letter Opposing Bushs Funding Cuts To SCHIP. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was among 18 governors in Washington, D.C., last week who challenged the White House and signed a bipartisan letter urging quick congressional action to avert a reduction proposed by the Bush administration in funding the State Childrens Health Insurance Program. [Star Tribune, 3/5/07]

CIVIL LIBERTIES
First Amendment
PAWLENTY PROPOSED CHARGING FEES TO IRAQ WAR PROTESTORS
Pawlenty Proposed Fining And Prosecuting Protesters Who Rallied Against The War In Iraq. According to the Star Tribune, With protests against the war continuing and arrests of demonstrators mounting, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that he wants those arrested to pay the law-enforcement costs they incur or face prosecution. Press secretary Leslie Kupchella said that effective immediately, Pawlenty wants judges to begin ordering restitution for the costs of arrest. While he does not have the authority to require judges to do so, he is considering proposing legislation that would require such restitution. Kupchella said Pawlenty recognizes that charges against protesters typically are dismissed. He would like that dismissal contingent on restitution, she said. And he would like to see it happen effective immediately. [Star Tribune, 3/28/03]

CENSORSHIP
Pawlenty Criticized An Anti-Smoking Advocacy Group For Co-Sponsoring Concert That Included Rock Bands That Use Obscene Language. According to the Associated Press, House Republicans on Thursday stepped up their pressure on Target Market, an anti-smoking advocacy group funded with money they want to use to reduce the states budget deficit. House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty criticized the group for co-sponsoring a concert later this month that features alternative rock bands that use obscene language and sing about violence, drinking and drug use. We need to find creative ways to appeal to teens, but this is like treating cocaine addiction by encouraging heroin use, said Pawlenty, who is also a candidate for governor. Pawlenty said Target Market should cancel its financial support for the April 30 concert, which features Sum 41 and Goldfinger, in St. Paul. A spokeswoman for Target Market didnt immediately return a phone call Wednesday night. Target Market, an independent group overseen by the state Department of Health, coordinates the states anti-tobacco ad campaign aimed at 12-to 17-year-olds. It uses money from the endowment fund created by settlement of the states lawsuit against the tobacco industry in the late 1990s. [Associated Press, 4/11/02]

PAWLENTY SIGNED A LAW LIMITING FUNERAL PROTESTS

Pawlenty Supported A Bill To Limit Anti-Gay Protests At Military Funerals. According the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who said he was disgusted by confrontational anti-gay picketers at a soldiers funeral in Anoka, on Friday said he would support a bill to limit protests at such events. I was appalled by the behavior and message and insensitivity of the protesters, Pawlenty said at a news conference. He also expressed his anger during his weekly Friday morning radio show. The Republican governor had attended the funeral a day before for Cpl. Andrew Kemple, killed Feb. 12 in Iraq. It was picketed by a small group from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., which has demonstrated at soldiers funerals around the country, making the claim that God is killing U.S. soldiers who fight for a country that tolerates homosexuality. [Associated Press, 2/25/06] Duluth News Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Feeling Disgusted Does Not Give Him The Right To Usurp The U.S. Constitution. According to a Duluth News Tribune editorial, As the Minnesota legislative session gets under way, there seems to be an awful lot of thievery going on. Specifically, its the pilfering of bills and laws from across its borders, beginning with Wisconsin, where a bill to limit protests at funerals was just signed into law. As despicable as what the followers of the Rev. Fred Phelps have been spewing outside the funerals of fallen soldiers -- that God is killing our military members because the U.S. embraces homosexuality -- America was founded on the guarantee of free speech. Yet, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is poised to follow the lead of Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle in supporting and ultimately signing into law a bill to keep protesters away. A vote in the Legislature may come this week. Minnesotas governor was disgusted, he said, by protests outside a funeral he attended for a soldier in Anoka. He should have been -- every decentminded human being was disgusted. But that doesnt give government reason to create a law to usurp the U.S. Constitution. [Editorial, Duluth News Tribune, 3/5/06]

PAWLENTY SUPPORTED KEEPING MINORS FROM BUYING MATURE VIDEO GAMES

Pawlenty Signed A Law To Keep Minors From Buying Mature Video Games. According to the Star Tribune, The Legislature wanted to protect Minnesota kids from violent, sex-filled video games. So it went after the kids. Children and teens who buy or rent games rated for more mature players can face a fine of $25 - less than many Minnesota cities charge for a parking ticket. The law, which takes effect Aug. 1, also requires retailers to post warning signs in their stores. Even the laws chief sponsor thinks it wont be enforced. But days after Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bill into law, the game business fought back with the fury of a mutant zombie in Resident Evil. Game makers and retailers filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis last month, alleging that the new law is an unconstitutional restriction of free speech. Video games, they argued, are as much an artistic expression as film, music and literature. And just as government cannot censor the ideas and images in those media, neither can it restrict the content and availability of video games - no matter how many zombies have their virtual guts splattered across your kids computer screen. [Star Tribune, 7/6/06]

Faith-Based Initiatives
Pawlenty Recommended The Minnesota Legislature To Use $300,000 To Set Up Faith Based Initiatives. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys plan to follow 20 states by creating an office of faith-based initiatives is being greeted with skepticism and a lawsuit threat. The Republican governor recommended last week that the Legislature a council and hire a coordinator that would work with faith-based groups seeking state grants to provide social services. Often times that service is not coordinated or aligned very well with the states public policy goals, even though that faith-based organizations in many cases are legally qualifying for participating in these grants and the like, Pawlenty said. [Associated Press, 3/16/05] Pawlenty Supported President Bushs Faith Based Initiatives. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty took to the pulpit to endorse President Bushs efforts to funnel public money into faith-based social-action programs. Speaking to about 1,600 people at his home congregation, Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, he told members of the National Association of Evangelicals and others at the worship service: Weve got a lot to do in Minnesota. I salute President Bushs faith-based initiatives. To the 200 delegates from across the country, he said, Before you leave town, I hope this assembly will come together and will think further and cause to happen some faith-based approaches to some of our most intractable problems. But we need to get moving. Time is of the essence. Pawlenty was introduced by the Rev. Leith Anderson, senior pastor of Wooddale and the associations national president. [Star Tribune, 3/7/03]

Separation of Church and State

Pawlenty Said Acknowledging And Thanking God Was In The Founding Documents Of The Nation. According to Politics in Minnesota, while speaking at the Tennessee Republican Partys Statesmen Dinner in Nashville Pawlenty ridiculed the notion that religion shouldnt be part of the political discourse. In fact, its appropriate to stop and thank and acknowledge God, Pawlenty said. People say its politically incorrect, blah blah blah. Hogwash. Its in the founding documents of this nation. Its what George Washington believed. Its what Abraham Lincoln believed. We shouldnt turn away from him now. [Politics in Minnesota, 6/28/10] Pawlenty Believed That God And Government Dont Need To Be Totally Separate. According to Bloomberg Pawlenty spoke about how he believes God and government dont need to be totally separate. [Bloomberg, 11/7/09]

Mosque Near Ground Zero

PAWLENTY WAS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO MOSQUE NEAR GROUND ZERO

Pawlenty Said He Strongly Opposed To The Idea Of Putting A Mosque Anywhere Near Ground Zero. According to Real Clear Politics, Pawlenty left the mosque matter alone until coming out against the now-approved plan when asked about it for this story. Im strongly opposed to the idea of putting a mosque anywhere near Ground Zero-I think its inappropriate, he said. I believe that 3,000 of our fellow innocent citizens were killed in that area, and some ways from a patriotic standpoint, its hollowed ground, its sacred ground, and we should respect that. We shouldnt have images or activities that degrade or disrespect that in any way. [Real Clear Politics, 8/6/10] Pawlenty Said The Mosque Debate Was Not About The Technical, Hyper-Technical Legal Issues. In an interview on Fox News, Sean Hannity asked Pawlenty, What is your take on [President Obamas] statements on Friday about the Ground Zero mosque? Pawlenty responded, Well, I think its another example of him playing the role of law professor. As youve noted and others have noted, this is not about the technical, hyper-technical legal issues. This is about decency, judgment, respect and appropriate recognition of the tragedy and the crisis that was 9/11. And to suggest that this somehow is going to be, you know, lawyered up, and were going to hide behind, you know, his legal arguments. We can have a great debate about the legal arguments. But its not about that. Its about being sensitive, being respectful and having good judgment about not putting a mosque within two blocks of Ground Zero. Anybody with common sense can see that. [Fox News Network, Sean Hannity, 8/16/08]

CRITICISM OVER MOSQUE STATEMENTS

Minnesota Muslim Groups Called For Pawlenty To Retract His Statements Opposing A Mosque Near Ground Zero In New York City. According to the Star Tribune A dozen Minnesota Muslim groups have called for Gov. Tim Pawlenty to retract the statement he made Friday slamming a proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York City. The groups, who sent a letter to Pawlentys office Monday, wrote that the Minnesota governor should respect freedom of religion, and asked that he meet with local Muslim leaders to understand how his comments have negatively impacted the Minnesota Muslim community. Our governor has engaged in collective guilt by saying that all Muslim activities and images anywhere near Ground Zero are degrading and disrespectful, Taneeza Islam, civil rights director for Minnesotas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement. Pawlentys spokesman Bruce Gordon said theres no misunderstanding over the governors comments, which suggested building a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center attacks was unpatriotic. The governors message is clear: New York is a big place. Find a different location for the mosque, Gordon said in an emailThe letter from the groups, which includes organizations like CAIR-MN as well as several local Islamic centers, echoes comments made Friday by Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in Congress, who said Pawlenty was dishonoring the First Amendment. [Star Tribune, Hot Dish Politics blog, 8/9/10] Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison Said Pawlenty Was Making Islamophobia Worse. During an interview with Time, Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota was asked Has Islamophobia worsened since 9.11? Ellison responded, Yes. There was a pipe bombing recently in Florida. There are many mosque fights going on across the country. Theres one in Wisconsin, theres one in Kentucky, theres some in the Chicago area. Theres been signs of religious bigotry and intolerance in St. Cloud, Minn., which is not far from me. Thereve been mosque defacements. Unfortunately its growing and unfortunately politicians and leading cultural figures are contributing to this negative sentiment and I think its getting worse. There are politicians out there making it worse like, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, my own governor Tim Pawlenty. [TIME, Swampland blog, 8/18/10]

IMAM RAUF
Pawlenty Said It Was Ridiculous And Dangerous To Have Imam Rauf On The U.S. State Department Payroll. In an interview on Fox News, Sean Hannity asked Pawlenty, Is [the mosque controversy] all -- is it just about the location? Is it also about the imam? Pawlenty responded, Well, Imam Rauf is somebody who has gone around the world, and including in the United States, and made statements that are derogatory, negative, dangerous towards us, towards our national security interests. And to have him on the United States payroll is disgusting. He should not be being paid by the United States or any of his allies. And to have him be the leader of not just of this movement, of this mosque, but to hire him through the State Department and send him around the world on our behalf, is ridiculous. I mean, it is -- it is quite, quite dangerous and quite concerning. [Fox News Network, Sean Hannity, 8/16/08] Washington Monthlys Steve Benen Said Pawlentys Imam Comments Were Ridiculous. According to the

Washington Monthly Steve Benen wrote, I dont expect much from Tim Pawlenty. He has a presidential campaign to prepare, and a right-wing base to pander to, so its inevitable that much of his rhetoric will be cheap and silly. But this is ridiculous, even for Pawlenty Now, Pawlenty doesnt know anything about national security, diplomacy, or foreign policy, so it stands to reason that hed be confused about this. But he should at least try to keep up with current events before talking nonsense on national television. As Adam Serwer reported last week, the State Department has a long-term relationship with Rauf -- which includes the Bush administration also sending him to the Middle East to assist with the U.S. diplomatic agenda in the region. Was that quite, quite dangerous, too? For that matter, the FBI partnered with Rauf in 2003 on counter-terrorism efforts. Indeed, the FBI considered him an ally and one of New Yorks most respected Muslim voices. Was that ridiculous, too? Its ironic -- every time Pawlenty takes steps to seem more credible, he ends up looking more foolish. [Washington Monthly, Political Animal blog by Steve Benen, 8/17/10] Former Republican Representative Vin Weber Disagreed With Pawlenty About Imam Rauf. According to MSNBC First Read, Former GOP Rep. Vin Weber -- on MSNBC -- said that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is a fine man, a voice of reason whom we should be listening to, who worked with Weber and former Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on a task force five years ago for the Council on Foreign Relations. They worked on how to promote democracy in the Arab World. Weber brought with him the task force report, which has Feisal Abdul Rauf listed as one of the members. Weber disagrees with his good friends Tim Pawlenty and Newt Gingrich on this issue. [MSNBC First Read, 8/18/10] Vin Weber Is Co-Chair Of Pawlentys Freedom First PAC. According to Politics in Minnesota, Just over a year ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that he would not seek a third term and began seriously testing the waters for a potential 2012 GOP presidential bid. Perhaps most significantly, in October he established the Freedom First PAC to solicit donations and dole out contributions to Republican candidates across the country. The organization has since raised roughly $2.5 million. Pawlentys also assembled a team of seasoned political advisers. A detailed piece will appear on the PIM website later today examining Pawlentys efforts to build a national political brand. But heres a look at key players working with the Freedom First PACVin Weber, co-chair: He spent a decade representing Minnesotas Second Congressional District in Washington. Since then hes become a redoubtable Beltway operator in his post as a managing partner at the lobbying firm of Clark & Weinstock. In 2008, Weber was a top adviser to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romneys presidential campaign. [Politics in Minnesota, 7/2/10]

Burning Qurans
PAWLENTY SAID PEOPLE HAD A LEGAL RIGHT TO BURN BOOKS
Pawlenty Said It Wasnt Wise But That People Had A Legal Right To Burn Qurans. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he doesnt think burning the Quran is a good idea, but hes not specifically calling on a Florida pastor to cancel a planned weekend protest. The Republican governor, who is viewed as a likely presidential candidate in 2012, commented on the Quran controversy today at an airport news conference before leaving on an Asian trade mission. Pawlenty said that people have a legal right to burn books, but that doesnt mean its wise. He stopped short of saying the burning shouldnt go forward. You know, I think everybody has to make their own judgments, Pawlenty said. But in my view, I dont think its a helpful or needed thing. Its not something thats a wise act on his part. Asked if he shared Gen. David Petraeus concern about the Quran burning putting American troops at risk, Pawlenty said he would defer to the general. He is the expert on the situation in Afghanistan relative to American troops, Pawlenty said. I would certainly give anything he said great deference and respect. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/9/10]

CRIME
Death Penalty
In The Wake Of A Murder Of A College Student, Pawlenty Announced He Would Attempt To Reinstate The Death Penalty. According to the Pioneer Press, In response to the arrest of suspected kidnapper Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. in the case of missing college student Dru Sjodin, Pawlenty announced he would push the death penalty in the 2004 legislative session. At the time, he said he would like it to be a sentencing option for juries in cases of rape, attempted murder and murder, among other heinous crimes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/03] Pawlenty Proposed A Referendum On A Constitutional Amendment To Reinstate The Death Penalty In Minnesota. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota voters should decide via a constitutional amendment referendum whether to reinstate a state death penalty after nearly a century for the worst of the worst criminals, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Tuesday. [Star Tribune, 1/28/04] House And Senate Committees Held Hearings On Pawlentys Death Penalty Proposal, But The Measures Failed. According to the Star Tribune, House and Senate committees held hearings with tearful testimony from people on both sides of the issue. No vote was taken in the House; the death penalty was voted down in the Senate. [Star Tribune, 4/11/04]

Funding Cuts For Crime Initiatives And Public Safety

PAWLENTYS CUTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID THREATENED TO RESULT IN DECREASED POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION
Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Budget Cuts Resulted In Local Cuts To Police And Fire Departments. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Reductions in city services have become so commonplace in Minnesota that they barely attract local mention, let alone notice at the State Capitol. State aid cuts and freezes since 2003 and declining property values since 2008 have wrung things deemed easily expendable out of the budgets of cities all across the map. But after the 2010 Legislatures latest $66 million cut and its affirmation of Gov. Tim Pawlentys $150 million unallotment of state aid to cities, decisions are being made in Minnesotas city halls that ought to get state lawmakers attention. The services that city leaders typically protect when budgets get tight -- police and fire -- are on the chopping block now. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/21/10] Pawlenty Created Task Force To Study Shared First Responder Services, While Planning To Cut Local Aide. According to the Demidji Pinoneer, Gov. Tim Pawlenty late Friday created through executive order a task force to study shared fire and rescue service delivery. The move comes perhaps in response to a $1.2 billion state budget deficit and that he may eye taking some of the $400 million slated to go out to cities and counties at the end of the month. City officials, already the target of several gubernatorial unallotments, say taking additional state aid will affect how they can deliver fire and police services, or force raising property taxes. [Bemidji Pioneer, 12/5/09] Police Departments Were Forced To Cut Back On Training Because Of Less Financial Help From The State. According to the Associated Press, Shrinking budgets and less financial help from the state means police departments are cutting back on training, leading to more cooperation among departments but more worry about how well police departments are keeping up with change. State law requires that police officers receive training every year in the proper use of force, and every three years in emergency vehicle operations and pursuits. Additional training on topics such as domestic violence and Internet crimes are taught as funds are available, whether through budgets or grants. And dwindling budgets make it less likely that departments can do those types of training. [Associated Press, 3/17/10] Pawlenty Cut Funding For Local Law Enforcement Then Asked Counties To Help Pay For Law Enforcement. According to the Star Tribune, A Hennepin County Board committee approved money Tuesday to help pay for the state troopers that Gov. Tim Pawlenty has sent to patrol a troubled part of north Minneapolis. The move, however, came as county

officials criticized the governor for wanting to share the costs while the state was forcing local governments to cut spending on law enforcement. Earlier this month, Pawlenty sent 12 state troopers to help control a surge in violence in the Jordan neighborhood and asked officials in Minneapolis and Hennepin County to pay half the cost. County officials said Hennepin Countys share was $70,000. I resent that I have to vote for this, said Commissioner Gail Dorfman. I resent that the governor cut funding for local law enforcement. County commissioners said Pawlenty was asking the city and county to help pay for the state troopers at a time when Local Government Aid from the state and money for the Minnesota Gang Strike Force were being cut. [Star Tribune, 8/13/03]

Drinking Age
Pawlenty Was Expected To Sign A Bill That Would Prohibit 21-Year-Olds From Drinking Alcohol Until 8:00 AM On Their Birthday. According to Newsweek, This week Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to sign a bill into law prohibiting bars from serving alcohol to 21-year-olds until 8 a.m. on their birthday. [Newsweek, 6/6/05]

Police Monitoring
Pawlenty Wanted To Equip Police Cars With Video Cameras To Deter Racial Profiling. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Campion and Gov. Tim Pawlenty want to equip 500 squad cars - all the primary police patrol vehicles in the state -- with sophisticated video cameras in an effort to deter racially biased policing. Campion said Pawlenty had signed off on the idea to use $2.5 million in federal highway money to outfit squad cars throughout the state. He said the idea grew out of an investigation that Campion ordered of the Metro Gang Strike Force this year. The investigation found that minorities were most often the target when the now-disbanded Strike Force conducted police saturations of neighborhoods. Groups of officers swept through neighborhoods, taking pictures of people who were not necessarily gang members, and scrolling through their cell phones. [Star Tribune, 10/7/09]

Gangs
Pawlenty Signed A Bill Allowing Public Nuisance Lawsuits Against Gang Members. According to the Pioneer Press, The governor signed into law a measure that makes it possible to file a lawsuit against gang members for creating a public nuisance. Owners of sites habitually used for gang activity also could be sued. Thirteen other states, including Wisconsin, have similar laws, according to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07]

ECONOMY
Bond Rating
Pawlentys Heavy Reliance On One-Shots To Balance [Minnesotas] Books Contributed To Moodys Downgrade Of Minnesotas Bond Outlook To Negative. According to the Bond Buyer, As the Minnesota Senate moved yesterday to advance a $1 billion capital budget, Moodys Investors Service sent a credit warning by shifting its outlook on the states Aa1 rating to negative due to ongoing fiscal weakness and heavy reliance on one-shots to balance its books. Moodys affirmed the states Aa1 general obligation rating on $4.2 billion of outstanding debt. The credit revision to negative from stable comes as lawmakers return to work to face a $1.2 billion deficit in the current two-year, $57 billion budget that runs through June 30, 2011. The states last forecast, released in early December, revised revenue downward, opening a new budget hole, and warned of a $5.4 billion deficit in the next biennial cycle. A new forecast is expected early next month with those figures setting the stage for legislative action. The state is especially vulnerable to ongoing fiscal weakness due to its depletion of reserves and reliance one-time measures like bill payment delays, fund transfers, and federal stimulus funds to erase $4.6 billion of red ink going into the current budget cycle, straining the states liquidity and limiting its options. Minnesotas vulnerability to further downward revenue revisions given the uncertainty surrounding the timing and the strength of the economic recovery is increased by the drop-off in federal fiscal stimulus monies scheduled for December 2010 which, as in other states, has been used substantially to prop up the states budget, Moodys wrote. These factors will pose significant challenges as the state tries to stabilize its finances. [The Bond Buyer, 2/10/10] Minnesotas Credit Rating Was Downgraded In Pawlentys First Year As Governor. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota dropped from the elite class of states with perfect credit ratings Monday when it was downgraded by one of three Wall Street bond houses, a change that will increase the cost of borrowing money. Moodys Investors Service moved the state from Aaa to Aa1. Last week, the other major rating agencies - Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings - upheld Minnesotas tripleA rating. Minnesota had held the best rating from the three bond houses since 1997; Moodys gave the state a triple-A rating in 1996. Analysts there were concerned about the deficit-erasing approach Minnesota lawmakers took this year and the states budget outlook. [Associated Press, 6/16/03] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Excessive Reliance On One-Time Budget Fixes, As House Majority Leader And Then Governor, Resulted In States Credit Downgrade. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: Two out of three aint bad. That was Gov. Tim Pawlentys reaction Monday to news that one of Wall Streets big three rating services, Moodys, downgraded Minnesotas bonds from Aaa to Aa1. Last week, the other two bond raters, Standard & Poors and Fitch, reaffirmed Minnesotas top-level triple-A rating. Much like a kid bringing home a report card bearing one bad grade, Pawlenty wants Minnesotans to focus on last weeks ratings, not Mondays. Taken together, he said, the three ratings provide evidence the decisions made this year were responsible, appropriate and mindful of the times in which we live. Its up to Minnesotans to play the part of parent. Yes, it is certainly nice to see the good marks, but whats the story behind that bad one? The story goes back to last year, when Pawlenty as Minnesota House majority leader helped enact a budget-balancing plan built almost entirely with one-time money. All of the states budgeted reserves, which stood at $1.4 billion in fiscal 1998, were depleted. Moodys warned Minnesota at the time that it expected better this year for its coveted Aaa bond rating to be renewed. This years budget-balancing exercise wasnt much better in Moodys eyes. The opinion accompanying Moodys rating faults the budget signed into law this month for employing one-shot actions totaling $1.7 billion. Further, the opinion faults Minnesota for building its new budget on economic assumptions more optimistic than most states are using, and for not projecting inflation in expenditures. It also notes that the state faces risk on the expenditure side, in the form of health care costs that could run ahead of control measures adopted this year. It adds up to a dramatic deterioration in the states financial position, and the likelihood that the balance sheet will remain weak for at least two more years, the opinion says. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/17/03]

Minnesotas Economy
MINNESOTAS UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY RATE NEARLY DOUBLED UNDER PAWLENTY

Pawlentys Tenure Witnessed State Unemployment Rate Increase From 4.6% To 7.1%. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Unemployment Rate: January 2003: Minnesotas unemployment rate was 4.6%... November 2010: Minnesotas unemployment rate was 7.1%. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Minnesotas Poverty Rate In 2003 Was About 5.5%. According to Minnesota Public Radio, New Hampshire and Minnesota have the countrys lowest poverty rates. About five and half percent of the two states populations are officially poor. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/26/03] Minnesotas Poverty Rate In 2009 Was 11%. According to the Minnesota Budget Project, The overall percentage of Minnesotans living in poverty rose to 11 percent in 2009, a significant increase from pre-recession levels. Some people in Minnesota saw a particularly strong increase in poverty between 2007 and 2009, including Latinos (four percentage point increase), children (two percentage point increase) and white non-Hispanics (one percentage point increase). Remember, in 2009, a family of three would have had to earn less than $18,300 to be considered living in poverty. [Minnesota Budget Project, 9/28/10]

BANKRUPTCIES CLIMBED TO THEIR HIGHEST LEVELS IN A DECADE

Minnesotas Bankruptcy Levels Climbed To Highest Level In A Decade In 2010. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Amid stubborn unemployment levels and a tepid economic recovery, bankruptcy court filings are at their highest level in a decade. In Minnesota, 2010 bankruptcy filings through the end of May were up 11.6 percent from a year earlier, totaling 9,596 -- the highest level in 10 years of recorded data. Nationally, the first six months of 2010 showed a 14 percent increase over last years levels, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute Despite the grim statistics for the first part of this year, the May figure of 1,927 bankruptcy filings in Minnesota was the second month in a row to show a month-to-month decline. The high-water mark of 2,219 came in March -- the highest monthly total in the state since October 2005, when a looming change in bankruptcy laws prompted many people to file. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/6/10]

PAWLENTY HURT MINNESOTAS ECONOMY

Minneapolis Star Tribune Op-Ed: Pawlenty Presided Over The Worst Decade Economically, For Most Minnesotans, Since The 1930s. In an op-ed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dane Smith wrote, We cant escape the fact that Pawlenty presided over the worst decade economically, for most Minnesotans, since the 1930s. This, of course, is not nearly all his fault. Were still better off than most states, thanks to previous multipartisan traditions of public investment and to strong local business and government leadership. But the most damaging statistic for Pawlenty is that Minnesota, relative to other states, generally performed worse in the last decade than it did in four previous decades. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/18/10] Minneapolis Star Tribune Op-Ed: Pawlentys Tax Policies Mostly Benefited High-End Households While Minnesota Declined To Middle-Of-The-Pack Rankings. In an op-ed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dane Smith wrote, From our traditional position among the top 10 states in taxes (and the public investment in schools, health care and transportation infrastructure that those taxes buy), Minnesota under Pawlenty has declined to middle-of-the-pack rankings With thin, veto-upholding minorities in the House and Senate for most of his tenure, Pawlenty stuck to his no new taxes pledge and extended and preserved billions of dollars in income tax cut savings, mostly benefiting high-end households, earning heroic status with the Taxpayers League of Minnesota and national conservative groups. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/18/10]

Minnesotas Job Growth

Pawlenty Proposed Budget That Threatened 1,100 Full-Time Jobs In Middle Of Great Recession. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal would cut the equivalent of more than 1,100 full-time state employees by mid-2011, an Associated Press analysis has found. The projections are detailed in hundreds of pages of agency budget overviews posted by Minnesota Management and Budget. They cant be translated directly into job cuts because the

figures include overtime, on-call pay and part-time, seasonal and temporary work. Even so, the figures show a trend toward lighter payrolls at Minnesotas largest single employer state government as unemployment swells. The budget shows the biggest staffing reductions in the state courts, Human Services Department and Revenue Department. [Associated Press, 1/30/09] Pawlenty Vetoed $28 Million Appropriation For Civic Center, Risked Losing $11 Million In Business. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Rochesters failure to get state dollars to expand the Mayo Civic Center could mean an $11 million loss in business. Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Brad Jones said several organizations had indicated they wanted to hold their convention in the expanded facility in 2013. But with the project on hold, Jones said he will have to call these organizations and tell them the bad news -- the project is not moving ahead. That amounts to an $11 million loss in direct spending within the city, Jones said. Roughly 60 percent of the organizations are from out of state. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed $28 million for the Mayo Civic Center project, which was included in a larger public works bill. The governor had said he was concerned about the overall size of the nearly $1 billion bill and trimmed it to less than $700 million. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 4/14/10] Pawlentys Proposed Budget Threatened 4,700 Jobs In Minnesota. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, State Economist Tom Stinson said Pawlentys budget solution could cost up to 4,700 jobs across Minnesota, including up to 1,970 local government jobs and 1,630 state jobs because of state funding cuts. [Bemidji Pioneer, 7/1/09]

Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Term Experienced Unimpressive Job Creation, Even At Height Of Business Cycle. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote, The May employment numbers are not quite as good as they appear, and voters should read them carefully. As the Department of Employment and Economic Development pointed out, actual job creation in May was modest. The unemployment rate went down chiefly because some 9,000 Minnesotans simply stopped looking for work and werent counted as jobless. Consider the bigger picture: The share of working-age Minnesotans with jobs is still lower than it was five years ago, when the last recession began, 70.4 percent vs. 73 percent. To get a clearer view of the state economy, its important to put the monthly numbers in historical and national context, and here Minnesotas performance has been unimpressive. The state has created 47,000 jobs in the last 12 months. Thats a big improvement over 2003 and 2004, but its well below the comparable period of the 1990s, when the state economy routinely created 60,000 to 70,000 jobs per year. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/15/06]

Economic Development Programs

Winona Daily News Editorial: Newspaper Questioned Management Of Pawlentys Department Of Employment And Economic Development And Ability To Administer Flood Relief Funds. In an editorial, the Winona Daily News wrote: No one who lived through the deadly floods of August 2007 in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin will forget the devastation. Roads and bridges washed out. Houses swept off of bluffs. Water everywhere. Worst of all, seven people died. The Winona Daily News and others called on the Pawlenty administration to expedite funding to help us rebuild, and help finally started to come. A story last week at the top of Page 1 of the Daily News focuses the spotlight on problems with how aid to Rushford was administered. Possibly most frustrating is that the agency involved, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is no stranger to questions A new state audit shows $1.85 million was loaned to five businesses in Rushford that were not directly affected by the Flood of 2007 a violation of state law. In fact, one of the businesses wasnt even in business when the flood occurred. The $1.85 million represented a portion of the $17.5 million in flood-relief grant money that went to Rushford, which was devastated by the flooding. The city developed the grant and DEED signed off. DEED signed off even though it was alerted in April 2008 that the grant request went beyond what had been authorized in the law, state officials said As communities continue to clean up from devastating flooding in September, DEED needs to clean up its act and make sure it has the administration and oversight in place to quickly provide every bit of funding it can to help those in need and no money for those not affected. [Winona Daily News, 10/13/10] Pawlenty Pledged To Veto Public Works Bill That Could Have Created Tens Of Thousands Of Jobs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Even before the Minnesota House and Senate voted on a $1 billion public works bill Monday night, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he would veto the entire measure because of its size and construction prioritiesHe said that the $1 billion price tag is $275 million more than he was willing to accept and that it represents severely misguided priorities.The House passed the bill on an 85-46 vote. A few minutes later, the Senate approved it 47-19It was to be the signature issue for the DFL legislators. Calling it a jobs bill, they predicted it would create 21,000 jobs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/22/10]

Pawlenty Cut Over $200 Million From Capital Investment Bill That Was Seen As An Important Jobs Package. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday slashed more than $200 million from the capital investment bill presented to him last week by the DFL-controlled Legislature. The Republican governor had raised the prospect of vetoing the entire bill, which funds construction projects and has been held up this year as an important jobs package in a weakening economy. Instead, he reduced it by 13 percent to $717 million, using 52 line-item vetoes. DFL critics contended that he focused the cuts on their districts, particularly in St. Paul. Vetoes involving projects affecting St. Paul included $70 million from a proposed light-rail corridor between Minneapolis and St. Paul; $11 million for an expansion of the Como Zoo and $46 million for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/8/08]

TOURISM PROGRAMS
Pawlenty Proposed Nearly $1 Million Budget Cut To State Tourism Program, Despite Programs Value In Attracting People To Work And Vacation In Minnesota. According to Finance and Commerce, Buried in Gov. Tim Pawlentys recommended budget cuts to make up a $1.2 billion budget deficit is a $938,000 reduction of Explore Minnesota Tourisms 2010 outlay. The proposed cuts to Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) programs seem especially painful because they attract people to work or vacation here. Most of Pawlentys proposed fiscal 2010 cuts, $700,000, reduces the amount of state funding for the film jobs production program this year. Then, starting in fiscal 2011, state matching funds for the Minnesota Film & TV Board, which works in partnership with EMT, will be eliminated. Thats $325,000 a year in state matching funds that help attract studios in an increasingly competitive film market. [Finance and Commerce, 2/18/10]

IRON RANGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

Pawlenty Proposed Draining Funds From Economic Development Program To Help Balance State Budget. According to Fox 21 News, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to drain an Iron Range economic development fund to help fix the state budget. The Douglas J. Johnson Trust Fund gets its money from taconite taxes and has a balance of $95 million. Pawlenty is asking lawmakers to take all of the money as part of his latest budget-balancing proposal. Pawlenty unveiled another round of proposed cuts Tuesday because it appears federal lawmakers wont act on Medicaid funding until after the state deadline. He had originally proposed a $30 million cut to the fund, and is now proposing taking the remaining $65 million as well. [Fox 21 News, 5/4/10]

2009-10 Federal & State Jobs Bills

PROPOSED A JOBS CREATION PLAN WITH TAX CUTS AND NO PLAN TO PAY FOR THEM
Pawlenty Proposed Massive Tax Cuts As A Jobs Creation Bull, But Never Said How He Would Pay For Them. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys Jobs Creation Bill proposes: A 20 percent cut in the corporate tax rate. A 20 percent exclusion from taxes for small businesses. A tax credit for angel investors who provide money to startup companies. A supercharged research-and-development tax credit. A capital-gains exclusion for qualified investments. Incentives for companies to invest in Minnesota small businessesPawlenty didnt say how he would finance the tax cutsPawlenty and lawmakers would have to come up with that money on top of the spending cuts they must make to close a $1.2 billion budget shortfall. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/12/10] Pawlentys Administration Would Not Offer An Estimate Of How Many Jobs Would Be Created By His Proposal. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, In the short term, Pawlenty wants to cut taxes for corporations and some small businesses. Those cuts and a tax incentive for those who invest in start ups would cost the state about $20 million in this biennium. We do the tax cuts because we need to grow jobs in Minnesota, McClung said. McClung did not have an estimate for how many jobs the tax cuts Pawlentys outlined would create this year. Were not out here trying to do a jobs created or saved based on this or that, said McClung. The governor called his package of tax cuts the Job Creation Bill. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/17/10]

Pawlentys Tax Cuts Were Designed To Create Jobs, But Neither Pawlenty Nor The Tax Experts In His Administration Can Say Exactly How Many Jobs Would Be Created. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The budget plan Gov. Pawlenty released this week doesnt just cut spending. It also proposes a series of tax cuts which Pawlenty says will help improve the states job climate -- and continues the decades-long debate over whether cutting taxes really does lead to more jobs. Pawlentys plan would cut corporate taxes and small business taxes, and provide tax breaks for research and development, and for those who provide capital for business startups. Pawlenty is pushing for the tax cuts as a way to improve the states economy. When asked if he could guarantee that his plan would create jobs, he flatly said yes. But neither Pawlenty nor the tax experts in his administration can say exactly how many jobs would be created if the governors plan becomes law. Pawlenty said history shows that tax cuts enacted under Presidents Kennedy and Reagan helped stimulate the economy. At the state level the impact is more modest, Pawlenty acknowledged. But there is no credible or fair-minded review of the data that would lead you to the conclusion that Minnesotas competitiveness wouldnt benefit from some improvements in our tax structure. Pawlenty and his revenue commissioner both said that businesses arent relocating or expanding in Minnesota because of the states tax climate. They declined, however, to name any of those companies. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/17/10]

JOBZ Program
Pawlenty Made The JOBZ Program The Centerpiece Of His Economic Development Agenda, With A Variety Of Tax Cuts And Tax Credits. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, The JOBZ program is the cornerstone of Gov. Tim Pawlentys economic development efforts, providing exemptions from corporate franchise tax, income tax, sales tax and property tax. It also provides a state and local employment tax credit for high-paying jobs. The goal is to encourage growth that otherwise would not have occurred. [Duluth News-Tribune, 12/21/05]

JOBZ WAS CRITICIZED FOR ITS INEFFECTIVENESS

Pawlentys JOBZ Program Had Little Impact On Economic Growth, According To University Of Minnesota Study. According to the Minnesota Post, Do companies hire workers in response to tax breaks? In the midst of the Minnesota gubernatorial debate, where tax policy is a major theme, it seems a timely question. Minnesotas own recent experience with Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ) had little impact on county-level economic growth in its first three years, two economists from the University of Minnesota concluded in a study published in spring in the Economic Development Quarterly. Launched by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2003 as a cornerstone of his rural economic development program, the JOBZ record is mixed at best, according to Laura Kalambokidis associate professor of applied economics at the Twin cities campus, and co-author Tonya J. Hansen, assistant professor at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. They concluded that more reliable determinants of economic growth were such factors as the age and educational level of the workforce, availability of transportation and technology infrastructure, and amenities that make communities attractive places to live Kalambokidis suggested that a more effective economic development role for the state would be providing those services and ... investments that make the state a place where people really want to live and work, and businesses can easily start up and thrive. [MinnPost.com, 10/11/10] Pawlentys JOBZ Program Was Described As Ineffective, Unfocused And Lacking In Accountability By Separate State Audit. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys signature JOBZ program for rural economic development was painted as ineffective, unfocused and lacking in accountability in a new audit released Friday just as his administration prepares to ask lawmakers to extend the program. Legislative Auditor James Nobles faulted the state Department of Employment and Economic Development for overstating the benefits of the Job Opportunity Building Zones program including double-counting some jobs and failing to focus on Minnesotas neediest areas. He urged lawmakers to limit the program. Public money is being spent here, Nobles told a legislative panel. It should be spent effectively, and we should bring to bear on this program just like we do on every other program that spends public money the tools of accountability and prioritizing. He added: What is lacking here is any sense of prioritizing or strategy. More than two-thirds of the businesses would have expanded to some extent in greater Minnesota without tax breaks, according to the report. Another finding: Businesses including architects, farm implement dealers, a garbage hauler, a motorcycle dealer and a community animal hospital all got tax breaks, even though their gains may have been their local competitors losses. The report did not identify any of the companies by name. [Associated Press, 2/8/08]

St. Cloud Times Op-Ed: Columnist Criticized JOBS Program As Poorly Structured And Monitored, Making Accountability Impossible. In an op-ed for the St. Cloud Times, Randy Krebs wrote: All property owners in local jurisdictions where JOBZ is granted should be told the amount of the tax breaks being afforded to the applicant. Remember, JOBZ allows private businesses to profit at taxpayers expense. As such, individual taxpayers deserve to know how much more they are paying so that a business does not have to pay (sometimes for several years) the taxes that fund schools, public infrastructure and the like. Finally, we suggest JOBZ not be extended until these changes have been made and the legislative auditor can assess whether they have been effective. As the auditor noted earlier this year, JOBZ is so poorly structured and monitored, its impossible after four years to determine exactly what its costs and benefits have been to Minnesotans. Until those are better defined, hold off on extending any aspect of the program beyond the original sunset date of 2015. [St. Cloud Times, 4/29/08] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys JOBZ Program Possessed Major Flaws, Including Offering A Benefit To Some Minnesota Employers While Competitors Operate On A Different Playing Field. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote, The tax breaks for manufacturers known as JOBZ became Minnesotas most prominent rural economic rescue program when they took effect in 2003. They are an imperfect creature of a particular moment in the states political history. That time has passed, and the imperfections in the Jobs Opportunity Building Zones program are catching up with it. Legislators are asking in hearings this week: Can JOBZ be salvaged, or has its time come and gone? one flaw is integral to the JOBZ concept, and cannot be tweaked away. The program will always offer a benefit to some Minnesota employers while competitors operate on a different playing field. We no longer consider that situation acceptable. Employment and economic development commissioner Dan McElroy said yesterday that the tax benefit most valued by some of the most successful JOBZ employers was a sales tax exemption on construction materials and other business inputs. Perhaps unwittingly, he was pointing toward a fairer and more sustainable tax-based economic development strategy. Tax reform is in the air this year, and swapping JOBZ for a sales tax cut on business inputs throughout the state should be on reformers list of ideas. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/19/08] Pawlentys JOBZ Program Was Criticized For Failing To Help Rural Economies And Creating Tax Imbalances That Helped Some Businesses And Hurt Others. According to Finance and Commerce, Many have criticized JOBZ, saying it doesnt improve rural economies and creates tax inequities for local businesses that dont get the same tax breaks as businesses moving into the JOBZ areas. Opponents have filed two lawsuits, alleging JOBZ is unconstitutional for taxing reasons. A judge in Ramsey County Court dismissed the first lawsuit. A second one, filed in June in Ramsey County, still hasnt been decided. [Finance & Commerce, 9/26/07] Pawlentys JOBZ Program Failed To Release Data On Tax Breaks For Each Firm, Rendered Public Accountability Impossible. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The state does not release the total JOBZ tax breaks that each firm receives, making it impossible for the public to clearly compare the costs and benefits of each deal. An analyst for the Department of Revenue recently estimated that the total cost of the program to state and local governments could exceed $100 million. It costs an estimated $23,187 in state tax subsidies to create a new job through the life of the program, according to data from the department. Including local property tax subsidies, the costs may exceed $30,000 per job. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/15/07] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlentys JOBZ Program Was A Favor Handed Out By Government. In an editorial, the St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote, A selective tax break is a favor handed out by government. The public should know who is getting the favors and why. In the case of a popular Minnesota economic-development program known as JOBZ, it means disclosing amounts of unpaid sales, property and business taxes for each beneficiary These are not tax breaks that are available to everyone. We have traditionally argued for tax policies that benefit everyone equally, but we understand the desire to tilt the economy in desirable directions - in this case, in the direction of strengthening the economy outside the busy and growing metro area. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/5/08] Pawlentys JOB Z Program Was Projected To Lose Minnesota $12.7 Million Between 2005 And 2007. According to the Legal Ledger, The state will lose an estimated $12.7 million in revenue over the next three years because of tax breaks given to businesses participating in the Job Opportunity Building Zone program, according to a report released last Friday. Concerned about the cost of the program, the state Legislature requested the study earlier this year. Lawmakers asked the state Departments of Revenue (DOR) and Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to determine how much the state would give up in revenue due to the tax breaks given under the JOBZ program. [The Legal Ledger, 9/6/05] Pawlentys JOBZ Program Was Questioned By Senior Vice President Of Federal Reserve Bank Of Minneapolis, Who Wondered Whether Businesses Would Have Added Jobs Even Without Tax Breaks. According to the Duluth

News Tribune, Touted as the cornerstone of Gov. Tim Pawlentys rural economic-development effort, the program grew to 108 businesses throughout the nonmetro areas of the state during 2004. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the incentives will bring the state 1,563 jobs and $271 million in capital investment. The program provides exemptions from corporate franchise tax, income tax, sales tax and property tax, and it provides an employment tax credit for high-paying jobs at the state and local levels. The goal is to encourage growth that otherwise would not have occurred. Its an arguable concept, said Art Rolnick, senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis. Would the companies that got these deals have done that exact same thing without the tax breaks? he asked rhetorically. Often they would, he said. Furthermore, Rolnick argues, the state and communities are giving up tax revenue that could be used to reduce taxes for all businesses or to provide money for underfunded government programs. [Duluth News Tribune, 1/1/05] Pawlentys JOBZ Program Was Intended To Help Economically Distressed Areas, But Pawlenty Acknowledged That Political Compromise Led Some Benefits To Healthy Areas. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, While the program was intended to benefit economically distressed areas, Pawlenty acknowledged that as a matter of political compromise some tax-free zones are located in stable or growing regional trade centers, such as Rochester. We left the door open a bit for some of these zones to be in larger regional centers, he said, but I think its fair to say the bulk of the zones are in smaller communities that have higher measures of need. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/6/04] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlentys JOBZ Program Creates Winners And Losers, Penalized Existing Businesses Over New Competitors. In an editorial, the St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote, As wed long suspected, it was only a matter of time before the JOBZ program ran into trouble. In addition to complaints from taxpayers -- businesses and individuals alike -- the program is now the subject of a lawsuit. We wont comment on the merits of the suit, which was filed last week and claims unfair treatment and Commerce Clause violations. Wed only point out that many government programs -- especially the tax code -- create winners and losers. This is nothing new. We have been critics of the JOBZ program from the start. In short, wed much rather see the state think about what it would mean to overhaul the tax code for everyone, not just a select few. Indeed, we sympathize with the business owners whove been around for years, paying taxes, only to see the state give tax breaks to a competitor moving in next door. Our other concern is where the jobs have been located. We agreed with the programs basic selling point, namely that it was a program to help businesses thrive in depressed parts of Greater Minnesota. But some of the jobs fostered by JOBZ have been in the outer ring of the Twin Cities. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/22/05] Pawlentys JOBZ Program Generated Five Or Fewer New Jobs In 53% Of Business Deals. According to the Center for Rural Policy and Development, The JOBZ deals signed through September 2005 continue to reflect a pattern where a large percentage of the deals generate a small number of new jobs and a small percentage of deals generate a large number of new jobs. This continuing pattern is best demonstrated on Chart 3, which shows that approximately 53 percent of the JOBZ deals actually generate five or fewer new jobs. On the other side of the continuum, 14 percent of the deals generate 25 or more new jobs; and 4 percent of the deals generate 50 or more new jobs. [Center for Rural Policy and Development, 12/05]

BUSINESS LEADERS CRITICIZED JOBZ PROGRAM

Pawlentys JOBZ Program Was Criticized By Business Leaders For Favoring Some Areas Over Others And Fostering Dependency Among Beneficiaries. According to the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, In promoting the creation of almost-tax-free enterprise zones in Greater Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other supporters argue that the plan would help businesses compete with out-of-state rivals. But not all business leaders are fans of the zone program. Some worry the proposal would favor certain Minnesota cities over others and create a dependency among corporate beneficiaries. Other observers, including some economic-development experts, note that mere tax incentives wont address the states broader competitive concerns, such as infrastructure or education. Defenders counter that the tax-free program - called job Opportunity Building Zones, or JOBZ - isnt designed as a cure-all but as a badly needed boost for Minnesotas battered rural regionsStill, criticism of the proposal has persisted, especially among Twin Cities-area legislators who argue that JOBZ ignores metro concerns and would serve only to pit Minnesota cities against one another. Area business leaders have also voiced concern, some suggesting privately that tax free zones Would spawn many of the same problems as tax increment financing (TIF) deals - which critics say have been overused in many development projects. You want companies to locate where they can be successful longterm, said Janna King, a consultant with Minneapolis-based Economic Development Services, who in the 1980s managed a state enterprise zone in Little Falls. She argued that a 12-year tax break in fact

discouraged long-term success by fomenting a corporate dependency on tax breaks. [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 4/4/03]

PAWLENTY WANTED TO EXPAND JOBZ PROGRAM TO INCLUDE GREEN JOBS

Pawlenty Proposed Mother Lode Of Tax Breaks For Companies Creating Green Jobs In Renewable Energy Field. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Faced with a state in an economic downturn and a stream of job losses, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday proposed what he called the mother lode of tax breaks to companies that create so-called green jobs in the burgeoning field of renewable energy. The package includes a variation of Pawlentys JOBZ economic development program, dubbed Green JOBZ, designed to attract investment in sustainable energy projects by offering exemptions from corporate franchise taxes, income tax for investors, capital gains tax and sales tax on goods and services. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 11/11/08] Pawlentys Proposed Tax Breaks For Green Jobs, In Green Version Of The Job Opportunity Building Zones Program, Was Projected To Cost More Than $10 Million In Future Budget Years. According to the Associated Press, Qualifying renewable-energy projects would receive an array of tax breaks in a green version of the Job Opportunity Building Zones program. JOBZ is designed to spur job growth in economically distressed regions of Minnesota. Green JOBZ would be open to qualifying renewable energy businesses anywhere in the state for up to 12 years, costing the state $3.65 million in the 2010-11 budget years and another $6.6 million in 2012-13. [Associated Press, 11/10/08]

Bioscience Program
Pawlentys Bioscience Development Program Failed To Attract Much Interest. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, With considerable fanfare, Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2003 touted a plan to offer state tax breaks and credits to budding bioscience companies in Minnesota. Fifteen months after the program started, just three takers, producing fewer than two dozen jobs, have been approved for $170,000 in state aid. Nevertheless, proponents say the nature of the industry makes it difficult to compare the biosciences program with other, more lavishly financed state programs such as the Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) program. Biotech start-up firms fail more often than they succeed, making the states modest subsidies in this arena look like risk management I wouldnt characterize it as a slow start, said Matt Kramer, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Its met my expectations. Kramer acknowledged that paperwork and a time-consuming local approval process have held down the total number of bioscience subsidy deals. But he said 10 applications for biotech tax breaks, totaling about $500,000, are pending. [Star Tribune, 4/17/05]

Recovery Act Hypocrisy

Pawlenty Opposed Stimulus Package But Accepted Funding Anyway. According to Politico, Other governors sought a middle ground. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota opposed the stimulus but accepted the funding on the grounds that Minnesota is a net donor to the federal government, making the payments only fair. [Politico, 4/10/09] Pawlenty Used $816.5 Million From Federal Stimulus To Help Balance State Budgets. According to the Summary of the Fiscal Actions of the 2009 Legislature, While general fund spending is $1.716 billion below the base level, federal budget stabilization funds that were part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 were available to the state to offset some of those reductions. A total of $816.5 million was available for expenditure in fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Certain federal requirements had to be met - 81.8 percent had to be spent in elementary, secondary and higher education and certain rules applied if cuts were being made in these education areas. Table 9 shows how the federal budget stabilization funds were appropriated. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature (no. 09.04), Page 7-8] Pawlenty Acknowledged That Federal Stimulus Prevented Full-Scale Depression. According to the Washington Times, Fresh from his trip abroad, Mr. Pawlenty called for more troops in Afghanistan during the hourlong discussion with members of the Washington press corps, organized by the Christian Science Monitor. He acknowledged the administrations $862 billion economic-stimulus plan had helped keep the country from going into a full-scale depression, but said the plans

implementation was largely ineffective and should have focused even more on cutting taxes. It could have been done better, more targeted, he said. Cutting the payroll tax is just one example of many. [Washington Times, 7/26/10]

SAID RECOVERY ACT DID NOT WORK

Pawlenty Called Signs Of Economic Improvement Phony Effect. According to KARE 11, Gov. Tim Pawlenty Thursday sharpened his verbal attacks on President Barack Obamas performance, during an interview with NBCs David Gregory. The conversation was taped before a live audience at the University of Minnesota, as part of a special traveling edition of NBCs Meet the Press. Gov. Pawlenty, when asked if hed give Obama credit if the economic recovery takes hold, rolled out some new rhetoric designed to dismiss any positive news on the jobs front. You cant push this much money into the economy in the near term and not have it have some effect, Pawlenty told Gregory, But I what I would suggest to you is its phony effect. Gregory, who covered the Bush White House before taking the reins of Meet the Press in 2008, pressed Pawlenty on that point. But if there is continued job growth on the pace weve seen so far this year you think thats a phony turn-around? Gregory asked. Lets say you have nice job growth over the next two years and then the country goes bankrupt, is that a nice turn-aroud? Pawlenty replied. [KARE 11, 5/28/10] Pawlenty Criticized Federal Stimulus As Not Very Effective In Terms Of Creating New Jobs. According to ABC News, Pawlenty spoke to us yesterday, while in Washington for a bipartisan governors conference convened by the US Chamber of Commerce to discuss the economy and job growth The Democrats massive stimulus bill, he said, was not very effective in terms of creating new jobs, particularly private-sector jobsI think we would be in better shape if we would have had a better stimulus bill, and by that I mean [what] many Republicans argued for: a smaller, more targeted, more impactful stimulus bill that would have affected the private sector more directly, Pawlenty said. [ABC News, The Note blog, 5/4/10] Pawlenty Criticized Federal Stimulus As Largely Wasted. During an appearance on Bloomberg Television, Pawlenty said: Well, I think the [recovery] package, if you look at my rhetoric or Republican rhetoric, but even the General Accounting Office said $800 billion, only $160 billion of it was stimulative and the rest of it was largely wasted, but government maintenance money and not stimulative. And so it was misdirected. I think we could have had a bigger bang for the buck targeting on things like reducing the payroll tax, and putting money right into the pockets of individuals or truly focusing on bread-and-butter infrastructure projects. Thats not what this package did. [Bloomberg Television, 8/28/09] Pawlenty Condemned Federal Stimulus And Recovery Efforts As A Very Elaborate Ponzi Scheme But Also Said He Didnt Feel Bad About Accepting Federal Assistance. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Cuts may be lessened by a federal stimulus package that could be used not only to alleviate expected cuts in state spending, but also to jump-start job development through bricks-and-mortar projects. That kind of spending would carry the added bonus of improving a badly aging infrastructure, although Pawlenty had sharp words for the federal governments offer. The U.S. federal government is broke, Pawlenty said crisply at a Capitol news conference. He described the various Washington bailouts and stimulus proposals as a very elaborate Ponzi scheme that he called reckless and irresponsible. Nevertheless, Pawlenty said, he would make sure Minnesota got its share and I dont feel bad about accepting, because the state is a net contributor to the federal government through taxes paid. [Star Tribune, 12/5/08]

USED STIMULUS FUNDING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN 2009 AND 2010

Pawlentys Budget Slashed Funding To Local Governments, Public Colleges And Farm Programs. According to the Associated Press, Thursday, Pawlenty made good on a promise to sign a plan cutting Minnesotas projected $1 billion budget deficit by one third. The bill slices $312 million in spending across an array of categories, including aid to local governments, public colleges, farm programs and prison operation. The biggest chunk comes from aid to cities and counties, which would fall by about $100 million. [Associated Press, 4/1/10] Pawlentys Budget Depended Upon $400 Million In Federal Medicaid Funding To Close Budget Deficit. According to the Associated Press, Lawmakers are counting on $400 million in federal Medicaid money to fill a portion of the remaining gap. [Associated Press, 4/1/10] Pawlentys Budget Depended On The Amount Of Federal Health Care Money Coming To Minnesota.

According to Minnesota Public Radio, He signed a supplemental budget bill that erases about a third of the nearly $1 billion deficit. The measure reduces spending in the current two-year budget period by $312 million. The biggest reduction came from state aid to cities and counties. Pawlenty told reporters Thursday that the bill was a positive, substantial step. He said the remaining budget fix, as well as an early conclusion to the Legislative session, hinges on the amount of federal health care money coming to Minnesota. Its not yet resolved. If that crystallizes and becomes confirmed in the near-term it makes an early conclusion easier, Pawlenty said. If it drags on or is uncertain, you know its a question mark. The Republican governor offered a mostly upbeat assessment of the session. He said there has been good progress and pretty good relations so far. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/1/10] Pawlenty Was Looking To The Federal Government To Help Fix Minnesotas Budget Problem, Despite Fierce Criticism Of Federal Recovery Efforts. According to Minnesota Public Radio, While Pawlenty is telling local government officials to rely less on state funding, hes looking to the federal government to help fix Minnesotas budget problem. In fact, hes relying on money that isnt even available yet. Pawlentys budget plan uses $387 million in federal Medicaid money to balance the budget, but the federal government hasnt approved the spending. DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich noted that Pawlenty has been a frequent critic of Democratic President Barack Obama and federal spending the governor has compared to a ponzi scheme. Sertich said Pawlenty is speaking hypocritically. He is relying on the federal government to give us money to balance this budget, Sertich said. Gov. Pawlenty seems to agree with federal funding while candidate Pawlenty travels the state disagreeing with himself. For his part, Pawlenty says hes hoping the funds come through. If not, he said hell find the cuts elsewhere. If we dont get this this spring or by the time the Legislature is out then I think we need to pull that piece back and reduce state spending further because it does need to be available and booked before the Legislature goes home, Pawlenty said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/16/10] Pawlenty Reversed Some Of His Proposed Budget Cuts Due To Availability Of $2.6 Billion In Federal Stimulus Funding. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty backed off on some cuts in a revised budget plan Tuesday, relying on federal stimulus dollars even as he criticized them. The Republican said he aims to reverse proposed cuts to universities and colleges, delay some health care cuts and send more money to courts and public schools. He is counting on $2.6 billion from the feds, about $800 million more than his administration forecast two weeks ago. Minnesota faces a twoyear deficit of $4.6 billion, about 13 percent of the budget, but the hole would be even deeper without stimulus aid. Pawlentys revised budget avoids tax increases but sticks with two other plans to raise revenue a $1.3 billion accounting shift in school payments and nearly $1 billion from selling proceeds from tobacco settlement payments. [Associated Press, 3/17/09] Pawlentys Opposition To Federal Stimulus Package Was Reversal Of Position From His Tenure As NGA Chairman. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Despite grim budget forecasts and implications for schools, roads, health care and taxes, Pawlenty expressed skepticism about a federal stimulus package being considered by Obama and Democrats in Congress, which includes extra spending for infrastructure projects and Medicaid health programs. His view on Medicaid is a turnaround from his position as chairman of the National Governors Association in January, when he signed a letter seeking more health care funding as part of a prior stimulus package. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/3/08] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Pushed For Expanded Medicaid Funding As Chairman Of NGA, Then Opposed Expanded Medicaid Funding One Year Later. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote, In October, the bipartisan leaders of the National Governors Association asked Congress to boost the federal share of Medicaid funding, easing a burden that swells when unemployment rises. This week, the governors group and the National Conference of State Legislatures jointly asked for federal help with rising Medicaid and unemployment insurance costs, and for a quick infusion of funds for state road, transit, wastewater and building projects. That strategy would not only put jobless people to work, but also would make lasting improvements to the infrastructure on which the economy reliesThats why it was surprising that Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who pushed for such help last January as head of the National Governors Association, was cool to the idea Tuesday after meeting with Obama and his fellow governors. Echoing two other Republican governors, South Carolinas Mark Sanford and Texas Rick Perry, Pawlenty resisted the idea of federal aid to the states for the sake of economic stimulus. The rapid increase in the federal deficit in recent weeks is gravely concerning, he said. He further suggested that Minnesota ought to say no to additional Medicaid money, if its acceptance would prevent eligibility cuts in the program. We cannot have our hands tied so tightly that we duck necessary reforms, Pawlenty said. Those were not the words of a governor eager for the nations help in reviving his states economy or extending the benefits of health insurance to the growing ranks of impoverished people in his state. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/4/08] St. Cloud Times Editorial: Pawlentys Budget Leans Heavily On The Stimulus Money As One-Time Spending Despite Risk Of Future Imbalanced In State Budget. In an editorial, the St. Cloud Times wrote, Pawlenty issued a revised budget last week in response to stimulus money. Like his initial plan, it does not increase state taxes and boosts

spending on education. However, it leans heavily on the stimulus money as one-time spending for ongoing programs, creates cost-shifts and uses other ideas that cause future budget imbalances. It also is projected to raise local property taxes by more than $620 million in the next few years. [St. Cloud Times, 3/23/09] Fargo Forum Editorial: Newspaper Criticized Pawlenty For Stench Of Hypocrisy On Stimulus Due To Fact That He Used Stimulus Money To Balance The State Budget After Attacking Program. In an editorial, the Fargo Forum wrote, Americans tend to forgive politicians for most transgressions, but hypocrisy is a deal-breaker. When Republican governors rail against the Recovery Act (stimulus) and then jump on the podium to take credit for stimulus-funded projects, the stench of hypocrisy cannot be masked by flowery speeches. The same reek taints Republicans in Congress for playing politics with one hand and taking the stimulus money with the otherThe hypocrisy? They concede the stimulus is working in their states and congressional districts, but they believe an attack-and-criticize strategy is a winning recipe in the November elections. They also must believe Americans are stupid. They must believe even Republicans are unable to see their leaders taking credit for stimulus-funded workMinnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty put on his conservative face at a recent conservative conference, but couldnt spin his way through the fact he used stimulus money to balance the states budget. [Editorial, Fargo Forum, 2/23/10]

SAID STIMULUS MONEY WAS ACCEPTABLE GIVEN MINNESOTA GETS LITTLE BACK ON ITS TAX DOLLARS
Pawlenty Called Minnesota A Huge Subsidizer Of The Federal Government, Said It Was Therefore Justified To Accept Stimulus Funding. During an interview with Real Clear Politics: REAL CLEAR POLITICS: How helpful were federal stimulus dollars in balancing the state budget? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, Minnesota, like I think every other state, took stimulus dollars. In Minnesotas case though, its important to point out that according to the Tax Foundation, we are the fifth largest payer to the federal government in the country. For every dollar Minnesota sends to Washington, D.C., well only get 73 cents back. So Minnesota pays in more than it gets back and is a huge subsidizer of the federal government. We used the stimulus dollars, as every other state did, but it really just delays the ultimate day of reckoning. The underlying problems in the economy, the underlying problems in most state budgets, cant be resolved through stimulus dollars. And so I have spoken out publicly against the stimulus bill -- both in the past and future stimulus -- as it relates to bailing out state governments. I dont think thats the answer. [Real Clear Politics, 7/14/10] Pawlenty Accepted Stimulus Funding As Now The Law, Did Not Attempt To Reject Funding For Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, meeting with President Obama and a group of the nations governors, said Monday that Minnesota will use all of the funds available to it under the $787 billion economic stimulus plan. While Pawlenty joined other Republican governors in criticizing much of the spending in the federal package, he said, it is now the law, and we have the responsibility to deploy it and to use it. Pawlentys remarks on the front lawn of the White House were in contrast to a few other GOP governors, led by Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who have said they might turn down portions of the package that require their states to match federal dollars to expand unemployment benefits. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/24/09]

APPLAUDED THE STIMULUS IN MINNESOTA

Pawlenty Said The Federal Stimulus Funding Would Have A Lot Of Positive Features For Our State. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Despite his coolness to the stimulus plan, Pawlenty said he is confident in Minnesotas ability to use the money well. Its a lot of work, but its something thats going to have a lot of positive features for our state, he said. Were going to work as hard as we can on making sure its effective in stimulating the economy and creating jobs. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/24/09] Pawlenty Called Federal Stimulus Funding Welcome Amidst Reports Of Projected Billions Of Dollars For Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Amid the worst unemployment numbers in years and a deteriorating economic outlook, Minnesota got a whiff of good news on Thursday -- indications that the federal stimulus package being shaped in Washington could send as much as $3.2 billion this way. Thats far more than anything state leaders had imagined and could go a long way toward taking the sting out of the states $4.8 billion projected deficit Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the fiscal stimulus will be welcome but that the short-term outlook remains grim. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/23/09]

Pawlenty Traveled Around Minnesota Promoting Transportation Projects Funded By Federal Stimulus. According to the Minnesota Post, In a whirlwind tour of the state thats certain to provide stimulus to airplane fuel producers, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is promoting some of the transportation projects that Minnesota will undertake with the stimulus money approved by Congress. The governor has said he doesnt like the stimulus bill, but will take the states share. In appearances today in Rochester, Mankato, Cambridge, Duluth and St. Paul, all within about seven hours, the governor announced 60 state highway projects scheduled to begin in greater Minnesota as early as this spring. Stimulus funds targeted for the highway construction, paving, bridge and safety projects total $180 million, he said. [MinnPost.com, 2/25/09] West Central Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Trip Around The State To Promote Stimulus Projects Was A PR Trip To Polish The Governors Image. In an editorial, the West Central Tribune wrote, We commended Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently for deciding Minnesota will accept upcoming funding from the federal stimulus package. Today, Pawlenty deserves some criticism for not walking his talk. At a time when Pawlenty is criticizing the Legislature, counties, cities, K12 schools, colleges and the state judicial system for excessive spending and failing to change, we think it is time for the governor to look in the mirror on Wednesday, the governor jumped in a state plane and flew around state -stopping in Rochester, Mankato, Duluth and St. Paul for press conferences. Why? To announce that 60 state transportation projects will start this year, due to funding available from the federal stimulus package and Minnesotas 2008 transportation package. We asked the governors office Friday what the plane cost for Wednesdays trip was. Though we asked three times, his office did not tell us what the cost was In the age of video conferencing, we question the appropriateness of flying around the state to announce these transportation projects. This trip appears to be more of a PR trip to polish the governors image. This PR trip is even more ironic considering that the states 2008 transportation package, which helped fund the projects announced Wednesday, was passed over the governors veto. Pawlenty appears to be not following his critique, calling on state government entities to control their spending, become more efficient and make sure it is really needed. The governors PR trip this week reminds one of the big bank and auto company presidents flying private jets to Washington to lobby for bailout funding. They just do not get reality some daysFlying around the state for a PR trip to announce transportation projects does not pass the simple test -- Is this necessary for the betterment of the states citizens? The answer is no. Frankly, Pawlentys PR flight Wednesday does not pass the political smell test either. This PR trip benefited the governors image more than it did Minnesotans. In reality, the governors own action compared to his spending criticism of others recently looks simply hypocritical. [West Central Tribune, 2/28/09]

Pawlenty Lobbied Hard For High Speed Rail Funding, Pawlentys Administration Praised Federal Support For High Speed Rail Line Between Twin Cities And Chicago. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota and Wisconsin got a $1 million down payment from the White House Thursday toward a high-speed rail line that could someday link the Twin Cities with Chicago. Although a tiny piece of $8 billion in high-speed rail grants announced by the Obama administration, the grant is very good news, said Daniel Krom, director of passenger rail for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It will pay for a planning study to examine the feasibility of running high speed trains between the metro area and Madison, the western leg of a route that would eventually terminate in ChicagoMidwest governors, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty, have lobbied hard for funding for the Twin Cities-Chicago line. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/28/10] Pawlenty Touted 60 State Highway Projects Funded Through Federal Stimulus. According to an official press release from Governor Pawlentys office, With transportation funding from the federal stimulus package now available, Governor Tim Pawlenty [on February 25, 2009] announced 60 state highway projects that are slated to begin construction in Greater Minnesota as early as this spring. Stimulus funds targeted for the Greater Minnesota highway construction, paving, bridge and safety projects total $180 million. These projects will mean jobs in Greater Minnesota and lasting improvements in our states transportation infrastructure, Governor Pawlenty said. These road and highway projects are exactly the kind of bread and butter projects that we should have seen more of in the federal stimulus package The Federal Highway Administration estimates that the Greater Minnesota transportation projects will create approximately 5,000 jobs. Projects in the Twin Cities metro area are being finalized and will be announced in March. [Press Release, Governor Tim Pawlenty, 2/25/09; View Press Conference Here] Pawlenty Admitted That Federal Stimulus Had Allowed Him To Propose More State Spending On Public Schools. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says federal economic stimulus money has allowed him to propose more state spending for public schools over the next two years. The Republican governor released a revised budget proposal [on March 17, 2009] which reflects that federal money, as well as the states latest economic forecastWere proposing to use $424 million of the federal stimulus money allocated for education purposes, and dedicate that to K-12 education, said Pawlenty. Thats going to allow us to not only maintain the level of K-12 education funding we proposed in January, but increase it somewhat by $30 million. Thats good news. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/17/09]

FINANCE COMMISSIONER PRAISED THE STIMULUS

Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Finance Commissioner Confirmed That Pawlenty Did Not Regret Accepting Federal Stimulus Funding. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote, A few months ago, some partisan voices were raised in other states claiming that the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was not working. No such argument came from state finance officials [on August 26, 2009]. When Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller asked [state finance commissioner Tom] Hanson whether his boss, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, wishes he had rejected any portion of the federal money, Hansons short answer was No. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 8/27/09] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Finance Commissioner Attributed Federal Stimulus Money With Playing A Huge Role In Stabilizing Minnesotas Finances During Great Recession. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote, Recession has been a very rough ride in Minnesota, a state finance official told a legislative commission[on August 26, 2009]. But in large part because of federal stimulus money, our horizon is getting to a place where revenues are more normal, state budget director James Schowalter said. Some $830 million has already been spent in Minnesota out of an expected federal recovery outlay of more than $4.7 billion by the end of 2010, Schowalter and state finance commissioner Tom Hanson reported. The jobs impact is still being tallied, but it includes more than 2,900 transportation construction jobs, nearly 6,000 summer jobs for youth, and 82 additional staff members at state Workforce Centers to assist job seekers. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 8/27/09]

PAWLENTY ADMINISTRATION REPORTED THAT THE RECOVERY ACT PRESERVED OR CREATED 20,100 JOBS IN MINNESOTA
Pawlenty Administration Report Stated That Federal Stimulus Funding Preserved Or Created Over 20,000 Jobs In Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, From new dishwashers for the Albert Lea School District to a new counterterrorism police force to patrol buses and trains, federal stimulus money is pouring in to Minnesota and has directly preserved or created 11,800 jobs so far, state officials reported Monday. The states first comprehensive report on how federal stimulus money is affecting Minnesota showed that while much of the money is going to unemployment benefits and medical assistance payments, millions of dollars are flowing in to projects and programs that range from rebates to consumers who buy energy-efficient appliances to services for the blindThe Minnesota Management and Budget Office, which released the preliminary figures, said programs administered by the state will receive $4.7 billion in federal stimulus funding. As of Sept. 30, the office reported, state agencies had spent $1.6 billion of that money. Among the jobs saved or created by stimulus funds: 5,942 education-related jobs and 1,200 public safety and medical spots. Preliminary estimates also show that, when adding jobs that were indirectly created, 20,100 total jobs had been preserved or created in Minnesota using federal stimulus moneyManagement and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson said statistics showed that the stimulus money puts people to work, and was having a snowball effect by indirectly sparking more job growth. As an example, he said, a highway construction job in Minnesota made possible with federal stimulus money might cause a company to buy a bulldozer from Tennessee that also meant jobs for workers at an out-of-state factory. Appointed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an outspoken critic of the federal stimulus program, Hanson said the figures were based on actual jobs created and that the governments pump-priming role was seen by economic experts as having merit. The problem is the private sector isnt creating the jobs right now, Hanson saidBut Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the stimulus program remained flawed, and said that the $1.6 billion spent to produce 11,800 jobs meant that each job cost more than $135,500 to create. Governor Pawlenty believes stimulus funds should have been more targeted to put money quickly into peoples pockets or to directly create more jobs rather than spending so much on government bureaucracy, McClung said. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/12/09]

REFUSED TO RULE OUT ACCEPTING FUNDING FROM POSSIBLE SECOND STIMULUS PACKAGE
Pawlenty Said He Would Consider Accepting Funding From Second Federal Stimulus Package. During an interview on CNBC: CNBC: If you were governor and a second stimulus package was passed, would you -- would you accept those federal funds for Minnesota? TIM PAWLENTY: It would depend on what the nature of the stimulus package is and whether

the strings attached made it worthwhile. We have accepted the first round of it. But, you know, they do put conditions on that. And we also need to make sure we understand how the money is being used. [CNBC, 7/8/09]

APPLIED FOR ADDITIONAL RECOVERY ACT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION

Pawlentys Administration Applied For $200 Million In Federal Stimulus Funding For Education. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The states teachers union complained today that the Pawlenty administration is trying to use federal stimulus dollars to force schools to adopt the governors merit pay plan. Education Minnesota says that circumvents the legislative process. The state is putting the final touches on an application for stimulus money that could bring Minnesota another $200 million. The unions lack of support for the application could weaken the chances of winning the money. Most federal education stimulus money is automatic and for everyone, divided up based on formulas. But one pot of $4.3 billion is competitive. Race to the Top, as its called, will award states doing the best job of reforming and improving education. But Education Minnesota president Tom Dooher said the union cant support Minnesotas current application. We believe the states application is focusing on Gov. Pawlentys programs that he failed to get through legislatively and now is seeing an opportunity to get some of those things put in place to get a federal grant, Dooher said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/16/09] Pawlenty Urged Further Education Reforms In Minnesota, In Order To Buttress States Application For Additional Federal Stimulus Education Funding. According to the St. Cloud Times, Gov. Tim Pawlenty called on state lawmakers to pass reforms he says could give Minnesota second chance to score education funds through the federal stimulus act. The chance at federal dollars is an impetus for Pawlenty, lawmakers and teachers unions to find common ground, Pawlenty said Minnesota missed out on a first round of grants from the stimulus-funded Race to the Top program. The state can apply for another round of funding, but Pawlenty said Thursday hell only support a second bid if lawmakers and teachers unions embrace some of his reform proposals. [St. Cloud Times, 4/9/10]

MINNESOTA AUTO DEALERS OPPOSED PAWLENTYS CRITICISM OF CASH FOR CLUNKERS

Pawlenty Harshly Criticized Cash-For-Clunkers Program, But Minnesota Auto Dealers Association Called Pawlentys Comments Unfortunate And Maybe Ill-Informed. According to UPI, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty tore into the U.S. governments cash-for-clunkers program, saying were just paying ourselves back because of the auto bailout. The Republican governor said the program, which provides consumers up to $4,500 to trade in their older gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient new vehicles, doesnt make much sense since the government bailed out General Motors Co., then gives money to consumers to buy GM products, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Saturday. It makes everybody feel good, Pawlenty said Friday during his weekly radio show, but because we own GM, were just paying ourselves back. It seems a little odd. His comments were made shortly after President Barack Obama signed into law a bill allocating another $2 billion for the program, officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System. Representatives of the states auto dealers begged to differ with Pawlenty, who is not seeking re-election and has been subject of speculation he may make a run during the 2012 Republican presidential primary. I think the governors comments are unfortunate and maybe ill-informed, Scott Lambert, Minnesota Auto Dealers Association executive director, told the Star Tribune. This program has clear benefits to it. The only downside is that its using taxpayer money, but its stimulus money thats working. Its promoting some of the biggest economic activity the state has seen all summer. A spokesman for the Twin Cities 10-dealer Walser Automotive Group noted the state, facing a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, could enjoy a windfall from the sales tax paid on the new vehicles. [UPI, 8/8/09] Pawlenty Called Cash-For-Clunkers Program A Joke And Unsustainable. During an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box, Pawlenty said: No, I thought it was -- its a -- its a joke. I mean, I think you look at cash-for-clunkers, it makes us feel good. But, essentially, what were doing is this: We are borrowing money from the Chinese to pay ourselves money to incentivize ourselves to buy cars from companies we own so someday -- someday we might be able to pay ourselves backAnd the cars that were purchased were disproportionately Honda and Toyota and others. That is an Alice in Wonderland economic model. It is a fiction. It is unsustainable. It makes us feel good. We nod our heads at it like bobblehead dolls. [Squawk Box, CNBC, 9/3/09]

National Economic Policy

5% GROWTH PROMISE
Pawlenty Defended His Call For 5% Growth Saying Kennedy Didnt Say Lets Have A Space Program And Go To The Clouds. According to the Washington Post, At the RightOnline Conference in Minneapolis, Pawlenty offered an energy plan (more energy), a defense of his call for 5 percent annual growth (Kennedy didnt say lets have a space program and go to the clouds) and an attack on Wall Street that used religious imagery (Weve got to go to Wall Street and tell the bankers and the money-changers its time to take their snout out of the government trough.) By the end, the crowd was enthused. [Washington Post, 06/18/11] WSJ: Pawlentys Economic Growth Comparison Between U.S. and China Was A Tall Order. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pawlenty claims since China and Brazil can produce 5% growth, so can the United States. But either pace is a tall order. Countries like China and India in earlier stages of development generally find it much easier to achieve high growth rates, in part because their economies have far more inefficiencies that can been improved on through urbanization, industrialization and technological upgrade. [Wall Street Journal, 06/15/11] Brookings Tax Policy Centers Donald Marron Said Pawlentys Aspiration For 5% Growth Was Unlikely. According to Seeking Alpha, Donald Marro, Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, claims that Stanford University Professor John Taylors analysis that 5% growth over 10 years is achievable as being flawed. Taylors scenario thus assumes that everything breaks right for the U.S. economy for a full decade, with remarkable job growth and remarkable productivity growth in the economy as a whole. Not impossible but, unfortunately, not likely either. [Seeking Alpa Op-Ed, 06/15/11] Pawlenty Called 5% Economic Growth Plan A Big Aspirational Goal. According to Reuters, Were not going to accept anemic growth. Were not going to accept standing still. Were going to have a big aspirational goal. So thats going to be 5 percent GDP. Its a goal, Pawlenty said. That contrasts with his remarks in Chicago, where he described 5 percent growth in gross domestic product as a realistic objective and not some pie-in-the-sky number. The Wall Street Journal, a leading conservative voice in U.S. politics, gave its overall approval to Pawlentys policies on Wednesday but questioned whether 5 percent was achievable. Its true that the economy grew 4.9 percent on average between 1983 and 1987, and nearly 4.7 percent between 1996 and 1999. Yet such long booms are rare in developed economies and we cant recall one thats lasted 10 years, the newspaper said in an editorial. [Reuters, 06/08/11] Think Progress: Pawlentys Claim That 5% Growth Sustained Over Ten Years Had Been Achieved Before Was False. According to Think Progress, Citing a U.S. Commerce Department: Bureau of Economic Analysis chart, Think Progress Matthew Yglesis stated that Pawlentys claim that five percent growth sustained over ten years has been done before was wrong. The mathematically astute among you may note that neither of these time periods featured five percent growth, nor did either of them last ten years. Thats because growth of the sort Pawlenty is promising hasnt ever been done before [Think Progress, 6/7/11]

ECONOMIC PLAN
Pawlentys Economic Plan Favored The Rich By Awarding The Top One Percent An Annual Average Reduction of $261,000. According to CNN, Under the terms of his recently revealed economic plan, Americans in the top 20% of earners would see their taxes cut by an average of $23,500, an 8.6 percentage point drop in their tax rate, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. And the top 1% would get an annual average reduction of $261,000, a 14.8 percentage point drop. Meanwhile, Americans in the lowest 20% of income would see their taxes drop by an average of only $23, a 0.2 percentage point change in their tax rate. Put another way, Americans who earn between $40,000 and $50,000 a year will see their after-tax income increase by 1.7%, while Americans who earn more than $1 million will see a 24.1% bump. [CNN Money, 06/17/11] The New Republic: Pawlentys Answer To Criticism Over Economic Plan Was American Exceptionalism. According to Jonathon Chait of The New Republic, Pawlentys answer to the criticism he has faced concerning his calls for a simpler and lower tax rate has only American Exceptionalism. Chait also states that the near 5% growth Pawlenty calls for

only occurred after two successive increases in the top marginal tax rate that supply-siders declared would destroy economic growth. [The New Republic, Column, 06/09/11] David Axelrod: Pawlenty Should Google Job Growth Over the Last Decade. According to The Hill, Axelrod, who is expected to serve in a senior role on Obamas 2012 reelection campaign, riffed off Pawlentys claim that if private enterprise provides a service thats searchable on Google, the government should not offer it as well. What he should Google is job growth for the last decade, Axelrod said in an interview with the Huffington Post published Thursday. What he should Google is what happened to income for the last decade, when in many ways the policies that he prescribed were the governing theory. [The Hill, 06/09/11] Washington Post: Pawlentys Economic Speech Relied on Dubious Facts And Assertions. According to the Washington Post, Glenn Kessler rated Pawlentys Economic speech as According to The Hill, two pinocchios, which means, Significant omissions and/or exaggerations. Some factual error may be involved but not necessarily. A politician can create a false, misleading impression by playing with words and using legalistic language that means little to ordinary people. Kessler comments on Pawlentys assertion about Minnesotas Balanced budgets, Pawlenty, who left office in January, did not mention that the state now has a multibillion-dollar deficit, the fourth-highest in the nation. According to the Wall Street Journal, critics say the deficit stems from short-term funding maneuvers that were used during [Pawlentys] tenure to patch over shortfalls and to put off tough decisions to align Minnesotas tax base with its government spending. [Washington Post, 06/08/11] Center For American Progress Michael Ettlinger Called Pawlentys Economic Plan Patently Ridiculous. According to the Associated Press, Its patently ridiculous, said Michael Ettlinger of the liberal Center for American Progress. Its not worth serious discussion. ... No one serious thinks thats possible, The Washington-based think tank projected Pawlentys tax plan would cost $7.8 billion over a decade. David Axelrod commented. He wants to replay the same formula that got us into the jam in the first place, and I dont think the American people want to go back to that. [Associated Press, 06/08/11] Columnist: Pawlentys Name For Economic Plan Better Deal Had Historical Precedence From LBJ. According to U.S. News, One reporter asked him whether he had come up with a similar catchphrase to sum up his economic program. LBJ, who had been badgering speechwriter Richard Goodwin to come up with something along those lines, floated the better deal notionSo LBJ passed on Better Deal to embrace Great Society, which had its rhetorical roots in a broadside against the kind of activist government policies that he and FDR favored. Now Pawlenty has scooped up the rhetorical fragment LBJ cast off and done so in service of a radical small government plan that would have Johnson and Roosevelt spinning in their graves. [US News, 06/08/11] Washington Post Columnist Ezra Klein Called Pawlentys Economic Plan A Joke. According to the Washington Post, columnist Ezra Klein wrote: This plan isnt optimistic. It isnt a bit vague. Its a joke. And I dont know which is worse: The thought that Pawlenty knows that and went forward with this pandering, fantasy-based proposal anyway, or the thought that he doesnt know it, and he really thinks this could work. [Washington Post, 06/07/11] Center For American Progress: Pawlenty Economic Plan Would Cost The U.S. $7.8 Trillion Over Ten Years. According to the Center For American Progress, All together, Pawlentys tax proposal would generate an average revenue level of just 13.6 percent of GDP from 2013-2021. That translates to a tax cut of $7.8 trillion, and thats on top of $2.5 trillion cost of extending all of the Bush tax cuts... Pawlenty also says that he will balance the budget, and cap spending at 18 percent of GDP. Unfortunately for Pawlenty, his tax plan leaves him about $8.4 trillion short. Given that reality, he can either embrace a huge middle-class tax increase, or give up his claims to a balanced budget. If he doesnt make up that revenue, deficits and debt will skyrocket, even if he does slash spending back to levels not seen in half a century. [Center for American Progress, 06/07/11] Chicago Tribune Op-Ed: Pawlenty Detailed His Economic Plan, Calling For A Corporate Tax Rate Reduction By More Than Half And The Elimination Of Subsidies And Special Interest Handouts. According to the Chicago Tribune, in an op-ed, Tim Pawlenty laid out his economic plan. American businesses pay the second highest tax rates in the world. Thats a recipe for failure, not adding jobs and economic growth. We should cut the corporate tax rate by more than half. I propose reducing the rate to 15 percent from 35 percent, recognizing that the tax code is littered with special interest handouts, carve-outs, subsidies and loopholes that should be eliminated. [Chicago Tribune, 06/07/11]

Pawlenty Called A Cap On Federal Spending As A Percentage Of The Economy, Around 18 Percent GDP. According to the Chicago Tribune, in an op-ed laying out his economic plan, Pawlenty wrote I support a constitutional amendment that not only requires a balanced federal budget, but also caps federal spending as a percentage of our economy, around 18 percent of gross domestic product. [Chicago Tribune, 06/07/11] Pawlenty Proposed Capping And Block-Granting Medicaid To States And Raising Social Security Retirement Age. According to the Chicago Tribune, in an op-ed laying out his economic plan, Pawlenty wrote I have proposed capping and block-granting Medicaid to the states, raising the Social Security retirement age for the next generation and slowing the rate of growth in defense spending. I will also call for Congress to grant the president the temporary and extraordinary authority to freeze spending at current levels, and impound up to 5 percent of federal spending until the budget is balanced. [Chicago Tribune, 06/07/11] Pawlenty Called For The Google Test To Determine Whether The Federal Government Should Provide Specific Programs. According to the Wall Street Journal, In order to offset any lost tax revenue and to tackle the deficit Mr. Pawlenty calls for something called The Google Test to determine whether the government should be involved in a program. If you can find a good or service on the Internet, then the federal government probably doesnt need to be doing it, Mr. Pawlenty says. The post office, the government printing office, Amtrak, Fannie [Mae] and Freddie [Mac], were all built in a time in our country when the private sector did not adequately provide those products. Thats no longer the case. He calls on Congress to freeze spending at current levels and impound 5% of spending until the budget is balanced. If they wont do it I will, he plans to say. The former governor will call for terminating all federal regulations, unless Congress votes to keep them individually. [Wall Street Journal, 06/07/11]

BOND RATING
Pawlenty Said The S&P Downgrade Was A Sad Moment And Called Obama Inept. According to TimPawlenty.Com, in an statement, Pawlenty said: This is a sad moment for the United States, but its a reflection that our country is in trouble. President Obama is inept when it comes to creating the conditions or job creation and economic growth. Its time for a new direction and a new President. [TimPawlenty.Com, 08/06/11] Pawlenty Blamed The U.S. Credit Rating Downgrade On Structural Problems Made Worse By President Obama, Rep. Pelosi And Sen. Reid. According to Radio Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty says the political dysfunction in Washington is the key reason the United States lost its AAA credit rating. Standard and Poors issued the downgrade Friday night and Pawlenty says the nations debt problems have been brewing for years and decades. Both parties in the White House, both parties in congress, can take their share and should take their share of responsibility over a long period of time, Pawlenty says. But its also true that President Obama and Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid made it exponentially worse. According to Pawlenty, the federal government has long-term fundamental and structural problems that must be addressed immediately because the downgrading of the U.S. credit rating is a dangerous moment. [Radio Iowa, 08/08/11] Pawlenty Criticized President Obama For Downgrade, Despite Obamas Push For S&Ps Suggested Reforms. According to MSNBC, In a media avail after a campaign stop here this morning, the former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said President Obama needs to come out with a specific plan to fix the economy during his remarks this afternoon. Pawlenty said, Unfortunately, he spent the first two and a half years of his presidency trying to pass an unconstitutional health-care bill and doing things like trying to shut down the Guantanamo Bay to bring suspected terrorists to the United States. And he should have been working on growing jobs and getting the economy moving and doing the types of things that Standard and Poors was wanting him to address. (In fact, what S&P suggested it wanted -- $4 trillion in deficit reduction and a balance of increased revenues and entitlement reform -- was precisely the grand bargain Obama wanted to achieve and what congressional Republicans walked away from.) [MSNBC, 08/08/11] Pawlenty Criticized Obama For Not Putting Full Faith And Credit In The American People In Wake Of S&P Downgrade. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota GOP presidential candidates Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty reacted quickly to the news that Standard and Poors downgraded the federal governments bond rating Friday, saying the move demonstrated President Barack Obamas lack of fitness for a second term in office. Pawlenty continued with the theme in a speech Saturday in Grinell, Iowa. What he [President Obama] doesnt understand is all this talk of the full faith and credit in the United States government, he needs to stop being reminded. We need to have a president who understands what

it means to put our full faith and credit in the American people, said Pawlenty. His vision for America is to take things out of the private sector and to put it into the government. [Minnesota Public Radio, 08/06/11]

FLIP FLOPPED ON TARP

Pawlenty Supported TARP, Then Later Called It A Bad Decision. According to the Des Moines Register, Bachmann claimed that Pawlenty supported the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), often referred to as the bank bailout, but now calls it a bad decision. In August 2008, Pawlenty told the National Press Club that he opposes bailouts on principle, but he also said they are an imperfect solution, but you also have to be pragmatic about getting the mess cleaned up. More than two years later in his book, Courage to Stand, Pawlenty said of the bailouts: Good intentions? Maybe. But a bad decision. Pawlentys campaign didnt provide any direct evidence to counter Bachmanns claim. It cited an excerpt from an interview with Esquire magazine from February 2010 in which he argued the bailouts were not necessary, and certain institutions should have been allowed to fail. [Des Moines Register, 07/26/11] Pawlenty Supported TARP. According to the Associated Press, Put Governor Tim Pawlenty in the category of reluctant supporter of the Wall Street bailout now being discussed in Washington. Pawlenty tells WDAY radio he supports a $700 billion bailout of the financial industry as long as it comes with safeguards for taxpayers. [Associated Press, 9/23/08] Pawlenty Opposed Bailouts For Failing Companies, Said It Was Okay For Failing Companies To Fail. According to the Concord Monitor, Pawlenty said he would take steps to reduce government intervention in business, such as opposing attempts to bail out failing companies. When you see companies too big to fail, we need to stand up and say its okay for failing companies to fail, he said. [Concord Monitor, 1/25/11, video] Pawlenty Questioned Consequences Of Letting Financial Sector Implode In Fall 2008, Reiterated Opposition To Auto Bailout And Skepticism About TARP. During an interview with Esquire magazine: ESQUIRE: Youve been very critical of the bank-bailout bill, a number of times, a bill that was passed at the urging of a Republican president. Lets roleplay. Im Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson. I come to you on a Wednesday in mid-September 2008 and I say, Mr. President, weve got to pass this bill, because if we dont, we wont have an economy by Monday. What do you do? TIM PAWLENTY: Whether the threats or doomsday scenarios that were painted were real or partially real or not real at all. We wont know the answer to that, but we do know that some very bright people said that we faced doomsday, and there were other very bright people who said that, at the very least, the danger was overstated, and this notion that they were too big to fail was untested or untrueAs for the other bailouts, I did not support the car-company bailout, either. They should have been allowed to go bankrupt in fact, they [entered] bankruptcy, most of em. Thats the way that theyre going to get most effectively restructured. And I think the same could be said for many of the financial institutions. The idea that were gonna bail out every major bank in the country with the exception of Lehman Brothers is ridiculous. Why let Lehman fail and not all the others? These markets have to correct. And the answer cant be for every problem that emerges as a result of reckless behavior, the governments gonna come in and bail everybody out. [Esquire, 2/12/10] Pawlenty Rejected That TARP Was A Good Idea, Said He Had Numerous Problems With It. During an interview with Newsweeks Howard Fineman: HOWARD FINEMAN: Was the TARP a good idea? TIM PAWLENTY: No. I had numerous problems with it. The goal was to ensure that we didnt have a lending freeze. [But] there was no requirement that lending would occur, and it hasnt. No. 2, there were no criteria for who would get the money and under what circumstances and for what. I also thought it was too large. [Newsweek, 12/21/09]

Flip Flop Confirmed By Fact Check Organizations

Pawlenty Defended The Wall Street Bailout In 2008, Then Later Disavowed His Position During His Presidential Campaign. According to The New American, In 2008, Pawlenty was out on the stump as a spokesman for McCain, and in that role defended the Wall Street bailout, a position he has disavowed in his own campaign. [The New American, 8/22/11] Factcheck.Org: Pawlenty Changed His Stance On Government Bailouts. According to Factcheck.Org, Pawlenty also changed his view of government bailouts, saying in January: I dont think the government should bail out Wall Street or the mortgage industry or for that matter any other industry. But in 2008 at a National Press Club luncheon, he said that in an ideal marketplace entities would be allowed to fail. But if you allow those entities to fail, the consequences are so severe for

innocent bystanders, namely average Americans who rely on the markets, rely on those mortgages, you know, the consequences are too severe. [T]hey are too big, the consequences are too severe for innocent bystanders to allow them to fail. [FactCheck.org, 05/23/11] Factcheck.org Determined That Pawlenty Has Changed Course On Government Bailouts From Supporting Bailouts In 2008 To Opposing Them In 2011. According to Factcheck.org, Once again we find that Tim Pawlenty has changed course on an issue that is something of a litmus test for Republican candidates. In this case, its government bailouts. On Jan. 16, he condemned all such bailouts, saying: I dont think the government should bail out Wall Street or the mortgage industry or for that matter any other industry. But back in 2008, when the sub-prime lending crisis was gathering force, Pawlenty said that some entities were too big, the consequences are too severe for innocent bystanders to allow them to fail. [Factcheck.org, 1/24/11] Factcheck.org Believed That It Was Hard To Reconcile Pawlentys Openness To Government Bailouts In 2008 With His Total Opposition In 2011. According to Factcheck.org, And its hard to reconcile with his blanket rejection of bailouts on Fox News Sunday this month. There, he made excuses for some of his earlier equivocation on the subject, saying that he had been appearing on certain occasions as a surrogate for John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee Pawlenty is right that he was speaking on McCains behalf in the video clip that Wallace played. But Wallace didnt quiz him on the National Press Club appearance that same year, where Pawlenty was representing only himself Pawlenty may be against all government bailouts in 2011, as he indicated on Fox, but in 2008, he saw a place for them. [Factcheck.org, 1/24/11]

Pawlenty Maintained That He Always Opposed TARP But Spoke In Favor Of It In 2008 In The Role Of Speaking For Senator McCain And His Views. During an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, Pawlenty was asked if he flip-flopped his stance on TARP. TIM PAWLENTY: Well no, its not, Chris. I was in the role of speaking for Senator McCain and his views in 2008well play the tape, it says he believes, and I was speaking as a spokesperson for Senator McCain. But I dont -- didnt support and dont support bailing out places like Wall Street, General Motors and the like with respect to federal and government. CHRIS WALLACE: When you were defending that back in 2008, you didnt believe it? TIM PAWLENTY: I dont think the government should bailout Wall Street or the mortgage industry or for that matter any other industry. [Fox News Sunday, 1/16/11]

PAWLENTY OPPOSED THE AUTO BAILOUT

Pawlenty Said The Notion That The Auto Bailout Saved General Motors Was Ludicrous. According to MSNBC, during an interview with Lawrence ODonnell, Pawlenty said To suggest that Barack Obama`s gifts to the unions that, you know, sup-ported him during the campaigns and his parting gifts to them, as part of the heavy hand of government and the crony capitalism he used, is what turned around General Motors is ludicrous. I mean, that is outrageous. Barack Obama, by the way, has no history, no connection, no executive leader-ship, no experience in the entrepreneurial economy, the private economy. His entire life has been in government or government-related activities. That`s in direct contrast to Mitt Romney, who spent the bulk of his life as an entrepreneur, a serial entrepreneur, starting, investing, growing businesses, and providing jobs. That`s a big difference. And that`s the kind of experience I want in the next president, in these times. [MSNBC, 1/25/12] Pawlenty Defended Romneys Call For General Motors To Go Through A Managed Bankruptcy And Accused Obama Of Giving Away Crony Capitalist Gifts To The UAW. According to MSNBC, during an interview with Lawrence ODonnell, Pawlenty said, Mitt Romney said we live in a nation that has the rule of law. So you don`t get special treatment just because you`re General Motors or you`re, you know, fans of the president. So Mitt Romney called for a structured, pre-planned bankruptcy of General Motors, under existing law. And the result would have been a successful result. You know what Barack Obama did? He also oversaw a structured bankruptcy of General Motors. But guess what he did? He then took special goodies and parting gifts and gave them to his buddies, the UAW. So the main difference between those two approaches, Mitt Romney, on the rule of law, equal playing field, go use the same system as everybody else; Barack Obama did that to a point, but then he gave away the political parting gifts, the crony capitalism gifts to the UAW and others involved in the transaction. [MSNBC, 1/25/12] Pawlenty Criticized Auto Bailouts Of GM And Chrysler, Called Them Misguided. According to the Detroit News, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty criticized the decision to use the $700 billion rescue fund to restructure two domestic

automakers. Pawlenty told a group of reporters today at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor that the Obama administration was wrong to swap billions of dollars in loans for equity stakes in General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC. I strongly opposed the government taking over the auto companies, said Pawlenty, who said he will decide whether to run for president early next year. The Treasury owns 61 percent of GM, 56.3 percent of auto finance firm Ally Financial Inc. and a 10 percent stake in Chrysler. Pawlenty called the use of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program to rescue automakers misguided as a matter of public policy and philosophy. The program -- initially set up to rescue banks -suffered from mission creep when it was expanded to automakers and AIG, he said. Pawlenty said a traditional bankruptcy -without government involvement -- was the better course of action. But automakers and policymakers have argued that GM and Chrysler were unlikely to be able to quickly raise enough capital from the private sector to reorganize in bankruptcy Pawlenty also criticized GMs TV advertisements that touted the companys repayment of the $6.7 billion in loans portion of its $50 billion bailout as dramatically misleading. What they dont tell you is the loans have been paid back from escrow accounts that were funded with federal dollars, Pawlenty said. They also dont tell you that they didnt buy back the stock that we purchased. [Detroit News, 7/26/10] Pawlenty Said The Auto Bailout Contributed To A Sense Of Not The United States Of America That We Know And Love And Remember. During an interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox News, Pawlenty said: This is sadly reminiscent of the kinds of things we would expect from South America some decades ago. We`re seeing the nationalization of the auto industry. You are soon going to see the full or partial nationalization of the health care industry. You are soon going to see the nationalization, under the Obama administration, of the energy industry. And that, of course, puts the politicians and people making decisions that the market and private businesses should be making. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. You now have politicians chiding the auto industry over size of cars, what they should do, their business decisions, dealership decisions. That is not the proper province for the United States Congress. That should be a private decisionThis is not the United States of America that we know and love and remember. This looks like some sort of a republic from the -- South America circa 1970s. [Neil Cauvto Show, Fox News, 6/3/09]

BERNANKE REAPPOINTMENT
Pawlenty Expressed Reservations About Ben Bernankes Reappointment As Chairman Of The Federal Reserve. According to the Guardian, Tim Pawlenty, the Republican governor of Minnesota, said he had reservations about Bernankes re-appointment. Pawlenty said, We have this ridiculous economic framework where were borrowing money from the Chinese to pay ourselves money in the form of cash for clunkers to buy cars from ourselves from companies we essentially own like General Motors. [The Guardian (UK), 8/25/09] Pawlenty Would Be Inclined To Vote No On Ben Bernankes Reappointment As Chairman Of Federal Reserve. During an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box: CNBC: Do you want, as a leader of the Republican Party, senators of your party to vote against [Bernankes] confirmation? TIM PAWLENTY: I have concerns about his re-nomination, primarily for this reason. I think the Fed has overstepped its traditional role and boundary as it relates to monetary policy and interest rates. And now we have our Federal Reserve chair being a chief cheerleader for things like buying auto companies. At least, in my view of the world, that is not the proper role for the Federal Reserve chairman. CNBC: Would you vote no? TIM PAWLENTY: I think in light of his positions on that, I would be inclined to vote no. [Squawk Box, CNBC, 9/3/09]

WALL STREET REFORM

Pawlenty Called Dodd-Frank Misguided. During an interview with UpFronts Mike Gousha, Pawlenty said: I think theres some elements in it that are good, but frankly its misguided in a number of respects. One of the things that I think people are fed up with is the bailouts. We need to have a rule that says no more bailouts, and we need to be able to in an orderly way unwind these large investment holding firms in the nature of a bankruptcy so we dont have to bail them out. We also need to do a number of other things I would privatize, by the way, Fannie and Freddie, these government-owned, government-run mortgage entities. The fact that those are now basically government-controlled entities is ridiculous. We need to have a centralized clearing house for derivatives and various other exotic financial instruments, so theres some transparency about whats happening and theres some predictability about the stability of those so the bill that is put forward I dont think in some ways goes deep enough in terms of getting out one of the main problems, which is were gonna end bailouts. [UpFront with Mike Gousha, 5/23/10]

Pawlenty Said That The Real Problem In The Financial Crisis Was Fannie And Freddie. During an interview with Fox News, Pawlenty said: Lets go back and look at the financial institutions bill and fix the real problem, which was Fannie and Freddie and the political connections between Congress and the cronyism between Congress and Fannie and Freddie. [Journal Editorial Report, Fox News, 1/22/11] Pawlenty Was Skeptical Of Dodd-Frank Bills Provisions For Ending Risk From Too-Big-To-Fail Banks. According to The Hill, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) expressed skepticism Tuesday evening that the Wall Street bill in Congress would reform financial regulations to his liking. Pawlenty, a possible Republican candidate for president in 2012, said that the bill before Congress was unlikely to end bailouts and prevent so-called too big to fail companies. So we have to have, in my view, the goal of getting rid of the policy of too big to fail; we have to allow for the orderly destruction and wind-down of private entities that are fatally flawed. And the federal government cannot indirectly or directly send the message that were going to bail you out, Pawlenty said during a panel discussion at the Milken Institute in California. We have to have to come to an end to that, the Minnesota governor added. And Im not sure this bill is going to meet that standard. It looks like it will not. That pronouncement marks one of the first by Pawlenty, by some measures a populist Republican, on the financial reform bill, which is poised to begin the process of debate in the Senate Pawlenty echoed traditional Republican concerns about the bill on Tuesday evening, though he stopped short of stating how he would vote on the legislation if he were a member of the Senate. We cant have too big to fail and we cant have more bailouts, Pawlenty said. The notion that were going to have privately held entities in this country that cant go out of business, to me, is troublesome and philosophically concerning. So I would hope that one of the measures that this legislation would be judged against is does it contain provisions that allow for the orderly wind-down of institutions that are fatally troubled, he added. [The Hill, Blog Briefing Room, 4/28/10]

Unclear Positions On Wall Street Reform

Pawlenty Acknowledged Abuses, Lots Of Abuses In Financial Sector, But Said He Found Increased Government Regulation Of 2009 Philosophically Troubling. During an interview with Newsweeks Howard Fineman: HOWARD FINEMAN: What do you think about the practice of paying huge bonuses to Wall Street executives, even those at firms that got TARP money? TIM PAWLENTY: I do think there were abuses, lots of abuses, that should be either investigated or criminally prosecuted, and regulations need to be modernized. But coming in and setting salaries, that is philosophically troubling to me. [Newsweek, 12/21/09] Pawlenty Threatened To Use State Board Of Investments Proxy Voting Rights To Throw Out Boards Of Directors Of Companies Engaged In Fraudulent Behavior. According to the Associated Press, Two of the four major candidates for governor said in the first televised debate Wednesday night that they would use the states multibillion-dollar investment funds as leverage to hold corporations accountable. Republican Tim Pawlenty and Democrat Roger Moe had the most specific action plans to deal with businesses caught cooking the books or committing other fraud. Both said they would have Minnesota join with other public pension funds to either divest their holdings or use power as shareholders to shake up cheating corporations. If you join up with California and some of the other larger states, our state board of investment could literally have the power through proxy voting to throw out boards of directors, said Pawlenty, the House majority leader from Eagan. [Associated Press, 7/31/02] Pawlenty Endorsed Strings Being Placed On All Federal And State Assistance To Northwest Airlines In Light Of Companys Large Executive Compensation And Bonuses. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty told Northwest Airlines employees on Thursday that he thinks its unfair top executives got large compensation increases when the company is laying off workers and asking others to take pay cuts. Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson and President Douglas Steenland took no raise in salary but together saw their compensation climb by more than $2.5 million through bonuses and stock options that cant be sold for years. I do think its unfair. ... I dont believe these executives should be getting big raises and bonuses in these times, he said, adding that he planned to tell them that when he talked to them. The governor acknowledged that he cant tell private businesses how to run their affairs. But he said strings should be attached to any future federal or state money that goes to the airline, such as demanding that the airline increase jobs in the United States. I would argue we should have some expectations for them, Pawlenty said. The remarks came during a meeting with Northwest employees who fear theyll be among the 4,900 the company plans to lay off. [Associated Press, 3/27/03]

PAWLENTY CRITICIZED OBAMAS SPENDING

Tim Pawlenty Op-Ed: Obama Administration Poured Gasoline On The Fire Of Budget Deficit With Government Spending. In an op-ed for Politico, Pawlenty wrote: When Obama entered office, he inherited a budget deficit that reflected the toxic combination of recession, bailouts and runaway entitlement programs. But rather than getting the governments finances under control, Obama and his allies in Congress poured gasoline on the fire with trillion-dollar boondoggles. To put the recent spending binge in context, consider this: At the end of 2008, just before Obama took office, the federal debt was about 40 percent of our nations total economy. Now, according to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, the debt will explode to 62 percent of our economy by the end of this year. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Politico, 7/14/10]

STATE BANKRUPTCY
Pawlenty Argued That Allowing States To Declare Bankruptcy Should Be Considered, Might Carry Benefits For Some States. According to the Associated Press, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says it is worth considering letting states declare bankruptcy to avoid costly pension liabilities. Pawlenty, a potential presidential candidate, on Monday said cities already can declare bankruptcy. He spoke at a county GOP dinner in New Hampshire. Pawlenty said he would prefer that voters keep pressure on lawmakers to curb spending and obligations that lead to bankruptcy. Several states, such as California, are in financial messes in part because of pension liabilities. If bankruptcy were an option, they might work with courts to restructure obligations. [Associated Press, 1/24/11]

CRITICIZED STATE AID FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Pawlenty Opposed Federal Aid To States, Including $430 Million For Education And Health Care In Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Flexing their political muscle three months before the critical midterm elections, congressional Democrats are poised to send President Obama a $26 billion state aid package that includes $430 million for educators and Medicaid patients in Minnesota. In a vote that could save some 2,300 school jobs in Minnesota alone, Senate Democrats broke a GOP filibuster Wednesday. Soon after, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the rare step of calling members back from their August recess, something thats happened only once before in the last quarter-centuryThe long-stalled Senate measure is expected to pass Thursday, giving Democrats a needed boost heading into fall elections that may turn largely on the economy. Minnesota budget officials say the state aid -- assuming it passes the Democratic-controlled House next week -- could offset spending cuts from this years hard-fought budget battle between Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFLers in the Legislature. Despite the potential cash infusion to a state facing a nearly $6 billion deficit, Pawlentys office criticized Wednesdays actions. Congress should not be raising taxes, said Pawlenty spokesman Bruce Gordon. Minnesota balanced its budget without raising taxes and without relying on this money. Federal legislation would extend programs from the $787 billion economic stimulus bill passed last year, including $16 billion to help fund state Medicaid programs and $10 billion for schools. Minnesota would receive $263 million in Medicaid funds and $167 million for schools. The school money would save more than 2,300 jobs, according to figures provided by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. [Star Tribune, 8/4/10] Pawlenty Said He Wouldnt Send The Aid To The States. During an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt: BLOOMBERG: Republicans say theres too much red ink, and if you want to extend unemployment comp or aid to states you have to pay for it. Would you, as the budget rules require in Congress, pay for extending those tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and how would you pay for it? TIM PAWLENTY: Yes, we have to quit some spending in the deficits, so I wouldnt send the aid to the states. I would not do that, Al. I thinkthe states need to solve their own problems. [Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, 8/6/10]

Pawlenty Isnt Telling The Whole Story With Opposition To Federal Aid To States, Because He Tried To Factor That Money In During Earlier Budget Process. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty, who appears to be preparing for a 2012 White House run, isnt telling the whole story when it comes to Minnesotas budget picture. In January, Pawlenty proposed a budget that relied on $400 million in FMAP money from the federal government-- the same funds in the bill the House passed today. Pawlenty and lawmakers changed course only after they realized Congress wouldnt provide the money by the time the legislative session ended. They agreed to put the funds, if they became available, into reserve. The Congressional action means the state now has a cash cushion and may not have to borrow money to pay bills as State Finance officials predicted in July. Pawlenty also fails to mention that he relied heavily on federal money to balance the states books in 2009. It should also be noted that the budget adopted by Pawlenty and the DFL controlled Legislature delayed $1.2 billion in payments to schools that will eventually have to be paid back. The reliance on federal funds, the school funding shift and other one-time funds mean Minnesotas budget problems will get worse when Pawlenty leaves office. The next governor is expected

to inherit a $5.8 billion projected budget deficit for the next two year budget cycle. Factor in inflation and the shortfall amounts to $6.9 billion. [Minnesota Public Radio, 8/10/10] Bemidji Pioneer Editorial: Pawlenty Ought To Take Federal Aid To Minnesota, Should See The Need For This Federal Funding. In an editorial, the Bemidji Pioneer wrote: Gov. Tim Pawlenty has another shot at taking federal money for the states health care programs, and he ought to take it. The Republican governor said Thursday that this time he is open to taking about $240 million in federal aid from a new bill Congress approved earlier this month as part of $16 billion in Medicaid assistance allocated from the federal economic stimulus package to the states House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, House Majority Leader Tony Sertich and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller also note that increased enrollments in Medicaid and other human service programs continue to strain Minnesotas budget at a time when revenues continue to remain flat. What better way to promote economic growth than to ensure jobs are protected and created by mitigating some of the adverse impacts of current budget cuts? We agree, and Gov. Pawlenty should see the need for this federal funding to come to Minnesota, rather than being spent by some other state. [Bemidji Pioneer, 8/27/10] Pawlenty Accepted $260 Million In Additional Federal Medicaid Funding Despite Stated Opposition To Any Participation With Affordable Care Act. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has decided to accept about $260 million in federal medical assistance aid after directing state agencies to avoid some federal grants associated with the health care overhaul. The likely Republican presidential candidate asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for the money on Tuesday. Pawlentys letter to Sebelius says the Medicaid dollars reflect current and longstanding Minnesota policy objectives and commitments. He also notes that Minnesota pays more to the federal government than it gets back. [Associated Press, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Was Open To Accepting $240 Million In Health Care Assistance From Federal Government Despite Previously Characterizing Funding As An Unaffordable Bailout. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he is open to taking about $240 million in federal health care aid for Minnesota but hasnt decided for sure. The likely GOP presidential candidate said Thursday that even though he has concerns about federal spending, Minnesota pays more to the federal government than it gets back. Earlier, he described the spending as a bailout to the states that the nation couldnt afford. Pawlenty says his staff is still checking on the conditions that come with the money. [Associated Press, 8/26/10]

Pawlenty Changed His Mind In Accepting Federal Medicaid Assistance. According to KAAL TV, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has changed his mind and decided to accept major federal medical assistance. This only one week after directing all state agencies to avoid federal grants associated with federal healthcare reform. Pawlenty said hes now ready to get $250 million in federal medical assistance. [KAAL TV ABC 6 News, 9/7/10] Pawlentys Administration Applied For $167 Million In Federal Stimulus Education Funding, Despite Previous Criticisms. According to the Minnesota Post, After weeks of gubernatorial grumbling, the Minnesota Department of Education formally applied today for $167 million in federal education stimulus funding. The state had until Sept. 9 to ask for the money and school administrators were beginning to fear ideology would trump concerns about the budget crisis. Superintendents in the states 350 school districts were notified by e-mail this morning, according to Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. There was, however, no official announcement from the office of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who earlier in the month criticized Congress for approving the $26 billion stimulus package The so-called EduJobs money is earmarked for teacher and school staff job preservation at the district level. Administrators will be notified Monday how much each district will receive and the process by which they will get the money, which proponents had said could preserve as many as 2,800 Minnesota teacher jobs. The application for the funding consisted of a single question; states had to elect the funding formula they would use to distribute the money. Minnesota will hand it out according to the states complicated primary funding formula. [MinnPost.com, 8/27/10]

FEDERAL RESERVE
Gold Standard Proponent Lewis Lehrman Donated Maximum To Pawlenty Campaign. According to the Huffington Post, The chief proponent of a return to the monetary gold standard has contributed the maximum $10,000 from his political action committee (PAC) to Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, according to a campaign finance report filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. The Fund to Keep America Number One PAC is operated by Lewis Lehrman, an investment banker and longtime proponent of the return to the gold standard, the fixing of money to the price of

gold. The $10,000 maximum donation to Pawlentys campaign is the largest single-year contribution the PAC has made since a $10,000 donation to the 1998 re-election campaign of then-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). [Huffington Post, 07/11/11] Pawlenty Supported Currency Standard Tied To Basket Of Commodities. According to the Huffington Post, Pawlenty drew attention in March for comments he made hinting at support for a fixed currency akin to the gold standard. On both Fox News and CNBC, he derided the current system of fiat currency and suggested that money be tied to a basket of commodities. This prompted a response from Lehrman through the Gold Standard Now campaign. Lehrman explains to Pawlenty in a video, So, yes, embrace your commodity standard, but embrace the single commodity [gold] as the monetary standard, which has been proven throughout American history. [Huffington Post, 07/11/11] VIDEO: Pawlenty Rejected Gold Standard In Favor Of Auditing The Federal Reserve And Strengthening The Dollar. According to a tracking report, In response to a question asked July 6, 2011 at his Surf Shop Ballroom Townhall in Clear Lake Iowa, Pawlenty rejected the gold standard. Yeah, the question is what about going back to the Gold Standard and of course the Gold Standard was - fell apart for various reason back in the day. [T]here probably isnt enough stability in the supply of gold in the world to put all the money supply attached directly to gold. But I would be willing to do the following: Number one, have an audit of the federal reserve. Number two, fix the appointment process of the federal reserve so the board doesnt appoint itself. Its like an insiders club and twelve - or whatever the number is - get to appoint our successors. That should be opened up and more transparent. And lastly, I think we should have a strong dollar policy - reflects a strong economy and a strong country. Putting it just to gold I think is probably too narrow in light of the limited supply of gold and the demand for money that we have but looking at it in some correlation to a larger basket of commodities might be worth being considered. [TP IA 7-6-11 (WS#19) TOWN HALL @ Surf Shop Ballroom at 47:00] Pawlenty Touted His Consistent Opposition To Chairman Bernanke. According to The Hill, Pawlenty said I opposed his appointment last time, so it wouldnt be hard for me to oppose his reappointment next time, and I dont think he should continue in that position. [The Hill, 06/08/11]

EDUCATION
Charter Schools
Pawlenty Wanted To Expand Charter Schools, Including Schools With Specialized Areas Of Education. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said he wants to expand charter schools - schools that can operate semi-independently of public school districts. The Pawlenty proposal would, among other things, allow the Minnesota Department of Education to sponsor such schools. The department currently can sponsor charter schools only if a proposed one gets turned down by other prospective sponsors, such as school districts, and appeals to the state agency. Pawlenty would allow the department to sponsor schools in several specialized areas, such as programs for year-round education and non-English speaking immigrants, and as an education laboratory for proposed super teachers. [Star Tribune, 1/6/04] 2004: Minnesota Test Scores Showed Charter Schools Students Performed Worse Than Public School Students. According to the Star Tribune, An analysis of the most recent batch of Minnesota test scores echoes the major point of a national report published Tuesday: Students attending charter schools often do worse than students in regular public schools. At a time when charter schools are enjoying significant growth and enthusiastic support by government officials - both President Bush and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have touted the reform potential of charter schools - could lagging test scores threaten to sap the momentum of the charter school movement? [Star Tribune, 8/18/04]

PAWLENTYS DELAYED PAYMENTS LEFT CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH LITTLE FUNDS

Pawlentys Budget Shift Left Charter Schools With Less Funds And Little Collateral For Bank Loans. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Charter schools in Minnesota are bracing for a cash flow crunch that could determine whether some survive. In an accounting move that helps the state budgets bottom line, Gov. Tim Pawlenty shifted some funding payments for all schools this year, but charter schools cant access the same kinds of loans that traditional public schools can, and even when they do apply, banks are waryGov. Tim Pawlenty used his power of unallotment this summer to balance the states budget. The state budget for schools was at the same level as last year; the shift moves 27 percent of that money into next fiscal year. That has left schools dipping into reserves to meet cash flow needs. When reserves dry up, schools have to take out loans. Traditional public schools have access to credit that charter schools dont, even though charters are also considered public schools. Charters cant own property, so they have very little collateral - which makes them less desirable to banks. Charters also cant go to voters for a tax increase the way traditional public schools can. [Minnesota Public Radio, 11/23/09] 2009: One Of Minnesotas Oldest Charter Schools Could Not Secure Bank Loan To Stay Operational And Planned To Close. According to the Pioneer Press, One of Minnesotas oldest charter schools will close at the end of the calendar year. Unable to secure a loan to stay afloat, Skills for Tomorrow high school will end operations halfway through the school year, becoming the first charter school to fail financially this year. Teachers and other staff members confirmed that the schools board decided to close at its Monday night meeting. On Tuesday, administrators and teachers declined to comment, saying students and parents should be notified first. Administrators began calling families after school closed MondayPart of the pressure facing charter schools has to do with new funding delays that resulted when Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty balanced the state budget through unallotment, [Joe Nathan, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for School Change] said. Pawlenty shifted the school funding timeline. Schools had been paid 90 percent of their funding for a school year upfront, with 10 percent deferred until the next fiscal year. But Pawlentys shift delayed more money. Now 27 percent is withheld for the next year, leaving schools with 73 percent of their total funding to balance budgets. [Pioneer Press, 11/24/09]

Education Funding
PROPOSED CUTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING

2003: Pawlenty Cut $27 Million From Early-12th Grade Education Programs And $50 Million From Higher Education. According to the Pioneer Press, Education programs covering early education through the 12th grade were cut by $27 million out of a total of more than $5 billion. Higher education spending was cut by $50 million out of $1.4 billion Another $5 million was taken from after-school program grants that go to Boys and Girls Clubs, Youth Service Bureaus and neighborhood association. Other cuts went to adult education, teacher seminars and grants to youth violence prevention programs At St. Pauls Ronald Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning on University Avenue, staffers were anticipating program cuts, said Willie Nesbit, the centers director. The Hubbs Centers Adult Basic Education program served about 9,000 people in 2001, making it the largest in the state. Those programs include English language learner courses, skills training, college preparation and GED courses. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/8/03] 2003: Pawlentys Proposed Budget Reduced Per-Pupil Funding For Almost Half Of School Districts In Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, Education administrators warned of painful cuts ahead after seeing Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed budget for the next two years. Pawlentys budget would reduce per-pupil funding for nearly half of the states school districts in the next school year. While Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke said the reduction would be less than 1 percent for most districts where the funding declines, K-12 advocates predicted teacher layoffs and program cuts. Officials at public colleges and universities said the picture was worse for them, with cuts so deep that even 15 percent annual tuition increases wouldnt close the gap. Pawlenty would limit tuition hikes to that amount. His proposed higher-education cuts amount to $204 million over two years for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system and $185 million for the University of Minnesota, school officials said. [Associated Press, 2/19/03] Minnesotas Rank On Per Capita Education Spending Nationally Fell From 12th To 18th From 2002 To 2006. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Minnesotas national rank on per capita education spending has fallen from 12th in 2002 to 18th in 2006. [U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data, 6/4/08] Pawlentys 2003 Budget Fix Resulted In Flat School Funding, Teacher Layoffs, And Increased Class Sizes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In 2003, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers closed a $4.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. Here are some ways it affected lives:Teachers: More students in the classrooms are another result. The budget fix left school funding flat for two years. With increasing salary, health care and other costs, many districts resorted to teacher layoffs. In Vadnais Heights, parents used private funds to pay for a fourth-grade teacher to keep class sizes at 23 students instead of 30. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/05] Minnesota Was Ranked 36th In Student Achievement, Accountability, And Teacher Improvement. According to KARE 11, Nobody disputes Minnesota is home to some of the brightest students and best teachers in the nation. But the most recent national head-to-head comparison with other states was not overly flattering. Education Weeklys 2011 Quality Counts report card gave Minnesota a C grade overall, and ranked it 36th in the nation based on student achievement, school finance, accountability, classroom size, teacher improvement efforts and other criteria Minnesota scored fairly well in the Chances for Success category, garnerning a B-plus. Thats a rating that tracks opportunities, from early learning through high school and work force outcomes. The lowest mark, a D-plus, was in the category of Teaching Profession, which compared the states efforts at improving teacher evaluations and systems that tie educators evaluations to student performance. [KARE 11, 1/12/11]

DELAYED PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Minnesota Received $500 Million In Education Funding From The Stimulus Which Was Not Used For Increased School Aid. According to MinnPost, Over the last year and a half, the Obama Administration has dedicated more than $800 billion to the combination of tax cuts and federal spending popularly referred to as stimulus funding. A substantial chunk, more than $100 billion, has gone toward K-12 education. In terms of keeping lights on in schools and teachers in classrooms, those dollars have been a godsend. But they havent yet stimulated the kind of reform and innovation Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan envisioned, according to a report released by Bellwether Education Partners, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating low-income student achievement. As each installment of the funding has been announced, Minnesota educators predicted as much, noting that Gov. Tim Pawlentys response has been to shift an equivalent number of dollars away from education, in effect using the money to balance the state budget. So the $500 million in education stimulus funding Minnesota got in 2009 did not translate into an increase in aid to schools. [MinnPost, 12/3/10]

Minnesota Used Education Stimulus Funds To Hold Off Layoffs After Delayed School Funding. According to MinnPost, Job creation, of course, is the ultimate aim of any stimulus package. To that end, Minnesotas $168 million share of the so-called Edujobs funds approved by Congress last August came with strings: The money had to be given to districts, which had to spend them on personnel. Far from putting the money to work creating new jobs, most districts either used it to stave off layoffs or banked it in anticipation of next years funding cliff. What, you ask, is a funding cliff? Something were about to stampede right off of: Between Pawlentys 2009 unallotment to schools, worth $1.4 billion, and this years decision by the Legislature to delay $1.9 billion in current school funding, Minnesota school districts are staring into an enormous fiscal chasm, administrators say. [MinnPost, 12/3/10] 2010: Nearly $2 Billion In School Aid Payments Were Delayed Forcing School Districts To Borrow Money. According to the Brainerd Dispatch, When the state delays nearly $2 billion in aid payments to school districts during the upcoming school year, several area school districts will be forced to borrow funds so they dont run out of cash to pay their bills. Steve Lund, director of business services, said the final agreement Sunday between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers ratifies the K-12 education shift Pawlenty originally implemented through unallotment. The difference, however, is that districts wont receive 30 percent of their payments until the following school year, an increase from the governors original proposal of 27 percent. Lund said the bill specifies that the shift will be paid back in the next biennium but with no funding mechanism in place to pay for it, this promise adds to the size of the states looming budget deficit in the fiscal year 2012-13 biennium. [Brainerd Dispatch, 5/18/10] Pawlenty Delayed $2.2 Billion In Aid Payments To School Districts In 2010. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota will delay another $423 million in aid payments to school districts this spring to help the state balance its books. Leaders in 231 of the states 337 school districts received a memo Tuesday outlining how much their payments would be reduced in March and April. State law requires the payments be made by May 30. These delays are on top of the $1.8 billion in aid Gov. Tim Pawlenty postponed to schools in July to help erase the states current budget deficit. That aid has not been paid, and there is no deadline for paymentThe state is expected to have cash shortages from March through May. State law requires Pawlenty to postpone payments to schools before borrowing money to pay the states operating expenses. Minnesota finance officials have said that short-term borrowing could jeopardize the states credit rating, which in turn could mean higher interest rates for state and local governments. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/10] Pawlenty Delayed State Aid Payments To School Districts, Dismaying Education Leaders In Minnesota. According to MinnPost, Metro area education leaders expressed dismay today that Gov. Tim Pawlenty, faced with a cash crunch, will delay spring payments of state aid to Minnesota school districts that have built up financial reserves. Many of the districts are struggling to make up for massive shortfalls caused by the governors decision to shift large portions of last years education funding until this year. The governor blamed a Minnesota law that says the state cannot seek short-term loans until it has delayed funding school districts that have cash reserves. In turn, public school officials blamed Pawlenty for failing to find other ways to balance the budgetBecause districts that dont have healthy reserve funds must pay more to borrow money, the delay will compound local budget woes, administrators said. The repercussions just get bigger and bigger, complained [Minneapolis Board of Education chair Tom] Madden. Its do as I say and not as I do. [MinnPost.com, 1/26/10] 2010: No Funding Was Earmarked To Repay Schools After Billions In Aid Payments Were Delayed. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Washington County school districts will take out millions of dollars in short-term loans next school year to help pay the bills as the state delays almost one-third of their aid payments. State lawmakers in May approved a $2 billion school payment shift to help balance the budget. A year earlier, Gov. Tim Pawlenty delayed $1.8 billion in payments to schools. The state is required to pay schools back in the two-year budget cycle that starts in mid-2011, but no money has been earmarked for the payments. Education officials expect the shifts to last for at least the next few years. They also worry school districts could be hit with another round of delays later this fall or next spring. The current delay is expected to cost districts statewide about $20 million in interest, since many will take out loans to keep up their cash flow. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/10/10] Pawlentys Administration Had Opportunity To Withhold $1 Billion In School Aid Payments To Use For Minnesotas Budget. According to the Star Tribune, In a sign of the gravity of the states fiscal crisis, Minnesota budget officials may force public school districts to loan the state money so that it can continue paying its bills. Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration could withhold nearly $1 billion in state aid payments to public schools through May, to ensure the states checkbook doesnt run dry, under a plan unveiled Wednesday at a legislative committee meeting. The state already has the legal authority to do so, although it has never exercised it. The plan, one of several under consideration, would tap the reserves of school districts that managed to build up rainy-day funds. The state burned through its reserves last year as it faced multibillion-dollar deficitsMinnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson said that delaying the payments

could eliminate the need to borrow money from banks or large investors this fiscal year, a move that could tarnish the states credit rating. Still, state leaders want to have a loan in place by March in case the state runs low on money, he saidRepublican former Gov. Arne Carlson said Wednesday that the need for short-term borrowing, whether from banks or schools, shows that the Pawlenty administration has refused to make the hard decisions to either cut the budget or raise revenue. Long term, its disastrous, Carlson said. Its a delayed tax increase. Postponement is not leadership. [Star Tribune, 1/13/10] Pawlenty Considered Cutting Millions From School Funding While Investigating How School Districts Increased Teacher Salaries. According to WCCO in St. Paul, The Minnesota governors office says it is investigating how many Minnesota school districts are raising teacher salaries, ignoring Governor Tim Pawlentys appeal for a public employee pay freeze during the budget crisis. The governor said hes now considering cutting millions of dollars in school fundingthe governor said any pay hike in a budget crisis is excessive. Im going to be doing a little investigation into where the school districts are getting all that money, said Pawlenty. We asked them to freeze salaries. We asked them to freeze compensation levels. But many of them have not done that. Minnesota school districts are reporting average settlements of 4.04 percent for the next 2 years, according to the Minnesota School Boards Association. The actual pay hikes for teachers in those packages are about 1.01 percent, says the teachers union Education Minnesota. Not a lot, but enough to prompt a warning from the governors office that school cuts are coming. Were looking into this. Were going to investigate this. And if we are finding out school districts arent tightening their belts then it is possible the state might have to do it for them, said Pawlentys communications director Brian McClung. [WCCO, 1/4/10] Pawlenty Balanced Minnesotas Budget By Delaying $1.8 Billion In Payments To Schools. According to the Associated Press, [The] recession is probably over, which means states financial troubles have only begunIn anticipation of a slow budgetary recovery, some states are seeking to push costs into the futureIn Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is balancing the budget by delaying nearly $1.8 billion of payments to schools until after the end of the current school year. The states action has created a ripple effect for school districts, which are tapping reserves and borrowing money to pay staff, food and utility bills. [Associated Press, 10/4/09] Pawlenty Delayed $1.8 Billion In School Aid Payments To Balance The State Budget. According to the Associated Press, School districts across Minnesota say theyll have to borrow money to cover their costs while the state holds back part of their aid to balance its books. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is delaying nearly $1.8 billion in payments to schools. Its a budgetbalancing trick the state has used before in bad times and spent years correcting when the economy recovered. State education officials say districts will lose money by paying interest or, if they have savings, on interest they would have earned on their money. Scott Croonquist of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts says most districts in Minnesota will be forced to take out loans to get by. Superintendents say that takes money away from other priorities, including the classroom. [Associated Press, 6/22/09] The $1.77 Billion Education Accounting Shift Could Have Had Profound Long-Term Consequences. According to The Star Tribune, Although the short-term effect may be lessened, the long-term consequences could be profound, with a $1.77 billion education accounting shift adding to the money that must be paid back at some future date. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/17/09] Pawlenty Used School Aid Payments To Erase Minnesotas Deficit Causing School Districts To Borrow Money. According to the Star Tribune, More school districts are borrowing more money this year -- sometimes dramatically more -to make ends meet. To make their interest payments, some districts say they will have to dip into reserve funds -- leaving less cash to meet future rainy-day needs -- or divert budget dollars normally used to pay for things such as teacher salaries and supplies. The borrowing spike results from the states effort to balance the budget by holding back some of the funding it owes schools. This year and next, the state will delay paying schools 27 percent of what they are owed until the following year. The funding shift was one of several actions taken by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to erase the states deficit for the current two-year budget periodIn Brooklyn Center, school officials are borrowing $8 million -- $2 million more than last year, district superintendent Keith Lester said. Based on an interest rate of slightly more than 3 percent, that translates to almost $250,000 a year in interest payments. Lester noted that an average beginning teacher costs the district $46,000 a year, or about one-fifth of that total. Times are tough for everybody, Lester said. The shift is going to help state government pay its bills, but its going to take its toll on schools, because we have less money for educating kids. [Star Tribune, 8/3/09] Pawlenty Used Unallotment To Balance The State Budget, Shifting 27 Percent Of School Funds To The Next Fiscal Year. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty used his power of unallotment this summer to balance the states budget. The state budget for schools was at the same level as last year; the shift moves 27 percent of that money into

next fiscal year. That has left schools dipping into reserves to meet cash flow needs. When reserves dry up, schools have to take out loans. Traditional public schools have access to credit that charter schools dont, even though charters are also considered public schools. Charters cant own property, so they have very little collateral - which makes them less desirable to banks. Charters also cant go to voters for a tax increase the way traditional public schools can. [Minnesota Public Radio, 11/23/09] 2005: Pawlenty Would Not Commit To Repaying Borrowed School Aid With Surplus Funds. According to the Star Tribune, The state Finance Department projected a $701 million surplus for 2006-07, in addition to $317 million already banked from fiscal 2005, which ended in June. Pawlenty said the swing from the $4.5 billion deficit projected shortly after he was elected to Wednesdays projected surplus had been a heavy lift, and represented the biggest financial turnaround in the states history. DFLers, however, were quick to point out that all of what they dubbed the so-called surplus was already committed to repaying money the state had borrowed from school districts during leaner times. [] State finance officials said that the $701 million indeed was committed to repaying education accounting shifts and that money will start flowing back to the school districts by mid-December. Pawlenty was more equivocal, saying that repayment is a good idea and that progress needs to be made on it, but stopping short of making a commitment to immediately repay the entire amount. [Star Tribune, 12/1/05] 2003: Pawlenty Proposed Delaying $357 Million In State Payments To Schools To Balance The Budget. According to Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a $28 billion, two-year budget Tuesday that would lift Minnesota out of a $4.2 billion deficit and allow him to keep his promise not to raise taxes. [] Pawlenty proposed eliminating the $4.2 billion deficit and creating a budget reserve through four main avenues: * Spending $1.6 billion from the proceeds of the states lawsuit against the tobacco industry and from several smaller special accounts that had not been touched in previous deficit-reduction efforts. * Increasing revenue, partly through raising fees for nursing home care, by $200 million. * Cutting spending -- some of it actual reductions from current spending and much of it reductions in projected spending -- by $2.5 billion. * Delaying state payments of $357 million to school districts. [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/03]

School Districts Took Out Loans To Cover Costs

Minnesota Schools Took Out Loans To Make Up For Delayed State Payments. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Public schools across Minnesota will have to take out loans to make up for the delays in state payments that Gov. Tim Pawlenty announcedthe shift amounts to more than $1 billion over the next two years -- and those shift might hit charter schools especially hardschools are also trying to point out how a shift sometimes has the same effects as a cut. [Minnesota Public Radio, 6/24/09] One-Third Of Minnesota School Districts Took Out Loans, With 126 Districts Borrowing $300 Million Since June 2009. According to the Associated Press, More than one-third of Minnesota school districts have been forced to borrow to pay their short-term bills, mostly due to an accounting shift at the state level. Minnesota Public Radio News reports that in normal years some school districts borrow money because of low cash flow, but experts say this year is different. Districts are borrowing because Gov. Tim Pawlenty delayed $1.2 billion in state payments to schools as a part of his plan to balance Minnesotas budget. MPR News interviewed four brokerage houses that arrange loans for school districts and found that 126 districts have borrowed nearly $300 million since June. [Associated Press, 11/24/09] Minnesota Schools Had To Accommodate $600 Million In Cuts Until Delayed School Aid Came. According to Star Tribune, It is a $11.9 billion, two-year package, but it still doesnt do justice to Minnesota education. School programs will receive roughly 2 percent less than they have now. That may not sound like a severe reduction, but it sets the stage for shortsighted disinvestment in education and for turning back the clock on efforts to equalize school funding. The K-12 funding bill lawmakers agreed to on Thursday includes delaying some aid checks to districts. When those late payments come in, the state action amounts to a $185 million cut. But until that aid comes, school boards will have to accommodate more than $600 million in cuts. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/26/03] Editorial: Pawlentys State Aid Delay Came At The Expense Of Local School Districts. According to The St. Cloud Times, As we have noted for years, legislators and the governor need to update how this state funds its public education system. First, it must be determined how much it costs to educate todays students to todays standards statewide. Second, these elected officials must implement a way to pay for that. Yet its been almost 40 years since the state did that. And sadly, this spring they actually went backward on that challenge when legislators allowed Gov. Tim Pawlenty to delay $1.8 billion in state aid payments to schools. This was done to make the states books balance at the expense of local school districts and local property tax bills. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 7/12/10]

WANTED EDUCATION REFORMS IN EXCHANGE FOR INCREASED FUNDING

Schools With Improved Student Performance Received $91 Million Funding Increase. According to the Star Tribune, The biggest hunk of the funding increase -- $91 million -- would go to schools whose students show progress on state tests. How many students improve and the degree of improvement would determine the size of the bonuses. For Gov. Tim Pawlenty, it makes perfect sense that schools that do better should get more money. For DFLers, it means many schools that need the money the most -- often those with low-income and minority students -- could get left out in the cold. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlenty Proposed $41 Million In Increased Funding To Expand Tying Teacher Pay Raises To Student Performance. According to Star Tribune, DFLers reacted more positively to Pawlentys proposal that $41 million more be spent to expand his Q Comp plan to every school in the state. Thats the plan meant to tie pay raises more to student performance and peer evaluations than to years of service. Still, DFLers probably will push for more money to go directly onto the basic school formula, which would give equal funding increases to all school districts. [Star Tribune, 1/28/09] Pawlentys Proposed Performance-Based Teacher Pay Raises Would Penalize School Districts With Special Needs Or High Poverty. According to a Bemidji Pioneer editorial, He proposes a slight increase to K-12 education but on his terms -- paying teachers for performance according to how well students do according to one-size-fits all standards that will no doubt penalize school districts with special needs or high poverty children. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 1/28/09] Pawlenty Would Propose Education Increases If Funds Were Tied To Teacher Performance. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty said he would propose directing more money toward K-12 education in the 2005 legislative session if lawmakers agreed that the money would be linked to teacher performance. [Associated Press, 10/13/04]

PROPOSED IMPROVING EARLY EDUCATION

Pawlenty Had Legislative Package To Enhance Early Education And Kindergarten Readiness. According to St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday announced a $10 million legislative package aimed at enhancing early childhood education programs and improving kindergarten readiness curriculum offered by child care providers. His proposal also would re-establish a screening program that helps identify children who arent ready for kindergarten and offers some training and incentives for caregivers who want to introduce more early education into their child care services The money for his initiative would come from a bonus the state received for its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which is funded through federal welfare dollars. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/8/06]

EDUCATION BILLS
Pawlenty Signed Into Law $13.8 Billion K-12 Education Bill That Included Only Paid School Districts 79% Of What They Should Receive. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday signed a $13.8 billion spending bill for preschools through high schools, pushing forward a two-year package that restores state funding for special education and in turn frees up money for other school programs. In total, schools will get a boost of $794 million over the next two years. About $326 million of that new funding will go toward special-education programs. General state aid for school districts increases 2 percent next year and 1 percent the following year, or about $244 million totalRight now, school districts get 79 cents of every dollar theyre supposed to receive from the state for special education. Districts then have to use money they would have spent on other programs to make up the shortfall. The reason? Lawmakers in 2003 capped specialeducation funding and delayed payments to school districts for two years to help address Minnesotas budget deficits. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/30/07] Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $326 Million To Help With Special Education Costs. According to the Star Tribune, The other big piece of new money is $326 million to help districts with their steep special education costs. Special education is a particular sore point with many districts, because the costs and needs of educating disabled students keep growing, and districts have to tap other funds to pay those bills [Star Tribune, 5/22/07]

Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $91 Million For Textbooks, Teacher Training, And Technology. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included $91 million that schools can use for one-time expenditures like textbooks, teacher training and technology. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/30/07] Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $32.5 Million To Start Expanding Kindergarten Statewide. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included $32.5 million to start expanding all-day, everyday kindergarten statewide. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/30/07] Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $62 Million For Teacher Compensation Program. According to the Star Tribune, After being stripped from the original bill, all $62 million for Gov. Pawlentys Q-Comp teacher-compensation program was restored and passed by the Senate on Monday. Q-Comp promotes paying teachers on the basis of merit and results rather than years teaching and college credits. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07] Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $33 Million For All-Day Kindergarten. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included All-day kindergarten got a boost of $33 million, which would fall far short of providing it for everyone who wants it. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07] Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $24 Million For Community Libraries. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included $24 million in additional funds for community libraries. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07]

Pawlenty Signed A $3.2 Million Higher Education Bill. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty also approved a $3.2 billion package for colleges and universities, boosting higher education funding by $361 million over the next two years. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system gets a $151 million bump, while the University of Minnesota will see a $198 million increase. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/30/07]Bottom of Form Higher Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Capped Tuition Increases At Under 4 Percent. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included Funding to hold tuition increases under 4 percent a year during the next two years at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) schools, and at about 3 1/2 percent at the University of Minnesota. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07] Higher Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $500,000 To Increase Information About Textbooks. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included $500,000 to control college textbook costs by making more information about cost and availability accessible to students. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07] Higher Education Bill Pawlenty Included Performance Standards For State Universities. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included requiring both MnSCU and the U to meet performance standards in order to get a portion of their state funding. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07] Higher Education Bill Pawlenty Signed Included $10 Million For Pawlentys College Access Program. According to the Star Tribune, the education bill included $10 million for Gov. Tim Pawlentys ACHIEVE program to help certain high school students get access to college-level programs. [Star Tribune, 5/22/07]

Higher Education
CUT HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING
Pawlenty Cut Minnesotas Higher Education Budget By $100 Million, Over A 7 Percent Decrease In Higher Education Appropriations. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced plans Tuesday to cut $50 million from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) and $50 million from the University of Minnesota in the second year of the 2010-11 biennium. That would be a cut of 7.5 percent to MnSCUs appropriation and of 7.4 percent to the universitysU President Robert Bruininks budget for the 2010 year contains $96 million in cuts, including 1,240 jobs -about 5.5 percent of the Us total workforce.[Star Tribune, 6/16/09]

Pawlenty Proposed Cutting $47 Million From Higher Education. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty proposed cutting $47 million from higher education, although he said hed have liked to cut more. They got off relatively very easy here, Pawlenty said. Because of the way federal law works, this is the most we could cut them. His proposal reduces the University of Minnesotas funding by $36.1 million and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by $10.5 million -- which would put them back at 2006 levels. The U has already cropped its budget and shed more than 500 fulltime positions in the past year. Furloughs, or unpaid days off, are now being strongly considered, said CFO Richard Pfutzenreuter. [Star Tribune, 2/16/10]

2008: Minnesotas State Colleges And Universities Had $26 Million Cut. According to the Star Tribune, Among those who will feel the pinch most are the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), both of which would be cut more than $26 million in 2008-09 Pawlenty said that both systems should be able to cope through judicious belt-tightening and use of their own reserves. The U, he noted, could start with cuts in its administration. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08] 2003: Pawlentys State Budget Cut $386 Million From Higher Education In Minnesota. According to The St. Paul Pioneer Press, The $2.56 billion higher education bill that House and Senate negotiators agreed on would cut state spending on the University of Minnesota by $197 million, and on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by $189 million. For students and their families, that means tuition increases of up to 15 percent next year, the third consecutive year of doubledigit increases with another round likely in the 2004-05 school year. The report noted that the House, the Senate and Pawlenty agreed on funding plans for higher education. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/20/03]

TUITION IN MINNESOTA INCREASED

Under Pawlenty, Higher Education Funding Declined By $521 Million And Tuition Rose By 60 Percent. According to a Bemidji Pioneer op-ed, Bemidji State University, along with its MnSCU partners, have committed to providing quality, affordable in-state educational opportunities at all levels, thanks in part to significant public investment. However, in recent years were seeing state support for higher education erode, putting a bigger burden on students and their families. Under Gov. Tim Pawlentys tenure (from FY 2002-03 to FY 2010-11), state general fund support for higher education has declined by $521 million (15.5 percent) in constant FY 2011 dollars. As a result, tuition has risen by a 60 percent real-dollar average across Minnesotas higher education institutions. Since 2001, the division between higher education funding from the state general fund and tuition has gone from about a 70-30 split to a nearly 50-50 split in 2010. [Op-Ed, Bemidji Pioneer, 10/24/10] Pawlentys Cut To Minnesotas Colleges And Universities Increased Tuition Between 4.5 And 4.8 Percent. According to the Austin Daily Herald, The latest budget proposal from Gov. Tim Pawlenty cuts $10 million from MnSCU and $36 million from the University of Minnesota as part of the effort to make up the $1.2 billion needed to balance the state budget. The proposed 2011 MnSCU budget calls for undergraduates in the systems colleges to pay an average of $210 more in tuition and fees annually -- $301 for students in universities. This would amount to a 4.5 percent increase for students at the 25 state colleges, who would pay an average of $4,907 next school year. Students at the seven state universities would pay an average of $6,596 or 4.8 percent more this year, according to a MnSCU news release published Monday. [Austin Daily Herald, 4/20/10] 2006: The University Of Minnesotas Tuition And Fees Increased 77 Percent In The Past Five Years. According to the Duluth News Tribune, College affordability has become a painful issue in Minnesota. Tuition and fees at the University of Minnesota jumped 77 percent the past five years. The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systems report students taking on record school debt. Colleges blamed the tuition hikes on limited funding from lawmakers. While increases have moderated, the U of M will still cost a Twin Cities campus undergraduate about $9,400 next school year in tuition and fees alone. [Duluth News Tribune, 6/28/06] 2005 Minnesotas Colleges And Universities Annual Tuition Increase Was As High As 9.5 Percent Despite Pawlentys Proposed Funding. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing an additional $220 million for Minnesotas public universities, colleges and technical schools over the next two years. But dont expect the extra money -- a combined 8.4 percent boost -- to hold the line on tuition increases. Even if the Legislature passes the budget untouched, University of Minnesota students will pay 5.5 percent more in each of the next two years. For MnSCU students, the annual tuition increase could be as much as 9.5 percent Specifically, Pawlenty is seeking a $113 million -- or 10.3 percent -- increase in this biennium for the University of Minnesota. The money would go to food safety and biotechnology research, getting those new products and cures to market, recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty and more financial aid for some of

the universitys brightest students. Pawlenty wants to give the sprawling MnSCU system of technical, community and state four-year colleges a $107.5 million -- or 8.5 percent -- increase. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/05] 2004: The University Of Minnesota Proposed Increasing Tuition By 14 Percent After Pawlenty Approved A $185 Million Cut To The University. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, University of Minnesota students might have known it was coming, but Mondays announcement of a recommended 14 percent hike in tuition and fees for next year was still unsettling. University President Robert Bruininks will present his budget and tuition recommendations for the 2004-05 school year Friday to the Board of Regents. The regents will formally approve the budget at their June 11 meeting. For students, this marks the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases in tuition and fees. For a student entering school in fall 2001, the average annual tuition hike has been 14.5 percent. For a student who entered school in 1997, the average increase was 2.8 percent over four yearsThe coming academic year falls in the second year of the states two-year budget cycle. That means many of the schools budget decisions were set last year, when the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty approved a $ 185 million cut to the Us two-year budget. In his budget framework presented to regents last year, Bruininks included a 14 percent hike for the 2004-05 school year. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/11/04] 2003: Pawlenty Cut Higher Education So Deep That 15 Percent Increased Tuition Could Not Close Funding Gap. According to the Associated Press, Officials at public colleges and universities said the picture was worse for them, with cuts so deep that even 15 percent annual tuition increases wouldnt close the gap. Pawlenty would limit tuition hikes to that amount. His proposed higher-education cuts amount to $204 million over two years for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system and $185 million for the University of Minnesota, school officials said. [Associated Press, 2/19/03] Minnesota Residents Paid Twice The National Average For A Public College Education With A 40 Percent Graduation Rate. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesotans pay twice as much as the national average to get a public college education, but theyre not getting double the results. Fewer than 40 percent of students at Minnesotas colleges and universities graduate in four years, according to a report released this week by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. In addition, students of color have less than a 50-50 chance of graduating at all. For a state where high school students traditionally fare well on college entrance exams, thats disconcerting to those in charge of assessing the quality of higher education in Minnesota. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08] In Minnesota, The Average Annual Cost Of Attending A Four Year Public School Was $4,720. According to the Star Tribune, Taking financial aid packages into consideration, the average net cost of attending a four-year public college or university in Minnesota is $4,720 per year and the cost at a two-year school is $2,620. While much higher than the national averages, costs are similar to other Great Lakes/Big Ten states. The average cost at private not-for-profit schools is $12,220. The rising cost of public education, officials say, is the result of shrinking state support. At MnSCU, for example, the state appropriation per student dropped by 25.9 percent from 2002 to 2007. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08]

MINNESOTA HAD LOW COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY GRADUATION RATES

Graduation Rates At Minnesota State Colleges And Universities Were Particularly Low At 20.6 Percent. According to the Star Tribune, For high school students who entered a four-year school in the fall of 2000, only 36.7 percent of them graduated in four years and 57.5 percent graduated in six years. Only five of the states 36 four-year schools -- public or private -- had a four year graduation rate of better than 70 percent. Rates are particularly low at schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. According to the report, only 20.6 percent of MnSCU students graduated in four years, and fewer than half had graduated after six years. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08] Minority High School Graduates Increased In Minnesota While College Graduation Rates Stayed Low. According to the Star Tribune, Only 20 percent of black students who enrolled at a four-year school graduated in four years and 51 percent didnt graduate within six years. For American Indian students, 19 percent graduated in four years and 57 percent didnt graduate in six years. Results at two-year colleges -- where the majority of black and American Indian students begin their studies -- were similar. Only 16 percent of black students who enrolled in a two-year college in fall 2003 graduated within three years. This comes at a time in which the state demographics are changing. According to the state, the number of high school graduates of color will increase by 40 percent from 2004 and 2015 while the number of white graduates will drop by 17 percent. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08]

Pawlenty Proposed Raising High School Standards To Prepare Students For College. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Echoing a report warning that Minnesotas system of higher education is in danger of slipping, Governor Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday proposed raising standards for college preparation, sharpening missions of public campuses and increasing the state investment in education. The governors remarks coincided with the release of a report that recommended a series of reforms to cope with long-term challenges threatening the states global competitiveness. The report, titled Trouble on the Horizon, warned that the state would continue losing its competitive edge if present demographic, budgetary and educational trends continueBut Pawlenty said more investment in higher education is needed in the wake of several years of budget crisis. He said his budget would give highest priority to areas with the greatest payoff, such as investment in teaching and research at the University of Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/10/04] 2008: Minnesota College Graduates Had 6th Highest Level Of Debt. According to the Star Tribune, A report shows a troubling trend continuing: Students are leaving Minnesota colleges with record debt. Minnesotas 2008 graduate had an average of $25,558 in debt -- the sixth-highest in the nation, according to the Project on Student Debt. (The state ranked fifth last year.) The proportion of graduates with debt -- 72 percent took out loans -- puts the state fourth in the nation (up one spot from last year). The report, by the nonprofit Institute for College Access & Success in Berkeley, Calif., relies on data from public and private four-year institutions and contributes to a national conversation about the increasing cost of a college education. [Star Tribune, 12/1/09]

OPPOSED THE DREAM ACT

Pawlenty Would Veto Dream Act Provision From That Was Dropped From The State Budget. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Members of a House and Senate conference committee are expected to agree on a higher education spending bill that adds $325 million to current spending on colleges and universities. Legislators are still working on the details of the $2.75 billion spending plan, but some major parts of the bill have been approved. The bill does not contain a provision to allow children of illegal residents to pay in-state tuition, a provision that Gov. Pawlenty said would lead him to veto the billOne thing absent from the bill is a provision to allow children of illegal immigrants living in Minnesota to pay in-state tuition when they go on beyond high school. The House and Senate both passed the Minnesota Dream Act language. Pappas says the DFL-controlled committees bowed to the governors opposition. We agreed to drop it in order to avoid the governors veto. This is the third time hes threatened to veto the bill because of the Dream Act. We feel very sad for students. We hope to help them on an individual campus basis, she saidPawlenty called removing the Dream Act provision progress, but was still holding out for word on key details of the plan before committing to signing it. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/7/07] Pawlenty Did Not Support The Dream Act And Hoped It Would Not Be Pursued By Legislators. According to the Star Tribune, The most controversial proposal in the DFL package is the so-called Dream Act, which was passed by education committees in both houses last year but not the full House or Senate. The bill would allow children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates if they had graduated from a Minnesota high school and lived here three years. Pawlenty said he didnt support the Dream Act and hoped that legislators would not pursue controversial proposals. He had, he noted, chosen not to resurrect his strict immigration proposals that failed last year. We have to focus on things that are doable this session, Pawlenty said. [Star Tribune, 2/15/07] Protestors Objected To Pawlentys Threat To Veto Higher Education Funding If It Included A Dream Act Provision. According to Minnesota Daily, Approximately 120 people protested outside Gov. Tim Pawlentys mansion Monday chanting, 1, 2, 3, 4, we dont wanna mop the floors, and, Bring the dream back! The group was protesting Pawlentys alleged threat to veto the entire higher-education bill unless the Dream Act was removed from it. The Dream Act would allow undocumented students from Minnesota high schools who have lived in the state for at least three years to pay instate tuition at Minnesota colleges and universities. Currently, such students are classified as international students, pay out-ofstate tuition and are not eligible to receive financial aidBrian McClung, Pawlentys press secretary, said the concern was that the Dream Act would probably be illegal under federal lawMcClung said Pawlenty was never involved in deciding what to put in the higher-education bill. [Minnesota Daily, 6/8/05]

ONLINE COURSES

Pawlenty Pushed Expansion Of Online Course Options In Higher Education, Where Students Were More Likely To Be Unsuccessful. According to Inside Higher Ed, Online education is all the rage with politicians looking for ways to expand the capacity of public colleges to educate more students -- on a budget. Tim Pawlenty, the Republican presidential candidate, pushed online education while he was governor of Minnesota. But a new study urges caution to those who believe that online education is a panacea for educating more community college students. The study finds that students who enrolled in online courses -- controlling for various factors that tend to predict success -- were more likely to fail or drop out of the courses than were those who took the same courses in person. Notably, there was not a gap in completion between those enrolled in hybrid and in-person courses. Further, the students who took online courses early in their community college careers were slightly but statistically significantly less likely than were other students to come back for subsequent terms. And students who took higher shares of coursework online than did their peers were slightly but statistically significantly less likely either to finish a degree or certificate or to transfer to a four-year institution. [Inside Higher Ed, 07/19/11]

K-12 Education
CUT AND SHIFTED FUNDING FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Pawlenty Argued That Spending Shifts In Education Were Better Than Cuts. According to the Star Tribune, David Gregory interviewed Pawlenty for Meet the Press on May 27, 2010. Pawlenty defended his claim that he has protected schools budgets to an audience that appeared to express some skepticism. We may delay some of their payments, but were going to maintain their funding overall, Pawlenty said. The crowd reacted with groans and laughs -- about two-thirds of the newly enacted solution to a $3 billion budget gap comes from a school payment shift. Its better than getting cut. In many other states around the country K-12 schools are getting cut. If theyd rather have the outright cut we can do that, too, Pawlenty responded. [Star Tribune, 5/28/10] Op-Ed: Association Of Metropolitan School Districts Chair Rejected The Assertion That Pawlenty Spared Education From Cuts, In Reality Schools Are In Nothing Less Than A Desperate Situation. According to a Star Tribune op-ed, Jon Tynjala, chairman of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and a Mounds View school board member, wrote an op-ed for the Star Tribune that said, As the final gavel fell on the legislative session, the campaign season kicked into high gear. Politicians of all stripes were quick to claim credit for sparing K-12 education from cuts and pronounce that they had left schools unharmed. In reality, the basic funding formula for public K-12 schools has been frozen for two years. Gov. Tim Pawlenty used the unallotment process last spring to delay $1.7 billion in aid payments to school districts. An additional $423 million in school funding was delayed over the past three months because the state didnt have the money at the time. Instead, school districts throughout the state were forced to borrow money and incur additional interest costs. The deal that helped end this years legislative session delays an additional $200 million in school aid payments. While lawmakers claimed credit for protecting education, the 33 school districts represented by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) made more than $80 million in budget cuts and laid off almost 900 employees in the current school year. Next year, projected budget cuts could top $160 million and layoffs could exceed 1,700 employees. Schools are in nothing less than a desperate situation. They have not been spared, held harmless or protected. Once upon a time, Minnesota was known as the education state for its high standards and commitment to providing quality learning opportunities. During the 1990s, it consistently spent more money per pupil than the national average. It peaked at 8 percent above the national average in 1997. But over the last decade, Minnesotas ranking has fallen dramatically. In 2007, the last year for which data is available, it spent 1.31 percent less per pupil than the national average. And according to U.S. Census Bureau data, it ranked 15th in the nation in 1995 in the amount of elementary and secondary education spending per $1,000 of personal income. In 2007, it ranked 42nd. [Jon Tynjala op-ed, Star Tribune, 5/20/10] Pawlenty And Lawmakers Agreed This Week To Balance Two-Thirds Of The $3 Billion Deficit On The Backs Of School Districts Local Schools Had To Seek Loans And Braced For Cuts. According to the Austin Daily Herald, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers agreed this week to balance two-thirds of the $3 billion deficit on the backs of school districts forcing local schools to seek loans and brace for cuts. About $2 billion of state aid payments to K-12 school districts will be delayed with the measure that promises the state will pay back schools in the two-year budget cycle which begins in mid-2011. In the meantime, some area districts have to find a way come up with those funds in order to continue operating Though school funding would be due for repayment in 2012, the projected deficit for 2012-13 is near $6 billion without inflation, and many expect the pay date will be pushed back. [Austin Daily Herald, 5/19/10]

Pawlentys Budget Withheld A Third Of The Districts Payments For A Year, Left School Districts Scrambling. According to Northfield News, A budget deal struck in a special Legislative session Monday will put additional financial pressure on Minnesota school districts already dealing with years of delayed payments. By withholding almost a third of the districts payments for a year about $1 billion altogether the state can balance its budget. But that funding shift, Northfield Superintendent Chris Richardson said, leaves the district scrambling Richardson expects Northfield schools can borrow money to meet its financial commitments, but stresses that borrowing comes at a price. If the shifts continue and short-term borrowing from schools, which the governor approved this winter, recurs, the superintendent says, even financially sound districts will need to do some serious cutting. [Northfield News, 5/18/10] Op-ed: Pawlenty Had Conducted An Economic Jihad Against Education. According to a Minnesota 2020s Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently blamed Minnesota lawmakers for failing to change laws that might help the state win federal funds through the Race to the Top grant initiative. Really Governor? After a legislative session that balanced the budget on the backs of school kids, youre going play the Race to the Top blame game? None of the proposed changes in statute would have helped students learn more and most of the federal funds, if we received any at all, would have gone toward specific projects, not educating students. If Minnesotans want to be outraged about the declining quality of education, look no further than the inflation-adjusted 14 percent decline in state aid to schools since 2003, not to mention the education shifts agreed to on Monday. How can schools be expected to educate students when their budgets are slashed by the Governor and lawmakers in St. Paul? Gov. Pawlenty has conducted an economic jihad against education, drawing attention to minor issues such as alternative licensure and teacher evaluation systems while simultaneously draining schools of financial resources, then blaming educators for poor student performance on unrealistic assessments like No Child Left Behind. A quality education is not cheap, but it is less expensive than the education were paying for now. Minnesota needs a highly trained workforce to compete for jobs in the coming years. The Governor would have us believe the path to this workforce lies in Race to the Top. It does not. Proper funding of education is the answer. Enough with Race to the Top. Now is the time to concentrate on funding of our education system. [Twin Cities Daily Planet, Minnesota 2020s John Fitzgerald, 5/21/10] Op-ed: Pawlentys Lack Of Funding For Education Had Been Corrosive, Many Schools Would Find It Nearly Impossible To Provide A Good Education. According to a Minnesota 2020 op-ed, Theres one word to describe the lack of education funding in Minnesota: Corrosive. On Monday, lawmakers and Gov. Pawlenty agreed to shift 70 percent of state aid to schools until next year, meaning districts have less to spend than they thought when they prepared their budgets for the 2010-11 school year. This shift follows years of financial strangulation: Since 2003, state aid for education has dropped an inflation-adjusted 14 percent. Thousands of education jobs have been cut, programs have been lost and Minnesota, once a national leader in education, has become simply mediocre in almost all measurable categories except one - educating minority students - in which were at the abominable bottom of the nation. The shift is nothing new. Since the beginning of this decade, 90 percent of state aid has been paid to school districts with 10 percent shifted to the next fiscal year. In 2009, in response to financial problems, the legislature and Gov. Pawlenty changed that formula so that schools received 73 percent of their funding, leaving 27 percent for the next year. But Gov. Pawlenty wasnt done. His no-new-taxes philosophy predictably left Minnesota in a short-term bind for cash in early 2010. To remedy the problem, he halted state aid payments to school districts for three months, directing districts to spend cash reserves to stay afloat and telling those that had no reserves to take out loans and cover the interest payments through local property tax increases. That takes us to Monday and the final day of the 2010 Legislative Session. The latest shuffle means that schools will receive 70 percent of their funding, instead of 73 percent, with the rest promised next year Minnesota schools have been financially squeezed for years, and that pressure continues. Minnesotans want a quality education for their children, but many schools will find it nearly impossible to provide that under these circumstances. Lawmakers have put the onus for strong schools on next years crop of legislators. They should not be proud of this achievement. [John Fitzgerald of Minnesota 2020, Twin Cities Daily Planet, 5/18/10] Due To Pawlentys Education Cuts, Tribune, Duluth Schools Used Federal Grant Money For After-School Program. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, After-school programs have long been a method for keeping kids safe during the oft-unsupervised hours after the final bell rings. New programs at three Duluth elementary schools this year will unite teachers, families and youth-serving agencies to do things such as improving students social skills and polishing their reading, writing and arithmetic. Educators have a handsome $763,646 check to pay for the effort for the next two years. The program, free to students, will serve Grant Language Magnet School, Lowell Music Magnet School and Nettleton Science, Technology and Reading Magnet School. The money comes from the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which is allocated under the No Child Left Behind law. Its the first time the Duluth school district and its partners have received the grant, despite submitting applications for the past five years The additional programming will be a bright spot for afterschool programs in Duluth, which have suffered significant cuts. Two years ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty took away $300,000 for after-school programs at Lincoln Park School. This year, the community education program is struggling to survive with a $70,000 cutback -- 12 percent of its money from the state. [Duluth News-Tribune, 8/20/04]

In 2003, Pawlenty Proposed Cutting $27 Million From K-12 Education. In 2003, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported, Education programs covering early education through the 12th grade were cut by $27 million out of a total of more than $5 billion. [St. Paul Pioneer Press 2/8/03] In 2003, Pawlenty Proposed Reducing Per-Pupil Funding In Almost Half Of Minnesotas School Districts For The 2003-2004 School Year. According to the Associated Press, Education administrators warned of painful cuts ahead after seeing Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed budget for the next two years. Pawlentys budget would reduce per-pupil funding for nearly half of the states school districts in the next school year. While Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke said the reduction would be less than 1 percent for most districts where the funding declines, K-12 advocates predicted teacher layoffs and program cuts [Associated Press, 2/19/03] During His Gubernatorial Campaign, Pawlenty Pledged To Adequately Finance Education Without Raising Taxes. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Pawlenty promised voters he wouldadequately finance education without raising taxes. [Duluth News-Tribune, 11/20/02] Pawlenty Promised To Fundamentally Overhaul School Funding Distribution. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty its time to fundamentally overhaul how schools are funding so money is distributed more evenly. [Associated Press, 6/17/02] Pawlentys New Rule Created Illusion That Public Schools Had $112 Million More That Could Be Invested. According to the Star Tribune, A south-metro school superintendent says a new rule proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty creates the illusion that public schools have $112 million a year that could be better invested. Farmington Superintendent Brad Meeks said a proposal requiring districts to spend at least 70 percent of their annual budget on classroom expenses is arbitrary. Is there some piece of data or research out there that connects this percentage to improved student achievement? Meeks said. I dont understand why counselors, nurses, the media specialists and principals arent included in the governors plan. Farmington now spends 65.9 percent of its annual budget on classroom expenses, which is almost $1.3 million short of the proposed 70 percent rule. Maybe well have cold classrooms to meet the ceiling of 70 percent, Meeks said. Im not sure thats the intent (of the rule), but the governor really needs to think about what hes asking. `Cause what he ends up producing may not be the results he intended. [Star Tribune, 1/18/06] Pawlenty Said $214 Million Would Be Shifted Into Classrooms. According to the Star Tribune, How much money do schools funnel into the classroom, where the funds can pay for teachers and such instructional supplies as maps and books? Gov. Tim Pawlenty figures its too little. He announced Wednesday that he is supporting bills in the House and Senate requiring school districts to dedicate at least 65 percent of their operating funds to direct classroom instruction. Not included would be operations such as administration, transportation and food services The problem with the plan, critics say, is that the figures are screwy: Schools are already channeling as much as 85 percent of their operating funds into the classroom. Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, chairman of the Senate Education Policy Committee, charged Pawlenty with creating just another gimmick to draw attention away from what he characterized as the underfunding of schools Bringing all those low districts up to the 65 percent level, Pawlenty said, would shift $214 million to the classroom. He wondered whether districts could cut more fat from main offices. Critics, however, suggest that the kind of shift Pawlenty is talking about could result in cuts to such areas as teacher training, transportation and school nursing. They also say differences in how districts report their expenses to the state can make it tricky to compare districts costs. [Star Tribune, 4/28/05] Pawlenty Wanted More Fat Cut From School Administrations. According to the Star Tribune, State Auditor Patricia Anderson said Monday that runaway health care and special education costs have been major factors in pushing school spending higher than the rate of inflation. [Her offices] report found that, despite big school spending increases in those years, school spending actually leveled off from 2003 to 2004, and even dropped that year when inflation is taken into account. That, said Anderson, is partly because legislators froze basic school funding two years ago. According to Anderson, the report debunks many of the conventional talking points on all sides of the school funding debate. For instance, school administration costs increased at a much slower rate than inflation despite continued complaints that schools spend too much on administrators at the expense of the classroom. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is among those who have wondered whether districts can cut more fat out of their administrations. The report also showed that class sizes continue to rise in most schools, most notably in school districts with fewer than 1,000 students. [Star Tribune, 6/21/05]

MISLEAD ON EDUCATION FUNDING INCREASES

Pawlentys Additional Proposed Increases In Education Funding Depended The State Of Having A Decline In Enrollment. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Public schools would get an additional $108 million over the next two years under an amended budget recommended Thursday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The new money, which comes from higher tax collections now predicted for the next budget cycle, would allow the states basic per-student state education aid to increase by 2.5 percent next year, and another 2.5 percent the following year, Pawlenty said. He said that would give schools their biggest two-year increase in total spending -- a combination of state aid and property taxes -- in a decade. School districts got no increases in state aid this year or last. But the 2.5 percent annual aid increases that Pawlenty talked about factor in the demographic-driven enrollment declines that Minnesota is experiencing. Without that enrollment drop, the money he wants to spend on schools seems much smaller. In actual dollars, the governor is now proposing a2.4 percent increase in state education spending over two years. [Duluth News-Tribune, 3/11/05] A 2005 Report Showed Minnesota Schools Had The Smallest Percentage Increases In State Funding In The Nation. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota schools have received among the smallest percentage increases in state funding in the nation, a new national report reveals. According to the publication Education Week, Minnesota increased its per-student spending by only 1.2 percent from 2001 to 2002. Thats a small hike compared to the nationwide average increase of 4.9 percent. Its lower than Iowa and Wisconsin and dwarfed by states such as Arkansas and Arizona, which pumped up perstudent spending by 13 percent each over the same year. The findings, part of an annual state-by-state comparison issued by the publication, showed that Minnesota ranked slightly above the halfway mark - 23rd - in its per-pupil spending for 2001-02, pegged at $7,889 per student. Over the period 1992-2002, inflation-adjusted figures show that Minnesotas per-student expenditures for schools climbed 1.7 percent a year, slightly less than the national average. [Star Tribune, 1/6/05] During The 2002 Campaign Pawlenty Said A 3 Percent Inflationary Increase For Schools Was Reasonable. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, During his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Pawlenty was asked during a debate about education funding. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty was asked if he would support at least a 3 percent annual inflationary increase in school funding through 2005Pawlenty called an inflationary increase absolutely a reasonable goal that I will pursue. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/21/02]

MINNESOTA NEWSPAPERS PLEADED WITH PAWLENTY TO PRIORITIZE EDUCATION SPENDING

Pawlentys Failure To Adequately Fund Public Education Was Shortsighted, Self-Serving, And Overtly Hypocritical Because Of The Need For More Property Taxes. According to the St. Cloud Times, Dave Shuster wrote, state of Minnesota has a history of promoting quality public education. This commitment served the state well, helping attract employers and maintain steady job growth that, previously, was among the best in the nation. However, in recent years spurred by Gov. Tim Pawlentys pledge to not raise income taxes - fiscal austerity has surpassed public education and other human services in importance Admittedly, Pawlenty has fulfilled his pledge as a fiscal conservative. However, his failure to adequately fund public education is shortsighted, appears self-serving, and, in light of the need for property tax increases, overtly hypocritical. Public education is the most important component of Minnesotas infrastructure. More than just bridges will collapse if the system does not get the financial help it needs. [Dave Shuster op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/4/09] Minnesotas K-12 Funding Lagged Well Behind Inflation, Even As Federal And State Governments Have Ordered Schools To Do More. According to the Star Tribune, Lori Sturdevant wrote, This state has an education problem. For nearly two decades, state K-12 funding has lagged well behind inflation, even as federal and state governments have ordered schools to do more. Schools turned to local property taxpayers to keep up. The result is the return of the problem the original 1971 Minnesota Miracle was supposed to fix. An educational opportunity gap has opened between property-rich and propertypoor districts, and its growing. But thats just one of the gaps plaguing Minnesota education, and it may not be the most important one. Too many children of color are on the wrong side of an achievement gap and a college-attainment gap. Both of those gaps are way too wide in a state where nearly all the growth in the next decade will be in the nonwhite population. If Pawlenty and the Legislature repair the next budget deficit in the same way they did the last big one, in 2003, they will make matters worse. Cuts alone wont cut it this time. Cuts in education will deplete the value of Minnesotas best economic asset, its well-educated workforce. Creative, cost-saving redesign of education and other public services -- getting more good for the buck -- needs to be part of this deficit response. [Lori Sturdevant op-ed, Star Tribune, 11/23/08]

PROPOSED 70 PERCENT OF FUNDING BE SPENT ON FOR CLASSROOMS INSTRUCTION

In 2006, Pawlenty Proposed Mandating School Districts To Spend At Least 70 Percent Of Their Budgets On Classroom Instruction, Claimed It Would Shift $112 Million From Bureaucracy Into Classrooms. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota could require school districts to spend at least 70 percent of their money in the classroom under a proposal unveiled by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday Pawlenty said his plan would shift $ 112 million from bureaucracy to the classroom. Classroom expenditures under the proposal would include money spent on teachers, classroom aides, special education costs and instructional supplies. What wouldnt count is money spent on administration, support services, maintenance, staff development, athletics and extracurricular activities. Some costs that would not be included in the calculation are those for transportation, food service and community education School districts on average spend 69.2 percent of total expenditures in the classroom under Pawlentys formula, and he said 67 of the states 343 school districts already exceed the 70 percent mark. There would be no penalties if districts did not meet that 70 percent mark. They would have to submit a three-year plan to reach that threshold. The state Education Department also could provide waivers for districts under extraordinary circumstances. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/10/06] When The Proposal Was Made, Minnesota Schools Already Spent Over 60 Percent Of Funds In Classroom. According to the St. Paul P In 2005, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that Minnesota Department of Education figures show schools in 2003 averaged more than 65 percent of their annual expenditures in classroom expenses. But Pawlentys numbers, which account for certain special education costs differently, say Minnesota schools average 62 percent. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/28/05] The Chair Of The Senate Education Committee Said Pawlentys Proposal Substitutes Accounting Gimmickry With A Result On Real Results. According to the Star Tribune, Critics challenged the plan as gimmickry that substitutes arbitrary numbers for true student achievement. They tweaked it some to make it look new, but its pretty much old wine, said Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a candidate for governor. It substitutes accounting gimmickry for a real focus on getting results we need with an efficient expenditure of funds. Plus, noted Kelley, Pawlentys plan slights expenses for media centers and teacher training. You go into any school and the media staff is teaching kids how to do research, Kelley said. Thats direct student instruction. Kelley and others charged Pawlenty with playing politics, latching on to a nationwide conservative movement that is setting similar spending ratios in other states. [Star Tribune, 1/10/06] 2006 Great Lakes Center For Education Research And Practice Report Said Pawlentys Proposal Lacked Evidence That It Would W Improve Student Achievement. According to the Duluth News-Trubine, Gov. Tim Pawlentys January proposal to require all Minnesota school districts to spend 70 percent of their budgets on classroom instruction lacks evidence to support its claim of improved student achievement, according to a recent report. The Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice, an East Lansing, Mich.-based nonprofit coalition that studies public education in Minnesota and other Great Lakes states, released the report Monday. This really takes local control away from school districts who know better how to address their needs, said the nonprofits director, Teri Battaglieri, about Pawlentys proposal Battaglieri said the lack of money for staff members who work outside the classroom could be detrimental to schools. Schools know best what their needs are and the report suggests maintaining site-based management would be a wiser move [Duluth News Tribune, 4/11/06] Pawlentys Proposal To Force School Districts To Spend At Least 70 Percent Of Money In Classrooms Was Immediately Dismissed Due To Lack Of Support From House Republicans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A day after using his State of the State address to promote a plan to require school districts to spend at least 70 percent of their money in the classroom, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday acknowledged that he expects the Legislature to reject it. The Republican governor said he doesnt have the votes to get his top education initiative through the Republican-controlled House. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, confirmed Pawlentys assessment. We know the votes arent there, he said Critics, including Republicans on the House Education Committee, had argued it would undermine the authority of local school boards to run their districts. Detractors also argued the benchmark was arbitrary and did not include areas that are important to learning, such as counseling and school media centers. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/11/06] Pawlentys Proposal Face Broad Opposition From School Districts, Some Were Well Above 70 Percent, Others Were Dramatically Below It. According to the Star Tribune. Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal that school districts should

spend at least 70 percent of their annual budgets on classroom instruction is facing broad opposition in west-metro school districts, where the states calculations suggest that some districts already are above that percentage while others are well below it most west-metro school officials, whether they had high or low percentages, said they disagree with the concept behind the governors proposal. [Star Tribune, 1/18/06] In Response To Pawlentys Plan, School Administrators Argue That The Proposal Would Take Away Local Control And That The One-Size-Fits-All Approach Doesnt Take Into Account How Different School Districts Are. According to St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said the debate over education shouldnt be about just funding -- it should include how that money is spent. But school administrators argue that the proposal would take away local control and that the one-size-fits-all approach doesnt take into account how different school districts are. Our major concern has been that those decisions are best left to the local officials, said Bob Meeks, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association. Thats why we actually elect school board members. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/10/06] South St. Paul Schools Superintendent Said Believed Pawlenty Forgot That Local Was Important. According to St. Paul Pioneer Press, South St. Paul is among the majority of districts that dont meet the 70 percent threshold. Under the governors formula, the district spends 65 percent of its money on instruction. Superintendent Dana Babbitt said there are areas that are important to student learning that arent categorized as classroom spending. Maintaining a clean and comfortable school building keeps kids focused, he said. And athletics and extracurricular motivate children -- and those students tend to do better in school, he said. Plus, some districts have made progress in cutting administrative costs, Babbitt said. South St. Paul in three years decreased administrative spending from 9 percent of its budget to 3 percent. I think the governor is forgetting that local control is pretty important, he said. Were in a better position than the governor to figure out whats right for our community. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/10/06] Roseville Schools Superintendent Said That The Pawlenty Proposal Was A One Size Fits All Approach. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Roseville Superintendent John Thein said each school district offers different services based on what its residents want. His district runs a community center, and some of those costs arent just for instruction. It might not go into the classroom, but it sure does provide a community service, he said. One size doesnt fit all. Roseville would have to make some major shifts -- about $ 4 million -- if legislators approve Pawlentys plan. The district spends about 62 percent of its budget on instruction, according to the Education Department. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/10/06] Mounds View Schools Superintendent Said Pawlentys Plan Wrongly Excluded Employees Like Librarians And Counselors From His Classroom Spending Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, Mounds View Superintendent Jan Witthuhn said Pawlentys plan wrongly excludes such employees as librarians and counselors from the classroom mix. They are very direct in their support for kids, she said. Are they right there in the classroom? No. Are they pretty critical to the operation of a school? Yes. Mounds View has good reason to be concerned about the plan. According to state figures, it falls below the 70 percent threshold, and would have to shift $2.1 million from non-classroom to classroom funding to meet the plans requirements. But Witthuhn noted that the district has been spending heavily on school building improvements, which might have been a factor in placing it on the sub-70-percent list. Simply by finishing up those construction projects, the district might be allocating more money to the classroom, taking it over the 70 percent threshold, Witthuhn said. [Star Tribune, 1/10/06] Bloomington Schools Superintendent: Pawlentys Proposal Blindsided Schools. According to the Star Tribune, Bloomington Superintendent Gary Prest said schools were being blindsided by the surprise Pawlenty announcement. He said it gave them little time to make comparisons between their accounting methods and the states. I have no idea what that is based on, said Prest of state findings that Bloomington needed to shift $3.9 million to classroom expenses from other areas in order to hit the 70 percent mark. [Star Tribune, 1/10/06] Osseo District Assistant Superintendent For Administration Said Pawlentys Proposal Begs A Lot Of Questions Because Larger School Districts Are At An Unfair Advantage. According to the Star Tribune, Because I think it begs a lot of questions, said John Frederickson, assistant superintendent for administration in the Osseo district. Its assuming that you can make a decision in St. Paul that is going to be good for everyone in the state. Frederickson said that bigger metroarea districts, including his own, have an unfair advantage over smaller non-metro districts, which sometimes have to spend more money to transport students over greater distances or have higher poverty rates. He said he was proud that his district had such a high percentage of its budget going to classroom instruction by the states calculations. But he, like other school officials, questioned the states method for figuring the percentages: He estimates that classroom spending in the Osseo district actually is closer to 79 percent of the district budget. [Star Tribune, 1/18/06]

Minnetonka Schools Financial Advisory Committee Chair Said He Opposed State-Mandated For Local School Spending Because Local Control Would Be Taken Away From Elected School Board Members. According to the Star Tribune, Dan Sigurdson, chairman of a financial advisory committee in the Minnetonka schools and a former school board member, said the districts goal, which it has met, is to spend 77 percent of its budget in the classroom. But how the governor defines classroom spending and how the district defines it are different. The Minnetonka district spent 69.8 percent in the classroom, according to the states calculationsFor example, the states calculations do not include spending on media specialists and counselors, but districts contend that those expenditures are classroom-related. All of our technical assistants work right in the computer lab with the students, said Steve Pumper, director of finance and operations for the Chaska district. Media specialists work just like a phys ed instructor - they take students for a classroom period. Sigurdson said his committee worked in conjunction with the Wayzata and Hopkins districts to filter school budgets into a readable format much like a business would set up its budget. Based on their calculations, Minnetonka spends closer to 95 percent of its budget on classroom-related costs. He noted that business budgets include costs such as utilities in the price of their products, and he said schools should consider similar costs in figuring the amount spent on classroom instruction. Sigurdson said he opposes state-mandated formulas to govern local school spending. He said a state-set percentage would take local control away from elected school board members. And he questioned what the state would suggest cutting to add more money to classroom expenditures. [Star Tribune, 1/18/06]

UNDERFUNDED EDUCATION
In 2007 Pawlenty Signed A $13.8 Billion K-12 Education Bill. Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday signed a $13.8 billion spending bill for preschools through high schools, pushing forward a two-year package that restores state funding for special education and in turn frees up money for other school programs. In total, schools will get a boost of $794 million over the next two years. About $326 million of that new funding will go toward special-education programs. General state aid for school districts increases 2 percent next year and 1 percent the following year, or about $244 million totalRight now, school districts get 79 cents of every dollar theyre supposed to receive from the state for special education. Districts then have to use money they would have spent on other programs to make up the shortfall. The reason? Lawmakers in 2003 capped specialeducation funding and delayed payments to school districts for two years to help address Minnesotas budget deficits. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/30/07] Pawlentys 2007 Education Budget Would The Leave Twin Cities School Districts In The Hole. According to the Star Tribune, Twin Cities school districts will wind up millions of dollars in the hole next year, even with an across-the-board 2 percent funding increase proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, according to a survey released Thursday. The survey, prepared by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, found that 25 of its 27 member districts would still lose money in the deal. One would come out ahead, another would break even The associations analysis did not include Pawlentys proposals for one-time bonuses or money earmarked for particular purposes. His proposals include bonuses for schools that post high state test scores and funding for schools that require students to take a years worth of college-level credits before they can graduate. Pawlentys proposed budget, which he announced last week, allots $714 million in new dollars to K-12 education over the next two years. State officials say that adds up to an 8-percent increase over the current two-year funding period. Of that, $294 million would pay for 2 percent hikes in basic education funding over the next two years. [Star Tribune, 1/26/07] The Association Of Metropolitan School Districts Executive Director Said Pawlentys Budget Isnt Going To Get The Job Done. According to the Star Tribune, The clear message out of this is the governors budget isnt going to get the job done, said the associations executive director, Scott Croonquist. So, were going to ask legislators to improve on the governors budget. [Star Tribune, 1/26/07] Grand Meadow Schools Superintendent: My Health-Care Insurance Has Gone Up 11 Percent. My Diesel Fuel Has Gone Up 50 Percent, And Milk Prices Are Up 50 Percent. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, As superintendent of Grand Meadow public schools, Joe Brown has watched as the districts costs have soared. My health-care insurance has gone up 11 percent. My diesel fuel has gone up 50 percent, and milk prices are up 50 percent, Brown said. With only a 2 percent increase in general state funding for this school year, followed by a 1 percent increase next year, Brown said the district has no choice but to turn to the voters. There is no way that a 2 percent increase in revenue even puts a dent into what our increased costs are. And we havent negotiated any (employment) contracts yet, Brown said. Grand Meadow is among 98 districts statewide expected to put an operating levy referendum before voters in November. That is the second-highest number of school districts seeking this type of referendum in 27 years, according to Greg Abbott, spokesman for the Minnesota School Board Association. In southeastern Minnesota, 11 school districts have an operating levy referendum on the

November ballot, and only three are districts seeking a renewal of an existing override. Requested increases from local districts range from $200 per pupil unit to $600. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 9/13/07]

MINNESOTA PUBLIC SCHOOL FEES INCREASED

School Fees In Minnesota Increased By 45 Percent From FY2002 To FY2005. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Students and parents are getting hit with sharply rising fees for bus rides, sports and other extracurricular activities at Minnesota public schools. School fees rose 45 percent between fiscal years 2002 and 2005, according to a report released Friday by the Minnesota Department of Education. It marked the first time that statewide statistics were available on the issue. Last year, schools charged $68 million in fees, compared to $47 million in 2002. Fifty school districts increased their fee collection by at least 100 percent between 2002 and 2005. School officials blamed flat state funding earlier this decade for their increasing reliance on fees. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/4/06] Gov. Tim Pawlenty Was Blamed For Increased School Fees After Signing No-New-Taxes Campaign Pledge. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, I think its just nickel and diming students, said state Rep. Mindy Greiling of Roseville, the lead Democrat on the House Education Finance Committee. She blamed the fee increases on Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republican legislators who signed no-new-taxes campaign pledges. That, she suggested, held down state aid to education, which in term forced schools to rely more heavily on fees. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/4/06]

DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION AND MONEY ALREADY OWED TO SCHOOLS
In Pawlenty Claimed That He Created A Budget Surplus, But Ignored Payments Due To Schools That Resulted In A Budget Deficit. In December 2005, Pawlenty boasted that he had presided over the biggest financial turnaround in state history, after the state had $701 million more than anticipated for the upcoming 2006-07 biennium, reported the City Pages. According to the report, however, Pawlenty ignored the fact that state law requires that the money be spent on the $795 million the state owes the school districts due to the delayed payments and cost shifts required to balance to 2002-03 budget. In reality, the report noted, Minnesota owed the schools $94 million more that it would take in for the next biennium. [City Pages, 12/7/05] Pawlentys 2005 Education Budget Relied On Property Taxes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, K-12 EDUCATION. Price tag: $12.6 billion. Summary: The two-year budget for schools goes up 4 percent. After three years of flat funding, school districts are cheering the passage of this bill Democrats criticize the bills reliance on property tax increases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/14/05] In 2005, Pawlenty Claimed He Proposed A 2 Percent Increase In K-12 Funding. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his two-year, $29.6 billion budget on TuesdayPawlenty recommends putting an extra 2 percent onto the basic per-pupil education formula in each year. School districts that revamp their teacher pay model to base it more on performance would qualify for bonus funding. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] Pawlenty Failed To Account For Inflation When Boasting Of School Funding Increases. According to City Pages, According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the consumer price index rose by 3.3 percent from December 2003 to December 2004--the biggest annual climb in four years. In the areas of the economy that have the most pronounced impact on school budgets, transportation (read: gasoline) and medical care (staff insurance costs), the 2004 rise in CPI was 6.5 and 4.2 percent, respectively. In other words, Pawlentys increase aside, substantial education shortfalls are likely on the way. Not so long ago, state law would have put Pawlentys fickle commitment to state schools in a context even the Strib couldnt ignore. But back in 2002, when both Pawlenty and Roger Moe were senators running for governor, they helped pass a bill that essentially cooks the states books. When announcing different parts of his budget, Pawlenty can now count the dollars inflation adds to revenues coming into the states coffers while pretending inflation doesnt exist when calibrating the cost of state service. [City Pages, 1/26/05] St. Louis Park Schools Said Pawlentys 2 Percent Increase In Funding Would Only Mean An Additional $430,000, The District Was Facing A $1.3 Million Deficit. According to the Star Tribune, Students could face longer bus rides and community education students could see higher fees after St. Louis Park schools cut their budget to resolve an anticipated $1.3

million deficit in 2005-06. Jeff Priess, director of business affairs for the district, said half of those cuts will come from districtwide spending on special education, community education and transportation. The other half will come from programs and personnel at individual schools, which will make their own budget-cutting proposals The district has a $1.3 million deficit in its 2005-06 budget and is planning to make it up with spending cuts. It has $450,000 in reserves, but it has dipped into reserves in previous years to make up for deficits and plans to avoid it this yearPreiss said Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal of a 2 percent increase in state funding wont make a difference for the district in its budget planning until more details come out. Even then, the increase would only mean an additional $430,000 for the district, or about half of the amount it now figures it must cut. [Star Tribune, 1/26/05] The Centennial School District Superintendent Said Pawlentys Increase Was Too Little And Wouldnt Solve Problems Since The District Would Only Receive $744,000 But Needed To Cut $1.5 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Cash-strapped north-metro school districts will continue cutting their budgets next year, despite Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to increase K-12 funding by 2 percent, or $291 million, over the next two years. Flat education funding in previous years and inflation in health insurance, energy and other costs have left the districts with no other option but to pursue the cuts, school officials said. Its too little, but I would agree its a start, Centennial Superintendent John Christiansen said of Pawlentys proposal. It wont solve our problems, but it might soften the blow. Pawlentys proposal, which some have called an inflationary increase, doesnt meet the 3.5 percent to 4 percent average inflation that school districts such as Centennial have experienced recently, Christiansen said. Centennial has proposed $1.5 million in cuts next year. Christiansen estimated Pawlentys proposal would mean about $744,000 in additional funding for schools there. [Star Tribune, 1/26/05] North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District Superintendent Said That Pawlentys Budget Still Made It Necessary For The District To Make Some Pretty Drastic Reductions Since The Districts Fund Balance Was Essentially Nonexistent. According to Star Tribune, Cash-strapped north-metro school districts will continue cutting their budgets next year, despite Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to increase K-12 funding by 2 percent, or $291 million, over the next two years. Flat education funding in previous years and inflation in health insurance, energy and other costs have left the districts with no other option but to pursue the cuts, school officials saidThe North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district has proposed $4.5 million in cuts for next year. Dan Kaler, the districts superintendent, said Pawlentys proposal would mean about $1 million more for schools there. Because the districts fund balance is essentially nonexistent, he said, any increase would be earmarked toward re-establishing that balance. Its a starting point for conversation, but it still makes it necessary for us to make some pretty drastic reductions, he said. [Star Tribune, 1/26/05] Mounds View School District Superintendent Said That Pawlentys Increase Doesnt Exactly Solve Our Problems Since The District Would Receive Only $1 Million When It Faced A $3.1 Million Deficit, Planned To Close Two Schools. According to the Star Tribune, Cash-strapped north-metro school districts will continue cutting their budgets next year, despite Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to increase K-12 funding by 2 percent, or $291 million, over the next two years. Flat education funding in previous years and inflation in health insurance, energy and other costs have left the districts with no other option but to pursue the cuts, school officials saidThe Mounds View school district, which is running a $3.1 million deficit and will close two schools next year in part to help with that deficit, has just begun to look at where else to make cuts next year, superintendent Jan Witthuhn said. It might mean about $1 million for us, and with our current deficit, that doesnt exactly solve our problems, she said. And thats assuming that a 2 percent increase really means a 2 percent increase - no strings attached.[Star Tribune, 1/26/05] Elk River School District Faced A $4.3 Million Deficit And Only Received $1 Million From Pawlentys Budget. According to the Star Tribune, Cash-strapped north-metro school districts will continue cutting their budgets next year, despite Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to increase K-12 funding by 2 percent, or $291 million, over the next two years. Flat education funding in previous years and inflation in health insurance, energy and other costs have left the districts with no other option but to pursue the cuts, school officials saidIn Elk River, officials are coping with a $4.3 million deficit. A 2 percent increase would help. Could we use more? Absolutely, said Bob Noyed, the Elk River districts assistant to the superintendent for community relations. Pawlentys proposal would mean about $1.5 million more for schools in Elk River, Noyed said. But were going to move ahead and reduce the budget because we need to, he said. [Star Tribune, 1/26/05] Due To Pawlentys Budget Shortfalls, Eden Prairie School Board Voted To Reduce Course Offerings And Cut Nine Teachers In Order To Balance Their Budget. According to the Star Tribune, The Eden Prairie school board voted Monday night to move ahead with plans to reduce course offerings at Central Middle School despite pleas from teachers and parents to look for other options The moves are part of a plan to cut $3.5 million - including $500,000 from spending at the middle school - to balance the districts budget for next school year Moving to the six-period plan will require cutting nine teachers, and likely one with nine years of experience, he said. Five Central Middle School health and physical education

teachers asked the board to consider an alternative to the schedule changes that would allow students more opportunities to take gym classes. Of the nine teaching positions that will be cut, four of them are in health and physical education. [Star Tribune, 2/9/05] Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District Faced the Prospect Of Cutting $3 Million From Their 2005-06 Budget, The Potential Existed For 50 Or More Teachers. According to the Star Tribune, Fifty or more teachers could lose their jobs in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage schools as part of a $3 million cut in the 2005-06 budget. Keeping the cuts from going deeper requires emptying the districts $2.3 million reserve fund and having district staff members accept a salary freeze They now hope just to stay out of debt next year and beyond. To help achieve that, officials are putting out an S.O.S. for funding relief to lawmakers and the community The district would gain about $1 million under Pawlentys plan to raise the state per-pupil funding rate by 2 percent. However, that increase would be offset by enrollment declines and the lack of sufficient increases in other revenue sources, said business manager Carter Christie. [Star Tribune, 2/16/05] Pawlentys Education Cuts Led To Eden Prairie Laying Off 91 Teachers And Minnetonka Laying Off 12 Teachers. According to the Star Tribune, Eden Prairie And Minnetonka have begun the process of laying off teachers. The respective school boards voted to send letters to 91 teachers in Eden Prairie and 12 in Minnetonka to notify them that their jobs are being cut next year. District and union officials said they hope to avoid cutting all those jobs but that teachers will be in limbo while the state and the school districts figure out their budgets. Minnetonkas number was originally 30, said district administrator Mike Lovett, but that number was reduced because of teachers taking early retirement, extended leave of absence or sabbatical leave. Others willingly offered to teach fewer hours, Lovett said. Joseph Ricke, president of the Minnetonka Teachers Association, said the decision, combined with schedule changes at the high school and the middle school, means fewer offerings for students Ricke, whose technology education department was hit hard by the cuts, is also working reduced hours because of the budget reductions. He said the problem isnt necessarily the district, but the lack of state funding. State money to schools has essentially remained flat for the past few years, the result of state deficits going into the hundreds of millions of dollars. [Star Tribune, 3/30/05] St. Paul School Board Cut $15.3 Million By Cutting New Textbooks, Reducing English Language And Special Needs Teachers, And Eliminating Some Sports Teams. St. Paul schools will do without new textbooks, employ fewer teachers and aides for immigrant and special-needs children, and eliminate some sports teams to save some $15.3 million, the St. Paul school board voted unanimously Tuesday. Individual schools made $6.5 million in cuts earlier this year, and the board agreed to use $4 million in district emergency funds to help balance the budget board members blamed state legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty for the reductions, which total about 5 percent of the 41,000-student districts expected 2005-06 expenses. We must respond to underfunding from the state, said new board member and former police chief William Finney. I have found a district that has managed public funds very well. We simply need more resources. The $430 million budget is about $6 million more than this years, but about $24.3 million short of what the district anticipated it would need to cover increased costs for health insurance, fuel, salaries and other items. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/29/05] Minneapolis School Board Said the Budget Increased Class Size And Cut 500 Teachers. Class sizes will go up, enrollment will go down and Minneapolis schools are going to try to improve student achievement anyway. Thats the gist of the $626.1 million budget that the Minneapolis school board adopted Tuesday. The overall budget is up less than a percent from last year. The operating budget, which more closely reflects classroom spending, is down 3 percent. The budget assumes that the average classroom will hold four more students next year. At least half of district schools are diverting money to keep classrooms from growing that much, according to Chief Financial Officer Marj Rolland. Yet she said shes not aware of any school that succeeded at keeping all classrooms at last school years levels The budget is built on Gov. Tim Pawlentys earlier proposal for a 2.5 percent increase in per-student aid, or $4.8 million for Minneapolis. He has since raised that to 4.5 percent, which would translate to an extra $4 million for the district, but the state Legislature has yet to settle its budget. According to the district, about $130 million has been cut from Minneapolis schools in a squeeze thats now in its fifth year. But thats the difference between income and projected expenses. Actual spending is down $66 million from the peak in 200203. The budget gains $2.5 million from last years decision to close 10 schools, even after expenses, Rolland said. Closings cut 14 janitors and nine principals and their assistants or interns. For the third-straight year, more than 500 teachers are being let go, which reflects both budget constraints and falling enrollment. [Star Tribune, 6/29/05] Parent, Teacher, And Faith Groups Pleaded For Lawmakers For More Education Funding, As Because Education Budget Was Inadequate. According to the St. Cloud Times, Parents and teachers vowed Wednesday to keep the pressure on lawmakers to boost state education spending until they see results The Minnesota PTA, Parents United Network and an interfaith advocacy group staged the conference to announce they were banding together as We the People to promote increased state funding of early childhood and K-12 education State and federal lawmakers have left a trail of broken

promises when it comes to education funding, said Pat Welter, principal at North Junior High, St. Cloud, and a member of Great River Interfaith Partnership. Welter listed them expertly -- less than inflationary school funding increases since 1991; no new funding since 2001; an $86 million, two-year funding cut for early childhood education; and federal mandates in special education and the No Child Left Behind Act that didnt come with extra funding.... The group said Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal last week to increase the state K-12 education formula by 2 percent each year for two years was a start, but added it would take $400 million just to stem the bleeding. [St. Cloud Times, 1/20/05]

EDUCATION FUNDING RELIED HEAVILY ON LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES

From 2006-2007, Pawlentys Increase In Education Depended On Increased Property Taxes. According In July 2005, the Duluth News-Tribune reported that the education budget for the next two years, which [Pawlenty] signed into law Thursday, included a new initiative on teacher compensation and allowed schools a 4 percent increase in each of the next two yearsThe final education budget relies in part on property tax increases to provide schools with new money and the final human services budget is built in part on a new cigarette charge, which Pawlenty calls a fee. [Duluth News-Tribune, 7/15/05] Property Taxes Would Increase Due To A 2005 K-12 Education Funding Plan That Authorized Up To $139 Million In Increased Local Levies. According to the Star Tribune, If you are dreading the pinch of sharply higher property taxes next year - as nearly every Minnesota homeowner is - blame it on Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his fellow Republicans in the Legislature, the DFL House minority leader said Wednesday. The report noted that part of the property tax increase was a result from a 2005 K-12 education funding plan that authorized up to $139 million in increased local levies. [Star Tribune, 10/13/05] Pawlentys Education Funding Increases Were Called Too Little, Too Late By Educators According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Minnesota schools would get their first increase in state funding in three years under a proposal Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled Thursday. Educators and others called the proposed increase a good first step, but they said it ultimately amounted to too little, too late. [Duluth News-Tribune, 1/14/05] Pawlentys 2005 Budget Proposal Recommended Giving School Boards More Power To Raise Local Taxes To Pay For Schools. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty also recommended giving school boards more power to raise local taxes to pay for other school needs. They would be able to increase levies to pay for building maintenance, to supplement the performance pay program and to cope with rising special education costs. Voters, however, could try to reverse those levies if enough residents come forward to demand a referendum. [Associated Press, 1/13/05] Democrats Criticized Pawlentys Over-Reliance On Local Taxes. According to the Associated Press, Democrats immediately took aim at Pawlentys reliance on local levies for things they think the state should be paying for. A few years ago, the Legislature made it a priority to take on more school funding costs, but districts have been seeking help from property taxes with state funding mostly stagnant. Pawlenty is passing the buck to the school boards who are desperate so they are willing to raise these property taxes, charged Roseville Rep. Mindy Greiling, the top Democrat on the House K-12 Finance Committee. She added that districts in areas with low property wealth are at a disadvantage because hiked levies carry a greater sting. It just increases the inequities around the state. [Associated Press, 1/13/05] In 2003, Pawlenty Required Local Jurisdictions To Raise Their Property Taxes In Order To Fulfill His Pledge To Shield Education From Funding Cuts. Gov. Tim Pawlentys promise to shield K-12 classrooms from funding reductions in his two-year budget comes with a catch: It depends on school boards voting to raise property taxes for the second yearTo access the money for fiscal 2005, district boards would have to approve higher property tax levies, said Tom Melcher, an education department finance official. Critics say the catch proves Pawlentys desire to keep spending cuts away from classrooms may be running up against his no-new-tax pledge. [Associated Press, 2/20/03] During The 2002 Campaign, Pawlenty Denied He Would Push The Obligation For Local Tax Increases For Education. According to the Legal Ledger, In an interview during his 2002 campaign, Pawlenty rejected criticism from his DFL Party opponent who said by refusing to increase state taxes, he was pushing responsibility to the local property tax. Pawlenty said, The heart of that reform was to have the state take over the general statewide property tax for education, to take it off local property taxes. [Legal Ledger, 9/19/02]

MERIT PAY
In 2002, Pawlenty Called For Tying Teachers Pay To School Performance But Said Seniority Would Remain A Big Factor, Maybe Even The Main Factor In Setting Pay Scales. According to Education Next, Shortly after his election in 2002, in an impromptu speech to business leaders, Pawlenty called for tying teacher pay to performance and bringing up the states standards. He also urged state lawmakers to authorize the use of a transparent growth model to see how well schools are really doing to improve student achievement. Yet, maybe because teachers union officials were in the audience, Pawlenty carefully parsed tenure, saying, Seniority can remain a big factor, maybe even the main factor, in setting pay scales, according to news reports. The speech underscored Pawlentys sometimes mixed message to unions throughout his tenure: Ill try to work with you. That is until you dont work with me. [Education Next, 9/22/11] In 2005, Pawlenty Passed Q Comp Plan Which Rewarded Teachers Based on Evaluations. According to Education Next, In 2005, Pawlenty passed a Minnesota-wide teacher pay-for-performance plan called Q Comp, which rewards teachers based on evaluations. Though passed by the state legislature, the plan gave school districts and charter schools the choice of whether to participate and allows a district to collectively bargain a pay agreement that looks at professional development, teacher evaluation, and an alternative salary schedule. [Education Next, 9/22/11]

No Child Left Behind

SUPPORTED NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Pawlenty Endorsed And Was An Enthusiastic Supporter Of No Child Left Behind. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed the centerpiece of President Bushs second-term education agenda Sunday, backing a plan to extend the federal No Child Left Behind testing requirements to high schools. He made his remarks after meeting with U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, one of the architects of the 2001 law mandating basics skills testing from grades three through eight. Pawlenty has been an enthusiastic supporter of No Child Left Behind, but his comments on Sunday were the first time he has endorsed Bushs plan to push the laws reach into the nations high schools. I think Minnesota could, and should, move in that direction, the Republican governor said. [Star Tribune, 2/28/05] Pawlenty Endorsed No Child Left Behind, Saying Standards And Testing Work. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty endorsed President Bushs plan to expand mandatory tests in reading and math to all students in grades 9 to 11 under the No Child Left Behind law. Standards work, he said. Testing works. Accountability works. Transparency works. What gets measured gets done. He said that schools need to keep up with employers changing demands and that schools are graduating too few students, who are in deep doo-doo without a diploma. [Star Tribune, 4/29/05] Pawlenty Said No Child Left Behind Worked In Minnesota After Test Scores Went Up. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota students showed big gains in test scores this year, allowing scores of schools to escape federal penalties and creating an almost celebratory atmosphere in state education circlesOfficials acknowledged, however, that federal rule changes - rather than test scores - allowed some schools to avoid being branded as underperforming. For example, this time schools could average their scores over two or three years, rather than depend on a single years results .Pawlenty said this years improved test scores showed that the No Child Left Behind law is working. I think there are some things that need to be adjusted in No Child Left Behind, but overall its working, he said. We should not back away from it. We should embrace it. Its showing good results. Pawlenty also saw the results as support for his efforts to let schools pay teachers on the basis of their performance, rather than college credits and years on the job. He singled out several schools now experimenting with alternative teacher pay plans for improved performance he termed remarkable. [Star Tribune, 8/30/05] Pawlenty Attributed Improved Test Scores To No Child Left Behind. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said this years improved test scores showed that the No Child Left Behind law is working. I think there are some things that need to be adjusted in No Child Left Behind, but overall its working, he said. We should not back away from it. We should embrace it. Its showing good results. [Star Tribune, 8/30/05]

Pawlenty Shared Bushs View On Education, Wanting More Than Solely Sending More Money. According to the New York Times, Education appears likely to be a major issue in this years elections. Im going to vigorously defend No Child Left Behind, Mr. Bush said Monday, because I know in my heart of hearts its the absolute right role for the federal

government: to provide money, but insist upon results. The president called the law one of the most constructive reforms in education policy ever undertaken by the federal government. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, a Republican, said he shared the presidents view. The cry cannot be solely, Send us more money, Mr. Pawlenty said. That is one measure, but it cannot be the only measure. [New York Times, 2/24/04] Pawlenty Viewed No Child Left Behind As An Important Element Of School Reform. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota is sharing the pain over how to comply with the new federal No Child Left Behind law. Throughout the nation, states are grappling with the major new federal initiative, which is designed to raise student achievement, guarantee school safety and teacher quality, and provide students with opportunities to escape bad schools, at public expense. But, like Minnesota with its projected $4.6 billion deficit, many states are in financial straits and fear No Child Left Behind represents another costly federal program theyll have to pay for. They also fear that the law could unfairly tag many schools as failuresStill, new Gov. Tim Pawlenty views No Child Left Behind as an important element of school reform. At this point the governor feels very comfortable that we can meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind act, said Pawlenty press secretary Leslie Kupchella. He is very supportive. [Star Tribune, 1/13/03] Pawlenty Shared President Bushs View For Education Reform Through No Child Left Behind. According to the New York Times, Education appears likely to be a major issue in this years elections. Im going to vigorously defend No Child Left Behind, Mr. Bush said Monday, because I know in my heart of hearts its the absolute right role for the federal government: to provide money, but insist upon results. The president called the law one of the most constructive reforms in education policy ever undertaken by the federal government. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, a Republican, said he shared the presidents view. The cry cannot be solely, Send us more money, Mr. Pawlenty said. That is one measure, but it cannot be the only measure. [New York Times, 2/24/04]

MINNESOTA SCHOOLS FAILED TO MEET NCLB STANDARDS

2007: One-Third Of Minnesotas Schools Did Not Make Adequate Progress Under No Child Left Behind. According to the Grand Forks Herald, With a new school year approaching, the latest - and most publicized - education news came when the state Education Department said more than one-third of 1,918 Minnesota schools did not make adequate academic progress as required by the federal No Child Left Behind law. A majority of schools did achieve required progress toward math and reading proficiency, but the number that did not achieve proficiency jumped from 483 in 2005-06 to 729 last school year. That data is highlighted in school report cards that are released each summer and considered a recommended source to learn about school districts. [Grand Forks Herald, 9/1/07] 2005: 247 Minnesota Schools Did Not Make No Child Left Behinds Adequate Yearly Progress Goals. According to the Star Tribune, 247 schools were tagged as not making their No Child Left Behind testing goals - called adequate yearly progress- in 2005. Thats down from 464 in 2004. [Star Tribune, 8/30/05] 2004: One Quarter Of Minnesotas Public Schools Missed Performance Goals Under No Child Left Behind. According to the Associated Press, Nearly a quarter of Minnesotas public schools - 472 - showed up Thursday on a state list for missing annual performance goals in the federal No Child Left Behind law. The roll more than tripled in size from a year ago. For some schools, it was a second, third or fourth straight appearance, which subjects many to sanctions. But it was just as painful for first-timers who were simply put on notice of the need to improve Pawlenty cautioned people not to freak out or over-react to the list. It simply means we have to do a better job of making progress for some of the disadvantaged students [Associated Press, 8/26/04] 2004: Almost Half Of Minnesotas School Districts Failed To Meet State Standards. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Nearly one in four Minnesota schools this year failed to meet state standards, including hundreds of suburban schools more accustomed to touting their triumphs than diagnosing their defeats In all, 472 of 2,189 schools landed on the list as did nearly 200 of 466 school districts, primarily because subgroups -- especially special-education students and Englishlanguage learners -- didnt score at grade level on state tests Educators need to better address the achievement gap between black and Latino students and white and Asian students, Pawlenty said. Im not going to be the protector of the status quo, he said. This isnt Alice in Wonderland. We have a major problem with subgroups that arent progressing. We cant pretend its not happening. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/27/04]

Pawlenty Delayed The Release Of Poor Test Scores Until After His Reelection. According to the Grand Forks Herald, Democrats charge that Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to delay release of school test scores until after the Nov. 7 election because they could hurt his re-election chances. The Republican governors top education official countered Tuesday that more time is needed to grade the tests this year because they are dramatically different than previous ones. Education leaders agree the delay is neededThe scores, normally first distributed at the State Fair that starts Aug. 24, reveal what schools do not meet federal adequate yearly progress education guidelines. Schools falling short could face penalties as harsh as a state take-over. Experts say changes on the 14 types of tests likely will drive students scores lower than on previous tests. Democrats say Pawlenty fears that will hurt his chances against their endorsed governor candidate, Attorney General Mike Hatch. [Grand Forks Herald, 8/16/06]

Proposed State Takeover Of Failing Schools

Pawlenty Wanted The State To Have Power To Restructure Or Remove Schools From School Districts. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said that among the powers he wants the state to have are the ability to appoint a trustee to run a district, to remove particular schools from district control and to abolish or restructure a district. Such powers are outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which calls for increased testing for students and accountability for districts. Im a big fan of local control. But when you have sustained performance of flat-lining (student achievement), at some point you have to step in and intervene, Pawlenty said. These measures have to be consideredWe are kind of at the end of the line. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/04]

WANTED NEW EDUCATION STANDARDS

2002: Pawlenty Promised To Replace Graduation Standards With More Rigorous Academic Standards. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Pawlenty promised voters he would get rid of the Profile of Learning graduation standards Pawlenty said he wanted to replace the Profile of Learning with a new set of more rigorous, specific standards. Ditching all standards is unlikely because federal education money is tied to statewide standards and testing. [Duluth News-Tribune, 11/20/02] 2003: Pawlenty Signed Into Law A New Set Of Academic Standards For Minnesota Public Schools. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an education bill Wednesday that establishes a new set of academic standards for Minnesotas public school children and represents the death certificate for the Profile of Learning, the graduation standards embroiled in controversy since they were enacted five years ago. Its a marquee accomplishment for this legislative session, said Pawlenty at a bill-signing ceremony attended by DFLers and Republicans. The measure had support from among the most conservative and liberal lawmakers in the Legislature, passing 125-9 in the House and 64-3 in the SenateOther provisions in the law include: Giving schools the authority to place a students score on statewide tests on his or her transcripts; Authorizing the education commissioner to develop a school performance guide on the Internet that looks at student academics and other issues. The first report card is due this November; Allowing school districts to develop tests to make sure paraprofessionals -- the nonlicensed classroom aides -- meet new federal training requirements. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/22/03] Pawlenty Was Accused Of Pursuing A Political Agenda In Rewriting School Standards. According to the Associated Press, [Pawlenty] countered claims that his administration is using the process to pursue a political agenda in the rewriting of social studies requirements in public schools. According to the report, critics charged that the proposal gives short shrift to the Vietnam War, Watergate and modern Democratic presidents while playing up achievements of Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower. More broadly, they say the standards present a Eurocentric viewpoint and neglect multicultural perspectivesThe Republican governor, who made rewriting academic standards a campaign centerpiece, defended them as a work in progress. Im not saying the standards in their current form do not need some work, Pawlenty said Friday. He said fringe elements, perhaps on both sides are whipping up hysteria. [Associated Press, 10/31/03]

Race To The Top

MINNESOTA FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR RACE TO THE TOP FUNDS

Pawlenty Refused To Apply For Second Round Of Race To The Top Grants Until Unions And State Democrats Agreed To Reforms. According to Education Next, When federal Race to the Top dollars became available, Pawlenty launched a statewide charter school initiative and moved to hone math and science instruction in schools. Still, Minnesota lost out, most notably because the application lacked support from the teachers union. Like all states, Minnesota had an opportunity to go for the second round of grants, but Pawlenty drew a line in the sand, saying he would only apply again if the union, and Democrats in the state legislature, agreed to more reforms. [Education Next, 9/22/11] Pawlenty Said Minnesota Would Not Reapply For Race To The Top Awards If His Reforms Were Not Passed By Lawmakers. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesotas Education Commissioner is setting a deadline for determining whether the state re-applies for federal funds in the Race to the Top program. After Minnesota wasnt even a finalist in the first round of Race to the Top awards, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the state wouldnt apply again if lawmakers didnt pass reforms he has long touted. Those changes include creating an alternative way to enter the teaching profession mid-career... and strengthening the tie between teacher pay raises and the performance of their students. In an email sent Wednesday to the states superintendents, Education Commissioner Alice Seagren says the state will not re-apply for Race to the Top if lawmakers dont agree to those initiatives by this Sunday, May 9. If the changes are enacted and the state does reapply, officials will only have about three weeks to finalize the application thats due June First. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/5/10] 2010: Pawlenty Blamed Teachers Unions For Minnesota Not Receiving Federal Money For School Reform. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota is out of the running for up to $250 million in federal money for school reform. The state was not one of 16 finalists named by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Thursday in the Race to the Top competition for a share of $4.35 billion in stimulus funds earmarked by the Obama administration to encourage school innovation. The defeat disappointed educators who saw it as the only chance schools had to receive new money in upcoming years, and Gov. Tim Pawlentys office was quick to blame Education Minnesota, the state teachers union, saying it hurt Minnesotas chances by fighting meaningful education change. Its hard to race to the top with an anchor tied to your leg, Brian McClung, spokesman for Pawlenty, said after Duncans announcement. [Star Tribune, 3/4/10] Teachers Unions Did Not Support Minnesotas Application For Race To The Top Funding. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The states teachers union complained today that the Pawlenty administration is trying to use federal stimulus dollars to force schools to adopt the governors merit pay plan. Education Minnesota says that circumvents the legislative process. The state is putting the final touches on an application for stimulus money that could bring Minnesota another $200 million. The unions lack of support for the application could weaken the chances of winning the money. Most federal education stimulus money is automatic and for everyone, divided up based on formulas. But one pot of $4.3 billion is competitive. Race to the Top, as its called, will award states doing the best job of reforming and improving education. But Education Minnesota president Tom Dooher said the union cant support Minnesotas current application. We believe the states application is focusing on Gov. Pawlentys programs that he failed to get through legislatively and now is seeing an opportunity to get some of those things put in place to get a federal grant, Dooher said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/16/09] Minnesota Lost Out On Race To The Top Funds Because The States K-12 Policies Had Shortcomings And Lacked Teacher Support. According to the Star Tribune, The governor said legislators must pass his education reforms as Minnesota enters a second round of competition for up to $175 million in Race to the Top federal funding. Gov. Tim Pawlentys extensive list of reforms for K-12 education has been packaged into a bill that the Senate and House will begin discussing Tuesday. The proposed reforms arent new; Pawlenty has put them forth in some shape or form since he first took office in 2003 Minnesota lost out on its initial application for up to $250 million in Race to the Top funds, largely because federal reviewers found shortcomings in the states K-12 policies, and the lack of teacher support for the application Such proposals have met resistance in the past, especially from the Education Minnesota teachers union and House DFLers. Its unlikely Pawlentys announcement Monday will change any minds. [Star Tribune, 4/19/10]

Minnesotas Application For Race To The Top Funding Had Questionable Quality And Had Missing Data. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Many reasons contributed to Minnesotas failure to win $330 million in federal education money, according to recent comments released by the U.S. Department of Education. They include a lack of support from teachers unions and an inability to close the states achievement gap. But also within those reviews by federal officials on Minnesotas Race to the Top application are comments that call into question the quality of the application itself, prepared by New York-based consulting firm McKinsey and Company. The states failed application for the federal education funding has generated a lot of criticism and hand-wringing. Its also become a hot political issue involving Gov. Tim Pawlenty

and the states teachers union. One federal reviewer pointed to the poor quality of a section of the application meant for listing test scores. This is not a reference to performance, the reviewer wrote. Instead, the graphs range between hard and impossible to read. Other reviewers noted that the states application was missing some data that all states were required to submit. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/9/10] Pawlentys Education Ideas Lacked Focus On Erasing The Achievement Gap Between White And Non-White Students. In a statement, Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher said Race to the Top should be about erasing the achievement gap between white and non-white students. Unfortunately, we see very little in the governors ideas that have that much-needed focus. [Star Tribune, 4/19/10]

Pawlenty Was Criticized For Education Reform Plans To Receive Race To The Top Funds. According to the Winona Daily News, Pawlentys plans have drawn criticism from key legislators and officials in Education Minnesota, the states teachers union. Critics say the governor is making ultimatums rather than working with key education groups to develop a plan for improvement. If Governor Pawlenty were really serious about getting Race to the Top funds, he would work harder to bring people to the negotiating table and then stay there himself, Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, and chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Finance Committee, said in a statement Thursday. But so far, weve only seen him throw out sound bites designed to get him some national attention, rather than introduce thoughtful proposals that would give attention to the Minnesota students who need it most. [Winona Daily News, 4/10/10]

Minnesota Paid Outside Group McKinsey and Company To Prepare Application For Race To The Top
McKinsey And Company Received $500,000 To Prepare Minnesotas Race To The Top Application. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The state paid McKinsey and Company $500,000 to prepare Minnesotas application. Most of that money came from private sources. Among the donors were the Gates Foundation, $250,000; the Bush Foundation, $50,000; and the Minneapolis Foundation, $100,000. The company also received taxpayer money. The state Department of Education chipped in $100,000 of federal stimulus funds. A call to McKinseys Minneapolis office was forwarded to the companys public relations office in New York. A spokesperson there referred MPR News to the Gates Foundation. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/9/10]

PRAISED OBAMA FOR RACE TO THE TOP

Pawlenty Said Obama And Arne Duncan Stuck To Their Guns On Race To The Top. According to a Pawlenty oped in National Review Online, Even President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are encouraging reform. Yes, the president killed school choice for poor kids in Washington, D.C., and he recently bailed out teachers unions with $31 billion we dont have. But to the administrations credit, Obama and Duncan have stuck to their guns on their Race to the Top initiative, which at least ties federal education dollars to structural changes in state education policies. [National Review Online, Tim Pawlenty op-ed, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Applauded Mayor Bloomberg, Arne Duncan, And President Obama For Their Work On Education Reform. In an interview on MSNBCs Morning Joe, Pawlenty said, I applaud the work that everybody is doing around the country to try to focus on that issue. Mayor Bloomberg, Arne Duncan and President Obama, even, on these issues have done some good things. [MSNBC, Morning Joe, 9/29/10]

Special Education
2003: Pawlenty Signed Education Bill Cutting Funding For Special Education And Low-Income Students. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, [Pawlenty] signed an education bill that maintains basic spending for K-12 schools, but cut funds for special education and low-income and non-English-speaking students. That, he said, kept his promise to protect classroom funding. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/11/04] Pawlenty Proposed Cutting $12 Million From Special Education While Allowing School Districts To Increase Property Taxes. According to the Star Tribune, Although the administration describes the funding changes as allowing more individual control and decisionmaking, it really just shifts the cost from the state to school districtsThe governor

proposed a $12 million cut to special education, but allows districts to raise property taxes for that purpose. However, special education is mandated by state and federal rules. That means districts will be forced to either raise local taxes or take the dollars from another part of their general fund. Thats hardly allowing districts more individual decisionmaking. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 2/1/05] Special Education Costs Increased 25 Percent From 2001 To 2005 While School Districts Were Forced To Pull Special Education Funds. According to the Duluth News Tribune, As students return to classes this week, Minnesota school districts are feeling increasingly squeezed by the rising costs of educating the most vulnerable among them. Even though the states special-education population grew only 5 percent from 2001-05, costs for special education shot up 25 percent, largely because of the rapid rise in autism and other conditions that are costly to treat, educators say. At the same time, state aid has been shrinking, forcing school districts to pull money for special education from general operating funds and, in some cases, sparking resentment from those whose programs are put at risk. In the abstract, most accept the idea that every disabled student should get a free and appropriate public education, as federal law requires. But the growing expenses have created a dilemma for districts as they dip more and more into general-education funds: What do you do when schools commitment to special-education kids starts to threaten their commitment to all kids [Duluth News Tribune, 9/3/06]

Teachers
TEACHERS LOST JOBS UNDER PAWLENTY
2006: Minnesota Lost 12,700 Jobs With Large Job Losses At Public Schools. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota lost 12,700 jobs last month, the third-largest monthly drop in absolute jobs since the state started keeping records in 1950 Most of the government jobs lost were at public schools. School districtsalready had slimmed down staffs because of cuts to school-year and summer extracurricular activities The numbers are no doubt embarrassing for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is running for re-election and has been campaigning on strong job growth. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/18/06] 2004: Twin City School Districts Lost 2,000 Teachers Due To Flat Education Funding Levels. According to the Associated Press, A group of Twin Cities-area school districts that educate one-third of Minnesotas students say flat state funding has led to widespread employee cuts. The Association of Metropolitan School Districts reported Tuesday that its 26 member districts have collectively shed more than 2,800 employees, including about 2,000 teachers, in the past few years. The groups leaders said more cuts will be needed if the state doesnt increase its basic aid payments Lawmakers havent boosted the basic school funding formula since 2001 because of the state governments continued budget problems. The metro schools group said the freeze has led to $200 million in cuts on their end, even after local levies have passed. [Associated Press, 12/7/04]

PAWLENTY WANTED PERFORMANCE BASED PAY FOR TEACHERS

2010: Pawlenty Expanded Minnesotas Teacher Merit Pay Program. According to the Associated Press, Seven school districts and 23 charter schools are joining Minnesotas alternative system for evaluating and paying teachers the signature education initiative under Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who leaves office next month. Pawlenty on Wednesday announced the largest one-year expansion of the Q Comp program since it began in 2006. With the addition of the new schools next year, nearly a third of Minnesota students will be taught by a teacher in the program. Also, the Minnesota Department of Education has begun uploading state-approved lessons for teachers and preschool through high school students to the iTunes web site in collaboration with Apple Inc., Pawlenty said. Districts participating in the Q Comp program receive an additional $260 per student in state aid and additional levy authority. The seven districts and 23 charter schools will get about an extra $4 million combined. In exchange for the money, Q Comp schools agree to a system of professional development and evaluation for teachers that emphasizes teachers evaluating each other. It also links teacher pay to the test scores of their students. There are now 51 school districts and 54 charter schools participating in the program, including some of the largest metro-area districts. [Associated Press, 12/8/10] Pawlenty Wanted To Expand Program Linking Teacher Pay To Student Performance. According to the Winona Daily News, Pawlenty also pitched a series of education reforms he hopes will pass the Legislature and be signed into law before he

leaves office at the end of the year Pawlenty wants to make it easier for professionals in other jobs to become teachers, and allow the commissioner of education to overhaul low-achieving schools. The governor also wants to expand the Quality Compensation for Teachers program, which links teacher pay to student performance. Fewer than 50 school districts and 35 charter schools statewide now participate in the voluntary program. Pawlenty also hopes to reconfigure the teacher-pay system and supports a program requiring teachers to reapply for tenure every five years. How many of you not in teaching get to work for three years and have a job guarantee for life? he asked the business leaders. Pawlenty said the reforms would address shortcomings pointed out when federal officials denied the states application to the Race to the Top program, President Obamas plan to jump-start national education reform. Minnesota needs to get its butt in gear on education reform again, Pawlenty said. The governor said the state would not apply for the second round of federal funding, where it could receive up to $175 million, unless the changes are enacted. [Winona Daily News, 4/10/10] 2008: Pawlenty Proposed Tying Teacher Raises To Student Achievement, Going Further Than Minnesotas Merit Pay Law. Gov. Tim Pawlentys first burst of proposals for the 2009 legislative session seeks to change how teachers get into the profession, how theyre paid and how they keep their skills fresh The Republican governor said he wants to tie teacher raises to improvement in student performance. Its a step further than the QComp law Minnesota enacted a few years ago that emphasized merit in pay decisions. The plan would order schools that dont volunteer to take part in QComp which requires union and school board buy-in to set aside new money in teacher contracts for raises pegged to student achievement. Test scores would be the main tool for measuring that progress and there would be accommodations made for teachers in challenging environments, Pawlenty said. In addition, he is seeking tougher entrance requirements for college students thinking about becoming teachers. It includes higher minimums on teacher certification tests and tougher requirements on teacher training programs themselves. For current teachers, he would place standards on so-called professional development, such as seminars held during the school year meant to convey the latest trends in education. School districts currently set aside 2 percent of their state money for professional development. As he has proposed in the past, Pawlenty would open classrooms to scientists and other professionals looking for a change in careers. They would help fill teacher shortages in math and science. [Associated Press, 9/23/08] 2005: Pawlentys Budget Proposal Included A $60 Million Teacher Merit Pay Program. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, determined to revamp the way teachers are paid, will ask the Legislature to give financial incentives to school districts that abandon the traditional pay system [for his new Q-Comp program] Pawlenty said he would seek to establish a $60 million pool districts could tap on a first-come, first-serve basis. To qualify for an extra $150 per student in state funding, a district would have to create a pay model based on performance. It would take into account skill development and student achievement, for example. [Associated Press, 1/13/05] Pawlenty Supported Teacher Performance Pay, Not Seniority Compensation. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday called for an overhaul of the nations high schools and said U.S. educators should not be scared of bold persistent experimentation, including performance pay for teachers. If it fails, admit it, but above all, try something, said the Republican governor, quoting former Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In a speech to some of the nations top teachers, Pawlenty plugged his plan for performance pay, saying compensation should not be based solely on seniority. [Star Tribune, 4/29/05] 2004: Pawlenty Announced That Minneapolis Schools Would Offer Performance Pay To Teachers Through The Teacher Advancement Program. According to the Associated Press, Three schools in Minneapolis, the states largest school district, will start offering performance pay to teachers, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and education officials announced Monday. Theyve opted to join the Teacher Advancement Program, an alternative compensation system that the Waseca school district is also implementing this fall, as a way to reward teachers who improve student performance. The U.S. Department of Education last October awarded the state a $7.8 million grant for programs aimed at enhancing teacher quality, including TAP Pawlenty presented the superintendents of both districts with symbolic $2.6 million checks, representing their shares of the federal grant. The federal money will fund TAP as pilot programs in Minneapolis and Waseca for two years. After that, Pawlenty acknowledged, the districts will have to seek new funding if they want to keep it going. Assuming TAP works, Pawlenty said, hed be happy to go to the Legislature to seek funds for a transition to such a performance pay model. [Associated Press, 9/13/04] 2006: Teachers In Waseca, Minnesota Voted Against The Teacher Advancement Program. According to the Star Tribune, Touted by Gov. Tim Pawlenty as a bold innovator, the Waseca schools embarked on a program for changing the way teachers are paid. They awarded bonuses for good teaching and created master and mentor teachers to evaluate fellow teachers and lead the way in developing the best classroom techniques. But Wasecas bold innovation ended in rejection this school year. Waseca teachers overwhelmingly voted to scrap the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP)

because of numerous problems, especially resentment over pay differences The failure of TAP in Waseca poses questions for the big statewide initiative, called Q Comp (Quality Compensation for Teachers). It, too, is designed to wean schools away from the customary system of automatically raising teacher pay for more years of experience and schooling. Q Comp is a key component of Pawlentys education reform agenda, and represents a national effort to strengthen teaching as a career choice and to make teachers accountable for how well their students do. [Star Tribune, 6/12/06]

Minnesota Had Poor Teacher Quality

Minnesota Received D Grade On Teacher Quality. According to The Star Tribune, Despite blazing a trail in performance pay several years ago, a new study released today finds that Minnesota is among a pack of states that must strengthen policies to retain effective teachers and show ineffective ones the door. South Carolina was the only state to earn an overall grade of B-minus in the National Council on Teacher Quality study, based in large part on its effectiveness in evaluating new teachers. Tennessee and Florida earned a C for basing teacher evaluations primarily on student learning. Most states, including Minnesota, earned a D. [Star Tribune, 1/30/09]

WANTED TO ELIMINATE TEACHER TRAINING

Pawlenty Proposed Eliminating Teacher Training Program. In 2003, the Associated Press reported that while much of Pawlentys budget proposal included partial cuts to specific services, other programs or streams of funding are eliminated outright. For example, the report noted that Pawlenty eliminated [funding] for the Minnesota Humanities Commission, which gives grants to scholars and trains teachers. The cut amounts to a third of the nonprofits funding, and officials said it will mean fewer teachers will get training. [Associated Press, 2/18/03]

OPPOSED TEACHERS UNIONS

Pawlenty Claimed A Cartel Of Teachers Unions Blocked Education Reform. According to a Pawlenty op-ed for National Review Online, The great tragedy of American education is not that the system fails so many children, but that we know why and yet do very little about it And yet for decades, a cartel of teachers unions, bureaucrats, and politicians has stood in the way of innovation, reform, and results. In Minnesota, weve made more progress than most. My administration created the nations first statewide performance-pay program, linking teacher compensation to classroom and student achievement rather than just seniority. We imposed rigorous math and science graduation standards. We established school report cards, so parents could follow the performance of their childrens schools. We wanted to do so much more, and could have. But the teachers unions blocked us at every turn. [National Review Online, Tim Pawlenty op-ed, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Claimed A Cartel Of Teachers Unions Wanted Raises Every Year. According to a Pawlenty op-ed for National Review Online, For all their rhetoric about the children, when push comes to shove, what the teachers unions really want is raises, every year, for jobs they can never lose at schools that need never compete. That entitlement mentality just wont cut it any more. Americas education cartel is an indulgence we can no longer afford, either as citizens paying taxes to dysfunctional governments or as competitors in a global economic market. Thats why the tide may finally be turning. Strapped by the recession and appalled by the status quo, the forces of reform are standing up to the schoolyard bullies in the education cartel, and winning. Teachers unions want money, and more of it. But the rest of America wants better education, and teachers unions are in the way. [National Review Online, Tim Pawlenty op-ed, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Claimed Unions Were Politically Powerful Because Democrats And Some Republicans Listen To Them. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, After the luncheon for the [United Negro College Fund,] Pawlenty said teachers unions are politically powerful because Democrats wont cross them, and about a third of Republicans are under their spell. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/17/10] 2005: Pawlentys Budget Included Proposed Ban On Teacher Strikes During School Years. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys latest budget-and-tax offer came with a set of four demands, including a ban on teachers strikes during the school year. [Star Tribune, 5/23/05]

TENURE REFORM

Pawlenty Encouraged The Adoption Of Teacher Tenure Reform. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty, whose education reform ideas align closely with Obamas, has encouraged the Legislature to increase the states chances by adopting measures such as requiring teachers to reapply for tenure every five years and giving the state education commissioner the authority to make changes in chronically struggling schools. [Star Tribune, 5/7/10] Pawlenty Wanted K-12 Teachers To Reapply For Tenure Every Five Years. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesotas K-12 teachers would have to reapply for teacher tenure every five years if a proposal from Gov. Tim Pawlenty is approved by the legislature. Under the proposal, presented to the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee on Thursday, a school district would decide whether to keep a teacher every five years based on several factors, including evaluations and student test performanceCurrently, Minnesota teachers are on probation for three years before they are tenured, when many union job protections kick-in. Then, they need a certain number of professional development credits every few years to keep their licenseThe bill says that every five years, school districts must either renew or terminate a teachers service to the district, based on a portfolio of the teachers five-year professional growth plan. Criteria would include evaluations conducted at least three times a year, school-wide student achievement gains and student test scores. [Star Tribune, 3/4/10] Pawlenty Called Minnesotas Teacher Tenure Laws Outdated, Favoring A Graduated Tenure System. During an interview in November 2009, the National Journal asked Pawlenty, Are you happy with Minnesotas teacher tenure laws at the moment? If not, how should they be changed? Pawlenty responded, No. Our teacher tenure laws in Minnesota are like they are in the rest of the country: a relic of the past. They grant tenure to teachers after three years of work. Then you have, essentially, a job for life unless you do something really awful. Theres no other profession, theres no other walk of life that operates like that. I mean, its really quite outdated. I would like to see Minnesota move to a graduated tenure system and a tenure renewal system so you dont get a college degree, work for three years, and then have a job for life. Its not the way the world works anymore. [National Journal, 11/6/09] 2003: Pawlentys Proposed Super Teacher Program Requiring Teachers Give Up Tenure Protections. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed Wednesday staffing the states most difficult schools with super teachers who could earn up to $100,000 through bonuses. The teachers would have to give up such union protections as tenure, allowing them to be fired at will. The teachers also would have to be willing to let student test scores be a key factor in how much theyre paid. In return, the teachers could reap some of the largest nonadministrative salaries in public K-12 education today. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/2/03]

VETOED HEALTH INSURANCE POOL FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

2010: Pawlenty Was Expected To Veto Statewide Health Insurance Pool For All Public School Employees For The Third Time. According to MinnPost, Sometime Monday afternoon, both houses of the state Legislature are expected to give final approval to the creation of a health insurance pool for all public school employees statewide. Soon thereafter, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to veto the measure for the third time, even though a state study suggests the move would save nearly $1 billion over the next decade. While the bill this year enjoys broad bipartisan support, its sponsors, including Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, say they dont think they could garner enough votes to override a veto. Thats a tall order, for Republicans to stand against the governor, Dibble said. Education Minnesota plans to call out the governor in a press conference tentatively scheduled for Tuesday morning. Pawlenty should put his money where his mouth is concerning cost-consciousness, said union President Tom Dooher In a March letter, Pawlenty wrote to the bills main sponsors, Dibble and Rep. Larry Hosch, DFL-St. Joseph. The governor conceded that the move could save costs, but said that absent movement on his reform agenda, he would not sign the bill. [MinnPost, 4/30/10] Pawlenty Vetoed Bill Creating Statewide Health Insurance Pool For Public School Employees. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed a bill that would have created a statewide health insurance pool for school employees and teachers. The proposal long pushed by the state teachers union would have required all state school districts to obtain health coverage through a new insurance pool if they dont offer their own insurance. Pawlenty struck down similar proposals passed by the Legislature in 2007 and 2008. Pawlenty vetoed the bill on Monday, saying his past concerns still remain. He says he was worried about the cost of insuring retirees and creating a mandate that he says would take control away from local districts. [Associated Press, 5/10/10]

Pawlenty Said The Bill Would Not Reduce Costs While Undermining Local Control. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty vetoed outright a hotly debated bill that would create a statewide health insurance pool for school district employees. Pawlenty said the bills approach will not reduce costs and undermines local control. [Star Tribune, 5/26/07]

Minnesotas Office Of Management And Budget Found That The Health Insurance Pool Would Save $1 Billion Over Ten Years. According to MinnPost, For the purposes of buying health insurance, it would put 200,000 school employees and their dependents into a single pool, lowering costs all around. Identical legislation has passed in the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions, and was vetoed each time, ostensibly because it would raise costs, instead of lowering them. Last year, in an effort to settle the debate, Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, called for a state Office of Management and Budget study to determine the financial impact of creating a pool. Using conservative assumptions, the agency concluded that the measure would save $1 billion over the next 10 years. The savings projected in the first three years alone $190 million to districts and $77 million to employees would far exceed any federal funding Minnesota might qualify for, union officials note. [MinnPost.com, 4/30/10] Pawlenty Opposed Creating Statewide Health Insurance Pool That Would Cover 200,000 School Employees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Proponents of a long-sought statewide health insurance pool for school employees revived the proposal Wednesday, arguing a new report shows the pool would save school districts close to $1 billion over the next decade. A bill that would create a mandatory pool for Minnesotas approximately 200,000 school employees passed a legislative conference committee WednesdayThe proposal now will make its way to the full House and Senate for votesIn a letter to the bills sponsors, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would veto the bill, as he did with a similar proposal in 2007. He said the new proposal does not address the real issues driving health care costs, including an aging employee population, growing prescription drug costs and utilization rates. Pawlenty also said that while the Management and Budget Office estimated a small overall savings to districts statewide, it also shows some districts would see different levels of costs or savings. At a time when school districts are managing tight budgets, another costly mandate is not appropriate, Pawlenty said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/24/10]

Vouchers
PAWLENTY SUPPORTED SCHOOL CHOICE
Pawlenty Supported School Vouchers And Charter Schools. According to The Sun Sentinel, While speaking at a Facebook town hall the Sun Sentinel reported that Pawlenty, voiced a position on education similar to the reforms passed by Daniels in the last Indiana legislative session: school choice and vouchers, support for charter schools, and saying that education policy should be geared to help children and should put their needs first, rather than the interests of adults in public employee union movement. [The Sun Sentinel, 05/24/11] Pawlenty Wanted Private And Religious Schools To Be Options For All Students. According to a Pawlenty op-ed for National Review Online, Private or religious schools should be an option for all Americans, not just the privileged few. Public schools should be forced to compete in a field where they will be judged by who has the best teachers and the best outcomes. Schools, districts, and states should embrace market-based reforms that reward good teachers and principals, while removing bad ones. And alternative formats like home schooling, vocational apprenticeships, and online learning should be supported and further integrated into our public systems. At the federal level, we should create charter states, freeing states from the regulations tied to federal education dollars in exchange for transparency and, most important, results. [National Review Online, Tim Pawlenty op-ed, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Supported School Choice And Sent Daughter To Private School With Faith Component. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a key player in setting policy for Minnesota public schools and allocating billions of dollars for public education, has chosen private school for one of his daughters[Pawlenty spokesman Brian] McClung said. His younger daughter continues to attend public school in the district. However, the governors older daughters new school provides a faith component that public schools understandably cant offer. ... The governors public stance is all families should have the opportunity to send kids to schools of their choice, being public or private. He is a supporter of school choice. [Star Tribune, 9/12/07]

Pawlenty Supported Expanding Private School Choice For Poor Or Disabled Students Or Students In Failing Schools. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said he supports expanding private-school access for students who are poor, disabled or failing in public schools. He had no specific plan in mind, he said, but he liked the idea of expanding tax credits or of offering tax incentives to people who contribute to school scholarship funds. As for vouchers, Pawlenty said: Im not here to dismantle the public school system. [Star Tribune, 10/8/02] Pawlenty Offered Possibility Of Tax-Supported School Vouchers As Condition For Settling Budget Targets. According to the Star Tribune, [As] part of the negotiations to settle on budget targets, the governor set out four conditions and required the Senate to choose two. The two that involved public education should quickly be dismissed. First, after being mostly silent during the session about it, he resurrected the possibility of tax-supported vouchers for private schools under the choice label. That proposal, made earlier in the session, did not make it out of committee, so it is a mystery why he would attempt to fold it back into the mix at this point. [Star Tribune, 5/25/05] Pawlenty Proposed Funds For Education That Was Contingent On A Possible School Choice Measure. According to the Star Tribune, After months of saying he would not agree to any statewide tax increases, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday said he would break the budget stalemate with a proposal to increase the wholesale cost of cigarettes by 75 cents a pack, with the money going to health care and schoolsThe offer is also a bit of a double-edged sword for DFLers. Its contingent on DFLers giving in to Pawlenty on two of four controversial measures: a ban on school-year teacher strikes; an as-yet-unidentified school choice measure; initiative and referendum, which would allow voters to make or repeal laws; and the state-tribal casino/racino partnership, Inwhich has failed to gain support in the House or the Senate. [Star Tribune, 5/21/05]

PAWLENTY PROPOSED SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL CHOICE

Pawlenty Proposed A Scholarship Fund For Poor Children To Attend Private Schools. According to the Associated Press, One suggestion sure to spark lively debate is a proposed scholarship fund to help 1,000 to 1,500 children from poor families go to private schools. Pawlenty wants companies to make donations to the fund, and would encourage giving with tax credits for 50 percent of those gifts, up to $100,000 Education Commissioner Alice Seagren denied Pawlenty was introducing a voucher-style system to Minnesota, in which public dollars help pay private school tuition. Giving the tax credit to companies instead of sending dollars to parents makes it different than vouchers, she said. Others think Pawlenty is straddling a fine line. Is it actually public dollars going to private education? Thats the question and I dont know the answer, said Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. If it crosses the constitutional line we will be against it. If it doesnt cross the constitutional line well give the governor credit for trying to find a new initiative. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] Pawlentys School Choice Proposal Gave Tax Incentives To Companies To Donate To The Scholarship Fund. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Perhaps the most controversial part of Pawlentys plan will be millions in tax incentives that could send as many as 1,500 poor and academically struggling students to private schools. Companies could contribute to a scholarship fund for students from families that meet maximum-income requirements. A family of four, for example, would be eligible if its annual income were less than $51,837. Half of a companys contribution, up to $100,000, would be returned via tax credits Education Minnesota President Judy Schaubach said the money could be better spent. We need to close the achievement gap for all kids, not just some kids, she said. Shed prefer state money go back to restoring summer school and other public-school programs designed to help struggling children. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/05] Pawlenty Wanted Use Tax Breaks Or Direct Public Subsidies To Send Students To Private Or Religious Schools. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Several prominent Republicans including Gov. Tim Pawlenty are now calling for new tax breaks or direct public subsidies to send students to private or religious schools. The governor last week said he wanted to give tax breaks to companies that give to private school scholarships and, on Thursday, the chairman of the House Education Policy Committee proposed offering vouchers to low- and moderate-income families in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The proposals reignite one of the most controversial debates in education after nearly a decade when the issue was largely dormant in Minnesota. While a voucher plan that would give direct government funding to parents sending their children to private schools has little chance of passage this year, the high-profile support garnered by the various plans means they will get attention. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/4/05]

ETHICS, ELECTIONS AND GOOD GOVERNMENT

Electoral Reform
Pawlenty Approved Bill Requiring Groups Involved In Political Campaigns To Detail Donors And Make Independent Expenditures Transparent. According to the Associated Press, Legislation designed to give voters more information about which corporations are trying to influence Minnesota elections is now law. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bill Thursday after lawmakers unanimously sent it to him last week. The bill was prompted by recent court rulings that gave corporations greater power to use money from their treasuries on politics. The law requires groups that inject themselves into campaigns to detail their donors and spending at least four times ahead of this years elections. The requirement pertains to socalled independent expenditures, which is spending on mailings, billboards and broadcast ads to advocate the election or defeat of a candidate without any campaigns consent or coordination. Corporations are still prohibited from giving directly to candidates or political parties in Minnesota. [Associated Press, 5/27/10] Pawlenty Vetoed Bill Aiming To Make It Illegal To Intimidate People Out Of Running For Office. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed a bill that aimed to make it illegal to intimidate people out of running for office. The bill would have prohibited people from threatening reprisal against candidates running for any public office. Pawlenty vetoed the proposal on Monday, saying it duplicates state law that punishes those who threaten or coerce someone out of doing something lawful. Punishment would have varied depending on the degree of threats. [Associated Press, 5/10/10] In 2006, Pawlenty Launched Voter Security Initiative, Searching The States Voter Database For Noncitizens And Requiring Picture ID To Vote. According to The Star Tribune, In a news release, [Pawlenty] announced the launch of a two-pronged Governors Voter Security Initiative. First, Pawlenty has directed the Department of Public Safety to search the state voter registration database for names on a list of noncitizens drivers licenses or other state ID cards. Thats where evidence of 32 illegal registrants and 11 illegal voters arose. The names have been turned over to local election officials for investigation and possible felony charges. As a second step, Pawlenty called for requiring presentation of a picture ID in order to vote. [Star Tribune, 9/28/06]

VOTER ID
Pawlenty Was Interested In Requiring Photo ID Use When Voting. According to the Associated Press, In 2010, Pawlenty spokesperson Brian McClung said Pawlenty was interested in other election reforms such as requiring use of a photo ID when voting. [Associated Press, 2/5/10]

AGAINST ELECTION REFORM FOLLOWING 2008 SENATE RECOUNT

During Minnesotas 2008 Senate Recount, Pawlenty Called The States Election System Pretty Good. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Pawlenty said, Minnesotas [election] system is pretty good. Its not like were taking a piece of junk and rebuilding it from the ground up. It needs some adjustments and improvements, but its not overly complicated. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/1/09] Pawlenty Planned To Veto Election Reform Legislation That Would Move Primary Election Date And Standardize Absentee Ballot Practices Because It Did Not Have Bipartisan Support. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty planned to veto an election reform package passed by the Minnesota legislature that would move up the nowSeptember primary election to August and standardize absentee-balloting practices across counties. The report noted that Pawlenty planned to veto the package because it did not have bipartisan support. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/20/09] Pawlenty Vetoed Motor Voter Legislation That Would Allow Automatic Voter Registration When Applying For A Drivers License Or State Identification. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Pawlenty vetoed so-called Motor Voter legislation, which would have allowed automatic voter registration for anyone applying for a drivers license or state identification card, unless the applicant opts not to be registered. Pawlenty said that he vetoed the legislation because

registration to vote should be a voluntary, intentional act, and he claimed that this bill does not does not reflect bipartisan support. [The Star Tribune, 5/22/09]

Legislative Reform
OPPOSED FILIBUSTER
As Majority Leader, Pawlenty Said The Public Wasnt Interested In A Filibuster To Public Policy And Sought New Rules That Would Limit Lengthy Debate. According to the Associated Press, The House is expected to vote Monday on a new set of rules - one that Republicans hope will cut down on rambling speeches. It is our intent to gently and fairly change the culture of this institution, said Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan. On Friday, Republicans laid out their proposed changes to the House rules, including revisions to a little-used rule that can immediately stop debate on an issue. You have a right to speak, but you dont have a right to be a windbag, Pawlenty said. DFLers said they should have a chance to speak for as long as they want - just as the minority Republicans have done for the past 13 years. If you consider someone a windbag, Mr. Chairman, thats your personal opinion, said Rep. Ted Winter, DFL-Fulda. The people who elected that person should have a right to have a chance to have their person heard....Republicans said that many other states and Congress have time limits and said that Minnesotans indicated they wanted more succinct discussion when they elected Gov. Jesse Ventura. The public isnt interested in a filibuster to public policy, Pawlenty said. Another major change to the rules is that just 60 percent of the 134 members must vote in favor of moving a bill that is sitting in a committee onto the floor. Previously, it took 68 percent. [Associated Press, 1/9/99]

SALARY INCREASES WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

As House Majority Leader, Pawlenty Allowed Salary Increases For Elected Officials To Take Effect Without Legislative Approval. According to the Associated Press, The 1999 Compensation Council in Minnesota delivered recommendations that sought to raise the salary for the Governor by ten percent and legislator salaries by seven percent. the bill is sure to come under fire from fiscal conservatives, the Associated Press predicted. According to the report, House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, said there isnt enough time left in the session to move the proposal through committees. [] Its not something well see dealt with this year. [] the councils recommendations may be adopted, modified or rejected by the Legislaturebut if the Legislature is silent the raises would take effect if appropriations are available within certain budgets, said Peter Wattson, Senate counsel. [Associated Press, 4/8/99] Pawlenty Said He Was Trying To Avoid Unnecessary Conflict By Skipping The Issue During The Session. According to The Star Tribune, the majority leader may be trying to avoid unnecessary conflict by skirting the issue this year. Republicans, who hold the House majority for the first time in more than a decade, already have shown signs of party fissures this session. [The Star Tribune, 4/8/99]

TERM LIMITS
Pawlentys Proposal To Impose Term Limits On Minnesotas Top Elected Officials Failed In A House Subcommittee. According to The Star Tribune, A familiar proposal to impose term limits on Minnesotas top elected officials reached a familiar end Tuesday: dead in committee. The bill failed on a 5-5 vote in a House subcommittee that deals with election lawThe coauthor of the bill, Rep. Tim Pawlenty, IR-Eagan, acknowledged that the issue may not be quite as important to some people as it was before the elections. But he claimed that polls still show a clear majority of citizens in favor of term limitsThe bill would have limited legislators to 10 years of consecutive service, constitutional officers - such as the governor - to eight years, and U.S. senators and House members to 12 years. The clock would not start ticking on the limits until after they became law. Term limits would require voter approval of a constitutional change, and the bill would have placed a question on the general election ballot in November 1996. [The Star Tribune, 3/24/95] Pawlenty Slammed Senator Wellstone For Breaking His Term Limit Pledge By Running For Re-Election. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty criticized Senator Wellstone for breaking his pledge to bow out after two terms, describing him as just another Beltway politician. It is unfortunate that hes become one of them, and his argument that the

new balance in Congress requires him to hang around for another six years when theres another election in 24 months is ludicrous. He went to Washington as Professor Wellstone, and hes now morphed into Potomac Paul, Pawlenty said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 1/17/01] Pawlenty Said Retroactive Enforcement Of Term Limit Proposal For Elected Officials Was Acceptable. According to The Star Tribune, Senior DFL members of a House subcommittee loaded up a term-limit proposal Tuesday with two farreaching amendments, prompting Independent-Republicans to accuse DFLers of cynically attempting to love the proposal to death. Under growing pressure to put the term-limit question on the ballot in 1994, the DFLers enhanced a standard termlimits proposal on legislators and holders of statewide offices with an amendment that would impose an eight-year limit on every local elected official in the state, reaching down to school boards, city councils, county boards and even township boards. It may cause a problem for many legislators, but retroactivity is acceptable, said Rep. Tim Pawlenty, IR-Eagan, the author of the proposal being considered by a subcommittee of the Rules Committee. [The Star Tribune, 8/18/93]

Transparency
Star Tribune: Pawlentys Administration Took Narrow View On Public Information And Was Widely Criticized Over Lack Of Transparency. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Mark Dayton, who has promised his administration will show transparency on public records, is keeping on former Gov. Tim Pawlentys point person on requests for public data. A Dayton spokesperson said that Paula Brown will remain as director of operations in the governors office, and will handle requests for information under the state data practices act. She has handled data practices requests for the governors office since the Gov. Jesse Ventura administration. Under Pawlenty, however, Brown was often in the middle of data practices requests to an administration that was widely criticized for not being overly transparent and for taking a narrow view on what constituted public informationIn a letter explaining the Pawlenty administrations handling of records not viewed as official, Brown at one point wrote that encouraging staff to discard paperwork and emails once they are no longer neededhelps us maintain efficient use of our technology resources, control overhead costs, work more efficiently and reduce clutter. Added Brown, while working for Pawlenty: Our staff retain email while they are useful and then they are deleted. [The Star Tribune, 2/14/11] Don Gremberling, Former Head Of State Agency On Public Data Disputes Said Nothing Particularly Good Occurred On Access To Public Information During Pawlenty Governorship. According to The Star Tribune, Don Gemberling, the former head of a state agency that helps settle disputes on public data, said nothing particularly good regarding access to public information occurred while Pawlenty served as governor. We had [for example] the proposal that we reverse the presumption in the [state] Data Practices Act, from saying everything is public to saying everything is not public, he said. The Pawlenty administration, added Gemberling, also pushed a policy of encouragement for people not to keep emails for a very long period of time [and] dont treat emails as official records. [The Star Tribune, 2/14/11]

Legislative Audit Found Weaknesses In Pawlenty Offices Tracking Of Expense Receipts, Travel Spending And Assets. According to the Associated Press, A new audit finds a few weaknesses in Gov. Tim Pawlentys offices tracking of expense receipts, travel spending and assets. Legislative Auditor James Nobles says the governors office has generally adequate oversight of its finances. But his report says the office paid out $3,094 in expenses without original receipts and one employee booked 8,300 airline miles to a personal account. [Associated Press, 6/12/09] Pawlenty Spokesman Brian McClung Said Openness In Government Prolonged Disagreement. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed, Lori Sturdevant wrote Too many major decisions in recent sessions have been made behind closed doors, in ways that leave citizens guessing and stakeholders unable to lend their perspectives and insightsPawlenty spokesman Brian McClung noted that the GOP governor has done it both ways in past sessions, but expressed the view that openness only prolongs disagreement. [The Star Tribune, 4/28/09] Gov. Pawlenty Refused To Release Public Schedule On Events Related To Potential Presidential Run. According to The Star Tribune, As Gov. Tim Pawlenty appears to explore a presidential run, much of what he is doing occurs out of the public eye. An intricate set of state and federal laws gives potential presidential candidates wide latitude, allowing them to avoid disclosing much information. No federal law, for instance, requires Pawlenty to make public whether he has begun raising money to explore a 2012 campaignWhile he has made speeches in San Diego, Chicago, Florida and elsewhere, those events do not appear on his public schedule. His campaign office does not put out a schedule of the governors political events. There is something called Google now, or Bing -- you can Bing, Pawlenty said during a recent interview, referring to

Internet accounts of his appearances and planned trips. He declined a Star Tribune request for a more detailed daily appointments calendar that would list all meetings and trips, arguing that he is not legally required to make it publicPawlentys official public schedule was blank for 28 weekdays from June through August, though he made numerous trips and national talk show appearances during that timeState law allows government employees to keep their appointments calendars private, but Pawlentys office says that it also shields the calendar of the states top elected official. [The Star Tribune, 9/20/09] Star Tribune: As Pawlenty Traveled, Exploring Presidential Run, Minnesota Faced Most Severe Budget Crisis In Decades. According to The Star Tribune, as Pawlenty travels the nation, his home state faces its most severe budget crisis in decades. Unemployment hovers near 8 percent. Minnesota still needs its CEO. And Minnesotans need assurance that the state remains Pawlentys priority. By declining to detail his political travels, Pawlenty is missing an important opportunity to provide that assurance. This information is a critical gauge of how much time hes spending on speeches vs. state business. While its not unusual for presidential aspirants to keep their schedules private, Minnesota would be better served if the governor were more open about his whereabouts [The Star Tribune, 9/26/09]

Pawlenty Ignored Requests For Disclosure On His Meetings With Lobbyists Regarding State Budget Cuts. According to The Star Tribune, while his public schedule showed him attending the Minnesota Pork Producers Capitol Pork Cookout on July 1 at the State Capitol, Common Cause Minnesota said the governors office never responded to its June request that he disclose his meetings with lobbyists regarding state budget cuts. [The Star Tribune, 9/20/09] Citizen Advocacy Center Said Pawlenty Had Questionable Record On Preserving Records And Took A More Limited View on Public Records Than Previous Governors. According to The Star Tribune, In March, a Chicago-area nonprofit analyzed disclosure laws for five Midwestern states, concluding that Minnesotas complex web of state laws and regulations governing public information makes usage by average citizens virtually impossible. The study, by the nonpartisan Citizen Advocacy Center, said that Pawlenty has developed a questionable record in filing and preserving records, and has taken a more limited view on what records to keep than former Minnesota governors. [The Star Tribune, 9/20/09] Nonpartisan Center For Public Integrity Gave Minnesota An F Grade On Legislative Disclosure Requirements. According to The Star Tribune, The Washington-based Center for Public Integrity, also nonpartisan, gives Minnesota an F for its legislative disclosure requirements, saying it finished 40th among the 50 states. [The Star Tribune, 9/20/09] Bipartisan Group Of Legislators And State Auditor Said Budget Cutbacks Led To Missing Funds. According to The Star Tribune, State officials say something has gone missing as budget cutbacks have trimmed the ranks of auditors -- cash. A recent string of high-profile cases of fraud and theft is a direct result of what a bipartisan group of legislators and the states legislative auditor say has been a penny-wise but dollar-foolish decision to save money on auditors jobs. Since 2000, the Department of Finance, which is responsible for overseeing state spending, has cut its total staff by 30 percent as the Pawlenty and Ventura administrations grappled with budget deficits The states auditing controls are now significantly flawed, the legislative auditors office told lawmakers last week. The weaknesses have surfaced in both large state agencies and among the smallest boards and commissions: No one questioned it when nine workers at the Minneapolis Veterans Home raked in more than $2 million in overtime a year, claiming they worked 30-70 extra hours a pay period over a three-year period; No concerns were raised when an inspector for the state Department of Labor and Industry overbilled the state for more than $10,000 in mileage in one year; The states Boxing Commission accepted the take -- gate receipts -- and kept it in the office for days before depositing the cash in a bank. [The Star Tribune, 1/25/09] Pawlenty Still Had Not Filed Any Records With The State Archives After More Than Five Years As Governor. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlenty, after more than five years as governor, has not filed any records with state archives. He has also been less willing to preserve documents than his predecessor, Jesse Ventura, who despite a reputation for being thin-skinned, saved even unflattering memos and e-mails for future public access. Pawlentys administration has cited a 40-year-old Minnesota Supreme Court decision to justify retaining only records of final decisions -- not the e-mails or paperwork that cast light on how decisions were made. Under that policy, for example, many of the e-mail exchanges regarding the Interstate 35W bridge collapse could have been destroyed if they had not been ordered preserved by the attorney general in anticipation of lawsuits. [The Star Tribune, 7/6/08] State Archivist Robert Horton Urged Pawlenty To Follow Former Gov. Venturas Broad Record-Keeping Policy. According to The Star Tribune, When Pawlenty replaced Ventura, he took a more limited view on what to keep, according to State Archivist Robert Horton. They thought (Ventura) was overly broad in the definition of records, said

Horton, who urged Pawlentys office to accept Venturas policy Horton said the situation will be really, really interesting, if Pawlenty becomes a vice presidential candidate. Because were going to have lot of people coming in to investigate him, and the first place a lot of them will stop is at the archives, and were going to say, We dont have a thing. [The Star Tribune, 7/6/08] Access To Pawlentys Records Was Limited To Correspondence From Only 2 Months. According to The Star Tribune, When the newspaper sought e-mails and other correspondence from Pawlenty Chief of Staff Matt Kramer and Deputy Chief of Staff Bob Schroeder since Aug. 1, 2007, the documents made available were largely limited to correspondence from the last two months. No correspondence about key legislative issues or budget negotiations was included, even though both Kramer and Schroeder played key roles in the talks. The correspondence provided to the Star Tribune included official letters thanking people for gifts they provided Pawlenty from trade missions and other events, including a thank-you to the Minnesota Knitters Guild for a pair of fingerless mittens sent to the governors office. [The Star Tribune, 7/5/08] Center For Public Integrity Gave Minnesota Failing Grade For Allowing Governor Financial Disclosures That Were Poor In Quality. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota got a failing grade this month from the Washingtonbased Center for Public Integrity for the quality of financial disclosure it requires of governors. Minnesota governors are required to file financial disclosure reports but the reports are thin on details, the center found. Minnesota also failed the centers test last year for the information that state lawmakers have to reveal about their financial relationships. And, back in 2002, the state skated through with a barely passing grade for how much access it gives the public about state campaign finance reports the states gubernatorial disclosure laws received just 53.5 points out of a possible 100 points. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/25/07] Minnesotas Loose Disclosure Requirement For Governors Allowed Pawlenty To Leave Out Consulting Work.. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The states lack of disclosure has caused some issues for governors in the recent past. In 2003, Pawlenty revealed he was paid $4,500 a month to provide consulting services to a pay-phone company while he was running for governor. On financial disclosure forms, he listed the consulting company he created to do the work not as a source of income, but as a security along with his stock and mutual fund holdings. After he revealed the relationship, Pawlenty amended his economic disclosure statements. At the time, critics said Pawlenty may have skirted the disclosure laws thereby keeping reporters and opponents from finding out about the consulting relationship, which critics said might have been designed to keep Pawlenty financially afloat while he campaigned. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/25/07]

Star Tribune: Pawlentys Misleading Employment Reporting Was An Abuse Of State Resources And A Systematic Effort To Control The Flow Of Public Information. According to The Star Tribune, Minnesotas economy gave a miserable performance in April. Employers created a scant 500 jobs, the unemployment rate rose sharply and, for only the second time on record, the states jobless rate climbed as high as the nations. But you would never know it from the news release issued by the Pawlenty administration. Minnesota has healthy over-the-year job gains, Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy boasted. Our private sector job growth is outpacing the national average. The release went on to list business sectors that posted good numbers and then, in a brief paragraph near the bottom, acknowledged that the jobless rate rose from 4.2 percent to 4.5 percent whats happening under Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a sharp departure from past practice in Minnesota and can only be described as a systematic effort to control the flow of public information. Its an abuse of state resources and an insult to Minnesotas tradition of good government. In a practice that dates back at least to Gov. Rudy Perpich, monthly unemployment statistics were released by career professionals at the states economic development agency. The release was written in neutral, even technical, language, and anyone with questions was referred to the states top labor-market analyst, a civil service professional. Then, about a year ago, his name was removed from the news release and calls were referred to media professionals. News releases were carefully written to accentuate the positive. Department analysts were reduced to issuing a simple e-mail alert that directed the public to statistics on the agency website. Then, last month, that e-mail also disappearedThis degree of message control crosses a line between good politics and good government - a distinction that Minnesota has long guarded, under Democrats and Republicans, much to the benefit of voters and taxpayers. Its a distinction this governor needs to learn. [The Star Tribune, 5/18/07] Pawlenty Proposed Rewriting Minnesotas Data Practices Act To Eliminate Presumption That Government Information Was Open To The Public. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday he wants the Legislature next year to rewrite the law spelling out who has access to information on individuals included in most of the records that state and local governments keep. Pawlenty called for rewriting Minnesotas Data Practices Act to eliminate a presumption that all information governments collect is open for public inspection and replace it with a presumption that most personal information in government files is confidential He proposed a four-point program that he said was aimed at

preventing fraud and identity theft [that calls for] Barring the state from releasing, except in special circumstances, personal information it collects from drivers license applications; Making it illegal for anyone to divulge another persons telephone records; and barring private businesses from using Social Security numbers to identify patients or customers, and requiring companies to restrict employees access to the Social Security numbers of their co-workers. The call for rewriting the Data Practices Act is the most controversial of his proposals. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/3/06] Associated Press: Pawlenty Failed To Offer Instances Of Fraud Resulting From Release Of Information Under The Minnesota Data Practices Act. According to the Associated Press, Tension is growing between the publics right to access government data and concerns about privacy, as Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFL Attorney General Mike Hatch, who is running for governor, both come out supporting restricting access to public information to prevent identity theft. Neither Pawlenty nor Hatch has offered examples of fraud resulting from a release of information under the Minnesota Data Practices Act. But they said technological advances make such threats more real The governor wants to reverse the fundamental principle that government data on individuals are presumed public unless designated private by the Legislature. We need to start with the obligation of government to protect all citizens, and that all personal information that government has about individuals is private, he said. Such a major change could take years to accomplish, and Pawlenty is not going to push for it this year but will back more modest changes. [Associated Press, 3/12/06] Joint Media Council Chairman John R. Finnegan Called Pawlentys Proposal To Rewrite The Act Terrible. According to the Associated Press, John R. Finnegan, chairman of the Joint Media Council, a 40-year-old group that represents Minnesota newspapers, broadcasters, media lawyers and journalism professors, said Pawlentys proposed change in the Data Practices Act could dramatically change citizens access directly and through the media to important information about the operation of their government. They could theoretically close down minutes of board meetings or any kind of discussions of public bodies, said Finnegan, a former Pioneer Press executive editor. Theoretically, I think it would be terrible. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/3/06] Reporters Committee For Freedom Of The Press Director Lucy Dalglish: Pawlenty Proposed Pushing Government Accountability In Minnesota Backward 30 Years. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in an oped, Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press wrote: Just in time for celebration of Sunshine Week, a national celebration of open government laws, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes to push government accountability in Minnesota backward 30 years. Its a strange way to exercise national leadership by becoming the only state in the country to foster closed government. The governors proposal to change the law passed in 1974 so that information held by the government is presumed private, not public, is nothing short of astonishing, and reflects a disturbing lack of comprehension about the role government transparency plays in a democracy. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/7/06] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Pawlentys Proposal Had No Merit. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a number of new laws he said are meant to reduce the threat of identity theft the governor proposed an end to a longstanding statutory presumption that public records are public unless specifically exempted by the Legislature. That proposal has no merit. It deserves a quick, painless death and no life thereafter. Heres why: By majority consent, we give government great power over our lives, to act for the common good. By constitution, by statute and by citizen action, we limit that power in order to protect individual freedom. Openness that is, public access to public business is one of the most effective checks there is on government abuse. Hence, the current presumption that government information is public unless the Legislature openly decides otherwise, case by case. The presumption of openness requires that the clarifying racket of argument and law-making happen before we keep more secrets. Thats as it must be Rather than protect us by assuming secrecy instead of openness, hed do better to draw a different line: conduct a thorough review of all the private information the government gathers, and find ways to gather less. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/7/06] Duluth News Tribune: Pawlentys Proposal Was The Wrong Way To Go. According to The Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota should resist following annual attempts by some Florida legislators to bring a dark cloud over that states famed Sunshine laws that mandate open public records. Those efforts have intensified since the federal governments assault on privacy after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, though thankfully, most have failed. But in a public records rollback in Minnesota, Pawlenty is joined by Attorney General Mike Hatch -- a possible gubernatorial rival -- in proposing restricted access to information collected by the government for drivers licenses and other reasons. Though Pawlenty and Hatch should be commended for trying to keep drivers license information out of the hands of identity

thieves, shutting down legitimate access to the records is the wrong way to go. As Gary Hill, the Freedom of Information chairman for the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, puts it, its just an awful idea. [Duluth News Tribune, 3/5/06] As Majority Leader, Pawlenty Forced House Speaker Steve Sviggum To Close House Republican Caucus Meetings To The Press. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum, who has made a goodgovernment issue of keeping his party caucus meetings open to news reporters, was forced Tuesday by his Republican colleagues to accept some closed strategy sessions to discuss legislative issues. It was member-driven, said Rep. Tim Pawlenty, the Republican majority leader. The members came to us, and said this always-open caucus position is a problem.Last Thursday, [Rep. Doug] Reuter tried to persuade Sviggum to close a caucus, but lost on a close voice vote. After the meeting, some media reported that Sviggum had hinted Republicans might force a special legislative session if they do not get the income tax cut they are seeking. On Monday, Gov. Jesse Ventura criticized those comments. Pawlenty said news coverage was a factor in Sviggums decision to allow some closed strategy sessions in the future. People are coming back and saying How the heck can we negotiate when our strategy is in the newspaper? he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/14/99]

PAWLENTY WITHHELD DETAILS ON RECOVERY ACT SPENDING

Watchdog Group Stimulating Broadband Criticized Pawlenty Administration For Holding Back Details On How Minnesota Planned To Spend Broadband Stimulus Money. According to the Minnesota Independent, A watchdog group, Stimulating Broadband (SB), which keeps tabs on stimulus spending on broadband infrastructure, says Minnesota is the only state holding back details about how the state plans to spend its broadband stimulus money. Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration says it doesnt have to disclose the information. Its the second time in two months that Pawlenty has come under criticism over broadband policy. Minnesota submitted a list of funding priorities to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) detailing how the state plans to spend stimulus money to expand broadband coverage statewide. But Pawlentys office wont reveal which projects which it selected from a master list of applications received from counties, townships, cities, businesses and nonprofits across Minnesota its recommending for fundingThat criticism comes as Minnesota selected a telecom-backed group to conduct the states broadband mapping, which could, in turn, benefit the telecom industry. That decision was made without the input of the states citizen broadband task force, whose members were appointed by Pawlenty. [Minnesota Independent, 10/20/09]

UNDER PAWLENTY, STATE OFFICIALS DID NOT FILE CONFLICT-OFINTEREST DISCLOSURE

Since Pawlenty Took Office, No Conflict-Of-Interest Disclosures Were Filed By Public Officials, Which Critics Said, Was Due To Precedent Set By Pawlenty Administrations Ethical Lapses. According to the Minnesota Independent, Since Gov. Tim Pawlenty took office in 2003, not one public official has filed a conflict-of-interest disclosure with the state ethics board, an unprecedented streak for a disclosure system that had routinely been used for the previous three decades. Critics blame the precedent set for public officials by the Pawlenty administrations own ethical lapses, as well as the outdated disclosure requirements that are rife with loopholes. Minnesota was one of the first states to create an agency to oversee the ethics of public officials in the wake of the Watergate scandal. A major component of ethics reform was a requirement that elected and appointed officials who faced potential conflicts of interest file a written statement with the ethics agency, now called the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. These disclosure filings were designed to keep the public aware of situations where officials might benefit from decisions they made as part of their routine duties. Dozens of disclosures were filed in Minnesota between 1975 and 2002, according to the boards annual reports. Prior to 2003, there were only a handful of years that no disclosures were filed. But since Pawlenty took office and appointed many of the states officials, including the six governing members of the disclosure board not one form disclosing a potential conflict of interest has been filed. [Minnesota Independent, 12/22/09] Minnesota Independent: Pawlenty And Appointees Faced Criticism Over Repeated Ethical Stumbles. According to the Minnesota Independent, Pawlenty and some of his high-profile appointees have faced criticism over repeated ethical stumbles, including a hefty 2002 fine against Pawlenty for illegally coordinating his campaign ads with the Republican Party. Last year, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who formerly served as a legislator, also faced allegations of conflict of interest when a Star Tribune investigation revealed shed sold her farm in 2000 for many times its assessed value only eight days after pushing through legislation funding a nearby highway. Pawlenty also riled critics with his 2002 appointment of former 3M employee

Sheryl Corrigan as commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at a time when the state was dealing with contamination of water supplies by Corrigans company. Corrigan only recused herself from 3M-related business in a letter to the governor a year and a half after her appointment. Neither alleged conflict of interest was investigated by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, which relies mainly on citizen complaints to spur investigations. But in interviews with the Minnesota Independent, multiple lawmakers expressed concern about the lack of prompt disclosure or enforcement in Corrigans alleged conflict and the precedent set by the then-young administration. [Minnesota Independent, 12/22/09]

ENERGY
British Petroleum Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill
SUPPORTED OFFSHORE DRILLING IN WAKE OF SPILL
Pawlenty Said He Did Not Think It Would Be Wise To Stop Offshore Drilling Two Weeks After Rig Explosion In The Gulf Of Mexico. According to ABC News, Though some political leaders -- most notably Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif. -- have said the oil spill from an offshore drilling rig convinced them to shift positions on drilling, Pawlenty said thats a mistake. Almost 40 years have passed with an incident like that. I think theres certainly going to be lessons learned as a result of this tragedy, but I hope that they go to the issue of improving safeguards and improving technology and improving oversight, not trying to shut down drilling, Pawlenty said. I dont think that would be wise. We need to have a review of what happened and why it happened and then take those lessons forward. But again Ive heard some voices in this debate say, Lets just shut it down, and I dont think thats realistic or wise. [ABC News, The Note blog, 5/4/10] 10 Days After Rig Explosion In Gulf Of Mexico, Pawlenty Said We Should Keep Drilling. According to The Wall Street Journal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says hes still committed to offshore oil drilling. Itll certainly cause people to think about how this happened and why it happened but you have to look at the whole picture, Pawlenty said in an interview today. Pawlenty, a 2012 GOP presidential hopeful, said that the spill, which has begun to reach the Gulf shore, is not something that can be ignored, but again its the first incident of this nature in over 40 years. We should use it as a way to try to reduce the chances of this incident happening again, through technology or safeguards, not by stopping offshore drilling. The April 20 rig explosion and continuing leak from a British Petroleum well in the Gulf threatens to rank with the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, which caused widespread environmental devastation. [Wall Street Journal, Washington Wire blog, 4/30/10]

Later Supported DRILLING MORATORIUM

Pawlenty Said It Was Clear BP Had No Plan To Respond To Oil Spill In The Gulf Of Mexico; Supported A Pause On Offshore Drilling. According to a transcript from ABCs Good Morning America, Pawlenty said, I do support the pause [on offshore drilling in the Gulf] but we also need to make sure, this is an industry thats operated for 40 or 50 years, mostly without incident, but you cant have these things pumping oil on the bottom of the ocean floor without a specific plan and capacity to respond to a crisis like that. Its pretty clear, George, they had no plan for what happens if a blowout preventer fails. [ABC Good Morning America, 6/11/10]

INITIALLY PRAISED GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SPILL, THEN ATTACKED IT

ABC News: Obama Administration May Have An Unlikely Ally In Oil Spill Response Scrutiny: Tim Pawlenty. According to ABC News, With scrutiny of the federal governments response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico intensifying, the Obama administration may have an unlikely ally: Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty, R-Minn., a likely 2012 presidential candidate, said on ABCs Top Line that while its too soon to be conclusive about the effectiveness and speed of the federal response, he thinks the government is responding to the best of their abilities. [ABC News, The Note blog, 5/4/10] Pawlenty Said, It Appears Like The Federal Government So Far Is Responding To The Best Of Their Abilities. According to ABC News, Its obviously going to be a catastrophe of significant proportions and its not yet under control. And so theres a long ways to go before anybody can make any conclusions about what the cause was, how it was handled, how it was processed, Pawlenty said in an interview that aired on todays program. We know this: This is going to be a very damaging set of events. It appears like the federal government so far is responding to the best of their abilities, but again I think its premature to make any conclusions about what caused this, how it was handled and whether things could have been done differently. [ABC News, The Note blog, 5/4/10]

Later Criticized Administrations Response to Spill

Pawlenty Said The Obama Administrations Response To The Oil Spill Was Deficient, Frustrating And Disappointing. According to Plains Daily, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says that the response the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was deficient. Speaking on The Scott Hennen Show Pawlenty called the initial response by the Obama administration frustrating and disappointing. He said that there is a strong indication that there was little to no reaction plan in place to deal with a disastrous event like this. Pawlenty said that the focus of the federal government not where they should have been early into the spill. He says that he believes that the focus now should be on capping the ruptured well. [Plains Daily (North Dakota), 6/25/10] Pawlenty Called For British Petroleum And Minerals Management Service To Be Held Accountable For Oil Spill In The Gulf. According to The Associated Press, Fallin and Pawlenty also expressed disappointment with the governments response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, saying BP PLC needs to be held accountable for the environmental and economic fallout from the disaster but that government agencies, particularly the agency formerly known as the Minerals Management Service, also share blame. [Associated Press, 6/23/10] Pawlenty Said The Government Waived Environmental Review Of Offshore Platform That Exploded; They Have Been Asleep At The Switch Too Frequently. According to The Associated Press, Pawlenty said that prior to the disaster the government waived an environmental review of the offshore platform that exploded on April 20, killing 11 workers and blowing out a well 5,000 feet underwater. Since then it has released millions of gallons of oil. We do know that a corner was cut, Pawlenty said. It appears they have been asleep at the switch too frequently. It appears like they didnt have a plan. [Associated Press, 6/23/10] Pawlenty Chided President Obama For Not Taking Personal Responsibility For The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Sooner. According to The Hill, The GOP pack has been critical, to varying degrees, of Obamas handling of what the administration calls the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. Most criticism has focused on the swiftness of the administrations response, as well as its decision to impose even a temporary drilling moratorium. Pawlenty chided Obama for not having taken personal responsibility for the crisis sooner, while Palin went further still. [The Hill, Blog Briefing Room, 6/22/10] Pawlenty Criticized The Administrations Handling Of The Oil Spill In The Gulf. According to a transcript from NBCs Meet The Press Pawlenty said of the oil spill in the Gulf, What we do know is this: This crisis was the result of negligence or a malfunction. This rig was approved on this administrations watch. Theres going to have to be a review of what was reviewed, why it was reviewed. There was decision-making on the ground on the platform on the day of the crisis that may have contributed to the, to the problem. And as to the cleanup operations, theres lots of concern. You know, why arent more skimmers out there? Why arent they working longer hours? Why did they rely just on BP early on to tell us what the volume of the, of the leak was? Why didnt we independently verify that using government sources? Why werent booms replaced more frequently once they became saturated and releaked oil? So theres going to be a lot of those questions that may very well point back to this administration or the president. He wants to say hes in charge. Thats great. Im glad hes assuming responsibility and accountability. I wish he would have done it probably earlier. [NBCs Meet The Press, 5/30/10]

PAYING FOR GULF OIL SPILL RECOVERY

Pawlenty Said That British Petroleum Should Pay For The Entire Cost Of The Gulf Oil Spill. According to a transcript from ABCs Good Morning America, Pawlenty was asked if the federal government should help pay for oil spill recovery. He responded, No, I mean, on what theory would the federal government be responsible for BPs failure? The facts are still coming in, but theres a news report the other day that there was a test for the blowout preventer and it was delayed, at BPs request. Now what was behind that? Were they concerned because there was some malady or failure in the system? And if there was, if somebody was concerned about that, why didnt that come to the surface of the discussion earlier? [ABC Good Morning America, 6/11/10] Pawlenty Said The Costs Related To The Gulf Oil Spill Should Fall To BP, Not The Federal Government. According to The Associated Press, Minnesotas Tim Pawlenty says costs related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico should fall to BP, not the federal government. Appearing Friday on ABCs Good Morning America, the Republican governor was asked if the federal government should pick up some of the tab for the multibillion-dollar disaster. The possible 2012 presidential candidate strongly rejected the notion. As he put it, On what theory would the federal government be responsible for BPs failure? [Associated Press, 6/11/10]

Coal
Pawlenty Supported Allowing North Dakota Power Companies To Sell Electricity From New, Coal-Fueled Power Plants To Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty supports changing a state law that makes it difficult for North Dakota to sell electricity from new, coal-fueled power plants to Minnesota, a Pawlenty spokesman said WednesdayNorth Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem met with Minnesota lawmakers and Pawlenty on Wednesday as part of an effort to gather support for changing a three-year-old Minnesota law that restricts North Dakota power importsBrian McClung, Pawlentys deputy chief of staff, said in an e-mailed response to questions that Pawlenty agrees with the effort to change the law. Gov. Pawlenty hasnt reached an opinion on the merits of North Dakotas legal claims, McClung said in the e-mail, but he continues to believe the language that concerns the North Dakota attorney general should be removed from Minnesota law. [Associated Press, 3/11/10]

Nuclear
Pawlenty Said He Thought Minnesota Should Be Open To More Nuclear Expansion. According to the Hutchinson Leader, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his economic development commissioner, Dan McElroy, were in Hutchinson Wednesday morning to visit NuCrane Manufacturing. They said NuCrane, which will make large cranes for nuclear power plants, typifies the type of industrial development the state needs. The governor thanked NuCrane officials, including its partners at Hutchinson Manufacturing and PaR Nuclear, a Shoreview-based subsidiary of Westinghouse Inc., for picking Minnesota as the home of the new company. Hutchinson Manufacturing President Tom Daggett said the company could employ 50 people within five years. Company officials urged the governor to support the lifting of Minnesotas moratorium on further development of nuclear power plants. Pawlenty was receptive. We think Minnesota should be open to more nuclear expansion, he said. [The Hutchinson Leader, 3/31/10] Pawlenty Began Touting An Energy Source That Is Popular Among Republicans Nuclear Power. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty began touting an energy source that is popular among Republicans. I would challenge them respectfully back that all of us should be focused on reducing emissions and pollution, but we need to do that in a way that doesnt wreck the economy, doesnt hurt our farmers [and] doesnt hurt our manufacturers, Pawlenty said. People need jobs and theres way to do that without creating new big bureaucracies, new government taxes, new government heavy-handed techniques and a great example of that is to expand nuclear energy. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/23/09] Pawlenty Supported Changing Law That Prohibited Building New Nuclear Power Plants In Minnesota. According to a transcript from CNNs The Situation Room, Wolf Blitzer asked Pawlenty if he favored building new nuclear power plants in Minnesota. He responded, Yes, I do. We have a law that prohibits it, but Id like to change that. And, clearly, Wolf, part of our energy future has to be reopening the debate and moving forward on additional nuclear energy. Its not the only thing, but its one of the things that will help us. [CNN, The Situation Room, 6/17/08] City Officials Warned Of Reduced Capacity To Provide Emergency Response Staffing And Training For Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant Due To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Aid. According to the Star Tribune, As Xcel Energy pushes plans to extend the life of the Prairie Island nuclear plant, Red Wing officials say that Gov. Tim Pawlentys state aid cuts have made them less confident in their longterm ability to protect itIn a newsletter to residents, Red Wing officials said they have concerns regarding [the citys] diminishing ability to adequately address the unique obligations we have as a host city to a nuclear power plant. Red Wings capacity to provide emergency response staffing and training has been lessened, they said, by significant reductions in state aid -- including an estimated $898,590 next year -- along with state law changes that allowed Xcel to reduce its property tax paymentsIts going to be extremely difficult to provide these public safety services that I think are critical and necessary, said Marshall Hallock, the citys finance director. [Star Tribune, 7/13/09]

Pawlenty Advocated For An All Of The Above Approach To Energy Including Nuclear And Offshore Drilling. The Star Tribune reported, as host of the (NGA) meeting, Pawlenty has tried forge an all-of-the-above consensus on energy policy, emphasizing the importance of conservation and alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and ethanol, an

important Minnesota industry To critics who say that new offshore oil leases and nuclear power sound like a departure from Pawlentys year-old Clean Energy Future initiative, the governor says: We need it all. [Star Tribune, 7/13/08]

NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE

Pawlenty Supported Storage Of Nuclear Waste At Indian Reservation In Minnesota
Pawlenty Voted For Store Nuclear Waste At Prairie Island In 1994 And Supported Storing Additional Nuclear Waste There During 2002 Campaign. According to the Star Tribune, A 1994 legislative compromise allowed storage of highly radioactive waste in 17 outdoor casks at Prairie Island, which expected to run out of space in its underwater storage pool by 2002. The company later revised that date to 2007. The plant is owned by Northern States Power Co., which has since merged with another company and become a subsidiary of Xcel Energy IncPawlenty, who served in the Legislature during the 1994 debate and voted for the agreement allowing the casks, said he would do so again as long as the additional storage would be temporary. As in 1994, he said more casks would have to be coupled with requirements that Xcel invest more in alternative energy. [Star Tribune, 9/24/02] Tribes Agreed To Expanded Waste Storage In 2003. According to Indian Country Today, By a referendum vote of almost 2 to 1, the Prairie Island Tribe accepted an agreement with Xcel on May 14. The tribe will receive 2.25 million every year for the next 10 years and lesser amounts each year thereafter. Tribal officials have said that the tribe will use the money to conduct its first-ever health study focusing on elevated cases of cancer since the plant was built, an evacuation plan from the island in case of any possible accidents, and purchase land elsewhere so that tribal members wishing to relocate away from the plant may do so. [Indian Country Today (Lakota Times), 6/11/03]

Pawlenty Supported Storing Nuclear Waste At Yucca

Pawlenty Supported Storing Nuclear Waste In Minnesota, But Only Until A Transition Could Be Made To Permanent Storage At Yucca Mountain. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty was asked, If Xcel Energy came to you as governor asking you to reconsider its deal on storing Prairie Island nuclear waste, what would you say to them? How would you address nuclear waste concerns? He responded, Under certain circumstances, yes, and those circumstances would be if we have no other way to produce power in Minnesota, and the choice is turn the lights down or keeping Prairie Island open a little while longer, I would keep Prairie Island open a little while longer... We need to make sure we maintain a reliable and economic source of energy in Minnesota, and as we transition to a permanent storage at Yucca Mountain or to a private arrangement in Nevada, I think it is, there may be a time where Prairie Island needs to stay open before those permanent sites are available. And Id be willing to consider that under certain conditions. [Associated Press, 10/27/02] Pawlenty Hoped Nuclear Waste Repository At Yucca Mountain Would Be Completed Before Prairie Island Nuclear Waste Site In Minnesota Reached Capacity. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, They seemed, for a time, to differ on one issue -- whether they would enforce a 1994 law that limits the storage of nuclear waste at the Prairie Island power plant in Red Wing. Sullivan said he would not enforce the law if it meant the power plant would close. Pawlenty said that he favored holding the power plant to current limits, but that he hopes a federal nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada will be completed before Prairie Island reaches capacity. By law, the site can store 17 nuclear waste casks. In interviews after the debate, both Pawlenty and Sullivan said that if Yucca Mountain is not in operation when Prairie Islands 17 casks are filled, they would allow the power plant to continue generating electricity. Xcel Energy, owner of the Prairie Island plant, expects the 17 casks to provide storage until 2007. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/30/02]

Oil & Gas

Pawlenty Said An Alternative Energy Plan Is Urgently Needed Now. Our Country Remains Addicted To Oil. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In his inaugural address Tuesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty embraced the vision so passionately that he made amends to visionaries in the conservation and environmental movement, who two decades ago were urging Minnesota to adopt a greener energy future, but were laughed at by state leaders. Those leaders lacked the vision to see the future, or lacked the courage to stand up to entrenched interests that protected the status quo, Pawlenty said. An alternative energy plan is urgently needed now. Our country remains addicted to oil. That addiction is an imminent threat to

our national security, economic security, our environment, and it limits economic development, especially in our rural areas. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/07] Pawlenty Said Government Has To Step In To Take Away Oil Companies Concentrated Power. According to the Grand Forks Herald, While he may not fit the DFL definition of a populist, Pawlenty said, its a matter of where you draw the line .... I know that concentrated power unchecked leads to bad things, he said. Oil companies and drug companies, for instance. Oil companies have played a role in suppressing the development of alternative fuels, Pawlenty said, with heavyhanded contracts that prevent gasoline stations from providing pumps for renewable fuels such as ethanol. With the nations economic security at stake, that is disproportionate power, he said. Government has to step in. [Grand Forks Herald, 8/31/06]

ANWR
Pawlenty Wanted Limited Release Of Oil Reserve And Wanted To Open Up ANWR. According to The Hill, Pawlenty said It is tough to turn [prices] around quickly. One thing you can consider is a limited release from the reserve In the intermediate term we have to get serious about Americanizing our energy sources and developing it aggressively. This president and this administration has been sitting on their hands in that regard. We should be drilling in ANWR [the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge] and other places around the country. We should have an aggressive posture towards developing American sources. That would help. [The Hill, 04/26/11] Pawlenty Said He Supported Studying And Exploring Drilling In ANWR. According to a transcript from Fox News Hannity and Colmes, Pawlenty said, In ANWR, for example, Im willing the least willing to study it and explore it. I think he [McCain] has said thats something he wants to not do. I think we should at least take a look at it. The footprint could be small. There may be some other issues as well. [Fox News, Hannity and Colmes, 7/24/08]

OFF-SHORE DRILLING
Pawlenty Included Off-Shore Drilling On His List Of Possible Energy Sources For The Future. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys laundry list also includes a fresh look at the touchy subject of nuclear power -- the growth of which has been restricted in Minnesota -- and more offshore oil drilling, which has been met with skepticism among Democrats in Congress. [Star Tribune, 7/13/08] Pawlenty Criticized Obama For Not Supporting Off-Shore Drilling Or The Building Of 40 New Nuclear Power Plants. According to KARE-11, Pawlenty aimed his harshest criticism at Obama for not supporting McCains Lexington Project plan, which includes accelerated off-shore drilling and building 40 more nuclear power plants. Senator Obama is taking a no, or go-slow approach, Pawlenty said Many analysts predict it would take at least 10 years for new off-shore drilling areas to yield fruit, and even then the crude oil extracted would be sold on the world market to the highest bidders and not necessarily change the dynamics in the United States. [KARE 11, 7/24/08] Pawlenty Said More Drilling And Exploring Was Great But Was Not Going To Be The Long-Term Or Substantial Solution. According to a transcript from Fox News The Big Story With John Gibson, Pawlenty said, Any ninth grade economics student can tell when you have a supply of a product like fossil fuel that is essentially flat or is going to be flat and you have skyrocketing world demand, you are going to have a price problem. So we have to create more supply and your earlier guests talked about more domestic drilling and exploration, that`s great. But thats not going to be the long-term or substantial solution. We have to find more supply in other ways, things like renewable fuels from ethanol, so we can get more supply to accommodate demand to take off price pressures. In Minnesota, by the way, ethanol varies depending on the price of things is substantially cheaper than regular gas. [Fox News Network, The Big Story With John Gibson, 4/27/06]

TAX BREAKS AND SUBSIDIES

Pawlenty Said He Wanted To Phase Out Energy Subsidies. According to the Los Angeles Times, Pawlenty said Its not only ethanol. We need to change our approach to subsidies in all industries we need to phase out subsidies across all sources of energy and all industries, including ethanol. [Los Angeles Times, 05/23/11]

Pawlenty Said Conservatives That Opposed Government Involvement And Regulation In Industry Should Go Back And Look At The Tax Code As It Relates To Oil Companies And Look At The Tax Credits And Tax Incentives And Tax Breaks. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty said he doesnt expect to run afoul of those in his political base who flinch at greater government involvement and regulation in industry. Conservatives sometimes criticize these approaches and say Let the market dictate entirely the terms and conditions of this debate, he said. Anybody who says that should then go back and look at the tax code as it relates to oil companies and look at the tax credits and tax incentives and tax breaks. [Associated Press, 12/12/06]

NATURAL GAS
Pawlentys Expressed Need To Aggressively Exploit Natural Gas Sources. According to the Union Leader [Pawlenty] said we should drill in ANWR, that the brakes shouldnt be slammed on off-shore deep-drilling, that coal can be used, that we now have the technology to build better designed nuclear plants, and that we need to aggressively exploit our natural gas. [Union Leader, 06/13/11]

Renewable Energy
Pawlenty Urged Government Emphasis On Research Funding For Agriculture. According to the Osakis Review, Much of Pawlentys half-hour speech [at FarmFest] was a review of what his administration has done for agriculture, particularly encouraging the expansion of corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel. Talking to reporters later, Pawlenty said that as ethanol payments are ending, a decade after they began, direct subsidies to farmers that helped launch the industry no longer are needed. He said the current ones should continue, to fulfill the states promise to farmers, but now the government needs to concentrate on things such as funding research. Federal money helped fund research that led to the nuclear power industry, Pawlenty said, and that is an appropriate use of state and federal money as biofuels enter their next generation. In fact, the Republican governor and potential presidential candidate said, pilot projects for new biofuels already are operating across the country. [Osakis Review, 8/5/10] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Has Built A Credible Environmental Record And Has Been Getting Even Greener With His Support For Aggressive Renewable Energy Standards. The Star Tribune editorialized, As a supporter of ethanol production and use, wildlife conservation and lower mercury emissions from power plants, Pawlenty built a credible environmental record in his first term. In his second term, hes been getting even greener. He came around to the DFLers position and signed in February the nations most aggressive renewable energy generation standards. His staff has collaborated with DFL Rep. Jeremy Kalin of Lindstrom on a bill that would set energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances, and give utilities incentives to meet conservation targets. The latest evidence that Minnesota has a greener governor came with last weeks first meeting of his newly appointed Climate Change Advisory Group, charged with developing a set of policy recommendations by Feb. 1, 2008, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions Notably, the group is employing the Washington-based, nonprofit Center for Climate Strategies as its consultant. The center has been involved with nearly every state that has developed greenhouse gas reduction strategies since 2000. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 4/26/07]

ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Pawlenty Vetoed Appropriations For Carbon Neutral Industrial Park And Renewable Energy Project. According to Politics In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced his latest batch of vetoes today from the recently concluded special session. Pawlenty shaved off a couple of items from the omnibus tax bill that legislators passed at the end of session. Pawlenty signed the bill but used his line-item veto authority to pare $300,000 from the bill. He cut two $100,000 appropriations to develop a carbon neutral industrial park in Chisago County and renewable energy project in Princeton. Pawlenty said the two projects werent vetted through the committee process. He also cut $100,000 to the state Commissioner of Revenue for improvements at a Revenue Department facility in Ely. Pawlenty said the department doesnt feel the money is necessary. [Politics in Minnesota, 5/27/10]

Pawlenty Promoted Giant Wind Farm Alongside T. Boone Pickens. According to the Minnesota Post, Get ready for Minnesotas next big battle over the environment. Its already heating up in the rolling countryside of southeastern Minnesotas Goodhue County, and its about to get a lot hotter, thanks to the involvement of Gov. Tim Pawlenty and one of Americas richest men, billionaire Texas oil tycoon, corporate raider and born-again environmentalist T. Boone Pickens. It figures to be a doozy, pitting neighbor against neighbor in a debate over the economic, environmental and social impact of a giant wind farm that would turn 32,000 acres of the countys densely populated farmland into a Don Quixote-like landscape dotted with 400-foot tall wind turbines, capped by rotors the size of football fields. The projects Minnesota-based developers say it will bring job creation, economic development and millions of dollars in local tax revenues and payments to farmers, while opponents contend it will adversely affect property values and possibly endanger the health and well being of local residents and even bald eagles nesting in the nearby Mississippi River Valley. At the same time, the project could boost Pawlentys presidential ambitions by teaming up with the controversial Pickens, who says hes coming to Minnesota to join Pawlenty for a joint announcement of the massive project, which would use turbines Pickens intended to use to build the worlds largest wind farm in the Texas panhandle, a project he put on hold last July because existing transmission-line capacity wasnt available and he couldnt get financing. [MinnPost, 4/1/10] Pawlenty Articulated Agenda For Massive Expansion In Wind Energy Within Two Years. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, To meet Minnesotas renewable energy goals, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants 800 megawatts of wind energy developed through a grassroots state program by 2010. Unfortunately, just 2.5 megawatts of wind power are up and spinning at the moment, a state official said Thursday, leaving 797.5 megawatts to be installed within the next two years. To get more wind turbines up and running quickly, Michael Bull, the assistant director of the Minnesota Office of Energy Security, said the Pawlenty administration is planning to propose tweaks to its 3-year-old Community-Based Energy Development program, hoping to attract more farmers and other landowners in windy parts of the state like the southwest to participate in wind projects. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/31/08] Pawlenty Joined With Democratic Governor Bill Richardson To Promote Wind Energy. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota is one of the countrys top producers of wind energy. New Mexico is the nations top buyer. So it makes sense that Govs. Tim Pawlenty and Bill Richardson have joined forces to form a Governors Windpower Coalition that they hope will put wind power on the cutting edge. A growing source of clean, renewable energy, wind power is becoming a serious player in the energy market and is expected to increase its capacity as much as 30 percent in 2008 This is being modeled after the Governors Ethanol Coalition, which now has 30 states, Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said. Pawlenty was chair of that coalition when he was second-in-command at the National Governors Association. He now leads that organization and has made renewable energy his signature issue. The ethanol group has been a very successful tool that has helped move the ball on ethanol and expand it from a regional effort to a national one, McClung said. We think we can do the same thing with wind. [Star Tribune, 12/8/07] Pawlenty Supported $1.6 Billion Coal-Fired Power Plant In South Dakota, Despite Environmental Risks To Region. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Minnesota Commerce Department Friday unveiled a pact with utilities that could smooth the way to build a $1.6 billion, coal-fired power plant in South Dakota, on the border 175 miles west of Minneapolis. A top Minnesota official said the deal will reduce mercury pollution, find ways to offset greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that rural Minnesota gets the power it needs. But foes of Big Stone II accused the Pawlenty administration of suddenly shifting course and supporting a plant thatll release 4.7 million tons of carbon dioxide into the environment every year for the next half-century. [Star Tribune, 9/1/07]

ETHANOL MANDATES
Pawlenty Pushed For Ethanol Mandate In 2005, Then Later Called For The Subsidies To Be Phased Out After Announcing His Candidacy For President. According to The New American, When he announced his candidacy for President, Pawlenty called for the phasing out of federal energy subsidies, including those for ethanol - though in 2005 he pushed for and signed into law a mandate doubling the ethanol content required for gasoline in Minnesota to 20 percent. [The New American, 8/22/11] The Wall Street Journal Praised Pawlentys Call For Ethanol Subsidies To Be Phased Out. According to the Wall Street Journal, its notablemake that downright amazingthat former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty launched his campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination Monday by including a challenge to King Corn. The truth about federal energy subsidies, including federal subsidies for ethanol, is that they have to be phased out, Mr. Pawlenty told a crowd in Des

Moines. We simply cant afford them anymore. [] in refusing to stick to the script for candidates looking to harvest votes in Februarys Iowa caucuses, Mr. Pawlenty has passed an early test of fortitude. By opposing ethanol despite the political risks, Mr. Pawlenty will also gain credibility to tackle other energy subsidies that drain the federal fisc to little good effect. [Wall Street Journal, 05/24/11] Pawlenty Backed Increased Ethanol Blend For Minnesota Gasoline. According to DomesticFuel.com, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty supports an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline to at least 15 percent and is hopeful about the future of next generation biofuelsOn the topic of increasing the allowable ethanol blend to 15 percent, Thats something we have pushed in Minnesota and theres some good work that has been done at Minnesota State at Mankato showing you can use 15 percent or more without damaging the engines, Pawlenty said. Weve tried to encourage EPA to look at that and they seem to be unwilling or unable to make a decision so far. [DomesticFuel.com, 9/23/09] Pawlenty Supported Doubling Of Minnesotas Ethanol Mandate To 20% By 2013. According to Minnesota Public Radio, This year, Pawlenty pushed for doubling Minnesotas ethanol mandate to 20-percent by the year 2013. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/26/05] Pawlenty Defended Ethanol Subsidies, Charged Critics Were Limited To The Far Margins. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty challenged all states to achieve 10-percent ethanol use by the year 2010. He says ethanol can benefit states that arent corn-producers, since ethanol can be made out of sugar, other grains and even garbage. He also defended ethanol subsidies, which critics have questioned. Every other fuel is subsidized too, he says. This notion that ethanol is subsidized and somehow its therefore tainted is ridiculous, because we subsidize oil like crazy! Look at the federal tax code and the incentives we give to oil exploration and production and refining. Pawlenty says ethanol has the added benefit of creating jobs in rural America. He says only people on the far margins of the political spectrum oppose ethanol. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/26/05] Pawlenty Supported Federal Legislation To Assist Ethanol Production. According to the RFA Ethanol Report, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Governors Ethanol Coalition (GEC) Chairman, recently sent a letter to President Bush and Congress urging their support for federal legislation to increase ethanol production. The GEC, which represents 30 governors, announced the details in a release of a report entitled, Ethanol from Biomass: Americas 21st Century Transportation Fuel. Our increasing dependence on foreign oil is a risk to the nations energy, economic and environmental security. The Coalition recommendations encourage new technologies and increase long term energy stability, stated Gov. Pawlenty. The GEC report calls for a renewable fuels standard of 8 billion gallons 2012 and sets a goal of providing 10 percent of the nations fuel from ethanol and biodiesel with a growing share from biomass derived ethanol. The GEC also recommends $800 million in federal research funding for biomass ethanol production over 10 years. Additional biomass resources such as corn fiber, wheat straw, rice hulls, paper mill waste and agricultural residues can expand ethanol production into a much larger, renewable energy resource. [RFA Ethanol Report, 4/25/05] Pawlenty Called Upon Congress To Mandate The Higher Of Two Ethanol Standards. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who runs a state that is a leader in alternative fuels, urged Congress Thursday to adopt the higher of two ethanol standards before it. A House-Senate conference committee is currently reconciling two versions of the energy bill. The Senate bill would require that refiners use at least 8 billion gallons of renewable components - almost all of it ethanol from corn - in gasoline by 2012. The House bill would require five billion gallons. Five billion is too low, Pawlenty told Minnesota reporters after testifying in front of the House Agriculture Committee. Some would say that were already there, or will be in a year or two. The United States currently uses about four billion gallons of ethanol a year. Pawlenty also suggested that the renewable fuel industry branch out to out other sources, such as wood and animal waste, to make it more attractive to other regions of the country. This doesnt just benefit farmers, he said. Its good for rural and economic development. Its good environmental policy, and its good national security policy. [Associated Press, 7/21/05]

Pawlenty Slashed Funding For Ethanol Subsidies

Pawlenty Proposed $1.9 Million Cut In Payments To Ethanol Producers. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Pawlenty cut $1.9 million in state ethanol producer payments. From his detailed budget proposalThis proposal reduces the Minnesota Department of Agricultures (MDA) program and grant spending by 6.7 percent. The largest reduction is a onetime decrease in ethanol producer payments ($1.931 million), with the remainder making up reductions in grants to county fairs, livestock breeders, agricultural research and education organizations and Second Harvest Heartland. Mental health grants, farm-to-school grants, livestock investment grants and MDAs dairy development and profitability enhancement program are also reduced. [Polinaut blog, Minnesota Public Radio, 2/15/10]

Pawlenty Cut $20.1 Million From State Ethanol Budget, Caused Severe Problems For Ethanol Industry. According to the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, While proposed cuts to ethanol subsidies have Minnesota corn farmers and small ethanol producers wondering about the fate of their industry, some Twin Cities business leaders are more worried about the impact the cuts might have on business development. To help make a dent in the projected $356 million budget deficit for the 2002-2003 biennium, Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut $20.1 million from this years ethanol budget. He is recommending lowering the states ethanol subsidy payment cap from 20 cents per gallon to 10 cents per gallon during the 2004-2005 biennium. These cuts will save the state $17.7 million in fiscal year 2004 and another $14.8 million in 2005. Since 1987, the state has paid $215 million to the states 14 ethanol plants, said Dan Wolter, communications manager in the governors office. When the state committed to the subsidies, it agreed to provide production incentives of 20 cents per gallon for the first 15 million gallons of ethanol a plant produced. Each plant could collect these payments for up to 10 years. Cuts in the subsidies today would represent a broken promise made by government to Minnesota businesses, said Bill Bathe, president and CEO of U.S. Energy Services in Wayzata, whose company is a member of the National Ethanol Vehicle Association. [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 3/21/03] Pawlenty Proposed To Completely Eliminate Ethanol Subsidies For Remainder Of FY 2003 After Taking Office. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesotas ethanol subsidies would be wiped out for the rest of this fiscal year under the proposed budget cuts, which would eliminate $26.8 million in payments to 13 plants. This is drastic and could have severe consequences for a number of the ethanol producers in the state, said Bill Lee, general manager of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. in Benson. Tuesday, he and other ethanol plant managers said volatile markets, combined with the loss of subsidies, might force some smaller plants out of business. They also said the proposed cuts fly in the face of Pawlentys pledge to help rural economies. The impact is not only on the businesses themselves, but it reduces the credibility of the state with lending institutions and certainly with future business that might be attracted to Minnesota, said Richard Eichstadt, general manager of the Pro-Corn ethanol plant in PrestonThe subsidies provide 20 cents per gallon of ethanol produced _ up to $3 million to each plant annually. A 2002 analysis by the state Agriculture Department found that expanding the ethanol industry could give Minnesota a net gain of $259 million to $295 million a year. Since 1987, the state has paid out nearly $215 million in ethanol subsidies to 14 plants, one of which is no longer subsidized. Nearly 8,000 farmers invested and banks lent money believing the plants would be subsidized. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/15/03] Pawlenty Targeted Ethanol Subsidies For Elimination Because Ethanol Had Become Profitable On Its Own. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty has said he identified ethanol subsidies as a prime target for elimination because although ethanol is a valued home-grown industry, it also had become profitable on its own and is not in critical need of state subsidies. [Star Tribune, 1/22/03]

RENEWABLE ENERGY MANDATES AND STANDARDS

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed: Pawlenty Imposed Some Of The Most Aggressive Renewable Energy Mandates In The Country As Governor, Requiring State Utility To Generate 30% Of Its Power From Renewable Sources By 2020. In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Jason Lewis wrote: On the environment, Mr. Pawlenty imposed some of the most aggressive renewable energy mandates in the country. Other states will be requiring, in coming years, that energy producers get 20% of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar or animal manure. In Mr. Pawlentys Minnesota, the states largest utility will be required to generate 30% of its power from renewable sources by 2020. [Jason Lewis Op-Ed, Wall Street Journal, 2/23/08] Pawlenty Endorsed Increase In State Biodiesel Mandate From 2% To 20%. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to raise Minnesotas biodiesel mandate from 2 percent to 20 percent, a move that would boldly send Minnesota where no state has gone before. And critics would say where it shouldnt go. The soybean-based diesel has a checkered past in chilly Minnesota, and even the 2 percent mandate led to a winter of woesOn Thursday, Pawlenty proposed raising, step by step, the level of biodiesel that must be blended into every gallon of diesel fuel sold in Minnesota. If the Legislature agrees, the first step to 5 percent could come next year, and the level would reach 20 percent by 2015. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/10/07] Pawlenty Urged Other States To Establish Renewable Energy Standards For Utilities. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty put a green tint on his ascension to chairman of the National Governors Association on Monday, telling the group that he will lead a sustainable energy initiative over the next year. Pawlenty was elected chairman during the

associations annual meeting in Traverse City, Mich. By tradition, the chairman outlines a broad policy goal. Pawlentys is called Securing a Clean Energy Future. Pawlentys initiative mirrors work hes done in Minnesota. In recent years, the Legislature has passed laws to ramp up the use of ethanol and other biofuels and set a renewable energy standard for utility providers. [Associated Press, 7/23/07] Pawlenty Said He Had A Real Passion For Renewable Energy Issues. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said, Absent a federal standard, state by state we can set renewable energy standards, and eventually we will set a national standard. The energy issue also is personal for Pawlenty. I have a real passion for this, he said. It fits in with being good stewards of what weve been given, this planet with all of its beauty and incredible assets, and I think we have a moral obligation to pass it on in the best shape possible. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/22/07] Pawlenty Declared He Would Fight Ferociously To Protect 10% Ethanol Blend In Gasoline State Requirement. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Wednesday he would oppose any attempt by President Bush to eliminate or reduce Minnesotas mandate requiring a 10 percent ethanol blend in gasoline. Bush on Tuesday criticized state governments for requiring too many localized fuel blends, saying they raise gas prices and hamper national fuel distribution. He didnt mention Minnesota, but its the only state that has required a 10 percent ethanol blend since 1997. For the president to suggest that these types of local requirements for blends are somehow a concern or an impediment is a grave concern to me and I believe to Minnesotans, Pawlenty said at a news conference in a Capitol parking lot with his Chevy Suburban that runs on E85, an 85 percent ethanol fuel blend, as a backdrop for the cameras Pawlenty said he would ask Bush and the EPA head to clarify their intentions of fuel blends. If they intend to limit or eliminate ethanol blends, that would be something wed want to fight ferociously as Minnesotans. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/27/06] Pawlenty Endorsed Federal Renewable Fuel Mandate Requiring 53% Increase In Renewable Fuel Production By 2012. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday urged Congress to support legislation that would require the nation to produce 8 billion gallons of renewable fuel by the year 2012, a 53 percent increase over current levels. A House bill calling for that requirement is sponsored by Rep. Gil Gutknecht, R-Minn. Similar Senate legislation includes a 5 billion-gallon mandate. Minnesota, which just passed a 20 percent ethanol mandate, is the only state that has such a law. But Pawlenty predicted other states will soon follow. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/22/04] Pawlenty Supported 25% Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard By 2025, With Possibility Of Significant Penalties If State Failed To Reach Goal. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, In addition, Pawlenty repeated his proposed strategic goal that 25 percent of all of Minnesotas energy -- for electricity, transportation and heating -- come from renewable sources by 2025, backed by what he called significant penalties for failing to reach objectives. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/12/06] Pawlenty Supported Bill To Double Amount Of Corn-Based Ethanol In Minnesota Gasoline. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Flanked by farm groups and Democratic and Republican legislators, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill Tuesday that will double the amount of corn-based ethanol required in gasoline sold in Minnesota. Supporters said the move would reduce dependence on oil and help the rural economy The amount of ethanol required in gasoline will increase from 10 percent to 20 percent by Aug. 30, 2013. The requirement will help farmers by increasing demand for corn. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/11/05]

RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES

Pawlenty Supported Opening Carpool Lanes To Hybrid Cars, Was Prepared To Consider State Tax Breaks For Hybrid Cars. According to the Associated Press, Before buzzing around St. Paul in a hybrid-fueled sport utility vehicle, Gov. Tim Pawlenty lent his backing Thursday to a proposal to open special freeway lanes reserved for carpoolers to hybrid owners driving alone. Pawlenty asked Minnesotas 10-member congressional delegation to seek the high-occupancy lane clearance as part of a transportation bill now under consideration in Washington. Its a win, win, win - from a traffic standpoint, from an environmental standpoint, from an energy policy standpoint, Pawlenty said at a local Ford dealership. It has numerous positive attributes to it. The hybrid gas and electric vehicles produce lower emissions than traditional gaspowered cars and trucks and are more fuel efficient. Even though hybrid cars are rolling off lots as fast as theyre made, Pawlenty said more people might be inclined to seek them out if they are offered traffic-easing incentives. Minnesota has a few high-occupancy lanes on the Twin Cities-area interstates freewaysOther state lawmakers have proposed tax breaks for

hybrid buyers. But those bills, including one that would exempt hybrids from the 6.5 percent vehicle tax, stalled in the 2004 sessionPawlenty said he would be open to such state tax breaks. [Associated Press, 7/15/04] Pawlenty Supported Incentives For Renewable Energy. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty said financial incentives should be offered to utilities and other businesses to spur them to reach those goals. Incentives and funding should also be offered to help develop ethanol from trees or grass as well as biomass gasification -- futuristic technologies that he said will be Minnesotas next bio-energy home run. [Star Tribune, 12/12/06] Pawlenty Endorsed Extension Of Federal Renewable-Energy Tax Credits. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Meanwhile, the governors were mostly unified in their demand that Congress extend renewable-energy tax credits that are scheduled to expire this year. They are also banking on automotive technology improvements -- plug-in electric, hybrid, flexfuel cars -- that promise dramatic fuel efficiency improvements in the foreseeable future. We have a huge opportunity, and Im optimistic there will be a breakthrough, Pawlenty said. You can see it starting to come now. ... If theres a silver lining in an otherwise awful situation, once inspired our country is very good at innovation. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/13/08] Pawlenty Proposed Mother Lode Of Tax Breaks For Green Jobs. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Faced with a state in an economic downturn and a stream of job losses, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday proposed what he called the mother lode of tax breaks to companies that create so-called green jobs in the burgeoning field of renewable energy. The package includes a variation of Pawlentys JOBZ economic development program, dubbed Green JOBZ, designed to attract investment in sustainable energy projects by offering exemptions from corporate franchise taxes, income tax for investors, capital gains tax and sales tax on goods and services. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 11/11/08]

ENVIRONMENT
Climate Change
American Spectators Quin Hillyer: Tim Pawlenty Was Full Of Global Warming Nonsense Less Than Three Years Ago. Typical Politician: Sees Trendy Issue, Doesnt Have A Clue About Actual Facts, Tries To Jump In Front Of Parade. No Thanks. Quin Hillyer, senior editorial writer at the Washington Times and senior editor of The American Spectator, wrote an op-ed that said, Any good presidential candidate will spend time, and order staff to spend time, analyzing all of his/her weaknesses and drawing up a brutal list of things opponents will attack him/her on. Just about every potential participant in the coming Republican presidential sweepstakes will have plenty of good things to cite, so this following list should not be taken to disparage all sorts of personal strengths, points of attractiveness, and electoral advantages that each of the candidates can boast. But, to get out front on the absolutely prime reasons why, from a certain vantage point, nobody is worthy of the nomination, here is the pessimists view of the potential Republican fieldTim Pawlenty was full of global warming nonsense less than three years ago. Typical politician: Sees trendy issue, doesnt have a clue about actual facts, tries to jump in front of parade. No thanks. [Quin Hillyer op-ed, The American Spectator, 1/28/11] Politico: Pawlenty Was Inspired To Take Pro-Climate Views After McCain Co-Sponsored Climate Legislation With Lieberman. According to Politico, During the George W. Bush administration, John McCain went against his party and co-sponsored climate legislation with Lieberman. The 2008 presidential nominee even inspired a few other top GOP contenders to take pro-climate views, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. [Politico, 10/25/10] Pawlenty Claimed The Climate Was Always Changing And Called For Reducing Pollution In A Way That Was Based On Good Science. According to Real Clear Politics, Pawlenty said, Ive come to the conclusion that we should all do what we can to reduce pollution but that we need to do that in a way that is not going to wreck the economy, that is not hamfisted, that is based on good science. When it comes to climate change we have to recognize the climate is always changing. Its a dynamic situation and we have to differentiate between what is man made vs. whats caused by natural causes and natural climatic cycles. I just dont think that cap-and-trade is the way to go. I have written a letter to Congress opposing their cap-and-trade bill. It is something that we looked at in Minnesota, something we studied. But I have come to the conclusion that it is wrong for the country the way that Congress has proposed it, and in general its a bad idea. [Real Clear Politics interview, 7/14/10] Politico: Pawlenty Was The Classic Case Of A Formerly Green Republican Shifting To The Right On Climate Change. According to Politico, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty may be the classic case of a formerly green Republican shifting to the right on climate change, just as he begins laying the groundwork for a 2012 White House bid. In 2006, Pawlenty championed an ambitious climate program that would require the state to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent by 2015 and 80 percent by 2050 targets that track closely with proposals being considered by the Senate. A year later, after his proposal was passed into law, Pawlenty called the global warming issue one of the most important of our time. But in June, Pawlenty wrote a letter to the Minnesota delegation calling the House bill very burdensome on our economy and overly bureaucratic, misguided. And last month, he told The Economist that while the Earth might be warming, it is unclear to what extent that is the result of natural causes. [Politico, 12/2/09] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Pawlentys Criticism Of Cap And Trade Bill Was The Latest Step In A Two-Year Retreat From The Clean-Energy Views He Once Championed. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is getting a burst of attention for seemingly altering his stance favoring a cap-and-trade approach to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. But to energy and environmental groups, Pawlentys full flop as one news outlet put it isnt an aberration. Rather, they see it as the latest step in a two-year retreat from the clean-energy views he once championed and they found appealingBrian McClung, Pawlentys deputy chief of staff, insists Pawlenty remains a leader on clean energy. The role of advocates is to always want more, McClung said. And so, we expect that there will be critics. But Governor Pawlenty has tried to chart a course in Minnesota where we reduce pollution and emissions but also pay attention to the economic impact. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/10/09] Pawlenty Said Global Warming Was At Least In Part Due To The Energy Sources We Use. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty delighted clean-energy advocates in December 2006 when he laid out an agenda that emphasized conservation, renewable energy, an acknowledgement of global warming and the need for cuts in greenhouse-gas

emissions. Our global climate is warming, at least in part due to the energy sources we use, Pawlenty said in a prepared statement that day. Minnesotans did not create this problem, nor can we solve it by ourselves. We need an effective national and international effort. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/10/09] In 2006, Pawlenty Said In 10, 15 Or 20 Years From Now, Whatever Political Stripe You Are, Youll Look Back On These Types Of [Clean Energy] Initiatives And Say Thank Goodness We Did That. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is backing away from his earlier support for new regulations to slow global warming. Since 2006, Tim Pawlenty has been touting clean energy initiatives as a way to curb greenhouse gas emissions The country needs to hear this wakeup call and move boldly and aggressively in this direction, Pawlenty said in 2006. What people think now will be very different than what people think 10 or 15 or 20 years from now and whatever political stripe you are, youll look back on these types of initiatives and say thank goodness we did that. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/23/09] Minnesota Public Radio: Pawlenty Was A Vocal Advocate Of Creating Cap And Trade System And Even Recorded A Radio Ad Urging Congress To Address Climate Change; Now He Uses Climate Change As A Punch Line. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty was a vocal advocate of creating a cap and trade system to curb greenhouse gas emissions. In 2008, he and Janet Napolitano, then Arizonas Democratic Governor, recorded a radio ad urging Congress to address climate change. Pawlenty has changed. Now, he uses climate change as a punch line. Apparently, theyre announcing that President Obama is making great progress on climate change, Pawlenty said in a speech to the Republican National Committee in July. Hes turning the political climate of the country back to Republicans. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/23/09] Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Helped Minnesota Forge Into A National Leadership Role On Global Climate Change And Renewable Energy. Nick Coleman, a senior fellow at the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement at the College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University, penned an op-ed in the Star Tribune in August 2009 in which he wrote, Two years ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty teamed up with polar explorer Will Steger, becoming part of a highly publicized odd couple that helped Minnesota forge into a national leadership role on global climate change and renewable energy. There was even talk of Pawlenty joining a Steger expedition to the Arctic to witness, from the runners of a dogsled, the shrinking polar ice cap. Today, however, the rapid disappearance of the ice cap is more than matched by the evaporation of Pawlentys leadership on an issue that Steger says carries as much moral urgency as it does environmental and economic importance. [Nick Coleman Opinion, Star Tribune, 8/30/09] Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Abandoned Climate Change Agenda When He Began Preening To Be John McCains Choice As A Running Mate. Nick Coleman, a senior fellow at the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement at the College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University, penned an op-ed in the Star Tribune in August 2009 in which he wrote, Since early last year, when he began preening to be John McCains choice as a running mate, Pawlenty (who is not seeking a third term as governor) has tried to elevate his national prospects by appealing to the deeply conservative base of the Republican Party. His ambitions have led him to jump from Stegers sled and largely abandon his goal to make Minnesota a model for fighting global warming, reducing greenhouse gases, and jump-starting an alternative growth economy by finding renewable, green-energy sources that might wean us from carbon and produce jobs. [Nick Coleman Opinion, Star Tribune, 8/30/09] Nick Coleman: Climate Change One Of Tim Pawlentys Most Cynical Reversals. Nick Coleman, a senior fellow at the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement at the College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University, penned an op-ed in the Star Tribune in August 2009 in which he wrote, It has been one of Tim Pawlentys most cynical reversals. And the truth, says Steger (who says he remains close to Pawlenty), is that the governor knows better. Pawlentys about-face began while he was still in the midst of a series of climate change forums with Steger that were held across the state. He bailed before the final forum and never looked back. A governor who declared himself a champion of clean energy when he was chairman of the National Governors Association has now bowed so low to his partys Drill, Baby, Drill faction that he called on the states congressional delegation in June to vote against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which embodied most of the very principles he had embraced when he hitched himself to Stegers visionary crusade. [Nick Coleman Opinion, Star Tribune, 8/30/09] Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Turned His Back On Broad-Based Bipartisan Minnesota Climate Change Efforts He Helped Start. Nick Coleman, a senior fellow at the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement at the College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University, penned an op-ed in the Star Tribune in August 2009 in which he wrote, The bill passed the House and will now go to the Senate. But by throwing red meat to red-state Republicans (embracing clean coal and nuclear energy, repeating hoary tales of job losses and wildly exaggerated cost estimates), Pawlenty turned

his back on a broad-based bipartisan Minnesota movement that he had helped start and that included a full spectrum of interests, from energy companies to environmental advocacy groups. [Nick Coleman Opinion, Star Tribune, 8/30/09] New York Times: Pawlenty Used To Make Soaring Speeches About Defusing Climate Change. Now Hes Making Jokes. According to the New York Times, Minnesotas Republican governor used to make soaring speeches about defusing climate change. Now hes making jokes, and some environmentalists are wondering whether his gone-missing support amounts to bait and switch politics. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is stoking frustration among Democratic state lawmakers and prominent climate thinkers for becoming totally silent on two major efforts to stem greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota and in a strip of states stretching from Canada to Kansas. [New York Times, 8/24/09] Pawlentys Turnaround Is Striking; Attributed To His Attempt To Mend His Conservative Credentials Before Taking A Stab At The Republican Nomination For President. According to the New York Times, The turnaround is striking because it was the governor who powerfully promoted the initiatives. Now, chafed participants believe Pawlenty is abandoning climate action to mend his conservative credentials before taking a stab at the Republican nomination for president in 2012. [New York Times, 8/24/09]

Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Pawlenty Believes Global Warming Is A Real Threat, A View Which Doesnt Endear Him To Some GOP Stalwarts. The Rochester Post-Bulletin editorialized, Will history books remember him as our no new taxes governor? Will the I-35W bridge collapse and reconstruction define him? Will he be the guy who had a vice-presidential nomination locked up, only to have it taken away by someone who could see Russia from her house? We think not. Instead, Pawlenty is well on his way to being one of the greenest Republican governors our nation has ever had. He believes global warming is a real threat, a view which doesnt endear him to some GOP stalwarts. He helped lead Minnesota to a position of national prominence in the alternative fuels industry -- and whether you like ethanol or not, its here to stay and will continue to play a role in our quest for energy independence. [Editorial, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 11/13/08] Pawlenty Praised President Carter On The Environment, Said That Climate Change Was Real And Those Who Dont Think So Are Simply Not Right. According to an op-ed that appeared in the Wall Street Journal, In April, Mr. Pawlenty delivered the remarks that probably best reveal his views on the environment. It looks like we should have listened to President Carter, he told the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group. He called us to action, and we should have listened Climate change is real. Human behavior is partly and may be a lot responsible. Those who dont think so are simply not right. We should not spend time on voices that say its not real. [Jason Lewis Op-Ed, Wall Street Journal, 2/23/08] Pawlenty Called Global Warming One Of The Most Important [Issues] Of Our Time. According to the Star Tribune, In some ways, I suppose were a bit of an odd couple, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Monday of himself and the states famous Arctic explorer, Will Steger, who stood beside Pawlenty during a conference about issues threatening the environmental health of Lake Superior. One of the biggest issues, global climate change, is what motivated the pair to join forces -- warning of what they say will be grave consequences if individuals, businesses and governments dont act to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It is an important issue -- I think one of the most important of our time, Pawlenty told the 400 researchers, resource managers and educators gathered in Duluth this week. [Star Tribune, 8/29/07] Pawlenty Said Failure To Address Carbon Emissions Would Risk The Nations Security Posture, Its Prosperity And Quality Of Life. According to the Star Tribune, With the nations governors assembled before him, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on Monday that the United States can no longer rely on unstable and unfriendly foreign sources for its growing energy needs and called for an Americanization of energy. As the new chairman of the National Governors Association, the Minnesota governor said that securing a clean energy future would be the groups top priority for the coming yearBy 2030, Pawlenty said, the United States also will be responsible for producing 20 percent of the worlds carbon emissions, outpaced only by China. If we continue, he said, we will risk the nations security posture, its prosperity and quality of life. [Star Tribune, 7/24/07] Pawlenty Said He Had A Real Passion For Energy Issues; I Think We Have A Moral Obligation To Pass [The Planet] On In The Best Shape Possible. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The energy issue also is personal for Pawlenty. I have a real passion for this, he said. It fits in with being good stewards of what weve been given, this planet with all of its beauty and incredible assets, and I think we have a moral obligation to pass it on in the best shape possible. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/22/07]

Pawlenty Said His Party Has Catching Up To Do On Climate Change. According to the Charleston Gazette, Pawlenty acknowledged his party has catching up to do on climate change, but noted that some of the most outspoken governors on the issue are fellow Republicans. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California is threatening to sue the EPA for the right to exceed federal greenhouse gas standards. [Charleston Gazette, 7/23/07] Pawlenty Signed A Bill To Cut Carbon Emissions By 80 Percent By 2050. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty signed a bill designed to increase energy efficiency and slash greenhouse gas emissions. The bill signed Friday requires that a plan be developed to reduce statewide carbon dioxide emissions linked to global warming 15 percent by 2015, 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050. [Star Tribune, 5/26/07]

CAP AND TRADE

Pawlenty Apologized For His Flirtation With Cap-And-Trade Policy. According to the National Journal, as a presidential candidate he followed the tea party to the right - out of political necessity, his aides would whisper - on such issues as health care reform and climate change. Once known as a national leader on the environment, Pawlenty apologized to anybody who would listen for his flirtation with cap-and-trade policy. [National Journal, 8/15/11] Pawlenty Said He Flirted With Cap And Trade, But Later Realized It Would Be Harmful To The Economy. According to Politico, I looked at it, like most of the other leading candidates did, some years ago flirted with it, for sure but Ive just admitted my mistake and said I was wrongIt would be harmful to the economy. Its based on flawed science, and we should throw it out the window. [Politico, 06/13/11] Factcheck.Org: Pawlenty Falsely Claimed He Never Signed A Bill Related To Cap And Trade. According to Factcheck.org, In a January interview on Fox News Sunday, Pawlenty said that he never did sign a bill relating to cap and trade while governor of Minnesota. But thats false. He signed a 2007 bill requiring a task force to come up with recommendations on how Minnesota could institute cap and trade. Plus, Pawlenty joined other Midwestern governors in signing a compact to develop a market-based and multi-sector cap-and-trade mechanism. Pawlenty also claimed that Ive opposed cap and trade. But thats only been the case since 2009, when Pawlenty wrote a letter to his states congressional delegation saying that a federal cap-and-trade bill was overly bureaucratic, misguided. [FactCheck.org, 05/23/11] Pawlenty Acknowledged That He Once Supported Cap And Trade; It Was A Mistake, It Was Stupid. It Was Wrong. According to the American Spectator, Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota governor and likely presidential candidate, acknowledged that he once supported cap and trade but has since switched his position. Almost everybody whos running has a similar problem, Pawlenty said, responding to a question I posed to him at a meeting with bloggers during CPAC. I think if you look under the hood youll see that I, like everybody else potentially running, looked at it, flirted with it, and then decided it was a bad idea. However, Pawlenty emphasized that he wasnt trying to equivocate. Have I changed by position? he said. Yes. But Im not going to be cute about it, hem and haw, be dippy and dancy about it. Just saying yeah, it was a mistake, it was stupid. It was wrong. [Philip Klein, American Spectator, 2/11/11] Pawlenty Called For Allowing The Free Market To Address Issues Regarding Pollution And Emissions. During Pawlentys Freedom First PACs first Facebook Town Hall Pawlenty was asked if he supported Cap-and-Trade. He responded, I do not... Its going to add burdens to our economy at a time when our economy can least afford it. And secondly, it beings to again politicize economic decision-making. So you have government saying for this group youre going to have extra burdens and costs, and for this group you may be exempt it becomes inefficient, theres all kinds of potential for manipulation depending on what interest group has the most power or the most influence. We should be stepping back, and allowing the free market, and technology, and science to address issues regarding pollution and emissions. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10] In 2002, Pawlenty Said The Government Absolutely Had A Role In Dealing With The Environment; Its Not A Good Idea To Rely On Market Forces When Dealing With The Environment. According to the Associated Press, House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty said its not a good idea to rely on market forces when dealing with the environment. There is absolutely a role for government to be involved, said Pawlenty, of Eagan. Pawlenty also said government should help acquire lands for public use - either by buying them or through land swaps of less sensitive state lands for more sensitive private lands. [Associated Press, 4/29/02]

In 2010, Pawlenty Said He Thought Cap-And-Trade Legislation Would Be A Disaster. According to a transcript from Meet the Press, Pawlenty said, There is no question the climate is changing, but the more interesting question is how much of that is man-made versus natural causes. And the way that you address is we should all be in favor of reducing pollution. But we need to do that in ways that dont burden the economy. Cap and trade, I think, would be a disaster in that regard. [Meet the Press, NBC, 2/21/10] PolitiFact: Everything Pawlenty Does Points To White House Run; Case In Point: His Full Flop On Cap And Trade. According to the St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact, He hasnt made it official yet, but it seems everything Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty does these days points to a White House run in 2012. Case in point: his stance on a cap-and-trade plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Back in 2007, Pawlenty was positioning himself as an environmental leader, pushing for aggressive reductions in greenhouse gases and a regional cap-and-trade plan. Fast-forward to 2009, and hes writing letters to Washington calling a Democratic plan to curb climate change overly bureaucratic, misguided and very burdensome on our economy. No matter what Pawlentys motivations, I would call it pretty much a 180-degree evolution, said Morse. We couldnt have said it better. Pawlenty has clearly changed his tune on cap-and-trade. We give him a Full Flop. [PolitiFact, St. Petersburg Times, 9/24/09] PolitiFact: Pawlentys Evolution From Treehugger To Cap-And-Trade Skeptic Began In 2007 When He Said Minnesota Should Have Taken Action On A Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Plan 30 Years Ago. According to the St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact, To track Pawlentys evolution from treehugger to capand-trade skeptic, we need to turn the clock back to 2007. At the time, the Minnesota Legislature was debating the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007, which outlined the states goals for greenhouse gas reductions. The bill required the state to reduce its emissions 15 percent by 2015 and 80 percent in 2050. It also endorsed the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, a panel charged with drafting a comprehensive greenhouse gas emission reduction plan to meet those goals. On May 25, 2007, the day Pawlenty signed the bill, he said the state should have taken action 30 years ago. The nation has been asleep at the switch, but here in Minnesota we are kick-starting the future by increasing our nation-leading per capita renewable fuel use, boosting cost-saving measures and tackling greenhouse gas emissions, he said. [PolitiFact, St. Petersburg Times, 9/24/09] PolitiFact: Pawlenty Grew Reputation As Environmental Pioneer By Persuading Midwest Governors Association To Sign The Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord; List Of His Climate Change Achievements Goes On. According to the St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact, Pawlenty grew his reputation as an environmental pioneer when he played a leading role in persuading members of the Midwest Governors Association to sign the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, an agreement that the states would develop a cap-andtrade mechanism to achieve greenhouse gas reductions in the area. The list of Pawlentys climate change achievements goes on, including the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, which he formed to study the impact of climate change and make recommendations for the state. You get the picture. [PolitiFact, St. Petersburg Times, 9/24/09] PolitiFact: Pawlenty Opposed National Plan To Lower Carbon Pollution That Was Only Slightly More Ambitious Than His Climate Goals For Minnesota; He Claimed The Legislation Would Place Significant Burdens On Individuals And Job Creators. According to the St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact, [I]t was surprising to Morse and other Minnesota environmentalists when Pawlenty wrote a letter to the Minnesota delegation in Washington expressing his opposition to a bill authored by Reps. Henry Waxman and Edward Markey that would set up a national cap-and-trade program to lower carbon pollution by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 only slightly more ambitious than Pawlentys climate change goals for Minnesota. This legislation would place significant burdens on individuals and job creators, while doing little to impact its intended goal of changing climate change, he wrote on June 24. He described the cap-and-trade provisions in the bill as overly bureaucratic, misguided and very burdensome on our economy. I oppose any cap-and-trade system that does not set emissions caps at pragmatic levels or fails to provide free allowances to producers instead of creating an expensive auction that would bid up prices and in turn dramatically increase energy costs, Pawlenty wrote in ending the letter. [PolitiFact, St. Petersburg Times, 9/24/09]

Pawlenty Helped Launch Regional Cap-And-Trade Program That He Said Would Jump-Start An Energy Revolution. According to the New York Times, Pawlenty is also damping down wider efforts to curtail carbon output, according to sources. In November 2007, he and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, helped launch a regional effort to reduce emissions from power plants, industry and transportation sources. The collaborative of six states and the Canadian province of Manitoba is called the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. Its backbone is a proposed cap-and-trade

program that would contribute to a de facto national energy policy and jump-start an energy revolution, Pawlenty said in November 2007. The future of that plan, too, is now uncertain in Minnesota. [New York Times, 8/24/09] Pawlenty Signed Minnesota Law To Reduce Emissions By 15% By 2015 And 80% By 2050; Our Global Climate Is Warming We Cannot Solve It By Ourselves, But We Need To Lead And Do Our Part. According to the New York Times, Not long ago, Pawlenty and Hilty were cooperating on muscular legislation to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Hilty introduced the bill and Pawlenty signed it in 2007, establishing Minnesota as an early carbon-cutter. The law set goals to reduce emissions 15 percent by 2015 and 80 percent by 2050. Pawlenty went further. He named more than 50 science and business leaders to an advisory group tasked with designing ways to meet those targets. Our global climate is warming, Pawlenty said when he named the group in April 2007. We cannot solve it by ourselves, but we need to lead and do our part. [New York Times, 8/24/09] Pawlenty: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue To Grow Too QuicklyGovernors Have A Tremendous Opportunity To Lead The Country Toward A Cleaner, More Independent, More Secure Energy Future. According to the New York Times, A few months later, Pawlenty punctuated his commitment to pulling the nation back from its climatic tipping point when he was elected chairman of the National Governors Association. Our nation is too dependent on imported sources of energy, and greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow too quickly, he said. Governors have a tremendous opportunity to lead the country toward a cleaner, more independent, more secure energy future. Those were remarkable words coming from a Midwestern Republican in a state where coal cars click-clack on rail lines and river barges filled with the black stuff float through the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. About 75 percent of the states power comes from coal, compared to the national average of 55 percent. [New York Times, 8/24/09]

Pawlenty Opposed President Obamas National Climate Change Initiative, But Supported Regional Cap & Trade Program. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has encouraged Minnesotas participation in a regional cap-and-trade program but is opposed to President Obamas national initiative, believing it would create an economic strainPawlenty prefers to achieve emissions reductions through new technology, nuclear power and renewable energy sources. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/10/09] Pawlenty Opposed 2009 Climate Change Bill. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has come out against the climate change bill now moving through Congress. The governor sent a letter to Minnesotas congressional delegation urging them to reject the Waxman-Markey climate bill, saying the bill would place undue burdens on the economy, without doing enough to address the risks of climate changePawlenty says the bill would make energy more expensive and do little to address the threat of climate change. [Minnesota Public Radio, 6/25/09]

Pawlenty Claimed Cap-And-Trade Legislation Would Send U.S. Jobs Overseas. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says a climate change bill making its way through Congress is misguided. In an appearance on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday morning, the Republican governor said he shares the goal of reducing pollution and emissions. But he says the best way to do that is through conservation, more fuel-efficient vehicles and improving base-load power with nuclear energy. Pawlenty says the cap and trade emissions regime in the bill would send U.S. jobs to other countries. [Associated Press, 6/28/09] Pawlenty Criticized Cap And Trade Legislation, Claimed It Would Send U.S. Jobs Overseas. According to a transcript from CNNs State of the Union, Pawlenty said, Thats one example of dozens in this bill in terms of its overreach. And its a cap and trade bill. Its going to cap our job growth and trade our jobs to other countries who provide a more competitive business environment. This is the overly burdensome version that Congress has put forward. [State of the Union, CNN, 6/28/09]

In 2008, Pawlenty Predicted Passage Of A Law To Curb Greenhouse Gases Within The First Year Of The Next Administration; Said Thats Real Exciting. According to Environment & Energy News, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- mentioned widely as a potential Republican vice presidential candidate -- predicted passage today of a law aimed at curbing U.S. greenhouse gases within the first year of the next administration. Each remaining candidate for president, as far as I understand it, now supports taking action on this area in the nature of some sort of cap-and-trade program, Pawlenty said in a Washington speech. The Congress, I think, is inclined in that direction as well, he added. So I think theres going to come an important moment, here in the next 12 months or 18 months or so, where that moment will be realized as a national initiative. Thats real exciting. [Environment & Energy News, 2/26/08]

Pawlenty Said Carbon Capture And Storage Should Be Priorities For The Next President. According to Environment & Energy News, Speaking with reporters before his speech at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Pawlenty outlined energy and environmental policy items that he said should be top priorities for the next president. Pawlenty urged the federal government to make an even stronger push to help next stage cellulosic ethanol reach commercial markets. He said he wants to see similar goals for carbon capture and storage. People are hopeful about that, but candidly, it isnt ready yet in a stable and economical form, he said. And on nuclear power, Pawlenty called for greater study of fast-burner reactions and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods. The federal government has prohibitions on both, he said. They need to get comfortable around the research of that. Overall, Pawlenty said he agreed with the leading presidential candidates that environmental policies and private investment could create millions of green collar jobs. [Environment & Energy News, 2/26/08] Pawlenty: I Support A Reasonable Cap-And-Trade System. I Think Itd Be Good For The Federal Government To Take That Up Rather Than Have States Take It Up As Clusters Of Regions. According to Environment & Energy News, I support a reasonable cap-and-trade system, he [Pawlenty] said. I think itd be good for the federal government to take that up rather than have states take it up as clusters of regions. Asked about Republican opposition to cap-and-trade legislation, Pawlenty raised concerns about the countrys international competitiveness. I think many in the Republican Party, not all, would feel better about it, including me, if it included India and China, he said. A chunk of them say cap-and-trade might work or might be worth exploring, but not in isolation. We dont want to create ourselves up as a competitive island in a global market. [Environment & Energy News, 2/26/08]

Pawlenty Was Featured In An Environmental Defense Action Fund Ad To Encourage Congress To Combat Climate Change. According to the Star Tribune, Deepening his involvement in the global warming debate and in national affairs, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is lending his voice to a nationwide radio ad sponsored by the activist Environmental Defense Action Fund. In the ad, Pawlenty teams up with Arizonas Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano to scold Congress for not doing more to combat climate change. Against a background of inspirational, New Age-style music, the two tout state-level achievements and urge Congress to pass national curbs on greenhouse gas emissions. Quick action could spur thousands of enviro-friendly jobs, Pawlenty and Napolitano say in the ad. Foot-dragging, they warn, could push job-yielding innovations overseas. [Star Tribune, 1/24/08] Pawlenty Proposed Setting Up A Carbon Market Planning Authority To Plan For The Day When Carbon Will Be Given A Value And Traded As Part Of A State, Regional Or National System. According to the Star Tribune, The governor also signed two executive orders Thursday. One establishes a Clean Energy Technology Collaborative, a group of 15 who will be appointed to help ensure that Minnesota achieves its clean energy goals, including the standard passed last year that requires 25 percent of the states energy to come from renewable sources by 2025. The collaborative will include a mix of state commissioners and scientists from industry and universities. Pawlenty has also ordered that the states energy division, now within the Minnesota Department of Commerce, be renamed the Office of Energy Security and given new responsibilities. Another proposal from Pawlenty would set up a Carbon Market Planning Authority to plan for the day when carbon will be given a value and traded as part of a state, regional or national system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. [Star Tribune, 1/18/08] Pawlenty Said The Lack Of Certainty About Climate Change Should No Longer Be An Excuse To Do Nothing; Suppose The Whole Thing Is A HoaxThe Worst Thing Well Do In The Process Is Clean Up The World. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said he still hopes, schedule permitting, to rendezvous with Steger during the explorers planned trip to the Canadian Arctic this spring to see the shrinking ice floes that demonstrate the effects of climate change in that region. He said that a lack of 100 percent certainty about climate change and its causes should no longer be an excuse to do nothing. Suppose the whole thing is a hoax, Pawlenty said. The worst thing well do in the process is clean up the world and leave a better planet for our children and grandchildren. [Star Tribune, 1/5/08] Pawlenty Said The Regional Cap-And-Trade System Could Serve As A National Model And Hoped It Would Focus On A Handful Of Sectors Like Transportation And Petrochemicals. According to the Associated Press, The regions governors signed a pact Thursday to work together to reduce energy consumption, focus more on renewable energy and limit greenhouse gas emissions. The signing was part of a regional summit on energy and climate change hosted by the Midwestern Governors Association Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, co-host of the summit, said the agreement could serve as a national model. Were a little bit smaller and more nimble than the federal government, Pawlenty said. Pawlenty said he hopes the cap-and-trade system will focus on a handful of sectors such as transportation and petrochemicals to keep things simple. [Associated Press, 11/15/07]

Pawlenty Said Regional Cap-And-Trade Was A Good Way To Reduce Pollution And Should Push Congress And The President To Create A National System. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Cap and trade means setting an overall cap or limit on greenhouse gases, and then allowing companies to buy and sell the carbon allowances or credits. Businesses that move quickly to reduce emissions can sell their credits to companies that act more slowly. The Midwest follows three other regional groups that are working cooperatively to create cap and trade marketssix governors -- including Minnesotas Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsins Jim Doyle -- and the premier of Manitoba, agreed to create this kind of marketGov. Pawlenty said the cap-and-trade market is a good way to reduce pollution. If you unleash the requirements and incentives and attractive features of a market, people will respond to it, he said. Some will respond by reducing pollution directly. Others will respond by buying credits or offsets in the marketplace, with the ultimate same net effect. Pawlenty said the regional action should push Congress and the president to create a national system. [Minnesota Public Radio, 11/15/07]

CARBON CREDITS
Pawlenty Called For Carbon Credits, Signaling A New Day In The Approach To Global Warming. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In October, the Minnesota Farmers Union unveiled a way for farmers to qualify for carbon credits through the Chicago Climate Exchange. The trading program lets factories or power plants buy credits to offset carbon emissions. Last month Pawlenty endorsed that idea, urging the state of Minnesota to join the exchange, too. While his plan didnt go quite as far as some environmental groups hoped, it signaled a new day in the approach to global warming. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/07]

CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL

Pawlenty Admitted Climate Change Exists, But Said Science Was In Dispute Over Whether Human Behavior Contributed. According to the Miami Herald, during an interview, Pawlenty discussed global warming. Its something we have to look to the science on. The weight of the evidence is that most of it, maybe all of it, is because of natural causes. But to the extent there is some element of human behavior causing some of it thats what the scientific debate is about. Thats why weve seen all this back and forth between some of those prominent scientists in the world arguing about that very point. Theres lots of layers to it. But at least as to any potential man-made contribution to it, its fair to say the science is in dispute. Theres a lot of people who say the majority of the scientists think this way. And theres a minority that way. And you count the number of scientists versus the quality of scientists and the like. But I think its fair to say that, as to whether and how much if any is attributable to human behavior, theres dispute and controversy over it [Miami Herald, 08/03/11] As, Governor Pawlenty Made Combating Climate Change A Top Priority. According to Talking Points Memo, Pawlenty said there is climate change, but the reality is the science of it indicates that most of it, if not all of it, is caused by natural causesAnd as to the potential human contribution to that, theres a great scientific dispute about that very issue While Pawlentys words are par for the course in todays GOP, his rapid tilt towards an extreme anti-science position may be the most dramatic policy reversal of any candidate in the primary field on any recent issue. He made combating climate change a top priority as governor of Minnesota, proposing the strongest renewable energy laws in the country and expending considerable political capital to advance his agenda on the issue. [Talking Points Memo, 06/28/11] National Journal: Pawlenty Made Jaw-Dropping Flip-Flop On Climate Change. According to the National Journal, As a governor, Tim Pawlenty pushed through tough laws to reduce greenhouse gases and slow climate change. Then he ran for president.[] Today, all of the GOP candidates vow to fight anything that even hints of restrictions on fossil fuels and carbon emissions. [] No other candidate, however, has made a more jaw-dropping about-face than Pawlenty. Despite his current claims, Pawlenty did far more than flirt with climate change: He made the issue a signature of his administration and of his 2007-08 tenure as head of the National Governors Association. He aggressively led state, regional, and national efforts to promote cap-and-trade legislation and pushed through one of the countrys toughest renewable-energy mandates in Minnesota. Along the way, he won other Republicans over to the cause. And he did it in the national spotlight, as his star rose high enough to put him on McCains short list of possible running mates. [National Journal, 06/23/11] Pawlenty Questioned Whether Climate Change Was Manmade. According to a transcript from Meet the Press, David Gregory asked Pawlenty in February 2010, Is climate change real? Pawlenty responded, The climates obviously changing,

David. But the real question and the more interesting question is how much of that is manmade, how much of that is the result of natural causes and patterns? And, of course, weve seen a lot of data manipulation and a lot of controversy or at least debate within the scientific community. [Meet the Press, NBC, 2/21/10] Chicago Tribune: As Climate Change Denial Became A Litmus Test For Conservatives, Pawlenty Began Questioning How Much Climate Change Was Manmade. According to the Chicago Tribune, It wasnt long ago that Marco Rubio and Tim Pawlenty, two of the brightest fresh faces in the Republican Party, supported legislation to limit the greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming. But in recent weeks both have suddenly begun to express doubts about whether burning coal, powering cars with gasoline and other human activities in fact have anything to do with a warming Earth. The shifts by Rubio and Pawlenty -- as well as other prominent Republicans -- reflect the rising power of climate change skeptics in the GOP, where global warming is becoming a litmus test for conservativesPawlenty, who once backed emissions limits in a radio campaign with Democrat Janet Napolitano, said on Meet the Press recently that there are questions of how much climate change is man-made. [Chicago Tribune, 3/7/10]

In 2009, Pawlenty Claimed Climate Change Science Was Unsettled And Cap And Trade Was The Wrong Direction. According to the Star Tribunes Hot Dish Politics blog, Gov. Tim Pawlenty [on December 14, 2009] weighed in on the side of those who say climate change science is unsettled. Asked about the Copenhagen Climate Change summit, Pawlenty said: I think the Copenhagen summit is focused on an issue that has now become very controversial. And I think its a good idea to follow the science on this, in these matters, and the science is somewhat unsettled. He also said it is in all of our best interests to do things to reduce pollution but we need to do that in a way thatdoesnt wreck the economy. And the Copenhagen summit and the approaches that are being pursued there are in the nature of a cap and trade proposal a global cap and trade proposal and I think thats the wrong direction. [Hot Dish Politics blog, Star Tribune, 12/14/09] AUDIO: In 2009, Pawlenty Said Scientists Were All Over The Board On Whether Or Not Global Warming Was Occurring. According to audio from the Laura Ingraham Show, Laura Ingraham asked Pawlenty, So conservatives who are listening to this program across the country right now about Tim Pawlenty and global warming -- they should think what? He responded, Well, I think they should think that we should follow the science. The science is indicating-- Ingraham interrupted, saying the scientists are lying, though, Governor Pawlenty! Thats the fact. The scientists are lying. Pawlenty continued, Well, theyre all over the board on this Ingraham interrupted again, saying, Theyre besmirching the record of the record of these good men who are trying to reveal the truth. I mean, this could cripple the American economy. Pawlenty responded, No question, Laura. So we shouldnt go down that path is what Im saying. I dont support the cap-and-trade approach that theyve got going in Washington. [Laura Ingraham Show, 11/30/09, Audio Download Available Here] September 2009: Pawlenty Said He Still Believes Humans Are At Least Partly Responsible For Global Warming But Said He Was More Committed To The Economy. According to Minnesota Public Radio, for his part, Pawlenty said he still believes humans are at least partly responsible for global warming, but said he has serious concerns about the proposals in Congress. He said those who are worried that hes no longer committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions need to think about the economy. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/23/09] Pawlenty Waffled A Bit Over Whether Auto Exhaust Emissions And Power Plant Smokestack Gases Contributed To Global Warming In 2002 Gubernatorial Debate. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Brian Sullivan and Tim Pawlenty, the two contenders for the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor, sounded a lot alike Monday night in a debate on environmental issuesAnd both waffled a bit -- giving neither a definite yes nor no -- when asked if they believed auto exhaust emissions and power plant smokestack gases contribute to global warming. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/30/02]

ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO CARBON EMISSION REGULATION

Pawlenty Called Climate Change One Of The Most Important Issues Of Our Time And Called On Minnesota To Seize The Chance To Benefit Economically From Solutions. According to the Star Tribune, The boreal forest surrounding this town, defining its rugged character and sustaining its wilderness economy, is one of the precious assets Minnesota stands to lose if humans fail to reduce emissions contributing to global warming, a scientist warned Friday at a forum hosted by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and explorer Will StegerThe gathering was the first of several Pawlenty and Steger have agreed to host statewide, focusing mostly on the potential local effects of climate change. The Republican governor and the dog-sledding adventurer joined forces last fall on the issue, with Pawlenty declaring it one of the most important issues of

our time. Minnesota should seize the chance to benefit economically from solutions, Pawlenty said, creating green collar jobs. [Star Tribune, 1/5/08] Pawlenty Signed Regional Agreement To Control Carbon Emissions And Stressed That Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Can Also Bring Economic Opportunities. According to the Star Tribune, Through a system of buying and selling rights to emit carbon dioxide, nine Midwestern states and the province of Manitoba will work together to reduce air pollution linked to global warming. Gov. Tim Pawlenty was joined by eight other governors and the premier of Manitoba in an agreement Thursday on a regional, market-based strategy for controlling carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other facilities. Pawlenty, chairman of the National Governors Association, stressed the need for collective action. No one state can solve this problem by itself, he said. He also stressed that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can also bring economic opportunities that could make the region the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy. [Star Tribune, 11/16/07] Agreement Would Aim To Steadily Reduce Carbon Dioxide Pollution By Setting Targets For Reducing Pollution And Implementing A Regional Cap-And-Trade System. According to the Star Tribune, The Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, signed at the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Energy Security and Climate Change Summit in Milwaukee, would set targets for reducing pollution and follow up within 12 months with a regional cap and trade system. This arrangement, used in the past to reduce pollution linked to acid rain, would allow low-polluting enterprises to sell credits to big emitters, such as coal-burning electrical generators. Combined with incentives to develop alternatives to fossil fuel energy, the aim would be to steadily reduce carbon dioxide pollution and to encourage big polluters to adopt cleaner technology. Similar multistate compacts have already been established in the western United States and New England. Pawlenty said he believes a national agreement is likely to follow. [Star Tribune, 11/16/07]

Pawlenty Said Limiting Carbon Emissions Would Be A Boost To The Economy; Criticized False Premise That It Would Wreck The Economy. According to the Charleston Gazette, Pawlenty, a Republican beginning a yearlong term today as chairman of the governors association, said the states should redouble efforts to limit carbon emissions and develop renewable energy sources. Such initiatives would benefit the environment while creating jobs and making the nation more competitive, he said in an interview. The false premise of some of the critics is that youll wreck the economy, Pawlenty said. I suggest if you do this correctly, it will be a boost to the economy. [Charleston Gazette, 7/23/07]

FUEL STANDARDS
Pawlenty Said He Had Been A Big Proponent And Supporter Of Changing The CAF Standards. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said, The Senate recently did something that is long, long overdue: They changed the CAFE [corporate average fuel economy] standards. Ive been a big proponent and supporter of that. If we can get the country to move on CAFE standards, that would be huge in the near term. [Star Tribune, 7/24/07]

GREENHOUSE GASES
Pawlenty Called On Congress To Stop Harmful EPA Regulation Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Pawlenty and 19 other governors Wednesday wrote to congressional leaders that if the EPA moves ahead on its plan to regulate greenhouse gas emissions it could harm the fragile economy. As governors, we have the responsibility to protect jobs, promote economic growth and mitigate any threats to financial stability in our states. We oppose EPA regulation of greenhouse gases that fails to account for these responsibilities, the letter to the two House and two Senate leaders said. We...feel that these policies are best developed by elected representatives at the state and national level, not by a single federal agency. There is no question that broad bipartisan support exists to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while taking into consideration the difficult fiscal situation that our states and the nation face. If the EPA moves ahead, the letter said, it could increase cost of electricity, gas and manufactured products and could ultimately harm the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. As governors, we strongly urge Congress to stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could damage those vital interests. [Hot Dish Politics blog, Star Tribune, 3/10/10] Pawlenty Said EPAs Pending Regulations To Cap Greenhouse Gases Was Ill-Advised Because They Would Stigmatize Canadian Crude As Dirty Oil. The Globe and Mail reported that Pawlenty adroitly bridged the two Canadian environmental solitudes with his simultaneous warning against the adoption of any U.S. standards that would

stigmatize Canadian crude as dirty oil or deny hydroelectricity from large-scale Canadian dams a much-sought-after renewable energy designation. Pending regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency, which is poised to cap greenhouse gases since Congress wont, threaten to cut off the sale of higher-carbon oil-sands crude from Alberta to refineries south of the border. There are some people trying to create some momentum for limitations that could roadblock the refining of Canadian crude. That would be very ill-advised, insisted Mr. Pawlenty, whose state counts two large refineries. [The Globe and Mail (Canada), 2/22/10] Pawlenty Joined With A Famous Arctic Explorer To Encourage Individuals, Businesses, And Governments To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. According to the Star Tribune, The governor runs in conservative circles and wears button-down shirts. The explorer runs behind dog sleds and is more apt to show up in a casual sweaters. In some ways, I suppose were a bit of an odd couple, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Monday of himself and the states famous Arctic explorer, Will Steger, who stood beside Pawlenty during a conference about issues threatening the environmental health of Lake Superior. One of the biggest issues, global climate change, is what motivated the pair to join forces - warning of what they say will be grave consequences if individuals, businesses and governments dont act to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It is an important issue - I think one of the most important of our time, Pawlenty told the 400 researchers, resource managers and educators gathered in Duluth this week. Steger praised Pawlenty for having the guts to take on bold initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases and for his leadership on that issue in his capacity as chair of the National Governors Association. [Star Tribune, 10/30/07] Pawlenty Said He Was Disappointed That More Steps Werent Being Taken On The National Level To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Suggesting Action On The State Level Could Shame The Federal Government Into Action. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty, who wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state 80 percent by the year 2050, expressed disappointment that more steps arent being taken on the national level, and he challenged individuals, communities, and states to show the way. Maybe we can lead them [the federal government] or even shame them into action, Pawlenty said. Itll become de facto national policy. [Star Tribune, 10/30/07]

MINNESOTA INITIATIVES
Pawlenty Came Out Against The Midwest Governors Climate Change InitiativeAn Effort He Helped Launch. According to Minnesota Public Radio, In June, Pawlenty wrote a letter to Minnesotas Congressional delegation criticizing proposed cap and trade legislation in the U.S. House. He also came out against the Midwest Governors Climate Change initiative -- an effort he helped launch. In both letters, he said he was concerned about the economic impact on businesses and individuals. Pawlenty also hasnt acted on any findings from the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, a group he formed to look at the profound impact of global warming. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/23/09] Pawlentys Climate Change Advisory Groups Recommendations Were Mocked By Conservatives. A set of 60 recommendations for how Minnesota could achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions in the coming years is fantasy that ignores how much it will cost businesses and consumers, according to a group of free marketeers. The recommendations by the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, a panel of business and community leaders appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty last year to develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are based on inadequate economic research and flawed assumptions about behavior, the critics said Strom was joined at a Capitol news conference Wednesday by Rep. Mike Beard, R-Shakopee; Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie; Linda Runberck, development director of the American Property Coalition; Burnsville businessman Jim Marchessault, who participated in the climate change advisory group; Jeff Davis, president of Minnesota Majority, and several others. The group commissioned the Beacon Hill Institute, a Boston-based, small-government economic research group, to study the recommendations. [Star Tribune, 4/10/08] Pawlenty Became Chair Of The National Governors Association, And Made Securing A Clean Energy Future The Major Initiative For His Term. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to turn the nations governors green. When he takes over as chairman of the National Governors Association today, Pawlenty will announce that securing a clean energy future will be his major initiative during his one-year term. In an interview Sunday during the governors meeting in Traverse City, Mich., he said he hopes to enlist the governors in an effort to increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil and promoting use of cleaner, more efficient energy sources. Its a critical issue for our times that the federal government has failed to address, he said. Weve been asleep at the switch too long. He will advocate developing more clean transportation fuels, more electricity from renewable fuels and higher electrical efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/22/07]

North Dakota Governor Hoeven Credited Pawlenty For Bringing Together Leaders From Energy Industries, Environmentalists And Other Experts. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The nations governors wrapped up their annual meeting here Monday with general agreement to pursue Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys clean-energy initiative but conflicting views on the need for a new federal economic stimulus package that would pump money into roads, bridges, sewers and water projects Hoeven credited Pawlenty, a fellow Republican and the chairman of the National Governors Association, for bringing together leaders from energy industries, environmentalists and other experts to drive home his energy message. Pawlentys top priority for the meeting was to persuade the governors to act on his yearlong initiative, Securing a Clean Energy Future. He said the governors agreed to take steps to conserve energy, use renewable fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and develop clean-energy technology, albeit on their own terms and timetables. One thing I think we accomplished for sure is we created a heightened level of interest and awareness about clean and renewable energy issues that should inspire governors to do more, he said at the meetings conclusion. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/25/08] Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Pawlentys Leadership On Climate Change Issues Put Him At Odds With Conservative Republican Colleagues. The Chicago Sun-Times editorialized, Minnesotas Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty carefully prepared his plan for controlling greenhouse gas emissions to present it at the annual Washington winter meeting of governors. That effort coincided with Pawlentys fast-rising prospects to become Sen. John McCains choice for vice president. But behind closed doors, his fellow governors from energy-producing states complained so vigorously that the scheme was buried. Pawlentys position as chairman of the National Governors Association may prove his undoing. While party insiders sing his praises as ideal to be McCains running mate, leading conservative Republican governors have been less than pleased with him. Pawlenty has collaborated with the associations vice chairman, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, in a fat economic stimulus package, as well as the energy proposalPawlenty has largely avoided the fate of Republicans who are elected governor on a conservative platform and then in office fall prey to spending projects and concomitant tax increases. But he has become entwined in the governors associations buddy system by serving as its chairman. That allied him with Rendell and put him at odds with conservative Republican colleagues. [Editorial, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/28/08] Pawlenty Proposed Statewide Goals To Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions But Set The Issue Aside After He Encountered Adamant Opposition. The Chicago Sun-Times editorialized, As co-chairman of the groups energy committee, Pawlenty proposed statewide goals of reduced CO2 emissions. But Pawlenty encountered adamant opposition. Barbour led the way for governors from energy-producing states, including Republican Rick Perry of Texas and Democrat Steve Beshear of Kentucky. The issue of greenhouse gases was set aside, Pawlenty told me, because we realized there was no consensus. [Editorial, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/28/08]

Pawlenty Signed The Next Generation Energy Act In May 2007. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill Friday that adds goals for conservation and greenhouse gas reduction to Minnesotas push to replace fossil fuels with green power. The so-called Next Generation Energy Act pushes utilities to conserve more energy, includes money for more energy-efficient buildings and aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent by 2015 and 80 percent by 2050. Pawlenty said the package - combined with an already-approved renewable energy standard for utilities and funding for alternative fuels - puts Minnesota ahead of most states on energy. The best time to have taken action on energy issues would have been 30 years ago, he said in a prepared statement. The second best time is right now. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/25/07] Pawlentys Energy Policy Would Use Regulations, Incentives And Penalties, Which He Acknowledged Could Have Financial Effects On Utilities And Possibly Ratepayers. According to the Star Tribune, Laying out an ambitious vision in which Minnesota would lead reform of an outdated U.S. energy policy, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday called for more home-grown energy, less use of fossil fuels and a new focus on countering global warming. Lets not wait for the future, he told a conference of farmer-energy producers in St. Paul. Lets create our own future. His plan would use regulations, incentives and penalties to make the state more energy-independent through big increases in ethanol-rich fuel stations and highly energy-efficient buildings, big advances in renewable energy technologies and big decreases in electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissionsThe Republican governors Next Generation Energy Initiative was presented Tuesday largely in outline form, with none of the financial details spelled outPawlenty acknowledged that his proposal could have financial effects on utilities and possibly ratepayers if its not managed well. [Star Tribune, 12/13/06] Pawlenty Said Minnesota Would Punish Utilities With Financial Penalties If They Failed To Provide A Quarter

Of Their Power From Renewable Sources By 2025. Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants Minnesotans to draw a quarter of their power from renewable sources by 2025, and he suggested the state punish utilities that fall short We intend for it to have teeth in the form of financial penalties, Pawlenty said. Without getting specific, he said he wants the fines to be significant. Minnesota currently has a renewable energy objective demanding that electric utilities generate 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015. Upping it to 25 [percent] by 2025 is aggressive, but achievable, Pawlenty said. [Associated Press, 12/12/06] Pawlenty Proposed A Green Energy Plan, Claiming When It Comes To Energy, Lets Not Wait For The Future. Lets Create Our Own Future. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a broad-based and greener energy plan for Minnesota today, seeking to promote electricity from renewable sources, reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, and boost wind energy, ethanol and energy conservation. When it comes to energy, lets not wait for the future, Pawlenty told 200 rural and renewable energy advocates at a conference in St. Paul. Lets create our own future. Pawlenty outlined an energy future that would include: [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/06] Pawlentys Plan Proposed Financial Penalties For Utilities Who Do Not Have 25 Percent Of Electricity Come From Renewable Sources By 2025. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys plan proposed More electricity from renewable sources. By 2025, Pawlenty wants 25 percent of the states electricity to come from renewable sources, and he favors financial penalties if utilities fail to meet that goal. Currently, about 11 percent of the states power comes from hydroelectric, wind and other renewable sources, the administration says, although energy groups argue that that figure is inflated by hydroelectric power generated in Canada, not Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/06] Pawlentys Plan Proposed Incentives To Develop Ethanol And Biogas Technologies. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys plan proposed New incentives to develop the next generation of ethanol from plant residues. Noting that a cellulosic ethanol plant is already under development in Iowa, Pawlenty said hes proposing financial incentivesto get this deployed in our state as quickly as possible. He also favors state incentives to promote biogas, an initiative thats showing promise in research at the University of Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/06] Pawlentys Plan Promoted Corn-Based Ethanol To Increase The Number Of E-85 Pumps In Minnesota From 300 to 1,500. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys plan Promot[ed] corn-based ethanol. Pawlenty proposes new incentives and grants to quintuple the number of E-85 pumps in Minnesota, from its current best-in-thenation 300 pumps, to an eventual 1,500 pumps. That will help Minnesota meet its 20 percent ethanol mandate by 2012, he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/06] Pawlentys Plan Promoted A Five-Fold Increase In Wind Power. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys plan proposed Dramatically boosting wind energy in Minnesota, by promoting a five-fold increase in power generated from wind. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/06] Pawlentys Plan Proposed To Reduce Greenhouse Gases And Join The Chicago Carbon Exchange. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys plan Urg[ed] action on reducing greenhouse gases. Our global climate is warming, at least in part because of energy production, Pawlenty noted. He is asking nationally recognized experts in the field to conduct a study on how the state might respond. He also supports the idea of trading carbon credits as a way to reduce emissions, suggesting that the state of Minnesota should join the Chicago Carbon Exchange which seeks to create market opportunities to reduce greenhouse gases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/06]

Cut Funding For Environmental Programs

League Of Conservation Voters Executive Director Paul Austin Said Under Pawlentys 2005 Budget Proposal, Conservation Funding Dropped From Historically Receiving 2 Percent Of The General Fund To 1.1 Percent. According to The Star Tribune, Hunters, anglers, trail users and state park visitors likely wouldnt notice any major changes under Gov. Tim Pawlentys Department of Natural Resources budget proposal for 2006-07. Counties, cross-country skiers and conservation officers would Paul Austin, executive director of the League of Conservation Voters, said the percentage of general fund dollars spent for conservation, the environment and outdoors continues to dwindle. Historically, over the past 20 to 30 years, about 2 percent of the general fund went to programs that affect the outdoors, he said. Its 1.3 percent now, and it drops to 1.1 percent under this budget. [The Star Tribune, 1/30/05]

Pawlenty Budget Cut 20 Percent From The Pollution Control Agency And Other Environmental Programs. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlentys budget sliced about 20 percent from the Pollution Control Agency and other environmental programs, much deeper cuts than for other government functions, said John Curry, legislative director of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. [The Star Tribune, 6/9/03] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Forced The Board Of Water And Soil Resources To Eliminate Water Planning Mandate In 87 Counties. According to The Star Tribune, in a column Dennis Anderson wrote, No matter the states money woes, Pawlenty never should have forced the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to eliminate water planning as an essential requirement of the states 87 counties. Technically, such planning isnt mandated by statute. But BWSR in effect required it by linking some of its grants to the completion and periodic updating of county water plans. No small thing, water plans are the states road map to the future. Many waterfowl hunters are just now realizing the breadth of the losses that have occurred among Minnesota wetlands in recent decades, and the ramifications those losses pose for ducks and a host of other wildlife. But the fact is, those losses and their consequences now are water long over the dam, perhaps never to be recovered. Whats left today to be decided is whether the states remaining waters can sustain, at current levels, the health of its fish and wildlife, and the welfare and interests of its people. [Dennis Anderson, Star Tribune, 3/14/03] Pawlenty Cut $7 Million In Grants For Shoreland Management And Feedlot Antipollution Programs. According to the Duluth News-Tribune Pawlenty single-handedly brought the states budget into balance and erased a $356 million predicted short-term deficit. Among the cuts, according to the report, was $7 million in cuts to grants for shoreland management and feedlot antipollution programs were not in Pawlentys proposed budget-balancing plan last month. [Duluth News-Tribune, 2/8/03]

TARGETED FUNDING FOR NATURAL RESOURCES IN BUDGET CUTS

Pawlentys Proposed 4 Percent Funding Cut To The Department Of Natural Resources Would Eliminate Advanced Hunter Education Program And Senior Citizens Fishing Program. According to The Star Tribune, Governor Pawlentys proposal calls for a 4 percent cut in general fund dollars to the Department of Natural Resources -- or about $2.9 million in both 2009 and 2010. Among the other impacts: The advanced hunter education program would be eliminatedThe Lets Go Fishing program, which enables senior citizens to get out on the water, would be eliminated. Currently that nonprofit group gets $175,000 yearly in grants. Since the program was launched in 2002, some 15,000 seniors have participated. [The Star Tribune, 3/23/08]

Environmental And Energy Regulations

Pawlenty Described Himself As A Conservationist. According to the Associated Press, In an interview following the address, Pawlenty shrank from describing himself as an environmentalist. Instead, he calls himself a conservationist. He said hes interested in improving the environment, but groups of environmentalists might not agree with all of his policies. [Associated Press, 6/24/03] Pawlenty Said He Was Excited About Minnesota Mining Project Environmentalists Feared Could Harm A Local Watershed. According to Finance & Commerce, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is hoping that a partnership between a Chilean mining company and a Canadian-based counterpart will lead to the construction of a massive copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. But state environmentalists are withholding judgment on the proposed so-called non-ferrous mining project, some fearing the venture could harm the areas pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I think this is a project that has a lot of promise. We are excited about it, Pawlenty said Tuesday morning, referring to the alliance between Antofagasta PLC, a London-based company whose origins are in Chile, and Toronto-based Duluth Metals Duluth Metals Chairman Christopher Dundas said the Twin Metals venture could result in one of the worlds largest copper-nickel mines, yielding millions of tons of precious metals and supporting thousands of jobs for Minnesotans for decades to come. At Pawlentys press conference, Antofagasta Chairman Jean-Paul Luksic said the Twin Metals Nokomis Project is a long-term investment that could employ hundreds of engineers, at least 5,000 construction workers and 2,000 to 2,500 permanent operations employees. Dundas said the capital expense to design, build and operate the non-ferrous mine could top $1.5 billion to $2 billion if the two companies determine the project is feasible and meets environmental regulations and eventually obtains

governmental permits. Thats an issue that worries some environmentalists, who point out the proposed mining operations would be just three miles from the BWCA and could adversely affect its watershed district. [Finance & Commerce, 8/3/10] Pawlenty Rejected Minnesota Waterfront Regulations, Claiming They Overreached And Undermined Property Rights. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota regulators spent years devising more protective shore land and dock rules to guide new development along state lakes. But Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent them back to the drawing board this week, rejecting their revisions as overreaching and as undermining local control and property rights. He suggested the Legislature take up the matter next winter. The rules you forwarded to me regarding these issues do not strike a proper balance between protection of our lakes and waterways and the equally important right of our citizens to enjoy them and their property, Pawlenty wrote in a letter to Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Holsten. Pawlentys decision means decades-old standards for lakeshore construction and docks that are commonly considered out of date will be around a good while longer. If the governor had accepted the draft changes, a public hearing process would have begun soon, and new standards could have been in place next year The proposed updates are a mixture of new standards aimed at protecting lakes from increased development pressures, which have intensified in recent decades. Size limits would have been placed on many types of large docks with tightened or revised requirements for many new buildings, developments and sewage systems. With more people living and playing along lakes, theres often more runoff from lawns, hard surfaces and septic system. That boosts phosphorus and sediment levels, promoting algae growth, reducing water clarity and destroying habitat for fish. In many areas, dock sizes have grown much bigger, with lengthy structures containing elevated platforms replacing older ones of modest size. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/13/10] Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Budget Chair Sen. Ellen Anderson Said Pawlenty Listened To A Few Of His Wealthy Friends Instead Of Minnesota Citizens. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The governor is just washing his hands of the issue and saying its not important to him to keep our lakes clean and to protect habitat for fish, said Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, chairwoman of the Senate Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Budget Division. It seems to me he is listening to a few of his wealthy friends instead of the majority of citizens in Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/13/10] Center For Environmental Advocacy Director Scott Strand Said Pawlenty Wasnt Giving Waterfront Regulatory Process The Respect It Deserved. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, It isnt like these rules were cooked up in the heads of bureaucrats, said Scott Strand, executive director of the St. Paul-based Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. There was a long, detailed, fairly exhaustive process (in which) all of the competing points of view were brought in. The governor isnt giving the process the respect it deserves. The old rules reflect a time when lakes had a few small cabins on them. They dont reflect (todays) large homes with bigger footprints and the continuing degradation of water in Minnesota lakes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/13/10] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Rejection Of Revised Lakeshore Property Rules Was More Like Rhetoric For The Campaign Trail. According to The Star Tribune, Add Minnesotas deteriorating lake water quality to the list of pressing problems Gov. Tim Pawlenty has left to his successor. His recent rejection of revised lakeshore property rules that were developed by the Department of Natural Resources under direction from the Legislature makes it likely that the process will need to start over Pawlentys written response to DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten -- containing code phrases like overreach, state-dictated command and control, and unfairly undermine important private property rights with little accountability from elected officials -- read more like rhetoric for the campaign trail in Iowa than a reasoned response from a Minnesota governor charged with protecting the states lakes and rivers Unlike Pawlenty, Minnesotas next governor will have to lead on the issue. Ignoring environmental degradation wont make it go away. Indeed, what we risk losing are the sky-blue waters that this generation has been lax in protecting. [The Star Tribune, 8/20/10] St. Cloud Times: Pawlentys Rejection Of Lakeshore Property Regulations Was Reminiscent Of His Flip-Flop On Cap & Trade. According to the St. Cloud Times, Gov. Tim Pawlenty poked not just Minnesotas environment in the eye, but countless residents and even the Department of Natural Resources this month when he rejected proposed updates to Minnesotas shoreland development rules. After years of scientific study, dozens of public meetings and solutions built on feedback from all sides of this development debate, the DNR was set to begin final public hearings on changes to rules not updated in 21 years. Instead, Pawlenty claimed the ideas usurped local control, were too restrictive on property owners and amounted to a one-size-fits-all statewide plan. Never mind that it was a legislatively mandated plan supported by a wealth of scientific research and public testimony. Or that most local governments simply cant say no to lucrative shoreland development regardless of impacts on the environment While some claim Pawlenty acted to protect those who have trampled local controls to build their up north mansions, we see his rejection more in keeping with his

presidential ambitions and building a conservative base. Remember, just last year he flip-flopped from a governor supportive of reducing carbon emissions (see his self-congratulatory approval in 2007 of Minnesotas Next Generation Energy Act) to one who opposes all things cap-and-trade. Now he rejects much-needed, common-sense shoreland protections by citing property rights and local control, which, of course, also lets him pass solving the problem to the next governor and Legislature. See also GAMC, education funding, state budget deficit, etc. [St. Cloud Times, 8/22/10] Pawlentys Administrations Lack Of Action On Lakeshore Protection Rules Angered Legislators. According to The Star Tribune, Long-awaited rules to protect Minnesota lakeshores and limit supersized docks are far behind schedule and have been parked in Gov. Tim Pawlentys office for several months. The lack of action by Pawlenty has angered some legislators, who in 2007 and 2008 ordered the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to revise the rules Concerns about shoreline have grown with the number of large homes popping up along lakes and rivers, often with garages and driveways and lawns that funnel runoff into the water. Erosion and chemical pollutants worsen water quality, and large party docks reduce aquatic vegetation needed by fish for critical spawning and nursery habitat. Some lakeshore owners oppose the new rules, which they say are based upon exaggerated environmental claims that dont warrant additional government regulations. The shoreline management rules were last revised 21 years ago. The new rules would use updated information about water quality and development pressure to protect lakes and rivers from pollution. They would increase minimum setbacks for new homes, developments and redevelopments near lakeshores and bluffs. They would restrict the amount of new pavement or other hard surfaces to reduce runoff. The rules also would require new builders on lakeshore property to plant natural vegetation to prevent fertilizers, pesticides and other contaminants from entering lakes and streams. They would mandate new or updated septic systems for cabins and homes when they change owners or receive special building permits. Two sets of rules have already missed key deadlines, and further delay means that tough decisions will likely be punted to the next governor in 2011. [The Star Tribune, 7/21/10] Pawlenty Vetoed A Bill To Open Duck Hunting Season Early. According to The Star Tribune, The idea of an earlier duck season opener in Minnesota appeared to die last month when Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would have allowed the state to open the season Sept. 25 this fall. The bill would have removed a law that the duck season not open before the Saturday closest to Oct. 1. [The Star Tribune, 6/13/10] Pawlenty Vetoed Conservation Program To Pay Landowners For Easements, Which Required Them To Maintain Wetlands And Wildlife Habitat. According to The Star Tribune, A state-federal conservation program that pays landowners for permanent easements requiring them to restore and maintain wetlands and wildlife habitat was among the items vetoed in the $1 billion state bonding bill by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The Legislature had allocated $25 million for the Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve program, which would have been matched by $35 million in federal dollars. Combined with $7 million recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, the program would have restored wetlands and grasslands on up to 24,000 acres throughout the state. Instead, a much smaller program is likely. If the $7 million in Outdoor Heritage dollars is approved by the Legislature, it would be matched by about $10 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That $17 million would pay for easements on about 4,600 acres. [The Star Tribune, 3/15/10] St. Cloud Times Jerry Carlson: Worst Part Of Pawlentys Line-Item Veto Was The Fact Federal Government Would Have Matched State Money By $35 Million. According to The St. Cloud Times, in an op-ed, Jerry Carlson wrote The recession has created tough times for local and state governments. The lack of funds has necessitated cutbacks in most areas of service and will continue to be a major factor in future decision making. What many dont realize is that the recession is also having an impact on wildlife habitat and on opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Balancing budgets has reduced funds that normally would have been available for projects. An example is the $25 million that Gov. Tim Pawlenty line-item vetoed from the proposed bonding bill that would have given money to RIM (Reinvest in Minnesota) projects to enhance habitat. The worst part of this veto comes from the fact that the federal government would have matched the money to the tune of $35 million. These matching dollars are available through the federal Wetlands Reserve Program. The surprising veto tells me that money is a lot tougher to come by than most of us realize. To lose $60 million for RIM projects hurts. We are all losers in this ordeal, but wildlife takes the biggest hit. [St. Cloud Times, 4/14/10]

In 2009, Pawlenty Cut Water Monitoring Program From Environmental Bill Using Line-Item Veto. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty signed bills to pay for the Transportation Department, State Patrol and environment and natural resource programs, but he used the line-item veto to remove $15 million for water monitoring from the environment bill. [Associated Press, 5/8/09]

Pawlenty Vetoed Funding To Study Pollutants Responsible For The Increase In Intersex Fish. According to the St. Paul Legal Ledger, Projects that deal with the problem of endocrine disruptors - the pollutants responsible for the increased incidence of so-called intersex fish - are noteworthy in this years debate, because Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued a line-item veto during the 2009 legislative session for a $275,000 item that dealt with the topic. Pawlenty noted in his veto message to legislators that $1 million for endocrine disruptors was inserted in a different bill. Before Pawlenty issued the veto, the LCCMR had issued a request for proposals on certain contaminants in surface and ground waters. A $250,000 proposal from Pawlentys Department of Health (MDH) to study new risk factors for endocrine disruptors from consumer products and pharmaceuticals is among the projects that LCCMR members are considering to recommend this week. [St. Paul Legal Ledger, 10/12/09] Pawlenty Was Accused Of Using Revenue Generated From The Clean Water, Land And Legacy Amendment In Place Of Traditional Funding Sources For Conservation And Arts Projects. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, After voters passed a constitutional amendment giving Minnesota another revenue source for the outdoors, clean water, parks and arts projects, Gov. Tim Pawlenty promised to do as the measure outlined and not raid it to plug holes in the state budget. But did the governor, facing a worsening budget climate, renege on that commitment? Some people believe or suspect he did The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment says new money generated by a three-eighths of 1 percent increase in the state sales tax for various conservation, parks and trails, and arts projects cannot be used to substitute for traditional funding sources. The common-sense question is, if you cut 25 percent from something ... isnt it pretty obvious you are using the new money for the old? asked Paul Austin, executive director of Conservation Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/1/09] Under Pawlenty, The State Arts Board Would Experience A 50 Percent Budget Cut From $20.5 Million To $10.3 Million In 2010, Then Would Be Eliminated In 2011. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The State Arts Board and regional arts councils, for example, would get a 50 percent cut, from $20.5 million to $10.3 million. Pawlenty would give the board nothing in 2011, when he would have it converted from a state agency to a private, nonprofit organization. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/1/09] Conservation Minnesota Claimed $23 Million Was Cut From Various Conservation Budgets And Clean Water Programs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The private, nonprofit group Conservation Minnesota contends $23 million is being slashed from various conservation budgets, and clean water programs appear to be targeted. It noted, for example, a proposed $1.9 million cut from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency water programs, including the Clean Water Partnership program, which helps local communities clean up lakes and rivers, and a $1.3 million trim in the Department of Natural Resources division of waters. The proposed budget also cuts $5.5 million from the DNRs fish and wildlife divisionAustin and Cheryl Appeldorn, a consultant and researcher who reviewed the budget for Conservation Minnesota, said other questionable cuts include: $3.5 million from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources; $1.2 million from the Agriculture Departments invasive species efforts and $200,000 from its sustainableagriculture demonstration projects; $810,000 from metro-area parks. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/1/09] Conservation Minnesota Executive Director Paul Austin Said Pawlentys Proposed Budget Would Reduce Conservation Spending To Its Lowest Percentage In 30 Years. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys budget must go through months of negotiations with lawmakers, but if its approved as is, [executive director of Conservation Minnesota, Paul] Austin said, the general fund portion for conservation spending would drop to its lowest percentage in 30 years -- barely 1 percent in 2010 and 0.93 percent in 2011. In 2001, that share was 2.25 percent. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/1/09]

St. Cloud Times: Pawlentys Plan To Let Voters Decide Whether To Dedicate Portion Of The Sales Tax To Environmental Efforts Was A Political Dodge. According to the St. Cloud Times, in an op-ed, Randy Krebs wrote, According to news reports, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson and House Speaker Steve Sviggum will meet today in a supposed last-ditch effort to reach agreement on a constitutional amendment that would dedicate sales tax revenues to Minnesota outdoors a refresher as to why we oppose the amendment, which also could include funding for a variety of arts initiatives statewide. Its not because we dont support protecting, indeed improving, Minnesotas outdoors or helping the arts [but] the idea of having voters decide whether to dedicate any portion of state sales tax to the environment or any fiscal cause is nothing but a political dodge for all legislators. How convenient for incumbents seeking re-election! Among legislators most basic jobs is deciding what services state government should provide and charging residents accordingly for them. For the past decade or so, though, legislators have wanted to provide the former without implementing

the latter Its a bad idea because it puts the onus on voters and lets legislators skip out on making the tough decisions. [St. Cloud Times, 6/6/06] Pawlenty Announced A Plan To Reduce Mercury Emissions By 90 Percent Over Seven Years. According to Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota would take its biggest step ever toward reducing toxic mercury air pollution under an agreement announced today by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The deal was announced at the Capitol after months of negotiations between the states two largest electrical utilities, environmental groups and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The plan would cut mercury at the states largest coal-fired power plants by about 90 percent over the next seven years -- a bigger and faster cut than proposed by federal regulators -- in an effort to reduce mercury contamination in Minnesota fish The plan, if approved by the Legislature, would phase in mercury reduction for both Duluth-based Minnesota Power and Minneapolis-based Excel Energy. Both utilities must submit plans to the state for each of their facilities on how they will reach a 90 percent mercury reduction. [Duluth News Tribune, 4/27/06] Sierra Club: Under Minnesotas Wetland Conservation Act, More Acres Of Wetland Were Destroyed Than Created. According to Duluth News Tribune, Minnesotas Wetland Conservation Act is failing and the state continues to lose hundreds of acres of wetlands each year. Thats the conclusion reached by a report released Monday by the Sierra Clubs Minnesota chapter. The report echoes other recent reviews, finding that instead of replacing more wetlands than are lost, as the law intended, Minnesotas law allows so many exemptions that far more acres are destroyed than are replaced. The 1991 law was supposed to see two acres of new wetlands created for every acre lost where wetlands loss is most severe. But, of cases reported, 11,000 acres of wetlands were destroyed between 1995 and 2005 with only 6,000 acres created -- for a net loss of more than 5,000 acres, the Sierra Club report found when reviewing state records. Its believed most wetlands lost to development, roads and especially farming are never reported because of exemptions in the state law, the Sierra Club says, and the state has no real handle on how many acres are destroyed. The state also has little data on how many illegally filled wetlands are never discovered. [Duluth News Tribune, 3/21/06] Pawlenty Supported Legislative Effort To Force Coal-Fired Power Plants To Cut Mercury Emissions By 90 Percent, Which Environmental Groups Believed Did Not Go Far Enough. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Conceding that Minnesotas efforts to cut mercury pollution have become bogged down, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday he supports legislation in the upcoming session that would force coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent, well ahead of federal requirements In his letter, Pawlenty said the bill should require owners of the largest plants to submit their reduction plans to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Those plans, he said, should include the costs of taking action so the commission can protect consumers and utilities can recoup their expenses Environmental groups, which have accused the state Pollution Control Agency of being too cozy with business and utility interests regarding mercury, said Pawlenty didnt go far enough. They said if he was serious about reducing mercury pollution, hed agree to order the agency to regulate polluters if lawmakers cant agree on a bill. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/17/06] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Was Uncommitted To Conservation Initiatives He Touted. According to the Star Tribune, in an op-ed Dennis Anderson wrote that Pawlenty beseeched [conservation] groups to join him in a battle with the Legislature [But] as the legislative session unfolded, Pawlenty didnt help himself or the conservation initiatives he touted. Rather he sat back, mouthing the generalities of the uncommitted. As a result, when the Legislature disbanded, shredded once more on the Capitols floors were proposals to clean up the states rivers and lakes and to dedicate funding for conservation in Minnesota. [The Star Tribune, 1/6/06] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Was Surrendered State Forest Management To The Demands Of Off Road Riding Clubs. According to The Star Tribune, When Solomon proposed to split the baby claimed by two women, he forced a triumph of virtue over selfishness. In bisecting Minnesotas off-road recreation rules, the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have done the opposite, surrendering sensible management of state forests to the riding clubs us-first demands. As of last Monday, riders in state forests south of Hwy. 2 are confined to trails designated for their sport. But in the forests north of that line, all trails are open to off-roading, except for scattered parcels posted off-limits for safety reasons or to protect especially sensitive public land. Thus the northern third of the state, containing three-fourths of all state forest acreage, will essentially revert to the bad old days of unregulated riding, before lawmakers recognized that this invites widespread trashing of some trademark Minnesota resources. This is not only bad for the forests, its bad for the citizens who enjoy a quiet retreat in their forests but find the opportunity rapidly disappearing. And its an affront to taxpaying citizens, in a time of shrinking state support and swelling user fees for outdoor recreation, to give such preferential treatment to one set of users - who far too often are also abusers of their privileges. [The Star Tribune, 8/4/05]

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Officials Eliminated Target Dates From Plan To Reduce Mercury Emissions. According to The Star Tribune, MPCA [Minnesota Pollution Control Agency] officials weakened a statewide mercury-reduction plan after consulting last fall with utilities and industries that emit mercury. The story cited internal agency e-mails and other evidence from environmentalists who said they were shut out while the MPCA consulted with industry. The agency eliminated specific target dates for mercury reductions in the draft plan published in December Mercury is a potent toxin that accumulates in lakes and streams and the bodies of fish and can damage the nervous systems of people who eat contaminated fish. [Star Tribune, 8/4/05] Despite Concerns From Environmentalists, Pawlenty Praised Minnesotas Mercury Reduction Effort. According to The Star Tribune, Environmental groups asked Gov. Tim Pawlenty Wednesday to investigate whether a state agency acted in bad faith by giving industry officials a private opportunity to influence a mercury-reduction proposal while shutting out advocates for tough regulation. In a joint letter, the 27 groups also asked the governor to halt further consideration of the mercury-reduction proposal developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Instead, the review process should begin again, using as a starting point an earlier draft proposal that had set specific dates for cutting emissions of the toxic metal, the groups said. A governors spokesman said Pawlenty was reviewing the groups concerns, but praised Minnesotas mercury-control efforts The groups also asked Pawlenty to investigate whether MPCA officials violated a state rule requiring candor in official business. The groups complained that state officials, while consulting with the industry, told environmental groups there was nothing to talk about and later altered a document to omit key information about the draft plan. [Star Tribune, 8/4/05]

State Legislators Steve Morse And John Tuma Said Pawlenty Failed To Adequately Protect And Restore Minnesotas Environment. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in an op-ed, Steve Morse, former DFL state senator from Winona County, and John Tuma, a former Republican state representative from Northfield, co-wrote In short, the 2005 Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty failed to adequately protect and restore Minnesotas environment. This is demonstrated by: The lowest funding level for conservation in 30 years; Failure unless it is in the last big compromise to pass a fully-funded Clean Water Legacy Act, aimed at cleaning up Minnesotas most contaminated waters; Opening of 74 percent of Minnesotas state forest lands to potential damage by reckless off-highway vehicle drivers; [and] The governors veto of $6.8 million of environmental research and education funding. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/10/05] State Legislators Steve Morse And John Tuma: Misunderstood Environment and Economic Development Bill Marked A 30-Year Low In Environmental Funding. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in an op-ed, Steve Morse, former DFL state senator from Winona County, and John Tuma, a former Republican state representative from Northfield, co-wrote On June 30, hope for a better Minnesota Outdoors suffered a big setback. That day a much-misunderstood bill passed the Legislature. Hailed as a save the day effort to keep state parks open over the Fourth of July weekend, the Agriculture, Environment and Economic Development bill made history. Unfortunately, its place in history will be a 30-year low in environmental funding. In addition, it opened up 74 percent of Minnesotas state forest land to potential damage from reckless off-highway vehicle riders. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/10/05] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Shift To Fee-Based Financing For Conservation Distorted State Environmental Efforts. According to The Star Tribune, This legislative session seems poised to continue Minnesotas steady retreat from spending on environmental programs, from pollution control to conservation law enforcement to state parks maintenance. Still, lawmakers have at least two opportunities for progress that neednt draw a no-new-taxes veto from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlentys proposed budget would cut $13.45 million from the general tax appropriations for environmental programs; according to an extensive analysis by the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, this would mean a 36 percent reduction at the end of 2007 from the levels in 2001, to a little over a penny out of each tax dollar. Of course, these cuts have been offset by increased fees for everything from fishing licenses to pollution permits, and also by spending down accumulated balances in some of the special accounts funded by these fees. Still, the league calculates a 16 percent drop in total funding, after inflation adjustments, for the six-year periodThe shift to fee-based financing is distorting Minnesotas overall environmental efforts by moving money toward initiatives that benefit various user groups and away from those that deliver across-the-board value. A particularly disturbing expression of this trend is the need, this year, to create a $36-perhousehold annual user fee for consumers of clean water. [The Star Tribune, 5/11/05] Under Pawlentys 2006-2007 Budget Proposal, Conservation Programs Would Receive Only 1.15 Percent Of The General Budget, The Lowest Level In 30 Years. According to the Star Tribune, The share of the general fund budget going to conservation programs under Pawlentys 2006-07 proposal is at the lowest level in 30 years, according to the Minnesota League of Conservation Voters. About 1.15 percent of all general funds will go to environment and natural resources, the group says. [Star Tribune, 4/24/05]

Under Pawlenty, The Department Of Natural Resources Shifted Away From Resource Protection To Appease Special Interest Groups. According to Duluth News Tribune, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is shifting its emphasis away from resource protection in an effort to appease special interest groups, say two former employees. Three Northeastern Minnesota field biologists have similar concerns, saying the recent reassignment of two longtime employees amid an ATV controversy in northwestern Minnesota has created doubt and confusion among current field staff. The reassignments have had a chilling effect among wildlife field staff, said Rich Staffon, DNR area wildlife manager in Cloquet Debate about the DNRs direction and how field staff should approach their jobs came to the forefront last week when Jim Breyen, former DNR regional wildlife manager at Bemidji, spoke publicly about his reassignment last month. He was reassigned during a heated controversy over the use of all-terrain vehicles in Beltrami Island State Forest south of Warroad. The matter has statewide implications because the DNR is just starting the process of making recommendations about the use of ATVs and other off-highway vehicles in all 54 state forests Such reassignments have been rare in the DNR, especially at the regional level, several DNR employees said. [Duluth News Tribune, 3/20/05] Conservation Groups Claimed Director Paul Swenson Of The Department of Natural Resources Was Demoted After Recommending A Limit On Motorized Vehicles In Beltrami Island State Forest. According to the Associated Press, Conservation groups expressed dissatisfaction Tuesday with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reassignment of Paul Swenson, a regional director based in Bemidji. In a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 10 organizations characterized Swensons move as a demotion and said it was linked to his recommendations to limit motorized vehicles in Beltrami Island State Forest. The issue has sparked controversy, leading Roseau County to ban DNR vehicles from crossing county land in the forest. The Sierra Club and the Izaak Walton League of America were among the groups signing the letter. Mark Holsten, the DNR deputy commissioner, said linking tension over all-terrain vehicles to Swensons reassignment was childish and simplistic. He said Swensons involvement with ATV issues was minimal. [Associated Press, 2/16/05] In 2004, Pawlenty Refused To Back Clean Water Legacy Bill That Included Fee Recommendation On Sewer Connections And Septic Systems. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, last year a widely diverse collection of organizations, including the states leading environmental and business groups, put together a plan to pay for an ambitious effort to test and clean up Minnesota lakes and rivers. Then, just before the 2004 Legislature got going, Gov. Tim Pawlenty surprised the coalition by refusing to back its recommendation for a fee on sewer connections and septic systems. Pawlenty told the group to come back this session with a reworked funding proposal. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/21/04] 2005: Pawlenty Supported The Bill As Long As The Sewage Fee Was Not Labeled As A Tax. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, urging the state to act soon or to face lawsuits and federal sanctions later, a broad coalition of supporters, representing businesses, cities, agriculture and the environment, have spent two years crafting the package. But with Pawlentys no new taxes pledge, the sticking point has been how to pay for it. At a press conference Wednesday, supporters did their best to avoid saying the proposed fees could be interpreted as taxes. Johnson even joked that fees and taxes would see expanded definitions as the legislative debate unfolds. Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the governor considers the new money a fee, not a taxUnder the plan, $80 million a year would be raised by charging a $36 fee on residential sewer connections and septic systems and a $120 to $600 annual fee for businesses, depending on how much water they use. Exemptions would be allowed for low-income residents. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/10/05]

Pawlenty Said He And Lawmakers Should Be Held Accountable For Failing To Pass Clean Water Legacy Bill And Natural Resource Funding Amendment. According to the Duluth News-Tribune Pawlenty said he and other lawmakers failed on their promises to pass two pieces of legislation last session -- a Clean Water Legacy bill and a bill asking voters to consider a constitutional amendment dedicating a portion of the state sales tax to natural resources. He referenced speeches made at the Ducks, Wetlands and Clean Water Rally in April, when lawmakers and Pawlenty voiced their support for the legislation but failed to approve it. Its time we hold folks accountable, including me, for those words, he said in a speech punctuated by a standing ovation. [Duluth News-Tribune, 1/7/06] Minnesota Lost Thousands Of Acres Of Wetlands Despite Laws Designed To Protect The Land Due To Lack Of Oversight. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota continues to lose thousands of acres of wetlands to drainage or filling, despite laws designed to achieve no net loss of those lands, according to two new state reports. The reports, one by the Department of Natural Resources and the other by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, support long-held suspicions by wildlife managers and conservationists that laws arent fully protecting Minnesotas wetlands The Wetland Conservation Act was the subject of the DNR analysis. The statute requires destroyed wetlands to be replaced at an acre-to-acre ratio and, in some cases, at a 2-to-1 ratio. But the DNR study shows that since 1995 about 11,000 wetlands acres have been reported destroyed and only 6,000 replacement acres have been created. Exempted wetlands were responsible for half of the lost

acreage, the study shows. A separate, unrelated Minnesota Pollution Control Agency study shows dramatic wetlands losses in the states western prairie pothole region, once famous for waterfowl populations. Minnesota has no comprehensive method for tracking wetlands gains and losses, and the two studies are the most significant clues pointing to a lack of oversight of wetlands protection, environmental leaders say. [Duluth News Tribune, 1/19/05] Pawlenty Proposed Replacing Legislative Commission With A Citizens Board To Allocate Funds To Natural Resources, Claiming It Would Remove Politics From The Process. According to The Star Tribune, A new citizens board would replace state legislators in determining how millions of dollars of lottery funds dedicated to natural resources would be spent, under a proposal announced Wednesday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Under the plan, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, comprising 20 legislators, would be dismantled and replaced with a seven-member citizens board. The idea, Pawlenty said, is to remove politics from the process of distributing millions from the states Environmental Trust Fund, which is funded by the lottery The Legislative Commission first reviews and recommends natural resource projects. The Legislature and the governor then must approve those recommendations. The dollars are significant: The commission currently is preparing recommendations for spending about $37 million for the next biennium. [The Star Tribune, 10/7/04] St. Paul Pioneer Presss Chris Niskanen Said Pawlentys Plan To Replace The Legislative Council Would Fail. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in an op-ed, Chris Niskanen wrote Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently proposed an overhaul of a legislative panel that doles out about $30 million every two years for environmental projects. The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) is in charge of spending money thats earned from a trust funded by the Minnesota State Lottery, the devil is in the details, and lawmakers, for the most part, are uneasy about a plan that doesnt have more meat on it and are reluctant to give up their control of a significant pot of money. For these reasons, Pawlentys plan faces a recalcitrant Legislature that is already sharply divided and couldnt even agree the sky was blue during the last session. For these reasons, I believe Pawlentys plan will fail. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/17/04]

Dennis Anderson Of The Star Tribune Said Pawlenty Proved A Disappointment On Conversation. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed columnist Dennis Anderson stated, The Legislature, unfortunately, is hopeless, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proven a disappointment. Both seem intent on protecting the interests of developers and others who run roughshod over our waters and land. Perhaps, as they see it, thats their job. More disappointing is their apparent lack of creativity in figuring out how to promote progress and economic growth without sending the states natural resources down the river ... to nowhere. [The Star Tribune, 8/1/04] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Lack Of Duck Hunting Expertise Contributed To His Lack Of Knowledge On Minnesotas Wetlands And Wildlife Crisis. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlenty, along with other state officials, did not hunt ducks on opening day. Historically, Minnesota has put more waterfowl hunters in the field than any other state. Despite low duck numbers in recent years, and declining duck hunting opportunities in Minnesota, interest here in wetlands and ducks remains strong In Minnesota - which is facing an ongoing wetlands and wetlands-wildlife crisis - you dont have to be a duck hunter to manage ducks, wetlands or duck hunters. Perhaps therein lies part of the states problem. Because until a person sees firsthand just how dramatically the states landscape has been transformed, and feels the heartache for the resulting loss of wildlife, the scope of the crisis cant be fully appreciated. [The Star Tribune, 10/1/04] Duluth News Tribune: Pawlentys Environmental Budget Cuts Made It More Difficult To Protect The States Ground And Drinking Water. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota conservation and environmental agency budgets have been hit disproportionately hard in recent years as legislators have struggled to deal with recurring financial problems, an analysis contended Thursday. As a result, the environment is getting a smaller piece of the state budget than in any year since 1988, according to the Education Fund of the Minnesota League of Conservation Voters. If just general fund money is counted, the share is the lowest since 1982, it said The leagues education fund group said general fund support for five agencies addressing conservation and environmental issues has fallen markedly since 2001, dropping 37 percent, from $228 million to $143 million. Increased federal money and higher fees for such activities as camping and hunting, however, have softened the impact to an overall 3 percent decline The first round of significant budget cuts appeared in 2001-02, during the Ventura administration, and others have followed under Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Because of those cuts, the league said, the state is having more difficulty protecting groundwater, drinking water, wetlands and other wild areas. [Duluth NewsTribune, 10/1/04] Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam Failed To Explain His Assertion That Pawlenty Had A Keen Interest In Conversation. According to The Star Tribune, in an interview, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam was asked You say the governor is interested in conservation. Yet he killed the primary waterconservation proposal of the states water cabinet, of which you are a member. Environmentalists, conservationists and

business interests, among others, were represented on the committee that recommended an annual water-use fee in the $40 range to fund water-improvement measures statewide. Pawlenty nixed the idea even though his own Pollution Control Agency commissioner supported it. How, then, can the governor have a keen interest in conservation? Merriam replied, Im not sure how I can answer that. [Star Tribune, 8/15/04] In 2004, Pawlenty Approved Bill Waiving Mining Company Mesabi Nugget From Environmental Review Process. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill Thursday putting a proposed next-generation taconite processing plant on the permitting fast track, dismaying an environmental group. The bill frees Mesabi Nugget from a lengthy environmental review process as it works toward locating the high-tech processing facility at the dormant LTV Steel Mining Co. site in Hoyt LakesEarly this year, company had said it would build the plant in Indiana because of Minnesotas longer environmental review process. When the bill was passed this month, company executives said they preferred the Hoyt Lakes site but gave no guaranteesThe legislation allows Mesabi Nugget to use existing air and water quality permits at the shuttered taconite facility and doesnt require completing an Environmental Assessment Worksheet or Environmental Impact Statement. It would put the project on about the same timetable as permitting a plant in Indiana. [Associated Press, 5/20/04] Pawlentys Proposed $226 Million Plan To Clean Up State Waterways By Retiring Over 150 Square Miles Of Farmland. According to The Star Tribune, the centerpiece of Gov. Tim Pawlentys environmental agenda, a $226 million plan to clean up Minnesota waterways by idling more than 150 square miles of farmland, is in danger of being blocked by opposition from farm groups and the federal government. Unless consensus about how long marginal land will be retired from production is reached beginning with a meeting today in Pawlentys office, the plan will not receive federal approval, John Monson, Minnesota director of the U.S. Farm Services Agency, said Monday. Now at least 15 farmer groups, including the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Farmers Union and crop and livestock associations, have opposed inclusion of such perpetual easements in the new plan, asking the federal government to reject it unless changes are madePawlenty spokesman Dan Wolter said the governor believes in retiring environmentally sensitive farmland for good because that is best for the environment and the most frugal use of taxpayers money. Most of the cost of the program comes from payments to compensate farmers for their lost production. Under Pawlentys plan, farmers could choose between a perpetual easement or one lasting 50 years. They would collect less than 30 percent more for the former. [Star Tribune, 12/9/03] Associated Press: Pawlentys Plan To Retire Sensitive Farmland Drew Opposition From Nearly Every Major Farm Group In Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys conservation plan has drawn nearly every major farm group in the state together in opposition, partly because of how the plan idles environmentally sensitive farmland near waterways. The plan would retire more than 150 square miles of marginal farmland. The problem, farmers say, is that landowners will have only two choices under the voluntary program: a 50-year easement or a permanent easement. The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural organizations had encouraged the governor to avoid supporting permanent conservation easements. Agricultural leaders are concerned that choice and flexibility of land use will be stripped away from future generations. They point to the economic loss of permanently idled land and note that water channels sometimes move or dry up. [Associated Press, 10/24/03]

Pawlenty Created Task Force On Minnesotas Timber Industry, Which Called For Increased Logging. According to The Star Tribune, after Blandin Paper Co. cut 298 jobs in Grand Rapids earlier this year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty put together a task force to look at the competitiveness of the states timber-products industry. On Thursday, that group released a report calling for increased logging, a streamlined environmental-review process, an improved transportation system and an upgraded third-party certification system that promotes sustainable forests. To receive these recommendations from the task force and not take action would be shortsighted, Pawlenty said in a statement. [The Star Tribune, 8/9/03] Pawlenty Detailed Plan To Tap Federal Funding And Set Aside 10,000 Acres Of Farmland In An Effort To Clean Up State Waterways. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlenty vowed Tuesday to protect the states greatest natural resource and not to let it slip further down the slope of silt, sewage and sludge. In a major policy address to the Minnesota Environmental Initiative _ a nonprofit advocacy group _ the Republican governor promised new funding to clean up waterways from the Red River in the northwest to the Mississippi through the Twin Cities and trout streams in the southeastPawlenty described several measures to the advocacy group, which is financed by farming and energy interests: An ambitious bonding proposal for the 2004 Legislature to tap new federal funding and set aside up to an additional 100,000 acres of farmland in the Conservation Resource Enhancement Program. A long-term funding mechanism to address water issues to be presented to the Legislature in the near future. He told reporters later that it could involve new constitutional tax dedications. Pollution Control Commissioner Sheryl Corrigan estimated the 20-year cost of water cleanup in the state at up to $3 billion. [The Star Tribune, 6/25/03]

Pawlenty Criticized Effort By The Sierra Club To Protect National Forests From Loggers. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Pawlenty also took a shot at shoring up support among loggers by attacking the Sierra Club, saying some of the National Forests the club is trying to keep off-limits from timber harvest should be opened. [Duluth News-Tribune, 6/26/02] In 2002, Pawlenty Said There Was Absolutely A Role For Government On Environmental Issues. According to the Associated Press, two GOP candidates for governor revealed some differences on environmental issues in a debate Monday night sponsored by the Minnesota League of Conservation Voters. Entrepreneur Brian Sullivan said that only when the market doesnt function is it time for government to get involved in regulation. House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty said that its not a good idea to rely on market forces when dealing with the environment. There is absolutely a role for government to be involved, Pawlenty said. [Associated Press, 4/30/02] Pawlenty Opposed EPA Initiative To Limit Dust On Rural Roads And Called The Measure Silly And Ridiculous. According to Osakis Review, The federal government is sticking its nose into farmers business, and hurting Minnesota agriculture in the process, Tim Pawlenty said Thursday after delivering his final FarmFest speech as governor. If he were in charge of the federal government, the potential presidential candidate said, that would stopThe Republican governor railed against bureaucratic measures that hurt farmers, especially ones by the Environmental Protection Agency. I would instruct the EPA to stand down on some of their initiatives that have not been authorized or backed by Congress, he said. The latest dust-up that he criticized was an EPA proposal in recent days to limit dust, including in farm fields and on rural roads. Pawlenty called the proposal silly and ridiculous and the agency doing it without congressional approval is very sneaky. Pawlenty, who spoke at FarmFest each of his eight years as governor, said that government needs to keep farmers cost low, and the EPAs proposed rules do the opposite. [Osakis Review, 8/5/10] Pawlenty Supported User Fee Proposal To Generate $80 Million To Clean Up The States Polluted Lakes And Rivers. According to The Star Tribune, Each home in Minnesota would be charged an additional $36 a year for the water it uses and businesses would be charged an additional $120 to $600 a year under a proposal to generate $80 million a year to clean up the states polluted lakes and rivers. A coalition of business, agriculture, local government, and environmental groups on Wednesday proposed the Clean Water Legacy Bill, which will use the money generated by user fees to accelerate testing of Minnesota waters and to clean up the states most contaminated rivers and lakes The bill has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and has been endorsed by the administration of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, whose Pollution Control Agency will administer much of the funding. Pawlenty has said that if the bill gets through the Legislature, he would sign it. While Pawlenty has said he is opposed to any new tax increases, Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Sheryl Corrigan argued that the water charges reflect a philosophy of the user fee rather than that of a tax. [The Star Tribune, 2/10/05] Pawlenty Supported A .25 Percent Sales Tax To Preserve Natural Resources. According to Finance & Commerce, In the latest twist in this sessions push to increase funding to clean up lakes and streams in Minnesota, legislators are bringing back a proposal from previous sessions to raise money for the environment through the state sales tax. Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids, said his Outdoor Heritage Amendment proposes a 0.25 percent sales tax for preserving natural resources. That would amount to $88 million a year for clean water initiatives. If the Legislature approves the idea, it would need to be decided by voters as a constitutional amendment question in 2006 Pawlenty praised Saxhaugs bill. Ive been a longtime supporter of efforts to dedicate a portion of the sales tax to preserving and enhancing the outdoors. Passing a constitutional dedication for conservation and clean water will help protect our environment for future generations, Pawlenty said. [Finance & Commerce, 3/18/05]

RECEIVED POOR RATINGS ON CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Conservative Minnesota Gave Pawlentys 2009 Legislative Performance A Thumbs-Down After Vetoing $15 Million Environmental Clean Up Effort And Opposing A Disposal Fee On Paint Manufacturers. According to the St. Paul Legal Ledger, The group [Conservation Minnesota], however, gave Pawlenty a thumbs-down for vetoing $15 million intended to test and clean up impaired streams and lakes, and for vetoing legislation that would assess a fee on paint manufacturers to pay for paint disposal. [St. Paul Legal Ledger, 10/29/09] In 2004, Conservation Groups Gave Pawlenty And The Legislature A D-Plus Grade For Failing To Support Environmental Recommendations. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has failed to deliver on

key environmental commitments this legislative session, according to several conservation organizations that issued a midterm report card Monday for the governor and the Legislature. We are particularly disappointed that the governors actions on the environment this session have not reflected his policy statements, said Brian Elliott, political coordinator for Clean Water Action Alliance. After urging a broad-based coalition of interest groups to develop a plan to clean up state waters last year, Pawlenty in January didnt support their recommendation to pay for it. And, after recommending another round of a joint state and federal effort to retire marginal cropland, Pawlenty recently agreed to a compromise widely viewed as favoring agricultural interests over the environment. The governor, they said, also failed to recommend money for a plan to clean up septic systems. In addition, they said his state agencies have supported weakened off-highway vehicle-use protections and weakened roles for communities in livestock expansion decisionsOverall, Pawlenty got a D-plus. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/6/04] In 2003, Pawlenty Earned A C Grade From Three Conservation Groups Including The Sierra Club, The League Of Conservation Voters And The Clean Water Action Alliance. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, three conservation groups gave Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature average to failing grades Wednesday for their positions on nine environmental issues this session. According to the report, Pawlenty earned a C for his positions. The three conservation groups included the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action Alliance and the League of Conservation Voters. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/8/03]

POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY WEAKENED MERCURY REDUCTION PLAN

Affiliation With 3M Co, Prevented Sheryl Corrigan, Pawlentys Pollution Control Agency Choice, From Participation In Water-Quality Permit Matters. According to the Associated Press, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlentys choice to lead the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency may have to stay out of some of the most important issues facing the agency over the next two years, due to a conflict of interest. Sheryl Corrigan will have to excuse herself from water-quality permit matters during that period because of her affiliation with 3M Co., according to outgoing MPCA commissioner, Karen Studders, who faced a similar situation when she took the job almost four years ago. Corrigan is manager of environmental health and safety for 3M. When Pawlenty announced her appointment Monday, Corrigan said she knew of no current issues involving 3M and the MPCA that would complicate her new roleWe are certainly aware of the issue, said Bob Schroeder, a spokesman for the Pawlenty transition team. Its not a surprise to us. Ive talked with Tom Skinner (the Environmental Protection Agencys regional administrator), and we agree that we just need to talk about it further to ensure compliance and also make sure the trains run on time. [Associated Press, 12/18/02] Pawlenty Failed To Investigate Claims That The State Pollution Control Agency Weakened Mercury Reduction Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and other environmental groups had called on Pawlenty to investigate the MPCAs handling of the mercury plan. Pawlenty did not agree to that, but he said his staff is reviewing documents supplied by the group. [Star Tribune, 8/12/05]

PAWLENTY UNDERMINED FORESTSAND WETLANDS PRESERVATION

Pawlenty Planned To Cut Funding For The Board Of Water And Soil Resources By 7.5 To 15 Percent, Undermining The Boards Ability To Oversee Wetland Conservation. According to The Star Tribune, A proposal to repeal Minnesotas Wetland Conservation Act - one of the most sweeping wetland protection laws in the nation - underscores the depths of continued budget cuts on state agencies. A Board of Water and Soil Resources committee recently suggested the dramatic action as an option, saying the agency simply cant absorb any more budget reductions without repealing core programs. Weve cut and weve cut, said Jerome Deal, chairman of the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), an agency charged with protecting and enhancing the states soil and water resourcesThe small agency already has cut 21 percent from its budget the past three years, and Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration has asked the agency to prepare for another 7.5 to 15 percent cut. But Pawlenty told BWSR officials Wednesday that he wont allow the wetland law to be repealed. He sent a clear message thats not on the table, Deal said Thursday at an agency meeting in St. Paul. That speaks to the governors continued commitment to wetlands as a resource, said Doug Thomas, assistant director of the board. It also leaves the board between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Were in a difficult position, Deal said Jan Goldman-Carter, environmental lawyer and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy board member, attended Thursdays meeting, as did Botzek, after hearing about the proposal to kill the wetlands act. BWSR already has been cut to the bone, she said. If you cut further, its dysfunctional. They cant oversee wetland conservation without adequate funding. [Star Tribune, 9/25/04]

Pawlenty Relaxed Restrictions For Off-Road Vehicles In Wetlands, Allowing Them To Drive In Virtually All Wetlands. According to The Star Tribune, Under a measure awaiting the governors signature, riders will be able to drive in virtually all wetlands as long as they do it safely and dont carelessly upset the natural and ecological balance. A broad ban on wetland riding was repealed. Off-road enthusiasts are happy with the change, although an ATV lobbyist conceded that it may be hard for riders to know when theyve upset the ecological balance. Conservation groups such as Audubon Minnesota would prefer to keep ATVs, four-wheel-drive trucks and dirt bikes out of wetlands. Audobons policy director, Susan Solterman, said the bills nebulous language will make it difficult for conservation officers to arrest riders for damaging wetlandsLaurie Martinson, DNR Trails and Waterways director, said she and others will meet with top conservation officers next month to decide how to enforce the new language. It is in a larger outdoors bill that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to sign. [The Star Tribune, 5/24/04] Pawlenty Remained Silent After The State Legislature Opened 74 Percent Of State Forests To ATV Use. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty remained mum about a last-minute measure passed as part of an omnibus bill last legislative session that opened 74 percent of state forests or all forests north of U.S. Hwy. 2 to almost unlimited ATV use. In the past, signs designated ATV trails. Now any state forest trail is open to ATV use, unless its posted as offlimits.[Deborah Locke, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/12/06] In 1990, As A Member Of The Eagan City Council, Pawlenty Voted Against Motion To Deny Construction Of Radio Towers In National Wetland Area. According to Motion Watcher, As a member of the Eagan City Council in 1990, Pawlenty voted against a motion that accepted the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny Minnesota Public Radios application to build three 300-foot radio towers in a national permit wetland area. The motion was passed by a vote of 3-2. [Motion (Wachter), 4/3/90]

Endangered Wildlife
Pawlenty Voted In Favor Of Plan To Allow Hunting And Trapping Of Wolves Once Removed From The Federal Endangered Species List. According to the Associated Press, as a state legislator in 1999, Pawlenty voted to approve a plan that would allow the hunting and trapping of wolves on the first January after the wolves are removed from the federal endangered species list. The measure was approved by a vote of 94-37. [Associated Press, 3/24/99]

Environmental Protection Agency

Pawlenty Said The EPA Was Mismanaged And Needed To Be Radically Transformed. According to Hot Air, During a CPAC question and answer session, Pawlenty said, The EPA in its current form is really mismanaged [and] needs to go through a radical transformation and reorganization We have to find ways to move this stuff forward. Lets not tell the applicants no reflexively, lets try to find ways to get it done to get it to yes. If you look at the base load needs of the country, we need energy. [Hot Air, 2/14/11]

Recycling
Pawlenty Supported Legislation Forcing Consumers To Help Finance Recycling Of Electronics Through A $10 Advance Recycling Fee. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty will support legislation this winter that would force consumers to help finance the collection and recycling of personal computers and televisions. Individuals and businesses would pay a $10 advance recycling fee every time they buy a TV set or computer. The surcharge is expected to raise $15 million a year. Retailers would collect the fees, keeping 5 percent to help pay for their in-house recycling programs. [Star Tribune, 1/18/05]

FOREIGN POLICY
General Statements
Pawlenty Is Taking Advantage Of His Office To Build Foreign Policy Credentials. According to Hotlines On Call, Pawlenty is also taking advantage of his office to build foreign policy credentials. Hes headed to Japan and China this week on a trade mission, likely the last during his 2-term tenure as governor. [Reid Wilson, National Journals Hotline On Call, 9/7/10] Pawlenty Referred To Himself As A Wartime Governor. According to an interview on Road to the White House, Pawlenty was asked You have called yourself a wartime governor. What does that mean? He responded, Well, just simply that I was a governor during a time of war. Thats somewhat atypical for governors in Minnesota and governors in the nation. But it has required time and energy dedicated to military issues, support of the military, and Im really proud of that. But it just it is another issue that Ive had to deal with, and I am proud to have with that at other times in history governors have not had to, at least to the degree that weve seen over the last eight years. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10]

STRONG MILITARY
Pawlenty: Bullies Respect Strength, Not Weakness. According to a Facebook town hall held by Pawlentys PAC Freedom First, Pawlenty said Bullies respect strength, they dont respect weakness. And history shows that any time the United States or other countries project weakness, its weakness that invites temptation by our enemies, not strength. So, we need to project a strong message, a strong military, a strong security posture across the country. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10] Pawlenty: We Need A Military And A Security Apparatus In This Country That Is Robust, That Is ForwardLeaning, That Is Aggressive. According to a Facebook town hall held by Pawlentys PAC Freedom First, in response to question about national security Pawlenty said, I stand for a strong national defense. We need a military and a security apparatus in this country that is robust, that is forward-leaning, that is aggressive. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10]

Afghanistan
Pawlenty Said It Was Important To Base Afghanistan Mission On Defeating Al Qaeda And Not On Arbitrary Deadlines. According to CNN, during an interview with Soledad OBrien, Pawlenty said its appropriate for the president to visit our troops in Afghanistan and to give them encouragement, express our thanks and to remember the sacrifice thats been made. But beyond that, in terms of this agreement that was signed, Governor Romney feels its important to define the mission ahead in terms of strategic outcomes, not in terms of days or months on the calendar. And those strategic outcomes include making sure al Qaeda is defeated, making sure the insurgencies including, by the way, groups like the Taliban are incapable of reforming in a way that threatens Afghan security or the situation next door in Pakistan. And making sure that the Afghan security forces and police forces have enough capacity to be able to make sure that the country is at least reasonably stable and those goals, I think people agree with. But what we dont like is the president putting these arbitrary deadlines rather than conditions on the ground governing Americas position in Afghanistan. [CNN, 5/3/12] Pawlenty Said Announcing Withdrawal Timetable Gave American Terrorists A Blueprint To Plan Around. According to CNN, during an interview with Soledad OBrien, Pawlenty said Governor Romney has said 2014 may be an appropriate timetable, but lets not announce it ahead of time for those who dont have Americas interest at heart can plan around it. Dont give them the blueprint in public with timelines attached to it. Thats what President Obama has done. Governor Romney would have taken a different approach and planned and executed those plans in private. [CNN, 5/3/12]

SUPPORTED PUTTING MORE TROOPS INTO AFGHANISTAN

Pawlenty Said Obamas Withdrawal Of Troops From Afghanistan Was A Grave Mistake. According to ABC News, GOP candidate Tim Pawlenty tonight criticized President Obamas decision to bring home 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of next summer as a grave mistakeI thought his speech tonight was deeply concerning, Pawlenty said in an interview with Bill OReilly on Fox News this evening. Look how he phrased the outcome of this war: He said we need to end the war responsibly. When America goes to war, America needs to win. We need to close out the war successfully, and what that means now is not nation-building. What it means is to follow Gen. Petraeus advice and to get those security forces built up to the point where they can pick up the slack as we draw down. [ABC News, 06/22/11, VIDEO] Pawlenty: We Definitely Can Win In Afghanistan If We Follow The Direction Of The Surge. According to an interview on Road to the White House, Pawlenty was asked, Can we win in Afghanistan? He responded, Yeah we definitely can win in Afghanistan. You see the progress thats been made in Iraq since the surge, and theres still a long ways to go in Iraq. But with the correct leadership and the right tactics, and the right strategy, we see a good future potentially for Iraq its hopeful. That same hope can be in Afghanistan if we follow the direction of the surge, but stay through it to make sure that we complete the mission. And general David Petraeus, who I met with when I was there last weekend, said look, thinks he can stall the insurgencys progress and stop the insurgencys progress relatively quickly, and then begin to turn it around and back our way. But it will take a little time. So our country and our people are going to require strategic patience if were going to get this mission done successfully. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10] Pawlenty Said The United States May Need To Send More Troops To Afghanistan, Even As Newly Leaked Documents Show An Increasingly Grim Picture Of The War. According to a blog associated with the Washington Post, Even as newly leaked documents show an increasingly grim picture of the war in Afghanistan, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on Monday made the case for a more open-ended and potentially larger commitment in the near decade-long war. Comparing the situation to pre-surge Iraq, the potential 2012 presidential contender said at a breakfast with reporters that President Obamas intention to begin withdrawing troops starting next year amounts to an arbitrary timeline. Pawlenty, who just returned from a visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, said he hopes the current surge, which isnt yet complete, is enough. But he also said he wouldnt be opposed, out of hand, to more troops. I dont presuppose that we need more than that, but we might, Pawlenty said at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. Pawlenty said Afghan leaders need to do a better job of communicating just what they need from the American presence in the country. But he said the mission requires some strategic patience. I would say that we are committed to be there until those objectives are met, Pawlenty said, noting that important groups in the area are hedging their bets in case the mission doesnt succeed. [Washington Post, The Fix blog, 7/26/10] Pawlenty Called For More Troops In Afghanistan, Despite Continued Criticism Of Rising National Debt. According to Minnesota Public Radio, I believe that the commanders on the ground are saying We have to have more troops. I think in order to protect the troops that are there, and to complete the mission, we should honor that request and implement that request, Pawlenty said. I dont know if President Obama is going to do that. I think he should.Pawlentys unwavering support for the troops comes at a time when he has ramped up his criticism of the federal debtBut Pawlentys support for a troop increase in Afghanistan will contribute to the debt he complains aboutWhen asked about how he balanced the concern over the deficit with his wish to send more troops to Afghanistan, Pawlenty said the military is not the main reason for the deficit exponentially growing. [Minnesota Public Radio, 10/13/09] Pawlenty Supported Putting More Troops Into Afghanistan Because When The United States Goes To War, The United States Wins. According to CNNs State of the Union, Pawlenty was asked, is it time for the United States to pull almost all of its troops from Afghanistan? Pawlenty responded, No. And I recently returned from my fourth trip to Iraq and my second trip to Afghanistan. The administration has defined the mission in Afghanistan as to disrupt and destroy the Taliban and al Qaeda and other terrorist forces that represent a threat to the national security interests of the United States. We need to make sure that mission is successful. And the rule needs to be, when the United States goes to war, the United States wins, and so we need to make sure we do those things to complete that mission successfully, and that includes putting more troops into Afghanistan if needed. [State of the Union, CNN, 9/6/09]

CLAIMED OBAMA TOOK TOO LONG TO DECIDE TO SURGE AND CRITICIZED HIS DECISION TO SET A WITHDRAWAL DATE

Pawlenty Praised Obamas Surge In Afghanistan And Noted When Youre Dealing With A Radical Left Wing Of His Party Thats Very Plugged Into That Issue That Was A Courageous Decision. According to an interview with Politico, Pawlenty said, I supported [President Obamas] decision to surge the troops in Afghanistan. I thought for him in particular, when youre dealing with a radical left wing of his party thats very plugged into that issue that was a courageous decision. [Politico, 1/24/11, video] Pawlenty Said He Wished Obama Had Not Taken Five Months To Decide To Put More Troops In Afghanistan. According to an interview on Road to the White House, Pawlenty said, I applaud the President for making the decision to put more troops into Afghanistan, that was needed, but I wish he would not have taken five months to make that decision. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10] Pawlenty Criticized Obamas Arbitrary Date For Withdrawal From Afghanistan, And Claimed It Begins To Put Questions In The Minds Of Our Allies. According to an interview on Road to the White House, Pawlenty was asked The President has said that next year, July 2011, it is a transitional date for the American military. You disagree with that why? He responded, Yes, I do [But I] wish he wouldnt have simultaneously announced a withdrawal date, simultaneous with the announcement of the surge that he decided. Because once you make an arbitrary date like that, it begins to put questions in the minds of our allies, or would-be allies and friends in Afghanistan, from the highest levels of leadership in Afghanistan and even Pakistan, all the way down to the individual whose a villager who might be a translator or might be an informant or might join the police force in Afghanistan or the military. And when you send the message that we may be out of here as early as next year, people start to hedge their bets in ways that are not helpful to the United States with respect to our mission in Afghanistan. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10] Pawlenty Claimed Obama And Clinton Started To Back Off The July 2011 Withdrawal Date. According to an interview on Road to the White House, Pawlenty was asked If the General say we can do this by July 2011 and the military thinks this is a good thing, then what would you say? He responded, Well certainly you want to pay heed and give some deference to the members of the military and the leadership for sure theres no question about that. But I noticed that President Obama and Secretary Clinton and others have now started to back off that July 2011 date as not a hard deadline for beginning to reduce troops. Theyre talking about perhaps it could be a small reduction, and then theyll see what goes on from there in terms of conditions on the ground. So even they have backed off that date as a hard date. And, thats at least some progress in my mind. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10]

Pawlenty Said Obama Took Too Long To Make The Decision To Put Additional Troops Into Afghanistan And That He Shouldnt Have Announced The Withdrawal Simultaneously. According to an appearance he made on FOX News, Pawlenty said, And so I applaud [Obama] for putting the additional troops into Afghanistan, for example, but he took too long to make the decision and he shouldnt have announced the withdrawal simultaneously with announcing the surge but thats clearly on Americas mindWell be in that war for a long time and I hope that hell be strong and diligent as that gets prosecuted but hes signaled on a number of fronts, some equivocation and delay in his thinking. [Fox and Friends, FOX News, 1/27/10] Pawlenty Claimed That Obama Was Using Political Consideration In Military Decisions On Afghanistan. According Politico, during an appearance he made on Fox Radios Brian and the Judge, Pawlenty said, Instead of taking the report and following the input of the leaders on the ground, it looks like the Obama Administration is going to consider some of the political considerations within their own party. And so thats concerning -- thats unsettling. And even the suggestion that the report be delayed was concerning. I think we want people on the ground to frankly and timely submit their recommendations, and any delay of that is concerning as well. [Ben Smith, Politico, 9/23/09]

AFGHANISTAN VISITS
March 2007: Pawlenty Visited Afghanistan. According to the Star Tribune, A two-day visit to Afghanistan has left Gov. Tim Pawlenty with an appreciation of both progress and challenges in the nation once ruled by Muslim extremists, but also a belief that U.S. troops must stick to their mission there. Pawlenty stated, Its important that the United States of America press on and prevail from a national security standpoint. It was Pawlentys third visit to the war zone since 2004, the most by any U.S. governor. [Star Tribune, 3/10/07]

July 2009: Pawlenty Visited Minnesota Troops In Afghanistan. According to the Associated Press, In July 2009, Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited Minnesota troops in Afghanistanafter traveling to Iraq and Kuwait, reported the Associated Press. According to the report, Pawlentys office says he spent two days in Afghanistan, meeting with military leaders and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and soldiers in Bagram. [Associated Press, 7/21/09] July 2010: Pawlenty Visited The 133rd Airlift Wing Of The Minnesota Air Guard In Afghanistan. According to a blog associated with the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty continued his Middle Eastern trip Friday by visiting troops and military leaders in Afghanistan. Pawlenty visited the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air Guard based in Minneapolis, which transports personnel, cargo and equipment. Pawlenty and other governors in the group also met with wounded soldiers at Bagram Hospital. Pawlenty also dined with Minnesota soldiers from the Fort Snelling-based 372nd Engineering Brigade and the 133rd Airlift Wing from Minneapolis. [Star Tribune, Hot Dish Politics blog, 7/23/10]

China
Pawlenty Said China Stole And Was Not Inventive Because It Was Not As Smart And Free A Nation As The U.S. According to The Daily Progress, Pawlenty also called for improvement to the educational system and improvement of the entrepreneurial environment in America. Encroachments on Americans freedoms have a deleterious effect, he said. You begin to corrode the American spirit, he said. America must be the smartest and freest nation, he said. Theres a reason why China doesnt invent stuff, and they steal it, he said. [The Daily Progress, 3/28/12]

Cuba
Pawlenty Vetoed A Nonbinding Resolution Encouraging Increased Trade With Cuba. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty vetoed a resolution encouraging increased trade with and eased travel to CubaOn the nonbinding Cuba resolution, Pawlenty said it isnt up to state legislatures to address trade policy of that magnitude. He said it would put Minnesota on record as contradicting long-held federal policy. While acknowledging the desire of Minnesota farmers to broaden exports to Cuba, Pawlenty called the resolution inappropriate. It is unfortunate that the Legislature passed a bill that completely contradicts a long history of U.S. policy against a totalitarian nation, he wrote in his veto letter. He added that expanded trade with Cuba will occur when the government there embraces more democratic principles. Pawlentys stance puts him in tune with Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who has said he wouldnt lift a U.S. embargo on Cuba until he is confident that the transition to a free and open democracy is being made. [Associated Press, 4/25/08] The Elephant In The Room Regarding Pawlentys Veto Is His Desire To Be Vice-President. According to City Pages, Gov. Tim Pawlenty came out against bolstering trade with Cuba. In late April, the fiscally conservative, free-trade Republican vetoed a non-binding resolution urging the president and Congress to end the embargo Of course, the elephant in the room is Pawlentys Pennsylvania Avenue ambitions. The 58-year-old St. Paul native has long been included on the shortlist of John McCains potential running mates. And Senator McCain has long supported the embargo on Cuba The governors office dismisses any suggestion that the veto was politically motivated. Thats not the reason he vetoed it, says Pawlenty spokesperson Alex Carey. The reason is outlined in the veto letter. In that letter, released April 25, Pawlenty wrote that he is aware of the desire of Minnesotas agriculture community to increase trade with Cuba. However, this non-binding resolution is not appropriate and would not further that goal. He went on to say that removing current trade restrictions would not necessarily increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products in Cuba. [City Pages, 6/11/08] Pawlentys Veto Flies In The Face Of Previous Statements Made By His Administration. According to City Pages, Pawlentys veto flies in the face of statements made by Pawlentys own agriculture commissioner one month earlier. The good relationships we have established will help Minnesota companies negotiate new export contracts, Hugoson was quoted as saying in a March press release. [City Pages, 6/11/08] 2006: Pawlenty Said If I Was In A Federal Position, I Would Say Its Time To Reasonably Open Up Our Trade Relationships With Cuba. According to City Pages, During a 2006 reelection campaign debate, Pawlenty had this to say about the United States Cuba policy: If I was in a federal position, I would say its time to reasonably open up our trade relationships with Cuba. Heres Pawlenty 20 months later: Providing more economic opportunity for Cuba through

trade will enable and empower the current regime. The second quote, from Pawlentys letter explaining his veto of a nonbinding resolution calling for the embargo to end, brings him in line with the key Cuban-American voting bloc in Miami and with Republican presidential nominee John McCain. The governors office denies any political maneuvering. [Jonathan Kaminsky, City Pages, 7/23/08]

Egypt
Pawlenty Called For Egypts President Mubarak To Step Down From Power And Supported Intervention In Libya. According to The New Republic, Pawlenty is also the one candidate in the race who has enthusiastically adopted more traditional neoconservative positions. He called for Mubarak to step down before Obama did, and he later supported the war in Libya. In a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in June, he slammed Obama for not doing enough to promote democracy. America, Pawlenty said in the speech, should always promote the universal principles that undergird freedom. [The New Republic, 8/18/11] Pawlenty Said America Could Use Giving The Egyptian Military American Equipment And Technology As A Carrot To Hang Out To Encourage Them To Embrace Democracy, And Agreed That Pulling It Could Be A Stick. According to an interview with Christiane Amanpour on ABC, Pawlenty said he hoped Egypt would embrace democracy, and added Now the Egyptian military, as you know, is mostly equipped with American equipment and technology and training. They like it, this seems to be something the military there values. So, insuring and guaranteeing, or at least offering the continuation of that kind of relationship is one lever, one apple or one carrot to hang out. Amanpour followed up, And pulling it is one stick? Pawlenty responded, Yes, but keep in mind, if you pull it, Im sure some other countries will be willing to fill the void and then we lose leverage in that scenario. So this is a very delicate situation. [This Week, ABC, 2/13/11] Pawlenty Said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Must Step Down, But That The Possibility Of A Fundamentalist Islamic Government Taking Over Was Worrisome. According to the Des Moines Register, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in Iowa Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak must step down, but that the possibility of a fundamentalist Islamic government stepping in is a worry. I think his time is going to come to an end. It should come to an end, Pawlenty, a Republican leaning toward a 2012 campaign for president, told reporters in West Des Moines after signing copies of his new memoir. But as that vacuum gets filled, we want to do all we can to make sure it gets filled by institutions and people and leaders that share our principles, and values of freedom and democracy and human rights. [Des Moines Register, 1/31/11] Pawlenty: Were At A Precipice Now Where Theres Going To Be Change, And The Infrastructure The Political Infrastructure Of The Country Isnt Well-Prepared For The Change And So It Opens The Door To Mischief And Its In Part Because We Allowed This Vacuum To Materialize Underneath Mubarak. According to the Des Moines Register, Its a great concern, he added, referring to the possibility of a fundamentalist Islamic regime such as Irans taking root in Egypt Obviously were at a precipice now where theres going to be change, and the infrastructure the political infrastructure of the country isnt well-prepared for the change and so it opens the door to mischief and manipulation and other options that are not democratic, that are not fair, not free. And its in part because we allowed this vacuum to materialize underneath Mubarak. [Des Moines Register, 1/31/11]

Pawlenty Faulted The Obama Administrations Initial Communication On The Egyptian Crisis, Saying The Early Statements By Secretary Clinton, Vice President Biden And The President Seemed Inconsistent, Bordering On Incoherent If You Put Them All Together Their Statements Taken As A Whole Look Like They Were Caught Off Guard And Surprised And Confused. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty also faulted the Obama administrations initial communication on the Egyptian crisis. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that Mubaraks government was stable. On Thursday, Vice President Biden said of Mubarak, I would not refer to him as a dictator. Last week, protests in Egypt erupted, followed by civil disobedience and riots, in response to Mubaraks suppression of political opposition to the administration. Mubarak, president since 1981, has since fired his cabinet, while police have battled the protests with water cannons, tear gas and other anti-riot tactics. The early statements by Secretary Clinton, Vice President Biden and the president seemed inconsistent, bordering on incoherent if you put them all together, Pawlenty said. I guess I would say their statements taken as a whole look like they were caught off guard and surprised and confused. [Des Moines Register, 1/31/11]

Pawlenty: We Would Have Been Well Served To Encourage The Free And Fair Flow Of Information In Egypt And Also We Would Have Been Well Served By Encouraging And Pressuring The Leadership Of Egypt To Transition Before Now Unfortunately, That Didnt Happen, So Now We Have A Choice Between A Dictator And Chaos. According to MinnPost, Apparent presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty weighed in on the situation in Egypt this morning after another book signing, meetings with some local legislators and a radio interview on Des Moiness dominant WHO radio station. Asked his thoughts on the Egyptian uprising, Pawlenty, during his first 2011 stop in Iowa said: Hindsight is, of course, 20-20, but with a chance to kind of look back on the situation, we would have been well served to encourage the free and fair flow of information in Egypt and also we would have been well served by encouraging and pressuring the leadership of Egypt to transition before now... Doing the hard work of developing democratic capacity, we want as a country to stand for places and people that celebrate freedom and ... human rights. Unfortunately, that didnt happen, so now we have a choice between a dictator and chaos. [MinnPost, 1/31/11] Pawlenty: I Think President Obama Has Been Particularly Lax In Addressing Some Of These [Foreign Policy] Issues And I Think We Could Have Better Prepared For The Circumstance That Were Now Facing In Egypt. According to MinnPost, When pressed about pinning American policy on Egypt on Obama, who has been in office for two years, Pawlenty said: I think President Obama has been particularly lax in addressing some of these issues. For example, the other night in the State of the Union address, he hardly touched on national security and foreign policy at all ... But it is fair to say, more broadly, that our country has taken this past policy towards Egypt for years and for decades, and we have had some levers that we could have pulled to mitigate a situation like this. He said foreign aid and military aid should have been used as levers to push for democracy and American core principles. If you could replay the tape and rewind the tape 10, 15, 20 years, I think we could have better prepared for the circumstance that were now facing, Pawlenty said. [MinnPost, 1/31/11] Pawlenty: Aid To Egypt Should Be Based On Whether There Is Demonstrable Progress Towards Free Flow Of Information, Building Democratic Capacity, [And] Allowing Political Parties And Organizations To Emerge. According to WHO 1040, In a radio interview with Jan Mickelson on WHO 1040, Pawlenty discussed aid to Egypt, and said, I think we do have strategic interests in places around the world, particularly from a security and military standpoint. But as we do that, when you look at an 80-plus year old dictator in Egypt, who thinks his son his probably-tyrannical son is going to succeed him in the form of a quasi-monarchy or dictatorship, I think we have to say, look we need to see movement and progress towards the types of reforms that I talked about earlier. And our continued willingness to provide this is going to be based on demonstrable progress towards free flow of information, building democratic capacity, allowing political parties and organizations to emerge[Jan Mickelson, WHO 1040, 1/31/11]

Iraq
Pawlenty Stood By Comments Comment That Americans Were Unnerved By War In Iraq. According to the National Journal, An Associated Press poll [] found that an increasing number of people - about half - felt that military action in Iraq had increased the threat of terrorism. A growing number of Americans feared that Iraq would become another intractable war like Vietnam. Still, few if any Republican leaders had spoken out against the war. People are becoming unnerved about it, Pawlenty said when I asked off-handedly how the war was playing in his state. Minnesota communities are strong and tough, but people do want to know, Whats the endgame here? He knew the comment would draw fire from the White House - and , indeed, Karl Rove made his anger known to Pawlenty within hours of the interview. But Pawlenty spoke from his heart; earlier in the week, he had attended the funeral of a Minnesota serviceman killed in Iraq, and would attend another in a few days. Pawlenty advisers told me later that Roves office asked the governor to disavow the comments. Pawlenty stood by what he said. Its a mess, he said. Youve got people there who, based on religious backgrounds, hate each other. Theyve got all kinds of agendas and sub-agendas, and I think its confusing to Americans because they dont understand why Iraqis dont like us. They dont get it. [National Journal, 8/15/11]

DID NOT THINK IRAQ INVASION WAS A MISTAKE

Pawlenty Didnt Think It Was A Mistake To Invade Iraq, But Acknowledged That It Seems That We Start[ed] Off With An Incorrect Premise. According to Newsweek, Howard Fineman interviewed Pawlenty in December 2009. Fineman asked, Was it a mistake to go to Iraq? Pawlenty responded, No. Now, did we start off with an incorrect premise? It seems. Fineman followed up, Pretty big incorrect premise. Pawlenty responded, Right. But if you look at it in terms of the impact upon history, and the positive that could still come out of it, it may turn out to have been beneficial. We dont want

to be Pollyanna-ish, but can we have some semblance of a reasonably functioning, democratically elect-ed, somewhat selfreliant government? Maybe. Its worth playing out the hand. [Newsweek, 12/21/09]

Defended Bushs Decision To Invade: The Best Available Intelligence

Pawlenty Defended Bushs Decision To Invade Iraq Despite Missing WMDs, Echoed White House Rhetoric That Bush Invaded Based On The Best Available Intelligence. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, When asked about the missing weapons of mass destruction, Pawlenty defended Bush for making his decision based on the best available intelligence. Thats also how the White House has described the presidents decision. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/14/04]

FLIP-FLOPPED ON IRAQ WITHDRAWAL

April 2004: Its Important That We Stay The Course [In Iraq] Because If We Succeed In Stabilizing Iraq, It Will Make America And The Rest Of The World A Safer Place. According to CNN International in February 2004, Pawlenty said, terrorists are targeting those individuals and institutions that are about the business of trying to build democracy and freedom in Iraq. Theyre trying to intimidate them. And thats why its important that we stay the course -- because if we can succeed in stabilizing Iraq, it will make America and the rest of the world a safer place. [CNN International, 2/13/04] March 2006: Pawlenty Claimed Withdrawing Troops Would Create More Chaos In The Middle East. According to the Star Tribune, On his second tour of Iraq since 2004, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he could see and feel that the violence there has worsened. But withdrawing troops would create more chaos in the Middle East, he said during a Saturday telephone news conference from Baghdad. Pawlenty said, Withdrawing U.S. troops now could result in more instability in IraqIt has the potential of creating great turmoil in the Middle East [at] a profound level. [Star Tribune, 3/26/06] July 2009: Pawlenty Said Withdrawal From Iraq Reflects The Hope And The Expectation That Iraq Is Now Going To Be Able To Stand Up On Its Own Two Feet. Pawlenty noted that half of the 130,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are scheduled to leave by next summer, with all due to be out of the country by Dec. 31, 2011. Its going to be a major change in the presence of the American military in Iraq, and that reflects in the decreased violence, but it also reflects the hope and the expectation that Iraq is now going to be able to stand up on its own two feet and take over these responsibilities itself, he said. [Associated Press, 7/19/09] July 2009: Pawlenty Said He Doesnt Like Arbitrary Deadlines About Pulling Out Of Iraq And We Should Stay Until We Can Get It Stabilized And They Can Stand On Their Own Two Feet. Pawlenty said, Well, you look at our interests in the region, Neil, particularly as it relates to Iran and the possibility of them obtaining a nuclear weapon, the president has said he wants all combat troops out of Iraq by 2011. You know, I don`t like those arbitrary deadlines. I do think we should draw down the troops and get them out of them, but we should do it when -- when it is secure and stable. We have got too much blood, too many lives that have been lost, too much treasure that`s been expended to just pull of there and let that fall. We -- we should stay until we can get it stabilized, and they can stand on their own two feet. [Fox News, 7/23/09]

Pawlenty Criticized Bushs Troop Surge And The Effect It Would Have On A Minnesota National Guard Unit
Pawlenty Was Skeptical Of The Iraq Surge, Called The Strategy Unfair To Minnesota Soldiers Who Would Have Their Tours Extended As Part Of The Strategy. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys decision to help Sen. John McCain pursue a possible run for the White House comes as the two Republicans have diverged in recent days on a key issue: sending more troops to Iraq. While McCain supports an escalation of troops, Pawlenty says its unfair that Minnesota soldiers will have their tours extended as part of the strategy. McCain, a Vietnam veteran, has distinguished himself from other potential presidential candidates with his long-standing support for increasing the number of troops in Iraq. McCain quickly supported President Bushs proposal last week for a 21,500 troop surge to combat sectarian strife in Baghdad. As part of that plan, 2,600 Minnesota National Guard members in Iraq are expected to have their tours extended by 125 days. Pawlenty last week said he was extremely disappointed and frustrated by the extension, which he called unfair to the soldiers and their families. He also said, I am skeptical about the surge because its belated. I wish it would have happened a year ago, or two years ago or three years ago. [Star Tribune, 1/16/07]

Pawlenty Expressed Disappointment About President Bushs Decision To Extend A Minnesota National Guard Units Tour In Iraq. According to the Star Tribune, Chief Warrant Officer Ron-Michael Pellants Red Bull Brigade, slated to end its yearlong Iraq deployment in March, is being kept an extra 125 days - until August - as part of Presidents Bushs troop surge Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, both Republicans who have generally supported Bush, expressed disappointment about the extension. Pawlenty said he wonders if the surge of troops will accomplish its purpose. I am skeptical about the surge because its belated. I wish it would have happened a year ago, or two years ago or three years ago, he said at a Capitol news conference. [Star Tribune, 1/12/07] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Expressed Jaw-Dropping Dismay That The Minnesota Guard Unit Was Singled Out For An Extension, But Its Not Enough. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Raw deal is how Minnesota Adjutant General Larry Shellito described the news of earlier this week that the yearlong tour of duty for the Minnesota National Guards 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, will be extended. Instead of arriving home in March, they most likely wont see Minnesota until the middle of summer.Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Sen. Norm Coleman, good Republicans both, expressed jaw-dropping dismay that the Minnesota guard unit was singled out for this extension. For the moment, thats all they can do. But its not enough. They and other elected officials must take up the challenge of ending U.S. combat involvement in Iraq within the next year. This nation, its Congress and its military leadership overwhelmingly believe the Iraq policies of the Bush administration - policies that keep the 1st Brigade in Iraq, in danger and away from their families- are a tragic mistake. Protecting the Minnesota National Guard requires that those policies be changed. And they will be changed only in the face of courageous, unremitting opposition from officials like Pawlenty and Coleman. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/13/07] Joan Najbar Op-Ed: Where Is Pawlentys Leadership? Unlike Schweitzer Or Huckabee, Our Governor Expressed His Concern About Overextending Our National Guard In Iraq, And Then One Month Later Agreed To Send More Minnesota Troops There. According to an op-ed by Joan Najbar of Duluth, mother of a Minnesota National Guardsman, in the Duluth News Tribune, Two weeks ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that more than 2,500 members of the Minnesota National Guard were being deployed in Iraq. This is the largest overseas deployment of the states Guard members since World War II. These soldiers will train for six months and serve in Iraq for at least one year. However, at a July 16 meeting of the National Governors Association in Des Moines, Iowa, Pawlenty stated: Most governors would say were putting more strain on our Guard and reserves than many people are fully comfortable with. Clearly, somewhere between making those statements and the time he announced the troop deployment two weeks ago, our governor has gotten more comfortable with sending 2,500 more Minnesota Guard members to war. What happened in 30 days to change his mind? Isnt it the same war we had 30 days before? Four years before? ...So where is Pawlentys leadership? Unlike Schweitzer or Huckabee, our governor expressed his concern about overextending our National Guard in Iraq, and then one month later agreed to send more Minnesota troops there. [Joan Najbar op-ed, Duluth News Tribune, 9/8/05]

March 2007: Pawlenty Portrayed The Surge As A Last Ditch Effort In Iraq. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, After visiting with decision makers and troops on his third trip to Iraq, Gov. Tim Pawlenty used a Minnesota analogy to explain whats going on in that country. Its like we pulled our goalie, Pawlenty said, repeating a phrase hed heard from a soldier in Iraq. Now weve got to put the pressure down at the other end and make it successful, the governor said on a conference call with reporters while in Kuwait, after visiting U.S. bases in Iraq on Tuesday and Wednesday. The governor long a skeptic about President Bushs strategy of a troop surge said he hopes and prays the increase will work to stabilize the war-torn country. But, just as a hockey team will replace the goalie with an offensive player in a last-ditch attempt to save a game, Pawlenty said, the surge represents a military strategy that must work. Weve pulled the goalie, weve gone all in, he said. When youve got the goalie pulled, youve got to give it your best. [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 3/7/07]

But Pawlenty Later Praised The Surge As A Good Decision

Pawlenty: A Good Decision That I Think President Obama Made So Far Is The Surge In Afghanistan. According to Tim Pawlentys PAC Freedom Firsts Facebook town hall on March 31, 2010, when he was asked about national security. Pawlenty said, Frankly, I think the Administration... [has] made some good decisions in this regard, and theyve also made some terrible decisions in this regard. A good decision that I think President Obama made so far is the surge in Afghanistan I wish he would not have taken so long to make the decision, and I wish he would also not have announced the withdrawal at the same time he announced the surge. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10]

July 2009: Pawlenty Said The Security Situation In Iraq Is Greatly Improved Since The Surge. According to Fox News, Pawlenty said, Well, since the peak of the insurgency in `06 and `07, Neil, the security incidents and acts of violence are very low now compared to then. But it is still a very dangerous place. But the security situation in Iraq is greatly improved since the surge and the Sons of Iraq came on our side and helped join us. Now, the real question going forward will be, can the Iraqis get up on their feet and avoid some of the political pitfalls of, you know, ethnic strife and religious strife? But, from a security standpoint, it is greatly, greatly improved. [Fox News, 7/23/09]

THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION

Pawlenty Was Critical Of The Bush Administration On Iraq
Pawlenty Claimed In 2004 That He Had Concerns About The Pre-War Failure In Intelligence. According to the Associated Press, Personally, Pawlenty said he had some concerns about the apparent failure in intelligence, but that President Bush appeared to have made the decision to go to war based on the best information he had at the time. [Associated Press, 2/10/04] Pawlenty In 2004: Iraq Is A Mess. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican ally of President Bush, says Iraq is a mess and voters are rattled. He ought to know: Hes attending two funerals this week of servicemen killed in the Persian Gulf nation. People are becoming unnerved by it, said Pawlenty, who also is co-chairman of Bushs state campaign. Minnesota communities are strong and tough, but people do want to know, Whats the end game here? Pawlenty, who will attend a second soldiers funeral later this week, urged Bush to keep making the case that much has been accomplished in Iraq for a good cause. But, at the same time, its a mess. Youve got people there who, based on religious backgrounds, hate each other. Theyve got all kinds of agendas and sub-agendas and I think its confusing to Americans because they dont understand why Iraqis dont like us. They dont get it, the governor said. Theyre starting to ask this question, Is this thing really going to work?Pawlenty said he strongly supports Bushs policy in Iraq and believes the presidents news conference should allay some concerns. [Associated Press, 4/14/04] Pawlenty Commented That The Iraq War Was A Mess, But Then Began Toeing The Party Line. According to the Associated Press, The Iraq war is a major concern in the state. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Bush ally, angered the White House last spring when he said Iraq was a mess that had voters rattled. He toes the party line now, telling National Guard troops preparing to ship out to Iraq this month that they will be a part of history. Overcoming evil is one thing, he said. Replacing it with freedom and peace is another. [Associated Press, 9/23/04]

March 2006: Pawlenty Acknowledged That Mistakes Had Been Made In Iraq. According to the Star Tribune, In many ways, it has been two steps forward and one step back, Pawlenty said. Theres no question about that. And there have been mistakes made. Theres no question about that and we have to be candid and blunt about that. [Star Tribune, 3/26/06]

Prior to that, Pawlenty Had Said Bush Should Be Given The Benefit Of The Doubt On His Policy In Post-War Iraq
Pawlenty Said Bush Should Be Given The Benefit Of The Doubt On His Policy In Post-War Iraq. According to a CNN transcript, in September 2003, John King said, I want to ask you another question, another issue, sir, if you dont mind. The president will address the American people Sunday night, talking about his policy in post-war Iraq. The administration back to the United Nations this week. The death toll has been rising. Theres a sense that perhaps the American people are getting a little uneasy about all this. I want your sense as you travel your state and talk to your citizens, what questions do you think they need to hear the president answer? Pawlenty responded, Well, theyre certainly concerned, but I think we give the president, our leader, our commander-in-chief, the benefit of the doubt. And the president said from day one were going to get into this thing and its not going to be a 60 or 90-day thing, its going to be months if not years if not decades. Were in a global war against terrorism, weve got to have persistence, weve got to have courage. Theres going to be sacrifices and theres going to be responsibility for continuing the effort. Its not going to be easy. But I think what they to want to hear is there is a plan. They I think give him the benefit of the doubt both with respect to the money being spent and his leadership. But they also want to make sure that were making progress. And I think the vast majority of the country is still very strongly behind President Bush on this front. [Lou Dobbs Tonight, CNN, 9/5/03]

Further, Pawlentys Rhetoric Matched The Bush Administrations Talking Points

2004: Pawlentys Views On Iraq Precisely Mirrored The Bush Administrations Script. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Pawlenty said Bush gave the governors free rein to speak about Iraq. Many of Pawlentys public views, as it turned out, precisely mirrored the Bush administrations script. The governor said repeatedly Thursday that its better to fight terrorists in Baghdad than on the streets of New York -- a line the Bush administration has used. Pawlentys view that the United States must stay the course and finish the job is the phrase White House spokesmen have used before about Iraq. When asked about the missing weapons of mass destruction, Pawlenty defended Bush for making his decision based on the best available intelligence. Thats also how the White House has described the presidents decision. [Duluth News-Tribune, 2/14/04]

Pawlenty Claimed Saddam Husseins Capture Was A Breakthrough In The War On Terror
Pawlenty Claimed That Capturing Saddam Hussein Was A Major Breakthrough For The Country In The War Against Terror. According to the Associated Press, in December 2003, Pawlenty said, capturing Saddam Hussein is a major breakthrough for the country in the war against terror. [Associated Press, 12/14/03]

Pawlenty Also Claimed That Terrorism Against Americans Was Decreasing Because Of The War In Iraq
Pawlenty In February 2004: Terrorism Against Americans Is Decreasing. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said, Its clear to me from these briefings that the terrorism against Americans is decreasing and the terrorism against Iraqis who are trying to rebuild their infrastructure is increasing. Thats because you have foreign fighters coming here to purposely disrupt democracy-building efforts and send a message. If the foreign fighters have to fight us in Iraq, that decreases the likelihood that theyll spend time and resources planning attacks on the U.S. [Star Tribune, 2/12/04]

IRAQ VISITS
February 2004: Pawlenty Visited Iraq And Claimed That We Need To Finish The Job. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty joined five other governors Tuesday on a surprise visit to Iraq in a trip arranged by the White House. Pawlenty said the group toured Baghdad in armored vehicles escorted by lots of Humvees and Apache helicopters. As they were leaving the airport afterward, pilots reported their craft came under small arms fire, he said. No one was hurt. So, its clearly got some security challenges left, Pawlenty said in a telephone interview with Minnesota reporters. Its not as safe as I think theyd like it to be and particularly for people who are potential targets. Regardless of how people feel about the war, were here, Pawlenty said. We need to finish the job. [Associated Press, 2/10/04] Pawlenty Spent The Night Out Of Iraq Due To Security Concerns In February 2004. According to the Duluth News Tribune, For security reasons, Pawlenty said, the governors spent the night Tuesday in Amman, Jordan. Otherwise, he said, We become a target and endanger others. [Duluth News Tribune, 2/11/04] Pawlenty Wore A Bright Yellow SPAM T-Shirt Next To His More Conservatively Dressed Fellow Governors During A Trip To Iraq. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty took a trip to Iraq with several other governors. According to the report, Pawlenty also answered questions about why he was photographed on his first day of the tour wearing a bright yellow SPAM T-shirt next to his more conservatively dressed fellow governors. I didnt think strategically about my undershirt of yesterday, didnt think it would be an issue but apparently it has become one, he said. Pawlenty said he wore the shirt, advertising the pork-based luncheon meat made in Austin, Minn., as an undershirt. He said he took off his jacket, bulletproof vest and long-sleeve shirt only for 15 minutes, just long enough to tour one site - and be photographed. It wasnt the shirt I was wearing for most of the day, he said. [Associated Press, 2/11/04]

March 2006: Pawlenty Visited Iraq With McCain. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has left for Iraq as part of a delegation led by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the governors office said Friday. Together, with Minnesota Reserves and active-duty military, there will be more than 3,000 Minnesota soldiers in Iraq, Pawlenty said in the statement. During this trip, I will be getting a forward look at the challenges and conditions our Minnesota soldiers will now be facing. While Pawlenty said he never felt endangered on (his first Iraq visit), it was marked by heavy outbreaks of violence

in the region, including tracer fire and suicide bombers who killed more than 100 people in two days. [Star Tribune, 3/25/06] March 2007: Pawlenty Claimed He Saw Glimmers of Hope In Iraq. According to the Associated Press, Speaking on a conference call from Kuwait, the Republican governor said he saw glimmers of hope that Iraqs security situation might be improving. [Associated Press/St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/9/07] July 2009: Pawlenty Made His Fourth Trip To Iraq. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty made his fourth trip to Iraq this weekend to visit with Minnesota soldiers. Pawlenty said on [July 19, 2009] on a conference call from Kuwait that security has improved and violence has decreased since his last visit in 2007. But Iraq is still a challenging and dangerous placePawlenty and governors from Nevada, Missouri, Texas and Illinois left Washington D.C. on [July 17, 2009] and spent two days in Iraq. He said he visited with various diplomats and military officials, but the bulk of his time was spent with Minnesota soldiers...More than 1,000 Minnesota National Guard soldiers are overseeing coalition efforts in half of Iraqs 18 provinces. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/18/09] July 2010: Pawlenty Visited Iraq For The Fifth Time. According to WCCO, The governors office said Pawlenty met with servicemen and servicewomen at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Tuesday and traveled to Baghdad on Wednesday to have lunch and dinner with troops This is Pawlentys fifth visit to Iraq. He said dramatic, significant, positive progress has been made since 2006 and 2007. [WCCO, 7/21/10]

Iran
GENERAL STATEMENTS AND POSITIONS
Pawlenty Contended That A Nuclear Iran Was Not Inevitable And Said He Would Back Israeli Action. According to the Washington Post, When it comes to Iran, Pawlenty has a strong, clear message to project: We have to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. He adds that not having access to the intelligence, its difficult to know precisely what form that [action] would take, and he praises the work that has been done so far to sabotage the Iranian nuclear effort with a computer virus. But he rejects the notion that a nuclear Iran is inevitable or that our focus should be on how to contain a nuclear regime in Tehran. But, Pawlenty quickly adds, it should never come to Israel acting alone. He notes that Israeli Prime Minister [Binyamin] Netanyahu ... recently indicated that there is only one military in the world that had the capacity to actually undertake a mission [to stop Iran from going nuclear] should it become necessary, and thats the United States. [Washington Post, 07/11/11] Pawlenty Said All Options Need To Be On The Table To Prevent Iran From Obtaining Nuclear Weapon. According to the Daily Progress, [Pawlenty] said the government of Iran is clearly working to obtain a nuclear weapon. A lack of communication with Iran through the last decade has led to a dearth of insight on the mindset of the leadership there, he said. Still, Iran getting the bomb would have immediate consequences, he said. If [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of Iran,] had one, I believe hed use it, Pawlenty said. A nuclear Iran would send Arab neighbors of that Persian nation in search of nuclear weapons of their own, to protect their own power, he said. You have not only a different region, Pawlenty said. You have a different world. The window for action is from now to one to two years in the future at most, he said. All options, all options need to be on the table, he said. [The Daily Progress, 3/28/12] Pawlenty Said If Iran Acquired A Nuclear Weapon The U.S. Should Leave A Military Strike Against Iran On The Table. According to Newsmax, In a Newsmax.TV interview, Pawlenty considered a front-runner for the role of Romneys vice presidential running mate, was asked if he believes an American strike on Iran is inevitable. We want to leave all options on the table, including the military option and including a military strike if need be, if it comes to that, he responded. In the meantime, we want to have punishing sanctions of the highest and most excruciating level on Iran as possible. We want to exhaust every possible realistic option to try to get them to stand down and change directionBut we should absolutely leave the military option on the table, and do it in a timely manner if that becomes necessary.[Newsmax, 7/3/12] Pawlenty Said Military Action Should Remain On The Table To Prevent Irans Nuclear Program. According to Minnesota Progressive Project, Former Minnesota governor and GOP presidential candidate (loosely) Tim Pawlenty has busted out the neocon, again. The time is coming when the president of the United States will have to decide whether to use

military force to set back Irans nuclear program, former 2012 Republican presidential contender Tim Pawlenty said on Tuesday... Asked explicitly by moderator Robert Kagan, a Brookings Institution scholar and FPI board member, whether military force will be necessary if sanctions and covert actions fail to stop Irans nuclear progress, Pawlenty said the option should certainly remain on the table. In my view that option has to remain on the table. No question, he said. [MN Progressive Project, 12/14/11] Pawlenty Said Military Action Should Remain On The Table To Prevent Irans Nuclear Program. According to Minnesota Progressive Project, Former Minnesota governor and GOP presidential candidate (loosely) Tim Pawlenty has busted out the neocon, again. The time is coming when the president of the United States will have to decide whether to use military force to set back Irans nuclear program, former 2012 Republican presidential contender Tim Pawlenty said on Tuesday... Asked explicitly by moderator Robert Kagan, a Brookings Institution scholar and FPI board member, whether military force will be necessary if sanctions and covert actions fail to stop Irans nuclear progress, Pawlenty said the option should certainly remain on the table. In my view that option has to remain on the table. No question, he said. [MN Progressive Project, 12/14/11] Pawlenty Called Mahmoud Ahmadinejad A Nut Job. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty isnt parsing words about his feelings toward Irans president, calling the foreign leader a nut job. Minnesotas governor and a possible 2012 presidential candidate talked today about a speech Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a day earlier at a United Nations world summit. Pawlenty was baffled that more U.N. delegates didnt walk out on the speech, where the Iranian leader suggested Americans were behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The U.S. delegation and some others walked out mid-speech. On his weekly radio show, Pawlenty acted stunned that, in his words, a majority of the delegates stayed there and listened to this nut job. Pawlenty says the Iranian presidents previous calls for the destruction of Israel show how nutty he is. [Associated Press, 9/24/10] Pawlenty: Inexplicable And Inexcusable That The Security Council Has Not Imposed New Sanctions Against Iran In Over Two Years. According to Governor Pawlentys Prepared AIPAC Remarks, Pawlenty said, The President has said that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable. On that, we all agree. And, we all agree military force is the option of last resort. But we need to do a much better job of raising the costs and lowering the benefits of Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons. This means increasing political pressure on Ahmadinejad and imposing sanctions that would heighten the pressure. The US needs to better enforce its existing sanctions against Iran and impose new measures now. It also means the UN Security Council taking action. Despite progressively alarming reports from the IAEA, the Council has not imposed new sanctions against Iran in over two years. I find this inexplicable and inexcusable. The Security Council was created to address threats to international peace and security, but it continues to sleep while Iran continues to enrich. [Governor Pawlentys Prepared AIPAC Remarks, 3/22/10] Pawlenty Said The Administration Shouldnt Be Engaging In Discussions With [Iran] Until They Agree To Discuss Their Nuclear Program. According to a transcript of Fox News, on September 30, 2009, Greta Van Systeren asked Tim Pawlenty, Care to weigh in on this -- this big discussion tomorrow in Switzerland about Iran and its nuclear weapons program? Pawlenty responded, Well, the main thing we want to talk about is nuclear weapons, and theyre saying thats the one thing they refuse to talk about. So Im really quite concerned that the United States is lending its prestige, the prestige of this administration, to discussions with a country that wont entertain the main issue. And I think theyre jerking our chain around, and I dont think we should be engaging in discussions with them until they reflect a serious willingness to do that, and that includes putting the number one issue on the table. [On The Record with Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 9/30/09] Pawlenty Signed Iran Divestment Law. According to the Associated Press, A new state law requires the Minnesota State Board of Investment to divest its holdings in companies that do business in Iran. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the law on Saturday. It requires the investment board to scrutinize its holdings for companies actively doing business in Iran and notify the businesses they are subject to divestment. After a 90-day period, the law requires the board to start getting rid of its stock in those companies. The law does not apply to humanitarian groups or companies authorized to do business in Iran by the federal government. [Associated Press, 5/17/09] Pawlenty And Other Governors Sent Letter To Senate Committee Urging Support For Bill That Permits State And Local Governments To Divest Public Funds From Companies That Do More Than $20 Million A Year In Business With Irans Energy Sector. According to the Star Tribune, Anticipating a Senate committee vote, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and six other governors sent a letter today to the chambers leadership to push for adoption of a bill designed to put economic pressure on Irans leadership. The bill, already overwhelmingly passed by the House, permits state and local governments to divest public funds from companies that do more than $20 million a year in business with Irans energy sector. State and local

governments would acquire new legal authorities that would make it easier to divest from companies investing more than that sum in Irans energy sector. The legislation extends legal protections to shield state and local governments, and investment fund managers, from lawsuits in response to divestment decisions. If the bill becomes law, it would address the growing threat of Irans ever-expanding nuclear capabilities, the bipartisan group of governors wroteAlso signing the letter were California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Maryland Governor Martin OMalley, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, and New York Governor David Paterson. [Hot Dish Politics blog, Star Tribune, 10/29/09]

ESSAR STEEL DEAL

Pawlenty Convinced Indian Company Essar Group To Drop An Iranian Investment In Order To Proceed With Construction Of A Steel Plant In Nashwauk, Minnesota. According to Real Clear Politics, [Pawlenty] embarked on a trade mission to India in late October of 2007 to meet executives from Essar Group, a Mumbai-based international conglomerate that had just acquired Minnesota Steel the week before. Essar was moving forward with plans to construct North Americas first mine-to-steelmaking plant in Minnesotas Iron Range, a venture worth $1.65 billion that would create about 700 permanent jobs But there was a hitch: A U.S. Commerce Department official phoned Pawlenty during the trip to notify him of a Reuters report that had surfaced a few days earlier about Essars potential investment in a $10 billion oil refinery in Iran. Had Essar pursued the investment, it likely would have meant the company was in violation of the Iran Sanctions Act. So it was Pawlenty who delivered the message to Essar that because of terrorist activity associated with Iran, it would not be permissible for the Indian company to do business in both countries. And within four days of Pawlentys notice, Essar capitulated by way of a letter stating the company would abandon those interests in Iran [Real Clear Politics, 1/31/11] Pawlenty Said Bush Administration Officials Did Not Give Him Guidance On How To Handle The Situation. According to Real Clear Politics, At the time, neither President Clinton nor President Bush had ever sanctioned a company under the Iran Sanctions Act since its original enactment in 1996, according to Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of the Iran Energy Project In the Essar case, Bush had more power to act stringently than Pawlenty did as governor. Under the act, the president had the authority to prohibit Essar from investing in Minnesota, but he never made that call. Instead, by threatening to veto state funding for construction of the plant, Pawlenty took matters into his own hands. If it was not the first, then it was certainly the most high-profile example of the willingness of a government official to impose a choice on businesses between Iran and the United States, Dubowitz said. Pawlenty said that Bush administration officials did not give him guidance on how he should proceed. Representatives from the Commerce Department and the State Department simply provided him with information. [Real Clear Politics, 1/31/11] Essar Americas President: When We Discovered The Iran Connection Made Minnesota Uncomfortable We Decided To Drop It, But We Werent Told we Had To Make A Choice And The Project In Minnesota Was Never At Risk. According to Real Clear Politics, Essar Americas President Madhu Vuppuluri, the executive in charge of Essar Steel Minnesota, told RealClearPolitics in an interview that he, too, found out about the report during Pawlentys mission to India and was alerted by the governors team to the complications it could cause the Minnesota deal Vuppuluri said, when he became aware of how uncomfortable the reports of Iran connections made Pawlenty and, by association, the state of Minnesota, Essar immediately made clear that it would not continue down those avenues in Iran. We werent told we had to make a choice, he said. We were not [previously] aware of the significance attached, and we had not done as much as other companies in Iran before. He pointed out that Essar was vested in Minnesota and far along in the development of the project, whereas the petrochemical plant negotiations in Iran were in infancy. .. I clarified to him we will in no way undertake the project that was publicized in the news with Iran, he said. Vuppuluri sent a letter to Pawlenty on behalf of Essar making that official on October 31, 2007. The project, per se, in Minnesota was never at risk. [Real Clear Politics, 1/31/11] A Year Prior To Pawlentys Vocal Opposition To The Iran Connection, There Was Public Evidence That Essar Had Connections To Iran Which Could Mean A Player In Pawlentys Administration Did Not Do Proper Due Diligence Regarding Essars Involvement There. According to Real Clear Politics, As for Pawlenty, the Essar deal did not come together without a couple of oversights. There was public evidence a year earlier that Essar had connections to Iran, and Minnesota Steel intended to construct the mine-to-steelmaking plant on its own before Essar announced its intentions to buy the company. Therefore, the public concern over the Iran complication just after the

transaction went through could have been avoided. As early as July 1, 2006 - 16 months before Pawlenty was made aware of Essars refinery possibility in Iran - Essar posted a story on its Web site announcing plans to build a steel plant in Iran. That deal may not have raised the same concerns, but it could mean a player in Pawlentys administration did not do proper due diligence regarding Essars involvement there. [Real Clear Politics, 1/31/11] Nashwauk Mayor: Pawlentys Opposition To The Iran Connection Was Playing Politics With 2,800 Jobs And Showed He Was Waving A Flag Towards A Presidential Campaign. According to Real Clear Politics, What handed Pawlenty a security victory and foreign policy credential also landed him a few home-state enemies, who accused him of playing politics with jobs in the cash-strapped town of Nashwauk. He was a waving a flag towards a presidential campaign, said Nashwauk Mayor William Hendricks, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party in the state. Hendricks complained that he thought Pawlenty was more interested in developing a national security portfolio than he was in watching the development needs of the small town, because, he said, there do exist connections to Iran in American commerce that dont pose threats - so why risk jobs in this case? This is a small, little town that was crying out for help, he said. He was playing politics with 2,800 jobs. [Real Clear Politics, 1/31/11]

Israel And Middle East Peace

Pawlenty Believed Obama Is Not A Strong Defender of Israel. According to Seacoast Online, Pawlenty criticized President Barack Obama for sticking a thumb in Israels eyes when he called for Israel to retreat to its 1967 borders. Our country should stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel; there should be no daylight between them and us. [Seacoast Online, 06/14/11] Pawlenty Called President Obamas Israeli And Palestinian Criteria Disaster Waiting To Happen. According to The Hill Pawlenty called President Obamas criteria for restarting peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is a disaster waiting to happen President Obamas insistence on a return to the 1967 borders is a mistaken and very dangerous demand To send a signal to the Palestinians that America will increase its demands on our ally Israel, on the heels of the Palestinian Authoritys agreement with the Hamas terrorist organization, is a disaster waiting to happen, [The Hill, 05/19/11] Pawlenty Said President Obamas Lack Of Judgment On Dealing With Israel Was Stunning. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, It breaks my heart that President Obama treats Israel, our great friend, as a problem, rather than as an ally, Pawlenty said. Today the president doesnt really have a policy toward the peace process. He has an attitude. And lets be frank about what that attitude is. He thinks Israel is the problem. And he thinks the answer is always more pressure on Israel. [Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 06/29/11] Pawlenty Slammed The Obama Administrations Attempt To Negotiate A Compromise Statement At The United Nations Security Council Condemning Israels Settlement Policy. According to Politico, Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was the first Republican this evening to blast the Obama Administrations attempt to negotiate a compromise statement at the United Nations Security Council condemning Israels settlement policy The Administration has told allies that -- as the Palestinians have reportedly rejected the compromise effort -- they will likely veto a resolution (a stronger step than a statement) condemning Israel if it comes to a vote as expected Friday. [Politico, 2/16/11] Pawlenty: The Obama Administration Has Shown An Astonishing Unwillingness To Stand By Israel At The United Nations. According to Politico, Pawlenty said in an emailed statement: The Obama administration has shown an astonishing unwillingness to stand by Israel at the United Nations, an organization with a long history of blaming Israel for just about every problem in the Middle East. Its time for our UN ambassador to finally show some leadership, draw a line in the sand, and defend our historic ally. Global stability depends more than ever on a respected America that is loyal to our allies and realistic about the malice of our adversaries. [Politico, 2/16/11; Pawlentys Freedom First PAC, press release 2/17/11]

Pawlenty Said Every Time That [Obama] Casts A Doubt On Our Alignment And Backing Of Israel, He Creates Space, Either Rhetorically Or Tactically For Some Enemy Of Israel To Try To Wedge In There Which Is Corrosive Not Only To Our Relationship With Israel, But I Think It Invites A Bigger, Broader And Deeper Danger When People Who Are Israels Enemies And Our Enemies See That There May Be Some Daylight Between Us. According to an radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, Pawlenty was asked, What did you think of President Obama criticizing Israel from Indonesia, a country that doesnt even allow Israelis to enter the country? Pawlenty responded, Beyond just his

comments in Indonesia, his strained relationship with Israel overall is very troubling. Hugh, we have allies in the world who are both philosophically and otherwise practicallythere can be no light between us and them. And Israel is one of those allies. And every time that he casts a doubt on our alignment and backing of Israel, he creates space, either rhetorically or tactically for some enemy of Israel to try to wedge in there. Its corrosive not only to our relationship with Israel, but I think it invites a bigger, broader and deeper danger when people who are Israels enemies and our enemies see that there may be some daylight between us. And there shouldnt be. That needs to be closed, and it starts with the president saying we stand with Israel, and there is no increment of difference between our position and theirs on these important strategic topics. [Hugh Hewitt radio interview, 11/19/10] Pawlentys Middle East Peace Plan: The Palestinian People Reject Terror. According to his speech to the 2010 AIPAC conference, Pawlenty said, Ladies and gentlemen, Id like to begin this evening by laying out a process for Middle East peace. It might be difficult to follow along, but bear with me, please. Step one: the Palestinian people reject terror. Step two: peace. Everyone in this room understands that all Israel wants is to live peacefully, side by side, with its Palestinian neighbors. Israel simply desires to be left alone. It is not too much to ask. Everyone in this room understands that peace is in the hands of the Palestinians. [Governor Pawlentys Prepared AIPAC Remarks, 3/22/10] Pawlenty Said U.S. Assistance To Palestinians Should Be Tied To Ending The Teaching Of Hatred That Still Goes On Every Day In Palestinian Classrooms And Over Their Airwaves. According to his speech to the 2010 AIPAC conference, Pawlenty said, We need to further strengthen a strategy to build Palestinian institutions in the West Bank and cultivate a new, peaceful Palestinian political eliteone that rejects terror. We should ensure that our assistance to the Palestinians immediately ends the teaching of hatred that still goes on every day in Palestinian classrooms and over their airwaves. The U.S. has let that pass for too many years. We must insist that incitement ends now. We should also ensure that our assistance cultivates and empowers moderate forces in Palestinian society. New leaders who are honest and capable, who appreciate the rule of law, who understand that war against Israel has doomed generations of Palestinians to lives of bitterness, violence, and poverty, and who are more interested in improving Palestinians lives than eliminating Israel. These potential new leaders are Israels best hope for honest, earnest negotiators. Peace is possible but only with the right partners. [Governor Pawlentys Prepared AIPAC Remarks, 3/22/10]

International Travel As Governor

Pawlenty Called His International Travel Uncommon For A Governor. According to MinnPost, Calling his international travel uncommon for a governor, Pawlenty said he has visited and met with government officials in Iraq (five times), Afghanistan (three times), Israel, Turkey, Kuwait and Jordan, but not Egypt. [MinnPost, 1/31/11] Pawlenty Has Led Or Planned To Lead Trade Missions To Six Countries As Minnesota Governor. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will meet privately with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in November during a quick trade trip south of the border. Pawlenty is considered a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012. He has led trade missions to six countries, including China and Poland. He met with then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel and chatted with Israeli President Shimon Peres at a conference last December. He also has a trade mission planned to Brazil and Chile in DecemberThe state will pay for the trip using proceeds from previous trade missions. Pawlenty will travel with the head of the state trade office and a security detail. Others may join the trip at their own expense, he said. [Associated Press, 10/29/09] Pawlenty Traveled Overseas As Governor To Build Foreign Policy Credentials For Future Presidential Campaign. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been around the world for trade missions, troop visits and exclusive conferences. His latest trade mission departs Saturday for Brazil and Chile. The overseas travel might help if the Minnesota Republican runs for president. One of the first tests for presidential hopefuls is whether they can steer the U.S. through wars, diplomacy and other foreign policy matters. They also have to show the mettle required of the commander in chief, with the nation at war in two countries and facing nuclear threats. The test is toughest on governors, whose job descriptions limit their international reach. Pawlenty dismisses the suggestion that his overseas travel has been meant to serve anything but Minnesotas interests. [Associated Press, 12/4/09]

Libya
Pawlenty Said Called Libya President Moammar Gaddafi A Killer And Said He Needed To Step Down. According to the Washington Post, On Libya, Pawlenty is concerned that President Obamas failure to lead, and refusal to make Moammar Gaddafis removal a military objective, could have disastrous consequences. He points to Gaddafis bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 and recent reports that Gaddafi has threatened retaliation against the West if the NATO bombing of Libya continues and warns that if we dont finish the job it is likely that he would perpetrate terrorist acts against Europe or against the United States and hes already indicated he would. He is a killer. He has got to go. [Washington Post, 07/11/11] Pawlenty Said The War Powers Act Does Not Apply To The Situation In Libya. According to The Hill, Pawlenty believes that The War Powers Act does not apply to the American Mission in Libya, but that he would have consulted with Congress anyway. [The Hill, 06/28/11]

Neoconservative
The National Interest Op-Ed: Pawlenty Was A Dangerous Neoconservative. According to The National Interest, Now candidate Pawlenty has taken up the cry of war now, war forever with his speech to the Council on Foreign Relations. Naturally, it took him little time to toss the I word at his primary opponents: parts of the Republican Party now seem to be trying to out-bid the Democrats in appealing to isolationist sentiments. The talk was long on rhetoric but short on reality. Candidate Pawlenty obviously is a true believer in Washingtons ability to run the world. The U.S. president need only speak with sufficient firmnessunlike Barack Obama, naturallyand the world will come to heel. [The National Interest Op-Ed, 07/05/11] Pawlenty Refused To Name republicans He Thought Were Isolationists. According to The Hiss there are several candidates for president and several leading voices in the party beyond that in Washington arguing for going further than the president in terms of an accelerated withdrawal [from Afghanistan], arguing that we have no business and he has no authority in Libya, arguing we should do nothing in Syria, arguing that we should not have any role in Iraq and beyondI have a very different view of that. I will be happy to debate that issue with anybody who has a different view. Pawlentys words show that, for now, there is a limit to how far he will go in criticizing his competitors on foreign policy as he stakes out the mantle of the GOPs foremost foreign-policy hawk. [The Hill, 06/30/11] Pawlentys Foreign Policy Speech Highlighted A Split Among Republicans On Defense. According to Bloomberg, The Republicans are more split now than theyve been since 9/11, said Peter Feaver, a Duke University security studies professor who served as an adviser to Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. What youve seen in the last year or two is a softening of the Republican consensus. [Bloomberg, 06/30/11] The Atlantics Conor Friedersdorf: Pawlentys Foreign Policy Speech Core Flaw Was A Belief That America Has Been Wrong In The Past, Is Wrong In The Present, And Alone Knows Whats Best For The Future. According to The Atlantics Conor Friedersdorf, The former Minnesota governor criticized Americas decades old policy of cozying up to dictators in the Middle East, castigated Americas behavior abroad during the Obama Administration -- its allegedly wrong on Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and Afghanistan -- and followed up with this non-sequitir: America is exceptional, and we have the moral clarity to lead the world. Its an incoherent position: it cannot be that America wrongly propped up Middle Eastern and North African dictators over many decades, that its current policy is terribly wrongheaded, and that our elected leaders are uniquely possessed of the moral clarity to get things right in those regions. [The Atlantic, 06/29/11] The Hill: Pawlenty Established Himself As The Neo-Conservative In The 2012 Race. According to The Hill, Pawlenty was last seen declaring war against ObamneyCare, a war Pawlenty surrendered before the first battle. What a wimp! The latest Pawlenty, after heading for the hills in his war against Romney, is now escalating his war for Afghanistan. His new neocon position directly contradicts the long-held position of Ron Paul, setting the stage for a huge clash in the coming debates. The latest new Tim Pawlenty is the born-again neoconservative moving to the far right on warmaking issues, destined to clash with Ron Paul in the presidential debates. Actually, Pawlenty is not a born-again neocon. This is his first birth as warmaker in his latest version of Pawlenty. By contrast with Ron Paul, who has always been Ron Paul. [The Hill, 06/28/11]

Pawlenty Supported Neo-Conservative Values In Foreign Policy Speech, What Is Wrong Is For The Republican Party To Shrink From The Challenges Of American Leadership In The World. According to ABC News, In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, Pawlenty criticizes fellow Republicans and President Obama. Pawlenty: What is wrong is for the Republican Party to shrink from the challenges of American leadership in the world. History repeatedly warns us that in the long run, weakness in foreign policy costs us and our children much more than well save in a budget line item. America already has one political party devoted to decline, retrenchment and withdrawal; it does not need a second one. On the Arab Spring, Instead of promoting democracy whose fruit we see now ripening across the region he adopted a murky policy he called engagement. Engagement meant that in 2009, when the Iranian ayatollahs stole an election, and the people of that country rose up in protest, President Obama held his tongue. His silence validated the mullahs, despite the blood on their hands and the nuclear centrifuges in their tunnels. [ABC News, 06/28/11] Bloomberg Column: Pawlenty Promoted A Neo-Conservative Foreign Policy, But Was Wary To Criticize Ronald Reagan. According to Bloomberg, I asked Pawlenty if he thought Reagans decision to withdraw from Lebanon was wrong. He went silent. Am I putting you in the uniquely uncomfortable position of criticizing Ronald Reagan? I asked. Pawlenty: I guess I would go back and say that my view, without referencing a particular president, is that once the United States commits to a mission, its really important that we prevail. Because when you dont, it diminishes the respect and credibility and awe that other people view the United States with. And our goal here is to avoid as many future conflicts as possible by having our relative position be so strong and so unquestioned and so certain that nobody dare challenge us. [Bloomberg, 06/27/11] Pawlenty Warned GOP About Flirtation With Isolationism. According to Politico, Pawlenty took a hawkish position at a time when prominent Republicans have publicly called for significant troop reductions and polls have shown increasing doubt among GOP voters that the conflict can be won. Pawlenty said he supported Obamas 2009 troop surge but was very disappointed that he also simultaneously announced the withdrawal deadline in the same speech.I dont like the drift of the Republican Party toward what appears to be a retreat or a move more towards isolationism. [Politico, 06/21/11]

Nuclear Weapons
Pawlenty Criticized Obamas Decision To Narrow The Conditions Under Which America Would Use Nuclear Weapons. According to Politico, Minnesota GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty is criticizing President Barack Obama for making a very bad decision in narrowing the conditions under which the United States would use nuclear weapons. When it comes to the security of the United States of America and our people, I think we should take no option off the table, Pawlenty told Fox News Sean Hannity on Wednesday night. I that thats a very bad decision. Obama on Monday announced that he was revamping U.S. nuclear strategy, cutting down the conditions under which the military would use such weapons. The president said, though, that the new policy would not apply to outliers like Iran and North Korea. Still, Pawlenty said Wednesday that he wasnt satisfied by the conditions imposed by the president. History teaches us that it is weakness not strength that tempts our enemies, the aspiring 2012 GOP presidential contender said. When President Bush negotiated those missile defense systems with two of our best allies in the world, the Czech Republic and Poland at great risk, and then President Obama came in and pulled the rug out and reversed that decision, thats one example of equivocating. We shouldnt be doing that in the face of our allies, Pawlenty argued. We should not be separating ourselves from our allies around the world. We need to stand strong. And we should have those missile defense systems as President Bush negotiated. [Politico, 4/8/10]

START TREATY CRITICISM

Pawlenty: The START Treaty Will Likely Encourage Nuclear Proliferation. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty said, The New START treaty raises a number of serious concerns. It is premised on the dangerous and nave belief that cuts in our nuclear weapons will somehow discourage proliferation by other regimes, when in fact the exact opposite result is more likely. [National Review Online Symposium, 9/15/10] Pawlenty Claimed The START Treaty Was A Distraction From More Pressing Priorities Such As Iran And North Korea. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty said, At a time when nuclear-proliferation threats are growing, this treaty is a distraction from more pressing priorities such as Iran and North Korea. [National Review Online Symposium, 9/15/10]

Pawlenty Criticized The START Treaty Because It Limits Our Missile-Defense Programs And Argued The Senate Should Formally State That The U.S. Will Not Accept Limits On Current And Future MissileDefense Programs. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty said, Apart from these broader strategic misgivings, there are numerous treaty provisions that merit Senate scrutiny and skepticism. For example, the treaty limits our missile-defense programs, including our ability to convert offensive missile launchers into defensive interceptors. This explicit constraint is backed by two implied constraints: the treatys preamble language linking strategic offensive and defensive arms, and Russias standing threat to withdraw from the treaty if we develop our missile-defense capabilities. President Obama has it backwards: America should be strengthening its missile defenses against strategic attacks, not weakening them. The Senate should formally state that the U.S. will not accept limits on current and future missile-defense programs. Another example concerns the treatys counting rules on warheads and delivery systems, which are vague and may very well advantage Russia. The Senate should insist on clear counting rules. [National Review Online Symposium, 9/15/10] Pawlenty Claimed That The Bilateral Consultative Commission Had Too Much Authority To Monitor The START Treaty, But Then Complained That Russia Should Be Further Monitored Because Of Its History Of Cheating On Treaties. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty said, Additionally, the Senate should check the authority of the Bilateral Consultative Commission to implement and monitor the treaty. The treaty grants an unacceptable delegation of authority to the commission to resolve ambiguities and verification issues. The treaty also contains monitoring gaps that should be closed, given Russias history of cheating on treaties. Theres no need to repeal the sturdy maxim to trust but verify. [National Review Online Symposium, 9/15/10] Pawlenty: President Obama Wants America To Be Popular And Well Liked Around The World, Especially By President Medvedev, But I Think Its More Important To Be Respected. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty said, It is clear that President Obama wants America to be popular and well liked around the world, especially by President Medvedev, but I think its more important to be respected. The New START treaty, touted by proponents as proof that the reset button is working, favors Russia more than it favors us. Moscow almost certainly views this lopsided treaty as a sign of American weakness, which will only encourage Russia to seek additional gains in the bilateral relationship. [National Review Online Symposium, 9/15/10] Pawlenty Claimed He Didnt Like The General Premise Behind The START Treaty Because It Posits That The United States And Russia Are On Equal Footing. According to Real Clear Politics, Pawlentys efforts to increase his visibility have not thus far translated into many headlines beyond a low-key New York Times profile and fireworks-free appearance on The Daily Show. And that seems to be just fine with the governor and his political staff Just as Pawlenty was more restrained than Palin in jumping into the mosque controversy, he has also been more low-key about what has become one of Romneys pet issues: the nuclear arms control START II Treaty with Russia, which is currently being held in Senate limbo. Whereas Romney angered some in the Republican foreign policy establishment by coming out strongly against the treaty in a Washington Post op-ed last month that ran under the headline Obamas Worst Foreign Policy Mistake, Pawlenty has been less emphatic, though largely in agreement with Romney. I have serious concerns about it and particularly concerns about the language in the preamble that the Russians believe prohibits or limits Americas ability to deploy further anti-missile defense systems, Pawlenty said. I also dont like the general premise behind this treaty and others like it that somehow the United States and Russia are on equal footing. [Real Clear Politics, 8/6/10] Pawlenty Claimed That Parts Of The START Treaty Favored Russia And It Also Gives Them Advantage. According to an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, Pawlenty was asked, One Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, has said the Senate should reject the nuclear arms reduction treaty negotiated with Russia. Former Republican secretaries of state or defense or national security - Henry Kissinger, Jim Baker, Jim Schlesinger, Brent Scowcroft, George Shultz, and Senator Richard Lugar - all say it should be ratified. Where does Tim Pawlenty come down? Kill it or ratify it? Pawlenty responded, Well, Im very concerned about the treaty and I think we should be against it for these reasons. One, Im skeptical of the starting premise that were on equal footing with Russia on anything. We have a very different role and set of responsibilities around the world as compared to theirs. Number two, I very much dont like the conclusion that Russia has apparently reached, which is the language in the preamble prohibits or eliminates the Unites States ability to further deploy and develop missile defense systems. Thats an area where I think we should aggressively proceed. And then, Al, theres a series of things in that treaty that look to me like the accountability around accounting for it favors Russia and it also gives them advantage. And then lastly, I dont like this tribunal thats inserted into the treaty that allows them to interpret the treaty in terms of its implementation without regard to how the United States may feel about it. [Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, 8/6/10]

Syria
Pawlenty Said President Obama Offered Inaction In Syria And Leadership In The Middle East. According to a campaign press release, Pawlenty said Instead of offering principled leadership in the Middle East, President Obama has once again offered inaction. Democratic Syrian activists are getting mowed down by Bashar al-Assads murderous regime. Inaction is more of the same from our do-nothing President who has failed to offer a budget plan, a social security plan or a jobs plan, let alone show leadership on Syria and the Arab Spring. President Obama himself needs to say clearly that Assad must and will go, immediately recall the U.S. Ambassador to Syria and move to invoke additional economic sanctions. I called for these actions over four months ago; I call for them again today. This brutal regime does not deserve diplomatic recognition from the United States. [TimPawlenty.Com, 08/04/11] Pawlenty Said Syrian President Bashar Assad Should Be Brought To Justice And Supported Arming Syrian Opposition. According to The Daily Progress, Speaking at the University of Virginia, Republican ex-presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty called for the indictment of Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying he should be brought to justice. He also advocated sending arms, communications aid, financial support and social media support to the Syrian opposition. Hes killing his own people in the streets, and the world sits by and watches, Pawlenty said. Actions by China and Russia to shield the Syrian leadership from pressure at the United Nations reflect those nations fears about their own internal politics, he said. Many people in the last decade have thought that perhaps Assad would be a reformer, he said. Its turned out to be flat wrong, Pawlenty said. Hes a terrible killer. Hes a war criminal. Pawlenty added, Hes a terrible thug, and in my view he should be indicted as a war criminal and brought to justice. [The Daily Progress, 3/28/12]

Additional Foreign Policy Issues

Pawlenty Praised Bushs Strength And Clarity Of His Leadership On The War On Terror. According to FOX News Sunday, Chris Wallace interviewed Pawlenty and asked why President Bush was polling well in Minnesota. Pawlenty responded, I think it says a lot about the strength and qualities and characteristics of this president to have, in the land of Humphrey, Mondale and McCarthy, George Bush leading or at worst tied with Senator Kerry in this race is amazing. And I think it speaks to the strength and clarity of his leadership on the war on terror, and more recently, speaking about the ownership society on the bread-and-butter issues of jobs and health care and education I think it boils down to strength in troubled times or challenging times and, frankly, likability. I think the swing voters -- data that were seeing from the polls and what we feel and hear on the streets is people like this president because hes strong and clear and consistent, particularly on the war on terror. And hes also likable. And those same qualities are at least in question with respect to Senator Kerry. [FOX News Sunday, 9/19/04] Pawlenty: We Should Be Less Worried About Khali Shaikh Muhammads Rights In Civil Court, And More Focused On Getting Individuals Like Him Into Military Tribunals. According to Freedom Firsts Facebook town hall on March 31, 2010 Pawlenty said, Then lastly, of course, we should be less worried about Khali Shaikh Muhammads rights in civil court, and more focused on getting individuals like him who tried to conduct an act of war on our country, into military tribunals. The idea that were gonna spend time and money and resources in a civil court trial trying to convict Khali Shaikh Muhammad when he is a sworn enemy combatant of this nation, I think is really a misfocus and a misuse of resources, and also endangers our security. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10]

DEFENSE SPENDING
Pawlenty Said President Obamas Defense Budget Cut Would Reduce Americas Security Capability. According to CNN, during an interview with Soledad OBrien, Pawlenty said the president has the country on a trajectory to cut $1 trillion out of the defense budget over the next 10 years. Those would be untenable reductions in American security capability and our defense budget. So yes, we have severe concerns about the direction that President Obama is heading our defense budget and security capabilities and he should be called to account for that. Theres no question about that. Governor Romney has sharp differences with the president on that. Governor Romney has called for not only maintaining but increasing the defense budget, maintaining and increasing the number of ships within the Navy and down the list. [CNN, 5/3/12]

Pawlenty Supported Romneys Plan To Increase Defense Spending And Rebuild The Navy. According to MSNBC, during an interview with Rachel Maddow, Pawlenty said within the Republican Party, there is a bit of a divide on war and defense and security issues. And I would say, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman and some others represent one perspective, which is get the troops out, get them out now, buy into the Obama argument about shrinking defense and security budgets. Mitt Romney and me and others represent the other side of that argument, it`s a legitimate debate, I have strong views on it. Mitt has strong views on it. I`m glad, by the way, that he is calling for re-establishing, and restoring defense spending at historic percentages of the economy, rebuilding our navy, committing to not let Iran have a nuclear weapon. In my view, those are good things and I`m glad Mitt is standing strong on those issues but Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman have a different view of it. [MSNBC, 1/10/12] TNR: Pawlenty Was The Most Aggressive In Condemning Conservatives Who Supported Downsizing Defense. According to The New Republic, while there is no mainstream candidate who is calling for austerity on defense, it would be impossible to argue that the penny-pinching mood among Republicans hasnt influenced the general tenor of GOP foreign policy discussions--and made the candidates less inclined to sound the kinds of grandiose and expensive notes about foreign policy that were considered par for the course in 2008. All the candidates, that is, except Pawlenty. No candidate has been as aggressive in condemning conservatives who want to downsize the Pentagon. History repeatedly warns us that, in the long run, weakness in foreign policy costs us and our children much more than well save in a budget line item, he said in his CFR speech. Pawlentys foreign policy adviser, Brian Hook--a conservative lawyer who served as Bushs assistant secretary of state for international organizations--told [TNRs Eli Lake] that Pawlenty believes as a matter of principle that America is the indispensable nation and that weakness in foreign policy always carries a high price tag. The number one source of our fiscal problems is domestic spending, and for politicians from either party to suggest that we can solve the deficit by cutting defense or disengaging overseas is irresponsible and not true. [The New Republic, 8/18/11] Anti-Tax Activist Grover Norquist Criticized Pawlentys Opposition To Defense Spending Cuts. According to The New Republic, This approach to defense spending has earned Pawlenty criticism from Norquist. The conservative activist may not like the Gaffney worldview that has done so much to influence Bachmann--but he certainly isnt on board with the big-government neoconservatism of Pawlenty. There seems to be a strategy by Pawlenty, when things werent going well, he attacked other guys as isolationists, Norquist told [TNRs Eli Lake]. It does not appear to be a successful strategy. [The New Republic, 8/18/11]

Pawlenty Advisor Brian Hook Said Pawlenty Believed The U.S. Ought To Maintain Defense Spending And Maintain The International Affairs Account. According to Foreign Policy, Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty may be the only GOP presidential candidate who intends to preserve full funding for U.S. aid abroad. These are difficult economic times and you have a significant part of the Republican Party calling for retrenchment. The governor doesnt accept that view and believes we ought to maintain defense spending and maintain the international affairs account, Pawlentys senior foreign policy advisor Brian Hook said at yesterdays U.S. Global Leadership Coalition conference. Governor Pawlenty believes very much in projecting an American foreign policy that is very much focused on clarity and strength, with the capabilities to back it up. And that means not cutting the international affairs account and defense spending, Hook said. [Foreign Policy, 07/13/11] Pawlenty Claim Spending Cuts Would Come From Defense To Reduce Deficit. According to CNN, Tim Pawlenty paused to meet with voters and set about trashing the debt ceiling agreement signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday. The former Minnesota governor called the last-minute framework very disappointing and faulted Congressional leaders in both parties for not doing enough to confront the underlying federal debt crisis. They didnt fix the problem, Pawlenty told about 60 Republicans crammed into Buddy Brew, a high-end coffee shop in voter-rich Tampa. They just popped a fiscal aspirin and pretended the problems going to go away. Pawlenty said the debt will increase by $7 trillion over the next decade under the terms of the deal. He also rallied the audience with the misleading claim that most of the cuts they proposed are going to come from defense. Under the plan, defense cuts would be triggered later this year, but only if Congress fails to act on the recommendations of a special deficit reduction committee. Corresponding reductions in domestic spending would also be on the table. [CNN, 08/02/11] Pawlenty Said The Defense Budget Should Be Increased And Not Considered Among Debt Deal Spending Cuts. According to the Washington Post, Pawlenty is also troubled by the apparent willingness of congressional Republicans to consider deep cuts in the defense budget as part of a debt-limit deal. Far from cutting defense, Pawlenty says, we need to maintain and, in my view, increase the defense budget. We can reprioritize and achieve savings, but if those savings are realized, I think they should be repurposed back into defense. Pawlenty says national defense is the first responsibility of the United States federal government, and the talk of defense cuts calls into question how committed [some Republicans are] to

trying to maintain Americas leadership role and presence around the world... There is a good chunk of the Republican Party calling for retrenchment. I reject that. [Washington Post, 07/11/11] Pawlenty: Even The Pentagon Needs To Pursue Greater Efficiencies By Using Priority Budgeting. According to an op-ed Tim Pawlenty wrote in the Washington Post, While national defense is obviously a top priority, even the Pentagon needs to pursue greater efficiencies by using priority budgeting to ensure that our military remains the most capable and effective in a dangerous world. Any savings that are achieved from belt-tightening at the Pentagon should be reinvested toward the most important defense needs, not redirected to pay for runaway domestic spending. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Washington Post, 1/21/11] Pawlenty Endorsed Secretary Gates Position On Pentagon Spending: Keeping It At About The Rate Of Inflation Over The Next Five Years And Reducing The Projected Rate Of Growth By About $93 Billion, Over The Next Five Years Is About Right. According an interview on Morning Joe, Pawlenty was asked about cutting Pentagon spending. He said, I think Secretary Gates has got it about right. I think keeping it at about the rate of inflation over the next five years and reducing the projected rate of growth by about $93 billion, over the next five years is about right [Morning Joe, 1/12/11] Pawlenty Said He Doesnt Think The Pentagon Should Be Exempt From Scrutiny When Budgeting, And Should Be Reviewed For Inefficiencies And Streamlined. According to a blog associated with the Washington Post, We shifted to foreign policy and national security. I asked him about the recently announced defense budget cuts and the reduction of troop strength He cautioned: As we move into a period of austerity, we need to use priority budgeting, like I did as governor. We need to rank what we do. Some things may not be cut or may get even more money. In Minnesota, we put veterans at the top of the list and they were exempted from cuts, in some cases got more. He said, however, that he doesnt think the Pentagon should be exempt from scrutiny. The Pentagon should be reviewed for inefficiencies and streamlined. But this is not an area for scrimping or cutting corners. [Jennifer Rubins Right Turn blog, Washington Post, 1/11/11] Pawlenty Endorsed Limiting Increases In Defense Spending To The Rate Of Inflation, Discontinuing Ineffective Weapons Systems, And Shrinking Domestic Military Bases That Are Obsolete Or Underutilized. According to an interview on Parker Spitzer, Pawlenty was asked Will you cut defense spending? Pawlenty responded, I think Secretary Gates had it about right which is to say at least in the near and intermediate term were going to increase defense spending, but were going to do it at about the rate of inflation. But within that were going to reprioritize the spending that we do have. He talked about discontinuing ineffective weapons systems theres a bunch of those. And I also think, by the way, we should look at shrinking some of the bases that are obsolete or underutilized within the United States. [Parker Spitzer, CNN, 1/11/11]

Pawlenty Said The Federal Government Should Not Cut Spending On Defense And National Security And Homeland-Security Related Expenditures. According to an interview with Real Clear Politics, Pawlenty was asked, As governor you refused to touch funding for the National Guard, veterans programs, public safety, and, as you said, education, but cut almost everything else. What federal programs should be spared from cuts? He responded, We did priority-based budgeting. I think the federal government should do the same. And in this time of heightened concern about national security and terrorism, I think one area of the budged that has to get priority treatment is defense and national security and homelandsecurity related expenditures. That doesnt mean some of the programs in there cant be changed or improved or modified or modernized. But overall I think we need to maintain and potentially increase our commitment in those areas. [Real Clear Politics interview, 7/14/10]

UNITED NATIONS
Pawlenty Called The UN Human Rights Council A Discredited UN Body And Claimed Obama Should Have Led Efforts To Reform It. According to Pawlentys facebook page, he updated his status on November 5, 2010 to say, Today, for the first time, the United States will appear before the UN Human Rights Council and defend our human rights record to Cuba, Libya, China, and Saudi Arabia. This is where diplomacy meets farce. Instead of joining this discredited UN body, Pres. Obama should have led efforts to reform it. [Tim Pawlenty facebook status update, 11/5/10]

MISSILE DEFENSE

Pawlenty Expressed Support For Missile Defense Systems In Poland And The Czech Republic. According to Pawlentys Facebook town hall on March 31, 2010, when he was asked about national security Pawlenty said, One example of a decision that I think he [President Obama] made that is something that concerns me greatly, is to pull down the missile defense systems the Czech Republic offered to host, They did that at great risk and great peril. President Bush got them to agree to that. President Obama pulled the rug out from underneath them and changed that decision in a way that was very troubling to our allies, some of our best allies in the world the Czech Republic and Poland. I think those missile defense systems and those capabilities should be robustly funded, and robustly developed. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10] Pawlenty Denounced Obama Administrations Reversal Of Bush Missile Defense Plan. According to Human Events, the CPAC address also marked one of the first occasions in which Pawlenty discussed foreign policy issues. He denounced the Administrations reversal of George Bushs commitment to a missile defense in the Czech Republic and Poland and quoted former Polish President Lech Walseas withering criticism: You cant trust the USA. They only look out for themselves. [Human Events, 10/19/09]

FOREIGN AID
Pawlenty Criticized The Obama Administrations 50 Percent Cut To Institutions That Build Democracy In Egypt. According to ABC, in an interview with Christiane Amanpour, Pawlenty said, The Obama administration proposed, and the Congress enacted, a cut to the institutions that build democracy in Egypt of 50 percent over the last two years now, that wasnt a good decision. [This Week, ABC, 2/13/11] Pawlenty: Im Not One That Says We Should Eliminate Foreign Aid Should We Redeploy It And Reprioritize It? Yes. According to ABC, in an interview with Christiane Amanpour, Amanpour pressed him on the fiscal cost of democracy building. She asked if he would cut or increase foreign aid. Im not one that says we should eliminate foreign aid. I dont think that is a wise course, Pawlenty explained. Now, should we redeploy it and reprioritize it? Yes. And a good example would be two years ago the aid to Egypt, democracy-building initiatives were cut by 50 percent, as we mentioned earlier. Bad idea, and you look back on that now and you say not a good idea. Pawlenty expanded on his ideas. I believe our role around the world is, first of all, protect our national security interests as we define them; and two, as we have the opportunity to push towards democracy, push towards freedom, push towards openness. We need to do that, he said. [This Week, ABC, 2/13/11]

GLBT
Gay Marriage
VIDEO: Pawlenty Said Gay Marriage Defied Common Sense. According to On Top Magazine, Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty on Sunday said gay marriage defies common sense and is a bad idea. From my standpoint I dont think all domestic relationships are the same as traditional marriage, Candy, Pawlenty answered. I think that a marriage between a man and a woman is something that should remain elevated socially, culturally and practically, legally, morally in our society. When asked what the harm would be in allowing gay marriage, Pawlenty responded, Well, I wouldnt phrase it that way. In the sense that I think theres just a difference of opinion about whether all domestic relationships are in the eyes of the law, and otherwise, going to be the same as traditional marriage. I dont think they should be. [On Top Magazine, 07/25/11] Pawlenty Supported Constitutional Amendment To Ban Gay Marriage. According to CNN, during a republican primary debate, Pawlenty said I support a constitutional amendment to define marriage between a man and woman. I was the coauthor of the state -- a law in Minnesota to define it and now we have courts jumping over this. [CNN, 06/13/11] Pawlenty Said Traditional Marriage Was Not Just A Legal Issue. According to People For The American Way, in an interview with American Family Associations Bryan Fischer, Pawlenty was asked how he would defend the Defense of Marriage Act as President. Pawlenty responded, I believe strongly in traditional marriage. I was a co-author of the law in Minnesota that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Ive been a vocal supporter of an amendment in Minnesota that would put that into our Constitution, and I hope that day comes when thats put before the voters of Minnesota. And its not just a legal issue; its also an important cornerstone for our society and our culture. I mean, families and traditional marriage are so important to that. And I dont believe all other domestic relations should be on the same platform as traditional marriage. I just dont buy that. And so, Ive been a strong supporter of traditional marriage. I also think who we appoint to courts in this regard is important. And, we dont have litmus tests, so to speak, but we want strict constructionists and people who take a conservative view towards the interpretation of our laws. [People for the American Ways Right Wing Watch, 1/13/11] Pawlenty Said He Wasnt Concerned By A Campaign To Oust Judges For Ruling In Support Of Gay Marriage, But Supported Right Of Citizens To Campaign For Their Removal. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday he wasnt concerned by a campaign to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices over a decision that legalized gay marriage in the state. In an interview with The Associated Press, Pawlenty said he would need to study the justices record before deciding whether to join the effort, but that voters have the right to remove judges if they disagree with their rulings. The notion that judges stand for election is embedded in the Iowa Constitution. Its embedded in the Minnesota Constitution, Pawlenty said. Its the right and privilege of the citizens of this state and my state to weigh in on whether they like or dont like the job that a judge is doing and to agree or disagree with him.Asked about a campaign organized by Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats who failed in his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination to remove the justices, Pawlenty stressed that he supports limiting marriage to one man and one woman. I think the law should support that, and to the extent you have judges inserting their personal views to change that, I dont like it, Pawlenty said. [Associated Press, 8/12/10] Daily Iowan: Views Of Pawlenty And Bob Vander Plaats Went Against Core Purposes Of The Judiciary. According to The Daily Iowan, Three Iowa Supreme Court justices who upheld marriage equality in last years landmark ruling are now under threat. Bob Vander Plaats, fresh off a failed attempt to secure the Republican gubernatorial nomination, recently spoke out against retaining the three judges this November. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, widely believed to be campaigning for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, also expressed support for ousting Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices Michael Streit and David Baker. The Editorial Board strongly rejects this assault on the Supreme Court. The recall of judges due to disagreement on a single judicial opinion endangers our liberal democratic system and the Constitutional rights it guarantees. The blinkered views of Vander Plaats, Pawlenty, and their ideological brethren fly in the face of one of the core purposes of the judiciary: protecting minority rights against the will of an oppressive majority. [The Daily Iowan, 8/20/10]

Pawlenty Had 100% Rating From Minnesota Citizens Concerned For Marriage On Advocacy For Anti-Abortion Initiatives. According to the Minnesota Independent, Pawlentys advocacy on anti-abortion initiatives garnered him a 100 percent rating from the anti-abortion group Minnesota Citizen Concerned for Marriage. [Minnesota Independent, 6/10/08]

Pawlenty Renewed His Call For Constitution Amendment To Ban Same-Sex Marriage. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, during 2005 speech at the state Republican Party convention, Pawlenty received prolonged applause when he renewed his call for a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. Pawlenty said, One thing we know is that you cant have a strong bedrock of traditional families if you dont have marriage that is defined as between a man and a woman. [Duluth News-Tribune, 9/11/05] Pawlenty Said Preserving Traditional Marriage Was Importance, And Constitutional Amendment To Ban Sam-Sex Marriage Was Not A Distraction. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Thousands of Minnesotans rallied Wednesday to show their support for what they see as crystal clear: Marriage should be between one man and one woman Gov. Tim Pawlenty also lent his voice and presence to the rally. He advised those gathered to reject the claims of lawmakers who say the constitutional amendment is a distraction from more important state business. Mosquitoes when you are trying to get to sleep are a distraction, Pawlenty said. Marriage between a man and a woman and protecting that is not a distraction. It is important. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/21/05] Pawlenty Compared Critics Who Called Constitutional Ban On Gay Marriage A Distraction To Those On The Bridge Of The Titanic That [Said] Icebergs Are A Distraction. According to The Star Tribune, With a tone that seemed decidedly less inflamed than in previous years, a group supporting a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage rallied Wednesday at the State Capitol Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a supporter of the proposed constitutional amendment, criticized Senate leadership, which he said has wrongfully called the constitutional ban a mere distraction on more pressing issues. If you hear them speak about it, theyll say there are other issues that should come in front of this issue, Pawlenty said. They probably said on the bridge of the Titanic that icebergs are a distraction. Marriage between a man and a woman and protecting that is not a distraction. Its important. [The Star Tribune, 4/21/05] Pawlenty Said If Traditional Marriage Isnt Fundamental To SocietyThen Nothing Is. According to The Star Tribune, during appearance at a rally in support of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Pawlenty said If this issue isnt fundamental to society ... then nothing is. [The Star Tribune, 5/4/04] Pawlenty Signed Pledge To Support The Defense Of Marriage Act. According to the St. Cloud Times, Some Central Minnesota legislators joined Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday in signing a pledge to support the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. They called on DFL leaders to allow the full Senate to vote on the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The House of Representatives passed the measure in March, but a Senate committee defeated it. Since then, there have been unsuccessful attempts to bring the bill directly to the Senate floor. On the steps of the Capitol, Pawlenty and a group of lawmakers signed a pledge sponsored by the Minnesota Citizens in Defense of Marriage, a new organization pushing for the constitutional amendment. Traditional marriage is itself a pledge, and today, Im going to take a pledge to defend it, Pawlenty said. The governor noted that he and other politicians have been criticized in the past for signing pledges, particularly one not to raise taxes. But some issues are too important to play the field with, Pawlenty said. [St. Cloud Times, 5/4/04] Pawlenty Said He Believed Opposite-Sex Marriage Was The Cornerstone Of American Society. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, during the 2002 campaign, Pawlenty said he opposed same-sex marriage, saying, I believe that opposite-sex marriage is the corner-stone of our society. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/26/02] Pawlenty Said Bill To Ban Same-Sex Marriage Did Not Discriminate, But Acknowledged That Minnesota Would Not Sanction Or Elevate Behavior Of Homosexual Citizens. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Supporters of an explicit ban on same-sex marriages found a way around a legislative roadblock Wednesday. The House Judiciary Committee approved the same-sex marriage ban by a 15-5 vote, attaching it to an unrelated child-support bill. The move, spearheaded by Rep. Charlie Weaver, R-Anoka, keeps the issue alive and skirts committee heads in the House and Senate who were willing to let the issue die without any actionRep. Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, said the bill does not discriminate against homosexuals, but merely says the state will not sanction or elevate their behavior. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/20/97]

REFUSED TO TABLE GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

Pawlenty Refused To Table Bill To Ban Gay Marriage For A Special Session On Major Issues, Including Bonding Proposal. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A move to constitutionally ban gay marriage may put the kibosh on a special session, lawmakers said Tuesday. We are going to have a problem as we try to put a special session together because of the same-sex marriage issue, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said. The constitution dictates that the governor can call a special session

of the Legislature. The Legislature decides when to adjourn it. Pawlenty said Monday he wanted an agreement from legislative leaders on major issues before summoning lawmakers back to the CapitolBut in speaking to reporters Tuesday, the governor refused to take the gay marriage issue from the bargaining table for a special session. I think it should be open for discussion, said Pawlenty. If you dont like it, vote no; if you do like it, vote yes. But trying to duck it is not a realistic strategy.Even if the gay marriage issue kills the chances for a special session, Pawlenty thinks most Minnesotans probably wont care very much. There is a mix of opinions amongst legislators ranging from Call a special session, we need it for various reasons to, you know, the average person doesnt really care whether we have a special session or not, Pawlenty said. The average person doesnt wake up in the morning and say, Geez, we got to have that bonding bill. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/26/04] Pawlenty Considered Discussion On The Gay Marriage Amendment During The Special Session A Priority. According to The Star Tribune, Several possible constitutional amendment initiatives remain sticking points for any negotiations [over a special session], including a proposal to have voters decide if the state constitution should be amended to ban same-sex marriage. It is an issue that Senate DFLers say they will not address and one that Republicans, including Pawlenty, contend is a priority. [The Star Tribune, 5/27/04] Brian McClung: Pawlenty Believed Marriage Was A Fundamental Issue And Not A Distraction. According to The Star Tribune, Brian McClung, Pawlentys press secretary, said: Governor Pawlenty believes that marriage is not a distraction, its a fundamental issue. [The Star Tribune, 3/9/05] In 2003, Pawlenty Said A Constitutional Ban On Same Sex Marriage Was Not Needed Because Of State Marriage Definition Law. According to The Star Tribune, Top GOP goals include confirming Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, a constitutional ban on gay marriage, state-sponsored gambling and stadiums. Differences were underscored again Monday, when Sviggum and other Republican leaders - including Pawlenty - signed a pledge on the Capitol steps stating their support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. As recently as last fall, Pawlenty and Sviggum were saying that a constitutional amendment isnt needed because of the states 1997 law defining marriage as a heterosexual institution and outlawing same-sex unions. [The Star Tribune, 5/4/04] Pawlenty Said Claim He Pushed Same Sex Marriage Amendment At Bush Campaigns Request Was Flat-Out False. According to The Star Tribune, The other issue was the White Houses desire to get an amendment banning same-sex marriages on the ballot in as many states as possible, with a higher priority being swing states such as Minnesota, Johnson saidPawlenty says both theories are flat-out false. He said he was first urged to hire Yecke by Minnesotans. And, Pawlenty said, if anything, a gay-marriage ban on the ballot would be better in 2006, when Pawlenty, the state Senate and House, and Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton are all up for reelection. [The Star Tribune, 5/23/04] St. Paul Pioneer Press: By Demanding Consideration Of Same-Sex Marriage Amendment During Special Session, Pawlenty Did His Political Duty To Social Conservatives. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The countrys in a costly, chaotic war. The local and state economies are trying to sustain a comeback in jobs and investment. So, what does Gov. Tim Pawlenty say is a deal-breaker for a special session to clean up the fiscal messes that are holding up state borrowing authority and key public investments? A ballot measure for November to put into the state constitution a ban on gay marriage that is already part of Minnesota lawFortunately, the bonding proposals dont call for building a political theater for playing out a question already asked and answered in this state. The governor had done his political duty to the social conservatives who are organized and mobilized around trying to enact a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. Now, if Pawlenty can just get the negotiations back to the middle of the road, the state could benefit from a special session that concentrates on what Minnesota needs now to invest and grow. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/27/04] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Seemed Determined To Appease Social Conservatives By Demanding That The Special Session Consider Gay Marriage Amendment. According to The Star Tribune, If anything, the standoff in St. Paul has stiffened in the two weeks since the end of the 2004 Legislatures regular session. Nothing approaching genuine negotiations have begun between the Republican governor and House majority and the Senate DFL majority on issues fundamental to good stewardship of this state. Thats in part because one issue that is not fundamental to the operation of state government - a constitutional ban on gay marriage - keeps getting in the way. Gov. Tim Pawlenty seems unable to resist appeasing the social conservatives in his party who are offended by the possibility that a state court might someday grant committed gay and lesbian couples equal treatment under the law with heterosexual couples. During the last week of the regular session - when earnest bipartisan negotiations should have been the order of the governors day - Pawlenty

took time to appear with anti-gay marriage protesters and affirm his already well-known support for their position. Last week, when Pawlenty listed conditions under which he might call a special session, he included certain constitutional amendments on the list of a limited agenda. Later in the week, after unfruitful talks with legislative leaders, he said among the proposals discussed was an ordering of special-session business to address bonding, budget and criminal justice matters first. That arrangement would not automatically include or exclude the gay marriage issue from being considered, the governors statement said. [The Star Tribune, 5/30/04] Pawlenty Only Agreed To Table Gay Marriage Amendment After Democrats Refused To Hold Special Session. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would take the divisive issue of a constitutional gay marriage ban off the table in order to reach a special session agreement. The proposal by Pawlenty - who supports a gay marriage ban - would enable DFLers to adjourn without a vote on the issue if they choose. The Legislature adjourned its regular session May 16 without reaching agreement on any of its major spending and borrowing bills. On Thursday, Pawlenty said he would propose to Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, that leaders of both parties agree in advance on the issues, such as sex offender bills and a state borrowing bill, they would hear, and in what order. If the Senate did not want to take up any other issues afterward - such as gay marriage - it could adjourn, Pawlenty saidPawlenty said the Republican leadership would commit to keeping the special session on track by preventing their members from raising the gay marriage ban ahead of time. Both Pawlenty and House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, had said the ban was one of their priorities. [Associated Press, 6/3/04]

Pawlenty Was Applauded For Threatening To Veto Sex Education And Laws That Allowed Gay Marriage. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlentys final speech to the conservative Minnesota Family Council as acting governor. He received a standing ovation from the crowd after he was introduced as a governor who threatened to veto comprehensive sexual education standards and any law that allows gay marriage. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/26/10]

Partner Benefits
Pawlenty Signed Legislation To Protect Property Rights Of Unmarried Couples, Including Same-Sex Couples. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A gay rights organization is pleased Gov. Pawlenty has signed legislation to protect the property rights of unmarried couples - including same-sex couples - in Minnesotain the past, the state could seize someones home after that person died to recoup medical assistance money. That seizure was delayed if a surviving spouse lived in the houseUnder the new law, that exception now extends to anyone with an ownership stake in the house, who lived there for at least three months before his or her partner died. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/27/09] In 2010, Pawlenty Vetoed Legislation To Grant Same-Sex Couples The Right To Fulfill A Deceased Partners Last Wishes. According to The Minnesota Independent, Pawlenty vetoed legislation that would give same-sex couples the right to fulfill a deceased partners last wishes in 2010. [The Minnesota Independent, 8/15/11] In 2008, Pawlenty Vetoed A Bill Allowing Local Government Units To Provide Health Care Benefits To Same Sex Couples. According to The Minnesota Independent, In 2008, he vetoed a bill that would allow local units of government to provide health care benefits for same-sex couples. [The Minnesota Independent, 8/15/11] In 2008, Pawlenty Vetoes Legislation To Allow Government Employees, Including Same Sex Partners To Use Sick Time To Care For Ill Family Members. According to The Minnesota Independent, ... in 2008, he vetoed a bill to allow government employees, including same-sex partners, to use sick time to care for a seriously ill family member. The Minnesota Family Council pressed for a veto and got one. The end game in all of this is a legal imposition of homosexual marriage upon the state of Minnesota, said Tom Prichard, the groups president, at the time. [The Minnesota Independent, 8/15/11] Pawlenty Said He Would Never View Domestic Relationships As Equal To Traditional Marriage. According to The Minnesota Independent, At a campaign stop in Iowa on Friday, a member of the audience grilled Tim Pawlenty on his views about rights for LGBT people. Gabe Aderhold, a senior at Edina High School, asked Pawlenty why he has not had the courage to stand for me and my friends. You are discriminating against me and it hurts. Pawlenty said he will never be at the point where Ill say that every domestic relationship is the same as traditional marriage. Pawlenty has opposed all efforts in Minnesota to give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. [The Minnesota Independent, 8/15/11]

END-OF-LIFE RIGHTS
Politico: Pawlentys Veto Of Bill Granting Same-Sex Couples End-Of-Life Rights Signaled Sharp Social Conservative Turn. According to Politico, Pawlenty also signaled a sharply social conservative turn Saturday vetoing a bill that would have allowed a surviving partner to execute a deceased partners funeral wishes, the kind of practical measure short of same-sex marriage that many Republicans support. [Politico, 5/17/10] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Veto Of Legislation For End-Of-Life Rights For Same-Sex Couples Showed Cold Conservatism. According to The Star Tribune, With Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of the Final Wishes bill, cold conservatism evidently trumped compassionate conservatism for a GOP governor aspiring to be the nations next chief executive. The bill would have accorded same-sex couples the same rights as their married counterparts in determining what happens with the remains of a deceased partner. It would also have given domestic partners the right to sue in wrongful death cases. [The Star Tribune, 5/24/10] Open Arms Of Minnesota Director Kevin Winge Said Pawlentys Veto Of Final Wishes Bill Was Cruel To Gay And Lesbian Couples And Their Families. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed, Kevin Winge, Executive Director of Open Arms of Minnesota a non-profit organization that provides nutritious meals to people living with diseases wrote Governor Pawlenty used his veto to conflate the Final Wishes/Wrongful Death Bill with same-sex marriage stating that Marriage defined as between a man and a woman should remain elevated in our society at a special level... So, in Governor Pawlentys world, gay and lesbian relationships do not qualify for this special and elevated place in society. Nor are domestic partnerships the equivalent of heterosexual relationships. And when confronted with the reality that the legal system does not adequately protect domestic partnerships, the Governor chooses to ignore the facts. How is this not discriminatory? Governor Pawlenty may see himself as the champion of family values, but 80% of Minnesotans believe that our government should not treat gays and lesbians differently from straight people. The Governors veto of the Final Wishes/Wrongful Death Bill was out of step with his constituents and cruel to gay and lesbian couples and their families. [The Star Tribune, 5/19/10] Huffington Post: Pawlenty Was Trying To Build A Road To The White House That He Did Not Support Gay Rights. According to the Huffington Post, in an op-ed, Alvin McEwen wrote: Arguably the one who will probably try to make a good shot at President Obama in the 2012 elections is Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. And if this is the case, LGBTs better start thinking about our next move [] Now come on, Pawlenty. Are you saying that LGBT couples should have to jump through extra hoops for end-of-life dignity instead of you just signing the bill that the Minnesota legislature passed? There is nothing to be gained from such a nasty gesture. Then again, I take that back. Pawlentys veto threat is in line with his comments last year when he backtracked from pro-LGBT legislation he earlier signed. [] Pawlenty is trying to build a road to the White House by proving to the conservative base of the Republican Party that he doesnt support gay rights. [Huffington Post, 5/15/10]

OPPOSED HEALTH BENEFITS FOR DOMESTIC PARTNERS

In 2009, Pawlenty Opposed Provision For State Health Benefits To Domestic Partners. According to the Albert Lea Tribune, In a letter to legislative leaders, Pawlenty wrote that he opposed a provision that requires that state-paid health insurance must be made available to domestic partners if a collective bargaining agreement or plan provides state paid health insurance to spouses. The provision extends benefits to both same sex and opposite sex couples. Pawlenty wrote, I oppose this provision and will not sign a bill that includes this expansion of benefits. [Albert Lea Tribune, 5/5/09] Pawlenty Said He Opposed Health Benefits For Same-Sex Couples Because He Didnt Think Domestic Relationships Were The Equivalent To Traditional Marriage. According to Newsweek, in an interview with Howard Fineman Pawlenty was asked: I know you are opposed to gay marriage, but what about medical benefits for same-sex couples? Pawlenty responded, I have not supported that. Fineman asked, Why not? Pawlenty responded, My general view on all of this is that marriage is to be defined as being a union of a man and a woman. Marriage should be elevated in our society at a special level. I dont think all domestic relationships are the equivalent of traditional marriage. Early on we decided as a country and as a state that there was value in a man and a woman being married in terms of impact on children and the like, and we want to encourage that. [Newsweek, 12/21/09]

In 2005, Pawlenty Said There Should Be Room For Consideration On How Same Sex Couples Jointly Own Property And Dealt With Hospital Visitation Rights. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty met with

members of the Star Tribune editorial department on Monday to discuss the legislative session just passed and the unresolved issues it left behind. Here are excerpts of their conversation Q. Are you open to allowing civil unions between same-sex couples? [Pawlenty]: There should be room for consideration of how you jointly own property, how do you pass it along intergenerationally, how do you deal with hospital visitation rights. Some contractual relationship between same-sex partners is worth exploring. But people who say, Lets make it equivalent to marriage and well just call it something else - I dont support that. [The Star Tribune, 7/20/05] Pawlenty Said He Didnt Think All Domestic Arrangements Were The Same As Marriage. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in 2002, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted against including benefits for domestic partners of state workers. Majority Leader Rep. Pawlenty said, I dont think all domestic arrangements are the same as marriage. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/5/02] Pawlentys 2002 Gubernatorial Running Mate, Rep. Carol Molnau, Headed Legislative Subcommittee That Delayed Insurance Coverage For State Employees In Same-Sex Domestic Partnerships. According to The Star Tribune, nearly 40,000 unionized state employees will get smaller paychecks for the next month as they wait out the final maneuvers in a strategy to rescue health benefits for employees same-sex domestic partners. The delay was reportedly due to legislative inaction. The Star Tribune noted that union officials said that all the back-and-forth changes will cost the state more than the benefits themselvesRep. Carol Molnau, R-Cologne, heads the interim Legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations, which controls the fate of the contracts for the next 30 days. She said Tuesday that she isnt inclined to convene the panel to consider agreements that the House strongly opposed. The House was very clear on its position, said Molnau, who is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan. They are seeking endorsement at the Republican state convention in mid-June, shortly before the contracts would kick in again. In December, Molnaus panel deadlocked on the contracts, allowing them to take effect temporarily. Labor leaders said Tuesday that they probably would be approved now-putting them back into effect-because of a change of mind by retiring Rep. Dave Bishop, R-Rochester, a pivotal vote on the 10-member subcommittee. [Star Tribune, 5/22/02] Robert Sykora Said Pawlenty Was The Top Cheerleader To Eliminate Health Benefits For State Employees In Same-Sex Domestic Partnerships. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed, Robert Sykora wrote, Mainstream Republicans, long frustrated by the religious rights hijacking of their party, would like to field a more moderate candidate. Rep. Tim Pawlenty is their No. 1 choice. But Pawlenty supported the 1993 human rights amendment. That doesnt sit well with local mullahs. He must atone for his sin if he expects the Republican nomination. Attacking lesbian and gay people ought to do the trick, and an opportunity to do so just landed in Pawlentys lap. He has emerged as the top cheerleader in the effort to eliminate domestic-partner health benefits for state employees. [Robert Sykora, Star Tribune, 12/6/01] Pawlenty Said He Would Vote Against Provision To Grant Insurance Benefits To State Employees In Same-Sex Domestic Partnerships. According to the Associated Press, State workers could be back on the picket lines as a significant number of representatives are poised to reject labor contracts that halted the largest strike by state workers in Minnesota history. The obstacle to House ratification is a provision in the tentative agreements that gives same-sex partners of state workers access to insurance benefits. Theres a great deal of concern in the House of Representatives about this new benefit, and there are many members who are going to be voting against ratification, said Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, REaganPawlenty, leader of 69 Republican members, said he will be among those voting against ratification. [Associated Press, 11/4/01]

PAWLENTY FIRM OFFERED BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX PARTNERS

Wizmo, Inc. Where Pawlenty Served As Vice-President, Offered Health Benefits To Same-Sex Partners. According to The Star Tribune, House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, who has been among the most vocal advocates of rejecting five negotiated labor agreements with state workers because the contracts extend insurance benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, works for a private firm that provides similar benefits. Pawlenty is a vice president for Wizmo Inc., of Eden Prairie, a computer service firm that employs more than 180 people. Wizmo offers medical insurance coverage for same-sex partners of company employees, according to its human resources director. Pawlenty, who is running for governor, has said state and union negotiators should not have adopted the same-sex provision because the House, last year, voted to ban same-sex benefits in worker contracts. That ban, though, did not become law. Pawlenty said he has nothing to do with Wizmos insurance coverage. [The Star Tribune, 2/24/02]

Discrimination
DISCRIMINATION BAN
In 1993, Pawlenty Voted In Support Of Bill To Add Sexual Orientation To The Human Rights Act. According to The Star Tribune, Fending off arguments that passing a gay-rights bill would destroy family values and give official sanction to an immoral lifestyle, the Minnesota Senate and House voted Thursday to extend protection to gays and lesbians under the state Human Rights ActBy adding sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act, Minnesota would become the eighth state to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in employment, housing, education and public accommodationsThe House supported the measure 78-55, the Senate approved it 37-30. The margins, bolstered by unanticipated Independent-Republican votes, were wider than backers had expected, especially given the fierce opposition that developed since the measure handily passed the Judiciary Committees of both houses Pawlenty was one of the eleven Independent-Republicans who voted in favor of the bill. [The Star Tribune, 3/19/93] Republicans Later Criticized Pawlentys Support Of The Pro-Gay Rights Bill. According to the Associated Press, The GOP endorsement contest has been waged over who is the most ideologically pure. So after the first ballot Friday, businessman Brian Sullivans campaign distributed a flier pointing out a Tim Pawlenty vote early in his legislative career for a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. The vote was considered pro-gay rights. Pawlentys campaign immediately circulated its own flier noting his more recent opposition to state employee contracts that extended health benefits to gay and lesbian partners of government workers. Pawlenty himself told one concerned delegate that he regretted the earlier vote. That was a long time ago, and since then Ive been very clear on my position, he said. [Associated Press, 6/14/02]

In 2002, Pawlenty Regretted His 1993 Vote For Ban On Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation. According to Minnesota Public Radio, During the Republican state convention, the Sullivan campaign distributed fliers attacking Pawlenty for supporting a gay rights amendment in 1993. The one vote Pawlenty wishes he could redo is his vote for the gay rights amendment. He says the bill protects people who are transgender and cross-dressers. Theres a whole series of behaviors protected in that bill that have nothing to do with biological makeup. They have to do with, just, simple preferences, for example, of wearing womens clothing, says Pawlenty. I dont know that we need to ... use our antidiscrimination laws in Minnesota and nationally to protect that kind of behavior. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/13/02] In 2003, Pawlenty Said He Would Not Support Legislation To Remove Protections For Gay And Lesbians Under State Human Rights Laws. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty would not support legislation to remove protections for gays and lesbians from Minnesotas human rights laws as was introduced in the House last week. He has not seen the bill, but he would not wish to repeal such a law, said Pawlenty spokeswoman Leslie Kupchella. Hes about fairness for all Minnesotans. Supporters contend that anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation encourage homosexuality and discriminate against religious organizations with conflicting beliefs. [Associated Press, 2/8/03] 2009: Pawlenty Said He Regretted Supporting Discrimination Ban Based On Sexual Orientation Because It Protected Cross-Dressing. According to Newsweek, in an interview with Howard Fineman Pawlenty was asked, To borrow a phrase, have your views evolved over time? Pawlenty responded, In 1993 I voted for a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodation, housing, and employment. That was 16 years ago. Fineman commented, Yes, gay-rights activists regarded you as a pretty cool guy at the time. Pawlenty responded, We overbaked that statute, for a couple of reasons. If I had to do it over again I would have changed some things. Fineman asked, Overbaked? Pawlenty responded, That statute is not worded the way it should be. I said I regretted the vote later because it included things like cross-dressing, and a variety of other people involved in behaviors that werent based on sexual orientation, just a preference for the way they dressed and behaved. So it was overly broad. So if you are a third-grade teacher and you are a man and you show up on Monday as Mr. Johnson and you show up on Tuesday as Mrs. Johnson, that is a little confusing to the kids. So I dont like that. [Newsweek, 12/21/09] In 2002, Pawlenty Used Same Cross-Dressing Argument Against Discrimination Ban. According to the Associated Press, on a few issues, such as domestic partners, Pawlenty falls farther to the right of his opponents. Although he believes in protecting civil rights for gays, he says transgender citizens dont fall into the same category. They have

behavioral patterns that are voluntary, including cross-dressing, he said. Im troubled by scenarios where you have a third-grade teacher who shows up as Mr. Johnson one day and the next day is Ms. Johnson. [Associated Press, 9/25/02]

Dont Ask Dont Tell

Pawlenty Refused To Say Whether He Thought Gays Should Be Allowed To Serve In The Military, Only Saying He Would Defer To Military Leaders On The Issue. According to Think Progress, Pawlenty was not backing down in his attacks on gay rights. In a separate, recent interview with ThinkProgress, Pawlenty refused to tell us whether gays should be allowed to serve in the military at all: TP: You were in the news this week saying that you would like to reinstate, or if you were president you would reinstate Dont Ask, Dont Tell. Do you think gays should be allowed to serve in the military at all, or do you think its detrimental to unit cohesion? PAWLENTY: I really defer to the military leaders to a large degree on this issue. I supported maintaining Dont Ask, Dont Tell. The military civilian leaders came forward and said they think its time to revisit the issue and they took a survey of how the military rank-and-file felt about it, and a majority of the survey thought it would be okay to lift Dont Ask, Dont Tell. However, the thing that gave me cause for concern which fueled my opposition to repealing it is when they did a survey of combat units and the members of the combat units and combat commanders, they didnt support repealing Dont Ask, Dont Tell and they had specific reasons why as it related to possible effects within those combat units. So thats the basis for my opposition for repealing it. [Think Progress, 2/8/11] Pawlenty Said He Would Support Rescinding Defense Department Funds To Implement Dont Ask Dont Tell, Calling Such A Plan A Reasonable Step. According to Think Progress, Last month, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) made waves when he suggested that he would reinstate the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy if elected President. This morning, Pawlenty went a step further, telling me that he would support rescinding the funds necessary for the Department of Defense to implement the repeal. Appearing at the Family Leaders Presidential Lecture Series in Iowa, Pawlenty reiterated his argument for why the policy should not have been repealed and then, when pushed, agreed with me that taking away the funding would be a reasonable step: PAWLENTY: We have to pay great deference, I think to those combat units, their sentiments and their leaders. Thats one of the reasons why I said we shouldnt have repealed Dont Ask, Dont Tell and I would support reinstatement. TP: And rescinding the funds for implementation, implementation of repeal. PAWLENTY: That would be a reasonable step as well. [Think Progress, 2/7/11] GOProud: Pawlentys Support For Block On Dont Ask Dont Tell Repeal Showed How Totally Out-Of-Touch He Is With The Issues That Rank And File Conservatives Care About. According to Politico, Tim Pawlentys support for blocking the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell draws a salvo from GOProuds Chris Barron: I understand that Pawlenty is trying hard to get people to pay attention to his campaign. Its certainly a challenge for someone with such little stature in the conservative movement to compete with high profile conservative leaders like Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, etc. Unfortunately for Pawlenty, comments like this simply show how totally out-of-touch he is with the issues that rank and file conservatives care about. If he wants to show he is a committed social conservative he would be much better served talking about the need to defund Planned Parenthood, end federal funding for abortion, reign in an out of control judiciary and support for a parents rights amendment to protect home-schoolers. [Politico, 2/8/11] Washington Monthly: Pawlenty Claim It Was Reasonable To Deny The Defense Department Funding Showed He Was Desperate To Impress Unhinged, Right-Wing Activists. According to the Steve Benen of the Washington Monthly, Pawlenty, the all-but-announced GOP presidential candidate, is apparently trying to distinguish himself from his rivals through homophobia. In January, the former governor announced he would support reinstating the repealed, discriminatory policy. [] And despite all of this, Tim Pawlenty is so desperate to impress unhinged, right-wing activists in Iowa, he wants to not only bring back the unpopular, discriminatory, and ineffective policy, he thinks its reasonable to deny the Defense Department funding to implement its own policies. Im inclined to call Pawlenty a DADT dead-ender, but Im not even sure he believes his own nonsense. It seems more likely this is just shameless, cynical pandering, which is arguably worse than garden-variety hate. [Washington Monthly, 2/8/11]

DONT ASK, DONT TELL

Pawlenty Said He Would Defer To Military Commanders On Dont Ask Dont Tell Provision. According to CNN, during a republican presidential debate, Pawlenty said: were a nation in two wars. I think we need to pay deference to our military commanders, particularly our combatant commanders, and in this case, I would take my cues from them as to how this affects the military going forward. I know they expressed concerns -- many of the combatant commanders did -- when this was originally repealed by the Obama administration. [CNN, 06/13/11] Pawlenty Said He Would Reinstate Dont Ask Dont Tell If Elected President. According to People For The American Way, in an interview with the Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, Pawlenty was asked, If you become president in 2012, will you work to reinstate the prohibition on open homosexual service in the military? Would you sign such a prohibition if it got to your desk? Pawlenty replied, Bryan, I have been a public and repeat supporter of maintaining Dont Ask, Dont Tell. Theres a lot of reasons for that, but if you look at how the combat commanders and the combat units feel about it, the results of those kinds of surveys were different than the ones that were mostly reported in the newspaper and that is something I think we need to pay attention to. But I have been a public supporter of maintaining Dont Ask, Dont Tell and I would support reinstating it as well. [People for the American Ways Right Wing Watch, 1/13/11] Hot Air: Pawlentys Support For Reinstating Dont Ask Dont Tell As Was A Useful Pander. According to Hot Airs Allahpundit who wonders why T-Paw supports a policy opposed by Gates, Mullen, and most of the voting public. One word: Iowa Perfectly sensible from the standpoint of presidential politics I doubt theres a major candidate in the field whod answer differently, although Ive got my eye on you-know-who but unrealistic. The final repeal bill passed by a margin of 65-31, with eight Republicans (including even Richard Burr) joining the majority. Barring filibuster reform, youd need fully 25 Senate votes to flip at a moment when the country is trending gradually but inexorably towards greater rights for gays. The only way it could become politically feasible is if the DADT repeal proved utterly disastrous in practice, with all sorts of disruption in the ranks as gay troops come out. No doubt therell be incidents here and there there always are during a process of integration but systemic, widespread disruption? Im highly skeptical. Still, a useful pander from Pawlenty. [Hot Air, 1/13/11]

Pawlenty Said Reinstating Dont Ask Dont Tell Would Not Have Much Of An Effect On The Military. According to Slate, At his event for George Washington University College Republicans, Tim Pawlenty got asked what effect a reinstatement of Dont Ask, Dont Tell would have on the military. He answered, basically, that it wouldnt have much of an effect because the enforcement of repeal would take a long time to implement. [Slate, 1/14/11] Pawlenty Said He Wanted To Keep Dont Ask, Dont Tell Policy In Place. According to The Star Tribune, At an hour-long taping of Meet the Press, part of which will be broadcast on the NBC show Sunday morning, the governor was met with tough questioningPawlenty was asked to weigh in on national issues and he responded. He said he supports the new Arizona immigration law, would repeal and replace the federal health-care overhaul, and wants to keep the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy in place for gays and lesbians in the military. [The Star Tribune, 5/28/10] Pawlenty Sent A Letter To Congressional Leaders Urging Them Not To Repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell Until Public Hearings And A Defense Department Impact Review Was Competed. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent a letter to congressional leaders today raising concerns over the effort to change the militarys Dont Ask Dont Tell policy. The letter comes just days after President Obama and Democrats in Congress reached a deal that would repeal the 17-year-old federal law banning openly gay Americans from serving in the military. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Pawlenty wrote that changing Dont Ask, Dont Tell would amount to a major policy change. As you know, Guard units currently not only supplement active duty military units engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, they also provide states with indispensable help in responding to domestic emergencies and natural disasters. The impacts upon Guard units and all military units need to be understood before any significant policy changes are decided. It would be unwise for Congress to address this long-standing policy without the benefit of full hearings and the completion of the impact study being conducted by military leaders. I urge you to take no legislative action until the Department of Defense has completed its review and public hearings have been held to thoroughly discuss the findings. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/26/10] Pawlenty Supported For Dont Ask, Dont Tell Policy. According to NBC News, in an appearance on Meet The Press David Gregory asked Pawlenty What about dont ask, dont tell? Should it be repealed? Pawlenty replied, I support dont ask, dont tell. And, you know anecdotally--I saw the generals comments in response to that. Anecdotally, I know theres still a great number, a great portion of the military community that is concerned about that. They believe dont ask, dont tell worked. If its not broke, dont fix it--or if its not, its not in need of fixing; you dont need to repair it. So Id leave it alone. [NBC, 2/21/10]

In December 2009, Pawlenty Took A Hands Off Approach To Dont Ask Dont Tell Calling The Issue A Federal Military Policy. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent a letter to Congressional leaders yesterday expressing concerns about the impact of changing the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy But in December, Pawlenty took more of a hands off approach to Dont Ask Dont Tell. Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, sent a letter to Pawlenty then requesting he meet with a retired Army veteran who most recently served in Operation Iraqi Freedom to discuss the policy. Pawlenty sent a letter to Dibble saying the issue was a federal matter: Thank you for your letter regarding your constituents concerns about the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy. As noted in your letter, Josh Gackle, my senior adviser on military matters, has met with Mr. Wesley Davey on this issue. As you know, this military policy is a federal issue. There is no legal authority granted to governors regarding this matter. Even as commander in chief of the states National Guard, there is no authority for a governor to override or alter this federal military policy. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/27/10]

Bullying
ANTI-BULLYING BILL
Pawlenty Vetoed An Anti-Bullying Bill, Which Included Protection Based On Sexual Orientation, Saying State Law Sufficiently Addressed Bullying. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed an antibullying bill, saying the current law is already sufficient to deal with schoolyard harassment. The bill would have created 14 categories protected from bullying, including sexual orientation, national origin and disability but [Pawlenty] said the proposed bill duplicated a law that already prohibits bullying. Backers of the proposal have said the current law has vague guidelines for race, gender and religious harassment. They also say the rules are enforced inconsistently throughout the state. [Associated Press, 5/24/09] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Should Not Have Vetoed Anti-Bullying Minnesota Safe Schools For All Act. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Kids should not feel frightened in school because of other students. Thats why the Minnesota Safe Schools for All Act, an antibullying and harassment measure, should not have been vetoed over the weekend by Gov. Tim PawlentyThe Legislatures approach was reasonable; its unfortunate that it was vetoed. [The Star Tribune, 5/26/09] Supporters Of The Bill Said Pawlentys Veto Was A Surprise, As Pawlentys Office Helped Draft The Measure. According to The Minnesota Post, Supporters of an anti-bullying bill passed by the Legislature say they worked with the governors office to fashion the measure, and thus were quite surprised Saturday when it was vetoed. In his veto message, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said that other laws already cover bullying in schools, so this one was unnecessary. Advocates say it was different, though, because it included 14 student characteristics to be included in anti-bullying training, including disability and gender, according to a story in the Minnesota Independent. The Safe Schools for All coalition said in a press release Tuesday that it had gotten word from his staff that the final version had met every request and requirement the Governor had made. By rescinding his compromise and vetoing this widely supported bill, the Governor said he cares more about his political reputation than the safety and education of tens of thousands of Minnesota students he purports to represent, said Stephanie Hazen of the Family Equality Council.[Minnesota Post, 5/27/09]

Refused To Consider Anti-Bullying Bill During Special Session

After Lawmakers Planned To Push Anti-Bullying Laws, Pawlenty Threatened To Veto Other Bills Considered During The Flooding Assistance Special Session. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he expects legislative leaders to abide by an agreement and understanding to make Mondays special session solely about natural disaster aid. Pawlenty said Thursday he doesnt want other bills considered in what is likely to be a one-day session. Some lawmakers announced plans to push for additional anti-bullying laws, which led to discussion of other measures popping up too. In a joint statement, Democratic legislative leaders say it is unlikely that other measures will come to votes Monday. The Republican governor is stopping short of threatening to veto other bills, saying that he doesnt think it will come to that. Pawlenty says top staff from his office and the Legislature were in contact Thursday about enforcing a limited session agenda. Pawlenty says Minnesota law currently prohibits school bullying and changes to the law can wait until the 2011 session starts in January. [Associated Press, 10/14/10]

Pawlenty Said Legislators Who Politicized Bullying Should Keep In Mind That State Laws Already Outlawed Bullying. According to Fox9 News, Theres a special session this Monday for recent flood victims that opens the flood gates for some lawmakers to try and introduce anti-bullying legislation. Some Democratic lawmakers want to change the law after several gay kids have killed themselves both at home and across the country. The reason this is so controversial is the timing of it and who is for and against it. Thursday morning, Governor Tim Pawlenty spent some time with residents at the Minneapolis Veterans Home which is a few hours after putting out the call to lawmakers for the special session on flooding and tornado relief. We have an understanding with legislative leaders that is the purpose of the legislative session and it should be focused on that, said Pawlenty. According to the governor, it is a direct message to some democrats who want make bullying another topic on the agenda. I know there are several legislators who want to politicize the bullying issue. And its a legitimate issue. But they should keep in mind Minnesotas laws already outlaw and ban bullying. The law allows school boards to adopt bullying policies that conform to the states human rights act. Some Democrats say its far too vague and want the law to be more specific, prohibiting bullying against race, disability, sexual orientation, among other classifications. [Fox9, 10/14/10]

Anti-Gay Groups
Pawlenty Agreed To Sign National Organization Of Marriages Pledge. According to Think Progress, The National Organization for Marriages (NOM) Brian Brown announced that Tim Pawlenty will sign on to the groups anti-gay marriage pledge, after initially refusing to join Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Michele Bachmann in agreeing to the document. The group is asking candidates to support a federal constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex unions, appoint socially conservative judges, and investigate the intimidation of same-sex marriage opponents. NOM had been urging its members to call Pawlenty and ask him to sign the pledge, characterizing his initial refusal as peculiar. Marriage is an important issue on the federal level and were very excited that not only three, but now a fourth candidate has signed on Tim Pawlenty we got word last night is signing on, Brown said during an appearance on MSNBC this afternoon. [Think Progress, 08/05/11] Pawlenty Declined To Sign National Organization For Marriage Pledge. According to the Minnesota Independent, Tim Pawlenty is taking heat from the National Organization for Marriage for not signing the groups pledge to oppose efforts to legalize same-sex marriage. On Thursday, the group announced that Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum had all signed the pledge. But while Pawlenty has hesitated to take the pledge, he gave the Miami Herald a piece of his mind on gay marriage on Thursday. What happened with Governor Pawlenty? asked NOM head Brian Brown in an email to supporters on Thursday. I have to be honest with you: I do not know. Browns sidekick, Maggie Gallagher, said shed talked to Pawlentys campaign. Pawlentys communications director, Ann Marie Hauser, personally informed me on Tuesday that Tim Pawlenty would not sign NOMs marriage pledge, she said. [Think Progress, 08/04/11] Family Leader: Pawlentys Refusal To Sign Pledge Indicated Hes Not Too Comfortable In His Own Skin. According to the Daily Beast, Pawlentys decision not to sign the pledge certainly puzzled Bob Vander Plaats, the Family Leaders founder and an influential figure among the states conservative Christians. Iowans today, theyre looking for bold leadership, said Vander Plaats. Theres no doubt that this pledge represents bold leadership. Pawlentys refusal to join them struck Vander Plaats as a weak capitulation to campaign consultants. I like Tim Pawlenty very well as a person, he says. I think the world of his wife and his family. But the common concern or feedback were getting about his campaign is that were in need of bold leadership, and he seems to be a really nice guy but not a fighter. Any sign of an impulse toward moderation or conciliation will only hurt Pawlenty with this crowd. They already think hes soft after he backed down on his Obamneycare claims during the New Hampshire primary debate. Now theyre going to believe that liberal criticism scared him off from the pledge. It reinforces the narrative thats seeping in that he is soft, says Deace. Tim Pawlenty might be having too many people telling him what to say, and so hes not comfortable in his own skin, echoes Vander Plaats. Whether these assessments are fair is almost beside the point. What matters is what Iowa conservatives believe. [Daily Beast, 07/13/11] Pawlenty Declined To Sign Marriage Pledge By Iowa Group Family Leader. According to the Des Moines Register, Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty said this afternoon he wont sign a marriage pledge drafted by the Family Leader, an Iowa-based social conservative group. I fully support traditional marriage. Unequivocally, Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota, said in a written statement today. However, rather than sign onto the words chosen by others, I prefer to choose my own words, especially seeking to show compassion to those who are in broken families through no fault of their own. The Family Leader, led by Sioux Citys Bob Vander Plaats, an influential force among Iowas most conservative

voters, has said it wont endorse any candidate who doesnt sign the 14-point candidate vow. [Des Moines Register, 07/13/11] Pawlenty Supported The Family Research Council And Groups Labeled As Anti-Gay Hate Groups By The Southern Poverty Law Center. According to the Minnesota Independent, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have thrown their support behind the Family Research Council and other groups that the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as anti-gay hate groups. In an open letter, Bachmann, Pawlenty and several other Republican elected officials say the SPLC has targeted FRC and other organizations that uphold Judeo-Christian moral views, including marriage as the union of a man and a woman. The letter states, The surest sign one is losing a debate is to resort to character assassination. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a liberal fundraising machine whose tactics have been condemned by observers across the political spectrum, is doing just that. The group, which was once known for combating racial bigotry, is now attacking several groups that uphold Judeo-Christian moral views, including marriage as the union of a man and a woman. How does the SPLC attack? By labeling its opponents hate groups. We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with Family Research Council, American Family Association, Concerned Women of America, National Organization for Marriage, Liberty Counsel and other pro-family organizations that are working to protect and promote natural marriage and family. We support the vigorous but responsible exercise of the First Amendment rights of free speech and religious liberty that are the birthright of all Americans. [Minnesota Independent, 12/15/10] Family Research Council Suggested Gays Should Be Exported From The U.S. And Homosexuality Should Be Criminalized. [The Family Research Council], for instance, has suggested that gays be exported from the United States and says that homosexuality should be criminalized. [The Minnesota Independent, 12/15/10] American Family Association Director Bryan Fischer Claimed Hitler Recruited Gays Because They Were Savage And Brutal. According to The Minnesota Independent, The American Family Association, another group that [letter signees] are supporting, recently said that Supreme Court Justice Elana Kagan should be disqualified from office because shes a lesbian (shes not). The AFA has made some particularly bizarre statements. Bryan Fischer, AFAs director of Issue Analysis for Government and Public Policy, recently said, Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his Stormtroopers, they were his enforcers, they were his thugs. And Hitler discovered that he could not get straight soldiers to be savage and brutal and vicious enough to carry out his orders, but that homosexual solders basically had no limits and the savagery and brutality they were willing to inflict on whomever Hitler sent them after. So he surrounded himself, virtually all of the Stormtroopers, the Browshirts, were male homosexuals. [The Minnesota Independent, 12/15/10]

Anti-Gay Funeral Protests

Pawlenty Said He Would Support A Bill To Limit Anti-Gay Protests At Military Funerals. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who said he was disgusted by confrontational anti-gay picketers at a soldiers funeral in Anoka, on Friday said he would support a bill to limit protests at such events. I was appalled by the behavior and message and insensitivity of the protesters, Pawlenty said at a news conference. He also expressed his anger during his weekly Friday morning radio show. The Republican governor had attended the funeral a day before for Cpl. Andrew Kemple, killed Feb. 12 in Iraq. It was picketed by a small group from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., which has demonstrated at soldiers funerals around the country, making the claim that God is killing U.S. soldiers who fight for a country that tolerates homosexuality. [Associated Press, 2/25/06]

Opposed Affirmative Action For Gays And Lesbians

Pawlenty Supported Gay Rights Bill After Provision Was Amended To Ban Affirmative Action For Gays And Lesbians. According to This Week Apple Valley, Pawlenty voted for a gay rights bill after it was amended to ban special rights for gays. It was not a referendum on the gay lifestyle, said Pawlenty. The issue was whether we should allow discrimination in the areas of jobs or housing simply because of somebodys sexual orientation. The bill doesnt allow affirmative action for gays, gay marriages, or teaching the gay lifestyle in schools. [This Week Apple Valley, 6/6/93]

Opposed Harsh And Judgmental Rhetoric

Pawlenty Said Republicans Should Express Views On Social Issues In A Way That Was Not Harsh And Judgmental And Condemning. According to the Boston Globe, Stay focused on those bread-and-butter issues including jobs, said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, the RGAs vice chair, explaining the strategy. In Minnesota, we get asked about how to advance the social issues, and I have views on that, as does most of my party, but we try to also present it in a way that is thoughtful, civil, respectful, and the tone of it isnt harsh and judgmental and condemning. [Boston Globe, 11/25/09]

Burdened By Religious Conservatives

Star Tribune: Pawlentys Burdensome Obligation To Powerful Religious Conservatives Prevented Him From Supporting Gay Rights. According to The Star Tribune, In his State of the State speech, Gov. Tim Pawlenty invited Minnesotans to learn about another culture and get to know and trust someone different than you. Now Pawlenty should heed his own noble words by renouncing Republican efforts to remove protection for gays and lesbians from Minnesotas human rights law. The governor made only a fair start last week on Twin Cities Public Televisions Almanac, saying the law hasnt been a big problem, but then listing equivocations that left the door open to repeal...Indeed, part of Pawlentys burden is an obligation to religious and cultural conservatives with big sway in GOP politics. During the campaign they questioned him on his 1993 support for including sexual orientation in the states human rights law. Candidate Pawlenty assured them that he deeply regretted that vote, cast during his first term in the House. So the confusion is understandable. Which Tim Pawlenty has Minnesota elected? His answer will reveal much about what he intends for the next four years. [Star Tribune, 2/11/03]

GUNS
Pawlenty Campaigned On Second Amendment. According to the Des Moines Register, Tim Pawlenty had one central statement for arms advocates at an Iowa National Rifle Association rally: I got a message for President Obama: I love God. I love America. And I love the Second Amendment. Speaking to a crowd at an outdoor shooting range with a NRA baseball cap on, Pawlenty marked his second gun-related appearance in the state this week. On Wednesday, he shot targets with a 9mm pistol at a Madrid shooting range. Pawlenty didnt shoot a gun on Saturday, but did have his crosshairs set firmly on Obama. His words centered on the U.S. presidents infamous quote during his 2008 campaign: The current president of the United States, Barack Obama, stood in San Francisco, California not too long ago when he wanted to be our president, and he ridiculed small-town America and he said essentially that theyre fearful or that theyre worrisome. He said they quote Cling to God and their guns. He was making fun of us. Wrapping up the brief four-minute speech, Pawlenty said he was the only governor to ever sign conceal and carry legislation twice. He also used an illustration from his stump speeches, saying that more people have died from the light-rail train in downtown Minneapolis than from Minnesota permit holders. [Des Moines Register, 07/22/11] Pawlenty Spoke Against Gun Control. According to the Des Moines Register, At another stop Wednesday, Pawlenty took time to shoot targets with a handgun at the instruction facility operated by Jim Egeland in rural Madrid. Pawlenty said the visit was in part to showcase a commitment to gun rights. Its not governments place to further limit or impinge upon those rights, Pawlenty said of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizen rights to own guns. [Des Moines Register, 07/20/11] Pawlenty Earned An A Grade From The National Rifle Association For Voting Record On Gun Issues. According to Project Vote Smart, Based on voting records on gun issues and on 1998 and 2000 legislative questionnaire sent to all state candidates, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Governor Pawlenty a grade of A. [Project Vote Smart, accessed: 9/23/09] After Washington, D.C. Sniper Attacks, NRA Held Campaign Rally For Pawlenty. According to the Associated Press, Charlton Heston may be showing signs of the confusion leading to his evaluation for Alzheimers disease, but he still had the power to command gun rights backers to stay in the chariot and make sure you win the damn race! The National Rifle Association president was in Duluth Wednesday for an NRA rally to promote gun rights candidates. The organization drummed the hardest for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty and GOP Senate challenger Norm ColemanThere was no mention at the rally of the recent sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C., areaIn an interview, Pawlenty said: You have to set aside the emotion from the facts. Obviously, the sniper is using a rifle, and so it wouldnt even apply to the various handgun debates. [Associated Press, 10/24/02] In 2002, Pawlenty Campaign Asked The NRA To Stop Negative Ads Against Gubernatorial Rivals. According to The Star Tribune, an attack ad ran on KSTP Radio from the NRAs Political Victory Fund. It was critical of DFL gubernatorial candidate Roger Moe and Independence Party candidate Tim Penny and urged voters to support the GOPs Tim Pawlenty. After learning of the ad from a reporter, Pawlenty campaign manager Peter Hong said the campaign called the NRA PAC on Sunday asking that it stop running the ad, but it was unclear whether the message had gotten through. Hong emphasized that the NRA ad was an independent expenditure paid for without any connection to the Pawlenty campaign. [The Star Tribune, 10/28/02]

Calling Himself A Strong Supporter Of The Second Amendment, Pawlenty Said Claim That There Was A Correlation Between Gun Control And Decreased Violence Was Not Supported By Facts. According to the New York Times, in an interview with Michael Shear, in response to the recent shooting of Rep. Giffords, Pawlenty said Well, again I think its really important to look at the facts and not just react to this incident or the emotion of the moment. You know, we had all these places around the country that had very strict gun control laws like Washington D.C. and in the day, one of the most dangerous places in the country. And this idea that theres a correlation between gun control and decreased violence I dont think is borne out by the facts, particularly in those places like Washington D.C. Im a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I think it exists for a reason, that doesnt mean we let people run around with bazookas or shoulder-launched missiles. But, as it relates to the range of weapons that have traditionally been within the scope of the Second Amendment, I think Americans have the right to own them and keep them. [New York Times, 1/11/11]

Concealed Carry
Pawlenty Said In Minnesota, More People Were Killed By The Hiawatha Light-Rail Line Than By Concealed Weapons. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In his last address to a Republican state convention as governor Pawlenty bragged that he signed into law two measures that permit Minnesotans to carry concealed handguns. Despite warnings that shooting deaths would soar, he said, More people have been killed by the Hiawatha light-rail line than by concealed weapons in Minnesota. He also touted a law he signed that requires women to receive information about alternatives before having an abortion. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/30/10] After 2003 Concealed Carry Law Was Ruled Unconstitutional, In 2005 Pawlenty Signed Identical Bill Allowing Easier Access To Handgun Permits. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday signed a bill that allows easier statewide access to handgun permits. The law, which restores an identical 2003 measure that was struck down by the courts, takes effect immediately. The so-called conceal-carry law allows law-abiding people over the age of 21, to get a gun permit as long as they have a clean record, no mental illness and proper safety training.Before the 2003 law, sheriffs and police chiefs around the state had discretion to grant or deny handgun permits to individual applicants. Now, anyone who meets the criteria can get one. [Associated Press, 5/24/05] Two Twin City Churches Sued Minnesota Claiming State Gun Law Violated The Rights Of Religious Organizations By Preventing Them From Prohibiting Guns. According to The Star Tribune, Two Twin Cities churches have filed a new lawsuit claiming that the states gun law, which prevents churches from prohibiting guns on their property, violates religious freedom Minneapolis attorney David Lillehaug, who along with attorney Marshall Tanick is representing Edina Community Lutheran Church and Unity Church of St. Paul, said Monday that the law profoundly infringes religious institutions rights...The suit, filed Friday in Hennepin County District Court, challenges two parts of the law. One part prevents churches from banning guns, include those belonging to employees, in parking lots. The other mandates that specifically worded signs must be posted at all entrances. Tanick said the lawsuit is not challenging whether the law is good or bad, but whether it violates the rights of religious organizations It says a property owner must either post a specifically worded sign at every entrance or personally telling individuals that guns are prohibited on the premises. The original law said property owners had to do both. [The Star Tribune, 8/2/05]

In 2003, Pawlenty Tried To Reassure Minnesota Residents That They Would Not Face Great Danger After He Signed Concealed Carry Bill. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty tried to reassure Minnesotans that they wouldnt be in greater danger if, as expected, he signs into law a bill that would allow more people to carry loaded, concealed handguns in their purses or pocketsThe House passed a bill Wednesday that would require police chiefs and sheriffs to grant handgun permits to most law-abiding adults. The Senate is expected to approve the measure Monday and send it to Pawlenty, who has said he would sign it. Now, citizens seeking permits to carry concealed guns in public places must show an occupational need or a personal safety hazard. Sheriffs and police chiefs have broad discretion in deciding who gets the permits. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/26/03] Pawlenty Said Provision Of Handgun Permit Law Which Prevented Businesses And Churches From Prohibiting Guns Was Unwise According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty called parts of Minnesotas new handgun permit law unwise.he cited a requirement on businesses and churches to personally notify people that guns arent allowed on the premises. They must also post signs of a certain size and content at entrances. An Edina church already has sued over those and other requirements, arguing they intrude on religious affairs. Separately, a few county boards and court officials have moved to ban guns on their property even though the law allows permit holders to carry them there in some instances. [Associated Press, 5/26/03] The Law Would Go In Effect Without Provision Changes Sought By Pawlenty And Sponsors. According to the Associated Press, the new handgun permit law was poised to go into effect Wednesday without an 11th-hour change sought by both its sponsors and Gov. Tim Pawlentythe change would allow a business or church to either post a sign or tell visitors directly if they want to keep handguns out of their buildings. As the law is now, someone would have to do both before it would be illegal for a person to carry a concealed gun inside the property. Its burdensome, cumbersome, not very workable, Pawlenty said of the provision. [Associated Press, 5/26/03] The Law Was Expected To Increase Permits From 12,000 To As Many As 90,000 In Only A Few Years. According to the Associated Press, the concealed carry law expected by be signed by Pawlenty was expected to increase

the number of permits to carry a pistol in public from about 12,000 currently to as many as 90,000 in a few years. The Legislature approved the bill in April and Pawlenty signed the legislation within hours of it landing on his desk. [Associated Press, 5/26/03] Originally, District Court Ruled That Sections Of The Law Violated First Amendment Freedoms Of Businesses And Churches. According to The Star Tribune, thirteen congregations that say a new gun-permit law infringes on their religious freedom won a temporary reprieve Friday from detailed rules spelling out how they must deliver warnings that guns are not welcome in church[Hennepin County District Judge Marilyn Brown] Rosenbaum said a section of the law requiring verbal notification and dictating the size and wording of signs to prohibit guns in churches and other private places, such as businesses, forced the churches to violate their sincerely held beliefsand the loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury. [The Star Tribune, 6/7/03] In 2004, The Court Struck Down The Entire Law As Unconstitutional. According to The Star Tribune, a judge who last month struck down the states permit-to-carry law as unconstitutional on Monday denied a request by state attorneys to stay his order while it is being appealed. Ramsey County District Judge John Finley said the state failed to show that law enforcement agencies handling gun-permit requests will suffer irreparable harm without a stay of his order. Moreover, he said, the state cannot win its appeal of his order unless the Minnesota Supreme Court reverses its 2000 decision interpreting the state constitutions requirement that laws embrace only one subject. [The Star Tribune, 8/24/04] Minnesota Court Of Appeals Upheld District Courts Ruling Of The 2003 Law As Invalid. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Three judges of the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday said legislators left them little choice but to pass judgment on lawmakers methods when they flouted the state constitution to pass the conceal-and-carry gun law. The appellate court upheld the decision of a Ramsey County district judge that the 2003 gun-permit law is invalid because legislators tied it to a natural resources bill to ensure passage. The state constitution limits bills to a single subject. Minnesota courts have thrown out only five laws in Minnesotas 148-year history under the single-subject provision. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/13/05]

St. Paul Pioneer Press: Pawlentys Concealed Carry Bill May Have Been Good In Principle, But Private Property Rights Trump Gun Rights. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, While we agree with the measure in principle and the purer legislative means by which it was passed, there are some provisions that are causing us some concern. One is the clause that says landlords cannot deny tenants the right to carry. We think private property owners and their renters should have the right to contract, unfettered by the state. The other troubling clause denies private entities the right to restrict carry permits in their parking lots. The pro-carry side of the debate argues that if a business doesnt allow employees to keep guns in their cars, theyre essentially denying them the right to carry. We agree, but think private property rights trump gun rights, especially since the state does not have the constitutional burdens on concealed carry that it does with the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The right to carry is a bonus; the right to bear arms is a fundamental provision of the Bill of Rights. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/20/05] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Signed Concealed Carry Bills Twice That Were Later Overturned In Court. According to s Star Tribune editorial, Twice the Minnesota Legislature has passed, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed, laws requiring that law-abiding, safety-trained adult Minnesotans be licensed to carry concealed weapons if they choose. Twice, advocates of this law have overreached in trying to force the laws power where it doesnt belong. Twice, theyve lost in court. In a temporary injunction issued Monday, Hennepin County District Judge LaJune Thomas Lange ruled that two churches have the right to prohibit guns from all their property, and to communicate that ban in their own way. The injunction will remain in effect until a trial is held in the lawsuit by the churches seeking to get the law overturnedThis is an unnecessary fight; when the law was being reintroduced this year, its proponents were asked to give churches the power to ban guns from all their lands and buildings, and the flexibility they sought in how to communicate that ban. Proponents of the bill would have none of it, despite warnings they would again wind up in court - which is precisely where they now find themselves. Heres the question: If gun owners have the right to carry concealed weapons, shouldnt property owners - whether a church, a hospital or a business - have a right to ban them if they wish? Homeowners do, and schools do, but for others the right is circumscribed: It does not apply to parking areas or rented property. Thats not reasonable, and its only a matter of time until some business successfully challenges that provision, especially as it pertains to parking. [The Star Tribune, 9/14/05]

Not Much of an Outdoorsman

Range Owner On Pawlenty Gun Handling: I Dont Think Hes Done It A Lot. According to Politico, Pawlenty stopped at a shooting range on Wednesday, telling reporters that he frequently hunts deer and pheasant with his brother, who accompanied him on the trip. Then he trained a Glock 9mm pistol at three moving cardboard targets and emptied out about a half-dozen rounds. He handled the handgun fairly well, said James Egeland, who owns the private range behind his home in Madrid, Iowa. I dont think hes done it a lot, but I thought he did pretty well. The gun rights discussion is yet another way for Pawlenty to play up his executive experience out on the stump. [Politico, 07/22/11] Pawlenty Said He Owned Multiple Weapons And Denied Hunting From Helicopters. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty told reporters that he owns multiple weapons, including handguns. However, he doesnt yet have a permit to carry a concealed handgun. He is a frequent sportsman, hunting deer and pheasant with his brother. Upon questions from reporters, he denied hunting from helicopters: An issue that has been a frequent source of political criticism to potential 2012 presidential candidate Sarah Palin. [Des Moines Register, 07/20/11]

PAWLENTY WAS AN INEXPERIENCED HUNTER WHO WAS COMPARED TO JOHN KERRY

Outdoor Sports Columnist Dennis Anderson Compared Pawlentys Hunting Inexperience To John Kerrys. According to The Star Tribune, Dennis Anderson, an outdoor-sports wrote, Politicians hoping to impress hunters and other outdoorsmen and women have an opportunity in this just-concluded campaign season to consider two examples. One, that of Sen. John Kerry, is the now famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) hunt in Ohio, in which the would-be president shouldered a shotgun in the eastern part of that state and apparently downed a Canada gooseFast-forward now to last weekend, north of Grand Rapids, where Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty - by his own admission inexperienced in these matters - sat in a tree, from which he shot and killed a fork-horn whitetail buck. This occurred during the second annual Governors Deer Opener, an event begun by Pawlenty to celebrate deer hunting in Minnesota, a $600 million business that also plays an important role in the states heritage and quality of life. Not knowing how to field-dress his deer, Pawlenty deferred that chore to a hunting partner. But the governor then drove with the animal to a big-game registration station, following which he appeared before the media in Grand Rapids, his quarry by his side. For a while, in fact, a photo of Pawlenty with the deer appeared on the governors Web site. Pawlenty seems sincere when he says that as governor he has the opportunity and responsibility to learn about, and promote, activities that are important to Minnesotans. [The Star Tribune, 11/12/04] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Purchased Hunting License The Day Before His First Deer Hunting Opener In 2003. According to Star Tribune, outdoor-sports columnist Dennis Anderson wrote Charlie Weaver, Gov. Tim Pawlentys outgoing chief of staff, apparently sensed no risk in advance of the Governors Deer Opener last week in portraying his boss as a real conservationist and sportsman. No risk because the host wildlife group, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, surely wouldnt bring up the fact that Pawlenty hadnt bought a hunting license until the day before, and that the lateness of the purchase necessarily excluded the governor from any of the many game-finding pursuits available in Minnesota this fall, dating to Sept. 1. Pawlenty, who did a made-for-TV duck hunt last Friday with former Minnesota Twin Kent Hrbek before participating in his other scheduled media event, the Governors Deer Opener, purchased, in addition to his firearms deer license, a small-game license and a duck stamp. But no pheasant stamp - apparently because Pawlenty the Sportsman wont find time to chase ringnecks in the state in the next few weeks. Nor, apparently, does Pawlenty the Conservationist see value in contributing to the refurbishment of the states meager upland habitat base by purchasing a pheasant stamp. Sportsman, you say, Mr. Weaver? A check of the DNRs electronic licensing system shows that, except for the obligatory acquisition of a fishing license when he began running for governor, Pawlenty hadnt been licensed to hunt or fish in the state in the two years before his campaign. Nor, according to DNR records, does Pawlenty own a boat, a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle, each of which, in some form or fashion, often is associated with being a Minnesota sportsman. [The Star Tribune, 11/14/03]

HUNTING ETIQUETTE
During Governors Deer Opener, Pawlenty Shot A Deer, Which Ran Away Bleeding Profusely While Pawlenty Left To Attend An Iowa Fundraiser. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty got himself a buck Saturday at

the Minnesota Governors Deer Opener, but still came up empty handed. Pawlenty, who has more often than not failed to shoot a deer during the opener, shot a small buck while hunting north of Thief River Falls Saturday morning. But the deer ran off into the brush, apparently badly wounded. Hunters who were with Pawlenty started hunting the blood trail the animal had left behind, but Pawlenty had to leave for Iowa, where he was headlining a Republican Party fundraiserIt was extremely frustrating, Sparby said. We do know he shot it, because it was bleeding profusely. We combed and combed and combed, but still couldnt find it. [The Star Tribune, 11/10/09] Hunters Labeled Pawlenty A Slob Hunter After He Failed To Track Down The Deer. According to The Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has taken a drubbing from hunters for not tracking down a deer he shot on opening day of Minnesotas firearm deer season. A headline on deerhuntingchat.com calls the possible presidential candidate a slob hunter for wounding a deer on Nov. 7 and then leaving for a Republican fundraiser in Iowa before the animal could be found. One contributor wrote: What kind of slob hunter goes out opening morning and shoots a deer knowing full well you wont have time to retrieve it or tend to it? One whose presidential ambitions override his hunting ethics, thats what kind. The-deer-hunting-guide.com says: A responsible hunter, who is also an ethical hunter, will be prepared to spend hours trailing a wounded deer; even come back the next day if needed. You must make every effort to retrieve a wounded animal. Its the right ethical thing to do. [The Star Tribune, 11/15/09] Pawlenty Was Criticized By Media Outlets For Shooting A Deer And Failing To Retrieve It. According to the Charleston Gazette, Lesson to politicians: If you shoot at an animal, youd darned well better kill it. Media outlets are hammering Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty for shooting a buck and failing to find it. According to an Associated Press report, Pawlenty shot at the deer from about 200 yards away a long shot, for sure, but easily within the range of most modern center-fire rifles. After the shot, Pawlenty and members of his hunting party appeared to do everything right. They waited 30 minutes to allow the buck to settle down, found blood at the place where the buck was standing when it was shot, and followed the blood trail until it petered out. Pawlenty had to leave to fulfill a speaking commitment, but members of the hunting party searched the woods for two days and never found the deer. Now Pawlentys enemies including some in the media are making political hay from the Republican governors misfortune. The headlines have been brutal: Gov. Pawlenty shoots deer, leaves it to die, wrote one blogger. The buck apparently didnt stop anywhere, wrote another. [Charleston Gazette, 11/13/09]

Allowed Firearm Ownership For Felons

Pawlentys Campaign Defended His Vote Allowing Citizens Convicted Felony Domestic Abuse To Retain Ownership Of Handguns. According to The Star Tribune, Meanwhile, the DFL Party has begun a late TV attack on Penny and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty, implying that both are threatening public safety. The ad claims that both have supported making it easier to get permits to carry concealed handguns. It accuses Pawlenty, the House majority leader, of voting to allow felony-level domestic abusers to keep owning handguns and Penny, as a congressman, of voting against criminal background checks for handgun purchases. On the domestic abusers vote, Pawlenty spokesman Peter Hong said that DFLers seized on one party-line vote in 2000 that wasnt very meaningful and that the ad neglected to note that Pawlenty voted to allow judges to permanently bar domestic abusers from owning guns. [The Star Tribune, 11/4/02]

HEALTH CARE
Pawlenty Cut Funding For State Program To Provide Health Insurance To Low-Income Adults, Even As Great Recession Forced More People Off Of Their Employer-Based Coverage. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, As the recession forced more of the middle class and college graduates to lose coverage, the share of Minnesotans lacking health insurance increased in 2009, according to survey results released Friday. The uninsured rate increased to 9.1 percent in 2009 from 7.2 percent in 2007, according to data from the state Department of Health and the University of Minnesota. In real numbers, the states uninsured population increased from 374,000 to an estimated 480,000. Blame the recession. Minnesota saw increased enrollment in government-subsidized health plans for the poor and elderly but a steeper decline among people who lost workplace benefits Of the insured, 57.2 percent received coverage from employers last year -- down from 62.5 percent in 2007. The data, collected by telephone survey of 12,000 households, suggested some people lost workplace coverage because it no longer was offered, and some simply couldnt afford the premiums. The results were jarring for state lawmakers at the beginning of the 2010 session. Tops on the agenda has been whether to restore General Assistance Medical Care, a state plan covering thousands of low-income adults Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut last year to balance the state budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/5/10] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Veto Of Health Care Reform Bill Undermined Effort To Improve Health Care In Minnesota. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: Sixteen years ago, Minnesota legislators and a visionary Republican governor overcame partisan mistrust and policy complexity to put this state among the nations leaders in the effort to secure good, affordable health care for its citizens. That standing has slipped over the years. This was to be the year in which Minnesotas health care edge was regained. We think it still can and should be -- despite Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of the Legislatures health care reform bill late Tuesday. Time remains for one more try at putting health care reform on this years list of accomplishments. The bill that Pawlenty vetoed doesnt offer as much positive change as its designers, the members of a Pawlenty-appointed task force, sought earlier this year. Theyve scaled back its ambitions, in large measure in response to Republican critics and in hope of securing Pawlentys supportBut Pawlenty said he could not accept the bill because it extends MinnesotaCare eligibility to an estimated 40,000 more people, at a cost he pegged at $141 million per year by 2011. Many experts say that insuring all Minnesotans eventually would bring about a total cost savings, not an increase, and also would improve the health of people who are uninsured or underinsured today. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/15/08]

PAWLENTYS BUDGET CUTS THREATENED MINNESOTAS NATIONAL REPUTATION FOR A STERLING PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM
Pawlentys Lean State Budgets Posed A Threat To Minnesotas National Reputation For A Sterling Public Health System. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Years of lean state budgets may be threatening Minnesotas national reputation for a sterling public health system, according to a report released Monday by two leading health organizations. Minnesota ranked 43rd nationally in state funding for public health, with per capita spending of $14.62, about half the national average, according to the analysis conducted by the Trust for Americas Health, a nonprofit health advocacy group. The report came as no surprise to county public health leaders, who described recent austerity measures ranging from layoffs to reassigning restaurant inspectors to help with flu shots. Between 2008 and 2009 public health spending in the state dropped by $6.5 million to $77 million, the report said. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/1/10] Pawlentys Eight Years As Governor Witnessed Minnesota Lose Ground In Term Of Insured Residents. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A place where Minnesota has lost ground over the past eight years is the number of people who have health insurance. Minnesota still ranks in the top five in states with the highest percentage of insured people. But the number of people without health insurance has increased. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 9.1 percent of state residents did not have health insurance in 2009, up from 6.1 percent in 2001. One factor that led to higher numbers of uninsured people is Pawlentys cuts to state subsidized health insurance. State Department of Human Services officials say there are more than 36,000 fewer people enrolled in MinnesotaCare in 2010 than there were in 2003. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10]

General Assistance Medical Care Program

Pawlenty Cut $381 Million From State Health Care Program For Poor Adults, Many With Chronic Or Mental Illness. According to the Associated Press, Already, Pawlenty wiped out millions of dollars in approved spending through line-item vetoes. None was as deep as the $381 million cut to the General Assistance Medical Care program in the second year of the two-year budget, essentially ending the program beginning in mid-2010. The program serves 30,000 to 35,000 childless adults near or below the poverty line, most with chronic or mental illness. Some of them could qualify for a premium-based state insurance program. But hospitals worry they will feel the brunt of the cut because the level of uncompensated care could rise. They are already warning they will eliminate services and lay off staff to absorb the losses. [Associated Press, 5/18/09] Pawlenty Eliminated Health Care Program For Poor Residents Six Weeks Earlier Than Expected To Save Money, Reduced Hours For Personal Care Attendants Serving Disabled Residents. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Health care services for poor Minnesotans have been a familiar target in Gov. Tim Pawlentys austerity exercises over the years, and they found themselves under the scalpel again Tuesday. Nevertheless, health care executives, who have been bracing for deep new cuts since the Legislature adjourned, said the governors cuts could have been worse. On Tuesday, Pawlenty said health and human services will come in for $236 million in additional cuts as part of his unallotment strategy. The list of about 20 cuts to health services includes: - Eliminating one program for the poor, General Assistance Medical Care, six weeks sooner than expected, saving $15 million. GAMC will now go away on March 1, 2010. - Suspending General Fund payments to the Transitional MinnesotaCare insurance program, replacing them with money from the Health Care Access Fund. - Reducing hours for personal care attendants, who serve fragile and disabled people, from a maximum of 310 hours to 275 hours per month. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/17/09] Pawlenty Eliminated State Program Providing Health Insurance To Low-Income Adults, Even While Rate Of Uninsured Minnesota Residents Increased Due To Great Recession. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, As the recession forced more of the middle class and college graduates to lose coverage, the share of Minnesotans lacking health insurance increased in 2009, according to survey results released Friday. The uninsured rate increased to 9.1 percent in 2009 from 7.2 percent in 2007, according to data from the state Department of Health and the University of Minnesota. In real numbers, the states uninsured population increased from 374,000 to an estimated 480,000. Blame the recession. Minnesota saw increased enrollment in government-subsidized health plans for the poor and elderly but a steeper decline among people who lost workplace benefits Of the insured, 57.2 percent received coverage from employers last year -- down from 62.5 percent in 2007. The data, collected by telephone survey of 12,000 households, suggested some people lost workplace coverage because it no longer was offered, and some simply couldnt afford the premiums. The results were jarring for state lawmakers at the beginning of the 2010 session. Tops on the agenda has been whether to restore General Assistance Medical Care, a state plan covering thousands of low-income adults Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut last year to balance the state budget. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/5/10] Pawlenty Eliminated State Program Providing Health Insurance To Low-Income Adults, Threatened To Lead To Desperate, Sick People. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The program known as GAMC is scheduled to disappear March 31, with most recipients transferring to another state health plan, MinnesotaCare. But GAMC recipients absolutely dont understand whats going to happen, Ann Carlson said, sitting in the Dignity Center, a ministry at Hennepin United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. Many of the people we see are poorly educated and clueless about how the system works. If GAMC ends, I think well see desperate, sick people. As a political battle rages over Gov. Tim Pawlentys decision to eliminate GAMC -- part of his plan to balance the state budget -- more than 35,000 people like Phenow are caught in the crossfire. All are poor, some are homeless, many are mentally ill -- and many are confused, worried and uncertain about what their health care will look like eight weeks from now. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/2/10] Pawlenty Cut Funding To Range Of State Health Care Programs, Disproportionately Affecting Hospitals Serving Poor People And Forcing Them To Reduce The Breadth Or Depth Of Our Services. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hospitals that serve the poor, such as Hennepin County Medical Center, will be disproportionately affected. HCMC will be hard hit by additional rate cuts for nonprimary care -- which includes emergency room, laboratory and radiology services -- as well as a temporary suspension of additional payments for dental care in Medical Assistance, said Mike Harristhal, vice president for public policy. It will also lose money when GAMC disappears. All in all, HCMC expects an additional loss of $6.3 million over the two years. HCMC will review services to see what can be cut, consolidated or outsourced. The reduction isnt something we can accommodate without reducing the breadth or depth of our services, Harristhal said. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/17/09] Pawlenty Cut Funding To Range Of State Health Care Programs, And Seniors Needing Round-The-Clock Care May Struggle To Find Help. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, With more than a quarter of nursing homes in financial jeopardy, the withdrawal of rate increases may force some to close and reduce access for seniors. Rate adjustments to

compensate for inflation already had been eliminated for 2011, but Pawlenty pushed the schedule up one year. Similarly, the state budget already capped personal care aides, or PCAs, at no more than 310 hours of work per month. Pawlenty would cut that to 275 hours. The cap could eliminate some fraudulent billing to the state some PCAs claimed more than 24 hours of work in a day but also push some quality aides out of the business. Seniors needing round-the-clock care may struggle to find help and end up in expensive nursing homes sooner than planned. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/16/09] Pawlenty Cut Funding For State Program Providing Health Insurance To Poorest And Sickest Among Us, According To His Own Human Services Commissioner. According to KARE, Governor Tim Pawlenty followed through on his pledge to rein in state spending with or without the legislature. He used a line-item veto to surgically remove $381 million from a health plan for low income adults without children. The cuts to General Assistance Medical Care, or G.A.M.C., will take effect in July of 2010, according to Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman, and strip eligibility from 30,000 persons. He told lawmakers Friday those persons must earn less than $7,800 per year to qualify for the program. Can you give me the general profile of the average client in this program, House Speaker Margaret Kelliher asked. Madame Speaker, Ludeman answered, As its often described these are the poorest and sickest amongst us. He explaining many of them have health complications as the result of chronic illnesses and chemical dependency. Hospital executives and medical staff throughout the state reacted sharply to the news Friday, especially those from the large urban safety net trauma centers. Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and Regions Hospital in Saint Paul both stand to lose tens of millions of dollars because they see more of those patients. A cut of that degree, which may translate into $40 million a year, would seriously alter the landscape of our ability to provide services to the disadvantaged, vulnerable and poor, HCMCs medical director Dr. Michael Belzer told KARE Friday. [KARE, 5/16/09] Pawlenty Cut Funding To Range Of State Health Care Programs; Minnesota Hospital Association Charged Cuts Would Be Devastating For Hospitals And Communities. According to the Wadena Pioneer Journal, Minnesotas hospitals, health care providers, and a group of legislators recently started meeting to come up with ways to deal with a loss of $400 million to General Assistance Medical Care. Most of the funding for the program goes to local hospitals. Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed funding for GAMC during the last legislative session, Sen. Dan Skogen, DFL-Hewitt, said. GAMC provides health care for over 30,000 adults, the majority of whom face mental illness and chemical-dependency issues. Many hospitals and health care experts worry that eliminating health care coverage for these individuals could have a detrimental effect on other areas, such as an increase in suicide, homelessness, unemployment, crime, and the use of expensive emergency room careAt a meeting held last week, the Minnesota Hospital Association commented that the overall loss of funding will be devastating to hospitals and local communities. They said that hospitals must start the budgeting process now and cant wait to see if a funding solution will emerge. [Wadena Pioneer Journal, 9/2/09] Noel Peterson Op-Ed: Pawlentys Cuts To State Health Programs Ultimately Would Increase Health Care Costs And Premiums For Minnesota Businesses And Individuals. In an op-ed for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Noel Peterson, the president of the Minnesota Medical Association, wrote: But that reform-minded governor was far less visible in 2009. Pressed by a historic state budget deficit, [Pawlenty] retreated from the bipartisan approach that served him well in 2008 and instead proposed massive health care cuts that would save the state government money in the short term, but ultimately would increase health care costs and premiums for Minnesota businesses and individuals[Pawlentys] line-item veto of General Assistance Medical Care eliminates coverage for the poorest of the poor adults, many of whom often suffer from chronic diseases and mental illness. Eliminating insurance for these Minnesotans will result in no coverage for preventive services and will increase care provided at hospital emergency departments, where care is most expensiveI hope he continues down the reform path he endorsed in 2008, rather than implementing cuts that will harm the health of Minnesotans, weaken the capacity of Minnesotas health care system and further increase health care costs. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/7/09] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: As A Result Of Pawlentys Funding Cuts To State Health Programs, The Toll In Human Suffering Will Increase. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: Beginning on or about April 1, the veto and unallotment will stop state payment for health care services obtained by some 32,000 uninsured adults with annual incomes of less than $8,000 a year. About three-fourths of people served by the program are chemically dependent, mentally ill or both. Some are poor because serious illness cost them their jobsBut simply eliminating GAMC does not remove all of the costs of care. It just moves those costs off of the states ledger and onto others -- mostly those of privately insured people -- and inflates them even more rapidly, as emergency rooms become the only source of care for the GAMC population. The toll in human suffering will increase if the poor are denied access to medication and clinical care. Hospitals say they will cut back on some high-cost services to compensate for lost GAMC revenue. That would mean a loss of medical infrastructure for entire communities. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/11/09]

Pawlentys Funding Cuts To State Health Programs Sparked Protests From Minnesota Nurses Association. According to the Workday Minnesota, Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association will lead a rally and march at the state Capitol to protest Governor Tim Pawlentys plan to eliminate health care coverage for 33,000 of the states poorest and most vulnerable adultsMany of those helped by the program are veterans, senior citizens, people with mental illness, or those who are homeless. Seventy percent have mental health or chemical dependency challenges and 40 percent suffer chronic diseases that lead to frequent hospitalization. Without care, these Minnesotans will be at risk of devastating health implications, the nurses said. Despite assertions to the contrary, people who receive GAMC cannot afford the premiums for state-subsidized MinnesotaCare, rally organizers said. Most GAMC recipients live on $203 a month. [Workday Minnesota, 10/8/09] Pawlenty Vetoed Funding For State Health Care Program, But Veto Could Lead To Sicker People, More Expensive Care And Hospital Cutbacks. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, During the 2009 legislative session, Pawlenty vetoed funding for the General Assistance Medical Care program, which covers adults who make about $8,000 a year or less, for the 2010 budget year. If the veto stands, the program would end early next year. The move saved the state about $381 million, but according to hospitals, advocates for the homeless and many DFL legislators, may also lead to sicker people, more expensive care and hospital cutbacks Pawlenty told reporters after the meeting that he was willing to explore alternatives to completely eliminating the program. He said his staffers are working on proposals that would provide some reform and some cost savings as well as relief to those who would be harmed if the program evaporated. [Star Tribune, 10/20/09] Pawlenty Vetoed Funding For State Health Care Program, Caused Hundreds Of Construction Workers To Lose Planned Construction Projects. According to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Count hundreds of construction workers among those hurt by Gov. Tim Pawlentys line-item veto of the states General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) health insurance program for the poor. Regions Hospital, which is facing millions of dollars in state funding cuts, indefinitely delayed plans to build a $36 million mental-health facility on its downtown St. Paul campus, a project the hospital said would have created about 650 construction jobs. The hospital, part of the Bloomington-based HealthPartners system, previously planned to break ground in 2011 or 2012 on a seven-story, 98,883-square-foot building, with the 100-bed facility opening in 2013. Regions already spent $1 million to have BWBR Architects Inc. of St. Paul draw up plans, and it expected to use KrausAnderson Construction Co. as the general contractor. But Regions officials quietly put the plan on hold shortly after Pawlenty decided in May to suspend GAMC, saving the state roughly $380 million over two years. [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 12/4/09] Pawlentys Proposed Funding Cuts For State Health Programs Elicited Opposition From Minneapolis Police Chief, Who Warned About Individuals Going Off Their Meds. According to KARE11-TV, Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan warned lawmakers Wednesday that planned cutbacks in subsidized health care will stretch the criminal justice system. Many of those calls we get are for individuals who are, quote, unquote, off their meds, Dolan told members of the senates health care committee, speaking of 6,000 medical crisis calls officers encounter each year on the streets of Minnesotas largest city. These individuals know, they will tell you, that if they have a problem finding their meds they know if they get arrested they will get their meds. The panel is wrestling with how to preserve, or replace, the General Assistance Medical Care program targeted for elimination by Governor Tim Pawlenty as part of budget balancing maneuvers. During any given week, more than 30,000 Minnesotans are enrolled in GAMC, which is for single adults who earn less than $7,800 per year. The overwhelming majority of the clients are chronically ill, chemically dependent and/or homeless. [KARE11-TV (Twin Cities, MN), 1/14/10] Pawlenty Was Sued By Minnesota Residents Over Plans To Eliminate State Health Program Providing Insurance For Over 30,000 Low-Income Adults. According to the Associated Press, Three Minnesota residents are suing to stop Gov. Tim Pawlenty from dropping a state health program for more than 30,000 poor adults. The lawsuit filed Thursday in Ramsey County comes as Pawlenty and lawmakers are negotiating how to cover affected patients. The General Assistance Medical Care program is set to end April 1. Attempts to preserve a scaled-back version of the program have stalled. The lawsuit names three patients covered by the program and seeks to represent all the patients. It says most people covered by the program live on less than $8 a day. Earlier Thursday, Pawlenty told The Associated Press that a plan to switch the patients into another health program reaches a point of no return this coming weekend. [Associated Press, 3/4/10]

GAMC COMPROMISE PROPOSAL

Pawlentys Funding Cuts For State Health Program Led 12 Out Of 17 Qualifying Hospitals To Decline To Provide Care. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, A revamped state health care program for about 37,000 of the poorest and

sickest Minnesotans will start June 1. But with funding cut to one-fourth of the projected costs, it appears that only five of 17 qualifying hospitals have agreed to provide the care Rejection of the delicate compromise on General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), which was hammered out last month after two vetoes by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, has cast doubt on how well the $164 million program will work, especially outside the metro area. [Star Tribune, 4/16/10] Pawlentys Revised State Health Program Was Undermined By Hospitals That Refused To Participate Because Of Lack Of Funding. According to Minnesota Public Radio, It looks like the deal to continue state-paid health care for Minnesotas poorest residents is unraveling. The Hennepin County Board has rejected a contract with the state to have Hennepin County Medical Center take part in a new version of General Assistance Medical Care. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin says HCMC initially applied to treat the states poorest residents, but that was under the assumption that 16 other hospitals would also join in. To date, only five hospitals have applied, prompting concern that more and more GAMC patients would show up at HCMC for medical treatment Hospital officials across Minnesota have been forced to decide whether they want to accept GAMC patients under a deal reached last month by Gov. Pawlenty and DFL lawmakers. Pawlenty vetoed funding for the program in 2009, prompting state lawmakers and hospital officials to scramble to fix it. The new program means the state wouldnt pay hospitals for treating patients. Instead, it would create a system of block grants for 17 hospitals around the state, and a pool of money for other hospitals to treat the population. The concern from hospital officials is that the pool of money -- $164 million earmarked for hospitals -- wont be enough. If hospitals opt out of participating, that means they could potentially turn away GAMC recipients, or set some other limits on how many people they would treat. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/21/10] Mankato Free Press Editorial: Pawlentys Strategy Of Telling Hospitals To Take It Or Leave It Over Revised State Health Program Was Counterproductive. In an editorial, the Mankato Free Press wrote: The compromise between the DFL Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty on preserving a health care program for the poor seems to have lost its luster and impact: Most hospitals around the state say they wont and cant participateThe governors office has said these hospitals will bend on their insistence they wont participate. The governor well knows that hospitals cannot turn away people needing emergency care just because they have no insurance. The governors spokesman Brian McClung told the Star Tribune they can accept the funding available in this plan or no funding at all. That was probably not the most diplomatic way to go about addressing concerns of hospitals and trying to make things work. ISJ chief administrative officer Jerry Crest conceded the hospital would indeed have to care for those GAMC enrollees who show up, and those costs would simply be more uncompensated care and passed along to insurance companies and through premiums of people who have insurance Democrats are now looking for solutions. Chairs of Senate and House health care committees are now pursing possible federal dollars available under the new health care legislation. That may provide states like Minnesota early access to up to $1 billion if the state is willing to expand eligibility of Medicaid programs. It also requires state matching funds. The idea would be then to move GAMC clients over to Medicaid funding. Leaders of both parties should focus on whats doable and be sure to avoid passing along hidden taxes to insurance premium payers. Right now, some kind of federal partnership offers at least one solution. There may be others. Telling hospitals to take it or leave it seems a bit counterproductive and will not likely achieve any of our common goals to taking care of our sick veterans and others. [Mankato Free Press Editorial, 4/27/10] Pawlentys Proposal For Revised State Health Program Was Rejected By Minnesota Hospitals, Nurses And Doctors Associations, Which Charged That New Program Will Not Be Able To Provide Adequate, Sustainable Health Care To The Population It Was Designed To Serve. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Leaders of the states hospital, nurse and doctors associations added their voices to a health care debate between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFL legislators Monday, urging the state to cover its poorest residents with the state-federal Medicaid health program rather than a slimmed-down state plan negotiated last month. With a week to go before the Legislature is to adjourn, the groups urged enactment of a bill supported by DFL leaders and opposed by Pawlenty that would shift about 37,000 patients from General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) to Medicaid, called Medical Assistance (MA) in Minnesota. It has now become clear that the new GAMC program will not be able to provide adequate, sustainable health care to the population it was designed to serve, and a shift to MA is needed, they said in a letter to the governor and legislators. A revamped GAMC is scheduled to start June 1, but only four of 17 key hospitals have agreed to participate. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/11/10] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Refused To Reverse Funding Cuts To State Health Program, Even Though Medicaid Alternative Provides Much Better Access To Medical Services, At More Adequate Rates For Providers. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: For whatever reason, Pawlenty is adamant: He wont sign a bill that ends the recently revised, stripped-down General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program and enrolls the lowincome people it serves in Medicaid. Thats so even though Medicaid is 50 percent financed by the federal government. It provides much better access to medical services, at more adequate rates for providers, than the new GAMC does. And, under the new federal law, it offers forward-looking states like Minnesota a chance to proceed on a larger scale with proven strategies

for reducing health care costs. Pawlentys stated reason for rejecting that feature in both the House and Senate human services bills is financial. The change would be prohibitively expensive at a time when both the [fiscal] 2010-11 and the [fiscal] 2012-13 budgets are in deficit, he said in a May 4 letter. That appeared to be true in days immediately following the federal bills enactment, when estimates of the states share of the tab for moving the GAMC population to Medicaid ran upwards of $900 million over three years. (Beginning in 2014, health care for the GAMC population will be paid for entirely by the federal government.) But that was before state Sen. Linda Berglin got to work. The Senate DFLs health budget wizard found ways to draw down more federal dollars, employing surcharges on health care providers that could then be refunded through other avenues The evidence is strong that GAMC, the safety-net health care program Pawlenty tore down with a veto last May 14, has not been adequately rebuilt. The federal government is tossing Minnesota what is literally a lifeline for thousands of this states most vulnerable citizens. Pawlenty may want to move to a larger political arena, but he is still Minnesotas governor. With Berglins help, he ought to catch that line. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/11/10]

CONVINCED HOSPITALS TO AGREE TO A GAMC COMPROMISE

Pawlenty Blinked In Negotiations With Hospitals To Salvage Revised State Health Program. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, It appears that Gov. Tim Pawlenty blinked. A compromise state health plan for the very poor, on the verge of collapse just a few days ago, was rescued this week when the Pawlenty administration changed course and negotiated with participating hospitals to limit the number of patients each will see. As a result, Hennepin County Medical Center and three other metro hospitals will participate in a slimmed-down version of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), a health plan for thousands of Minnesotas poorest and sickest residents. The four hospitals serve about 47 percent of the current 36,426 enrollees, none outstate. The remaining 144 Minnesota hospitals will treat patients and dip into a $20 million fund for that purpose. The agreements reached Thursday were critical for Pawlenty because legislators are pressing hard to expand the federal-state Medicaid program to cover those patients -- a move he strongly opposes. A program in shambles would strengthen their hand. With a limit of 9,400 patients a month and $32 million to finance their care, Hennepin County Medical Center and the Hennepin County Board voted Thursday to participate in the revamped program, which starts in three weeks. [Star Tribune, 5/7/10] Pawlenty Vetoed Bill To Expand Medicaid For Minnesota. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today vetoed a health and human services bill that passed the DFL-controlled House and Senate last night. The veto was expected, and due to late-session budget negotiations may ultimately mean very little. The governor said this afternoon he is willing to sign a new bill should one result from ongoing budget discussions between top Capitol lawmakers A key is the governors stated willingness to deal on the centerpiece of the bill an expansion of a Medicaid program, known as Medical Assistance, allowed under federal health care reforms. But Pawlenty said he does have reservations about a DFL proposal to pay for it through a surcharge on health care providers The governor is seeking health care cost reforms, and several other factors are in play during negotiations to close a $3 billion budget hole. They include making the governors 2009 budget cuts permanent and a bill to fix state pension funds that Pawlenty said he has not yet vetoed. They could also include education reforms long sought by the governor, as he praised a Senate version of a K-12 bill Thursday while dismissing the House version. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/13/10] Pawlenty Refused To Restore Funding To State Health Program, But Agreed To Let Next Governor Reconsider Decision To Expand Medicaid. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Democrats backed off their demand that the state spend $188 million to expand its Medical Assistance program for low-income Minnesotans to tap into $1.4 billion in federal money. Instead, they agreed to a deal where the governor and the next governor would have the authority to opt-in to the program. That authority would expire on Jan. 15, 2011. The plan also includes changes to a recent compromise to keep a health care program for the poor. The changes to the General Assistance Medical Care program are aimed at providing additional funds for outstate hospitals. Some area Democrats voiced frustration that legislative Republicans insisted on blocking the Medical Assistance expansion. On Thursday, the governor had said he was open to the expansion. But after House and Senate Republicans voiced opposition to the deal, Pawlenty said Friday the idea was problematic.Republicans say their opposition is based on principles. They say the expansion would bring Obamacare to the state and lead to other problems. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 5/17/10] Pawlenty Said He Was Not A Fan Of Expanded Medicaid Coverage For Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, The governor and Democrats who control the Legislature deadlocked for days on a budget plan and over an extension of Medicaid health coverage to more poor Minnesotans using federal money. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher praised the Medicaid provision and said the deal will also protect nursing homes, public schools and

hospitals. Pawlenty said he would withhold his judgment on whether to embrace the federal health program until a required review is done. But he added that hes not a fan of the program. [Associated Press, 5/17/10] Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Pawlenty Cut A Devils Bargain With Legislature That Cost State More Than $1 Billion In Federal Health Care Funding Because Of Presidential Ambitions. In an editorial, the Rochester PostBulletin wrote: Gov. Tim Pawlenty concluded his eight-year dominance over the Minnesota Legislature with yet another win. There still are some is to be dotted and some ts to be crossed, but the deal that was to have sent lawmakers home today for the campaign season will allow Pawlenty to launch his presidential campaign with an unblemished anti-tax record. Its really quite remarkable the only compromise he made backing away from a proposed $114 million cut in human services allowed him to block Minnesota from early implementation of federal health care reform. This devils bargain could cost Minnesota more than $1 billion in federal funds, and will be a serious blow to doctors, hospitals and our sickest, poorest residents. But a GOP presidential candidate cant afford to have his home state embrace what some people call ObamaCare. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 5/17/10] Pawlenty Was Urged To Accept Expanded Medicaid Funding By Minnesota Medical Association. According to a press release by the Minnesota Medical Association, We want to encourage the governor to accept these emergency health care funds. Congress has reauthorized this extra Medicaid allotment money (which the state previously accepted) to help states like Minnesota cover the increased costs of providing health care coverage during a difficult economy. Rejecting these funds will only deny Minnesotans the benefit of the federal taxes they have already paid. Only 72 cents of each tax dollar we send to Washington, D.C. comes back to Minnesota, which ranks us 46th nationally. Minnesota has always been a responsible steward of federal funds and this time will be no different. The state is currently in dire need of these resources. Our health and human services budget has faced relentless cuts that are straining and fraying our health care safety net. Our safety-net hospitals are under severe threat. The underfunding of Minnesota health care programs such as General Assistance Medical Care has already resulted in residents in Greater Minnesota being denied access to preventive care and clinic services in their home towns. Gov. Pawlenty, the physicians of Minnesota strongly encourage you to request these funds. With the state facing an enormous deficit in 2011, the state desperately needs these funds to continue to care for Minnesotans and avoid further health care cuts. [Minnesota Medical Association Official Press Release, 8/20/10] Pawlenty Was Urged To Accept Expanded Medicaid Funding By Mayo Clinic. According to the Rochester PostBulletin, Mayo Clinic is joining the Minnesota Medical Association in asking Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty to accept $263 million in federal health care money available for Minnesota Mayo Clinic spokesman Bryan Anderson said the clinic backs the associations call for Pawlenty to ask for the money. The money is part of a $26 billion state aid package approved by Congress. But in order to get the money, governors have to ask for it. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 8/23/10] Pawlenty Changed His Mind, Accepted $250 Million In Federal Medical Assistance Only One Week After Rejecting It. According to KAAL TV, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has changed his mind and decided to accept major federal medical assistance. This only one week after directing all state agencies to avoid federal grants associated with federal healthcare reform. Pawlenty said hes now ready to get $250 million in federal medical assistance. [KAAL TV ABC 6 News, 9/7/10] St. Cloud Times Editorial: Pawlenty Focused On Policies To Build Only His Political Portfolio Rather Than Accepting A Better Offer From Federal Government. In an editorial, the St. Cloud Times wrote: We cant help but highlight how through the first six years of his gubernatorial reign, Pawlenty consistently complained about Minnesotans getting back only 72 cents of every federal tax dollar they send to Washington. But now faced with opportunities to improve that return on your federal investment, the governor is offering answers that build only his political portfolio. [St. Cloud Times, 9/9/10] Pawlentys Successor As Governor Called His Administration Hugely Irresponsible And Untrustworthy Regarding Possibility Of Expanding Medicaid. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Gov.-elect Mark Dayton said Monday that the outgoing Pawlenty administration has been hugely irresponsible and put out untrustworthy numbers regarding expanding Medicaid to broaden health care coverage for more poor Minnesotans. I dont trust anything that Ive been told now, said Dayton, a Democrat. He said he was deeply distressed after what he called a candid meeting with Pawlentys top human services chief, Cal Ludeman. At issue: switching coverage to the health care program funded 50 percent by the federal government. Officials with Republican Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration said at a legislative hearing last week that even if Dayton signs an executive order making the change his first day in office, it will take until Oct. 1, 2011, to enact. Dayton said he and others should have been made aware of the long lead time months ago [Dayton] said Pawlenty and his administration showed a fundamental lack of disclosure and basic integrity and that Pawlenty and Human Services

Commissioner Ludeman should be held accountable for any federal cash Minnesota misses out on because of the delay. [Star Tribune, 12/20/10] Pawlentys Successor Decided To Opt In For Medicaid Expansion, Receive $1.2 Billion In Federal Funding For Medicaid Services. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota is getting more involved in the federal health care overhaul with a major expansion of Medicaid coverage for the poor. Gov. Mark Dayton ordered the extension as his first official act on Wednesday, two days after taking office. The move is expected to bring in $1.2 billion in federal money for hospitals and clinics while adding 95,000 vulnerable adults to the Medicaid rolls, mostly from other state health care programs Dayton projects a net savings of $32 million when all state costs and offsets are considered. The state has to put up $384 million from the general fund to get the federal matching money. But that cost is offset by savings of $416 million in a health care fund tied to MinnesotaCare as MinnesotaCare patients shift to Medicaid. [Associated Press, 1/5/11] Expanded Medicaid Would Cover 95,000 Childless Adults, 12,000 Of Whom Currently Lack Any Insurance. According to the Associated Press, Q: Who is covered by it? A: 95,000 childless adults under age 65 with annual incomes of about $8,000 or less. That includes 51,000 who now get insurance through the MinnesotaCare program for the working poor, 32,000 who are on the stripped-down General Assistance Medical Care program and 12,000 who currently lack insurance. Medicaid coverage at this level will last until 2014, when the federal government is due to pick up the entire tab for childless adults and increase the income limit. Medicaid is known as medical assistance in Minnesota. [Associated Press, 1/5/11]

CUTS TO GAMC HURT PATIENTS AND HOSPITALS

Bemidji Pioneer Editorial: Pawlentys Preferred Option For State Health Programs Was Ineffective. In an editorial, the Bemidji Pioneer wrote: The governor became embroiled with the Legislature this past session over another federal program that would allow Minnesota early entry into an enhanced Medicaid program for the poor. Democrats say for about a $180 million investment, the state will gain $1.4 billion in federal aid. Gov. Pawlenty refused to sign the bill, and has refused a second bill giving him the authority or the next governor to join the program in the interim. He claims the state is too broke to upfront the money, and there are too many federal strings attached to it that will cost Minnesota more in the long run. In the meantime, the program the Legislature enacted that the governor would sign is ineffective, forcing rural poor people to travel to the Twin Cities to one of the few hospitals that will see them under the program. [Bemidji Pioneer, 8/27/10] Bemidji Pioneer Editorial: Pawlentys Funding Cuts To State Health Program Forced Low-Income Residents To Seek Transportation By Their Own If They Lived In A Rural Area Without A Participating Hospital. In an editorial, the Bemidji Pioneer wrote: One of the toughest issues of the 2010 legislative session that still remains unsolved to our satisfaction involved is medical care for the indigent. The problem started last year when Gov. Tim Pawlenty unallotted nearly $400 million to essentially end the General Assistance Medical Care program for childless adults who are poor and unable to qualify for any other program, such as MinnesotaCare for the working poor. The program was slated to end this spring, but legislative action, prompted by Pawlentys insistence of his plan, allowed GAMC patients to enroll in MinnesotaCare. Knowing that will sooner more than later bankrupt the MinnesotaCare program, legislators worked to find something better. Again, Gov. Pawlenty insisted on his patch for the program which was enacted into law. A plan by the DFL Legislature, put forth by the association that represents Minnesota hospitals, would have changed the formula to which hospitals are reimbursed, allowing facilities such as North Country Regional Hospital, realize as much as $5 million more a year to help with its uncompensated care. That plan also went down in flames because of the governors refusal. As a result, the new plan provides a pool of dollars to hospitals which enroll as coordinated care facilities. But the pot is too small to do any good, and only four metro-area hospitals signed up. And they have the ability to limit the number of patients they can see. No rural hospitals participated, as reimbursements are woefully less than the cost of the care. So former GAMC patients can now be turned away from North Country Regional Hospital and local clinics and must seek transportation by their own to one of the four hospitals in the metro which are participating. The only exception is emergency care, which is seen in the emergency room and further raises the hospitals uncompensated expenses. [Bemidji Pioneer, 6/13/10] Pawlentys Funding Cuts To State Health Program Reduced Health Care Options For Low Income Residents. According to the Northland News Center, Low income Minnesotans enrolled in the states General Assistance Medical Care program are beginning to feel the fallout from the program changes that took affect earlier this month. According to our news partners at Minnesota Public Radio, now thousands of GAMC recipients are learning they have fewer options for getting

health care. Lawmakers cut funding for the program by nearly 75 percent this past legislative session. Its especially tough for people in greater Minnesota, where some on the program are being turned away from their regular health care providers. But some lawmakers say people will still need to get care somehow, and itll just be more expensive in the long run. When lawmakers and Governor Tim Pawlenty cut the program, theyd envisioned there would be 17 hospitals across the state to administer care for them. However only four hospitals signed on to the voluntary program, all four are located in the Twin Cities. So far, hospital administrators in greater Minnesota have said no to the program, partly because reimbursement rates wouldnt cover their cost. So for now, officials say the gaps in service for GAMC recipients in greater Minnesota will likely remain. [Northland News Center, 6/12/10] Catholic Spirit Op-Ed: Pawlentys Plan For State Health Program Was Inadequate, Let Residents Fall Through The Cracks And Puts Lives At Risk. In an op-ed for the Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Joe Towalski wrote: Last spring, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers announced they had reached a deal on a money-saving plan to salvage General Assistance Medical Care so the states poorest residents could still receive health care coverage. Now, two and a half months into the new program, it is clear the plan is inadequate and that many of the 30,000 adults it is intended to serve including the homeless and those who suffer from mental illness and chemical dependency are falling through the cracks Clearly, the new state health care program for the poorest of the poor is inadequate. It is not meeting basic needs in far too many cases, it is under-funded and, as a result, it puts lives at risk. There are no easy answers about how to fix the program at a time when the state faces a difficult budget situation. But there is no denying that it must be fixed and that failure to do so will continue to hurt the poor and put a heavy burden on hospitals and clinics. As Minnesota prepares to elect a new governor and a slate of state lawmakers, voters have an excellent opportunity to press for changes in the program during the next legislative session. Blessed Mother Teresa, whose relics were recently on display at the Cathedral of St. Paul, once said about the poor: Each one of them is Jesus in disguise. In other words, we should treat the poor as we would treat Jesus himself. As things currently stand, were not doing a very good job. [Catholic Spirit, 8/12/10] Mankato Free Press Editorial: Pawlentys Reform Of State Health Program Resulted In Maybe As Many As Half Of Those Poor Getting No Health Care At All And May Be More Costly Than Before. In an editorial, the Mankato Free Press wrote: The reform of state health care for the poorest of the poor forged last year by the Legislature has resulted in maybe as many as half of those poor getting no health care at all. For those who do get care, their doctors have taken a 63 percent cut in their fees. Only four hospitals in the state have decided to participate in the General Assistance Medical Care program. The 14 or so others that were targeted for participating couldnt take a 63 percent pay cut. Few are blaming them The reform of GAMC was heralded by legislators mostly Republicans, since Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed the Democratic proposal as a cost saving reform. On paper, it looks like it is saving money, but in reality, it may be more costly or as costly as the previous system. The four hospitals participating say they are losing money even though theyre barely covering half of all the patients eligible. Reform of cost doesnt work when those costs only get pushed elsewhere. While the Coordinated Care Delivery Systems now serving GAMC patients probably do a better job coordinating care and practicing efficient medicine than the old system of paying for the number of visits, there remain significant holes in the cost containment system. Half of the patients not going to the metro area providers are likely letting their health deteriorate until they have to go to an emergency room in an outstate hospital. Under the system for reimbursing the outstate hospitals, emergency room visits are covered, but preventive care at a clinic isnt. That doesnt make any sense, and it will drive up the costs of the whole system. [Mankato Free Press, 11/8/10] Winona Daily News Editorial: Pawlenty Continued To Treat Those Who Really Need Insurance Like SecondClass Citizens With Changes To State Health Program. In an editorial, the Winona Daily News wrote: Earlier this year, we warned that a GOP-compromise that led to a gutting of the states General Assistance Medical Care program would be bad news for the states poorest of the poor. A new report published by the Mankato Free Press revealed that 64 percent of the people enrolled in the GAMC program in Blue Earth County have since left the program and have no other insurance. Folks across greater Minnesota are experiencing a similar exodus not because anyone relishes the thought of having no insurance. Instead, folks are leaving the program because the devils-deal the state brokered means care facilities that accept GAMC are overwhelmingly in the Twin Cities area. There are few rural GAMC providers left in the state. The local Mankato-area hospitals reported the newly revamped GAMC program has a bunch of new requirements and paperwork that would force hospitals to become de facto insurance companies, managing many aspects of patient care that fall outside of their normal scope of operation. And health care facilities need more requirements and hoops to jump through like they need an outbreak of diphtheria. Granted, the Twin Cities has a higher concentration of GAMC users; but thats not to say there arent rural users. In this case, the lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have continued to treat those who really need insurance like secondclass citizens. Many of those on the program have medical, physical or mental conditions which mean they cant drive. How does the state expect them to make it to appointments when the nearest GAMC facility is miles away? This program is failing.

And its failing in the worst way possible doing the most damage to businesses and residents. [Winona Daily News Editorial, 12/2/10] Wall Street Journal Letter To The Editor: President Of Minnesota Nurses Association Criticized Pawlenty For Trying To Pin Our States Budget Woes On The Backs Of The Working Class. In a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal, Linda Hamilton, President of the Minnesota Nurses Association, wrote: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys Government Unions vs. Taxpayers (op-ed, Dec. 13) is filled with the political rhetoric that our soon-to-be-former governor has been using to start his 2012 presidential bid, instead of serving the people of Minnesota. Mr. Pawlenty seems to think government employees who care for our sick, plow our streets and teach our children should feel ashamed and embarrassed to be part of a union. Apparently, it is our state-employed nurses, snowplow drivers, janitors and teachers who are responsible for Minnesotas nearly $6 billion budget deficitnot Tim Pawlentys failed leadership Speaking as a nurse who spends her time working here in Minnesota, rather than campaigning for higher office all across the country while being paid to run our state, I can say without reservation that Tim Pawlentys true legacy is one of trying to pin our states budget woes on the backs of the working class, while doing everything in his power to protect and reward those private-sector, multimillionaire CEOs who continue to bankroll his political platform. [Wall Street Journal, 12/20/10]

Other Health Care Cuts

Pawlenty Proposed To Cancel Or Reduce State Supported Health Insurance For 40,000 Individuals. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlentys new plan to erase the state budget deficit would cancel state-subsidized health insurance for as many as 21,000 Minnesotans. Another 20,000 people would have their health benefits reduced. Health and Human Services spending bore the biggest share of cuts in the governors supplemental budget plan, which was released Monday. More than 25 percent of the spending reductions were aimed at social service programs, including long-term care. Most childless adults on the states MinnesotaCare program would lose their health coverage under the governors plan. Only those at 75 percent of the federal poverty level -- an annual income of about $8,100 -- could keep their insurance. Currently MinnesotaCare covers people with incomes as great as 250 percent of the poverty level, which is about $27,000 a year. The governor said the insurance programs benefit is too generous, and out of sync with the rest of the nation. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/15/10] Pawlenty Proposed Budget Cuts To State Health Program That Resulted In Loss Of 200 Jobs From Mental Health Program. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The Minnesota Department of Human Services on Tuesday announced it will cut 200 full-time positions from a program that provides direct care to people with mental illnesses. The cuts are part of $17 million in reductions for State Operated Services that were part of Gov. Tim Pawlentys latest budget recommendations. The cuts would need to happen by June 30, 2011. Besides eliminating positions through closing facilities, officials said the cuts would also be achieved by operating mental health services more efficiently. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/10/10] Pawlenty Vetoed Bill To Extend State Health Insurance Program, Threatened Health Insurance For 30,000 LowIncome Adults. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty quickly vetoed a bill Thursday that would have kept alive an expiring state health care plan for more than 30,000 low-income adults. The program is ending April 1 because the Republican governor withdrew funding last year. Earlier Thursday, the Democratic-controlled House and Senate had overwhelmingly approved a bill to extend it. Pawlenty vetoed the bill from Washington, where hes on political business. In his veto message, the governor said it was premature at best to extend the program through June 2011, at a cost of $284 million, before the Legislature has addressed the states $1.2 billion budget deficitThe plan to continue a pared-back version of the General Assistance Medical Care program passed with bipartisan support in both chambers -- 125-9 in the House and 47-16 in the SenateGeneral Assistance Medical Care covers adults with yearly incomes of less than $8,000, including many with chronic health problems, chemical addictions and mental illness. [Associated Press, 2/19/10] Pawlenty Cut $6.2 Million From Oral Health Care, Called Devastating By President Of Minnesota Dental Association. According to Timberjay.com, Cuts to oral health care including the elimination of state reimbursement for general anesthesia will be painful, according to the states dentists and could have an impact locally where patients travel from as far away as Bemidji and Duluth for state-assisted dental care. A portion of the cuts, enacted by the state Legislature, took effect in January, but an additional $6.2 million will be trimmed in April as part of Gov. Tim Pawlentys unallotments. The state has already cut funding for oral health care by $18 million, or about 20 percent of the states total dental spending, during the past legislative session, according to Dr. Lee Jess, president of the Minnesota Dental Association. This is enough,

Jess stated in a press release. Further cuts to the remaining adult dental benefits of the Critical Access Dental Provider program will be devastating, and in fact increase state health care spending in the long run. [Timberjay.com, 1/8/10] Pawlenty Cut Additional $236 Million From State Health Services, Familiar Target For His Administration. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Health care services for poor Minnesotans have been a familiar target in Gov. Tim Pawlentys austerity exercises over the years, and they found themselves under the scalpel again [on June 16, 2009]. On [June 16], Pawlenty said health and human services will come in for $236 million in additional cuts as part of his unallotment strategy. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/17/09] Pawlenty Used Line-Item Veto To Eliminate Funding For State Health Insurance Program, Deprived 35,000 Individuals Of Health Insurance. According to the states Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, Another major development in health care programs came in the form of a Governors line item veto of the 2011 appropriation for General Assistance Medical Care or GAMC. The veto will save hundreds of millions of dollars in the general fund by eliminating funding for the program for 2011, but roughly 35,000 persons will lose health care coverage under this program. Many of those people will migrate to the MNCare program to get health care coverage, but will be required to pay premiums and add an additional burden onto the health care access fund, which could potentially be in a projected deficit when the Department of Finance releases its updated forecast in November. While the Governor eliminated funding for the GAMC program in fiscal year 2011, the program with its eligibility standards is still in law. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature (no. 09.04), Page 36] Pawlenty Proposed Funding Cut To Health And Human Services, Threatened Health Insurance For 113,000 Residents. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Against the backdrop of a poor economy and rising unemployment numbers, the Minnesota House and Senate on Monday passed health care bills that trim hundreds of millions of dollars from the states social safety net. The Senate bill passed on a 40-23 vote and includes steeper cuts than the House proposal, approved 85-49. However, both fall far short of cuts offered by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, setting up a major legislative battle over health care spending, the fastest-growing portion of the state budget Both bills offer cuts to hospitals and health care providers, though the amounts differ. Payments to medical specialists would be trimmed, an effort to promote less costly preventive care through primary care physicians. The bills also would reform the states personal care assistant program, which was the subject of a critical audit earlier this session. Pawlenty took a different approach, preserving funding for programs such as K-12 education but taking a hatchet to the states fast-growing health care budget, including a proposal to cut state health care eligibility for 113,000 Minnesotans. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/27/09] Pawlentys Proposed Budget Cuts To State Health Programs Sparked Opposition From Minnesota Hospital Association. According to the Alexandria Echo Press, Totaling $857 million, the cuts would seriously damage the states already strained and fragile health care system, diminish access to care and jeopardize health care infrastructure, according to Flaig and the Minnesota Hospital Association. [Alexandria Echo Press, 4/15/09]

Pawlenty Proposed Funding Cuts To State Medicaid Program; President Of Childrens Hospitals And Clinics Of Minnesota Attacked Pawlenty, Charged Cuts Would Represent An Extreme, Disproportionate Impact On Our Hospitals And The Children We Treat. According to the Minnesota Post, While waiting with some trepidation for word on Gov. Tim Pawlentys plans to unallot state funding to balance the budget, Dr. Alan L. Goldbloom, president and CEO of Childrens Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, wants the media to keep an eye on proposed Medicaid cuts Goldbloom said he, and other health care executives, expect some cuts, given the states budget crunch. But reasonable is the key word, he said. A cut on the scale of $36 million, however, would not be reasonable at all. It would represent an extreme, disproportionate impact on our hospitals and the children we treat, who come from every corner of the state. Put bluntly, it would be terribly unfair to sick children, who unfortunately dont have much political cloutWe would never turn our backs on sick children. But without question, a cut on the level previously proposed by the governor would have severe long-term impacts on core services and on quality of care. Our patients and their families would feel it, and not just the low-income population because we treat all children alike, regardless of insurance coverage. [Minnesota Post, 6/9/09] Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Pawlentys Proposed Budget Cuts To State Health Programs Would Cut Thousands Of People Off The State Medical Program And Cause Hospitals To Lay Off Employees. In an editorial, the Rochester Post-Bulletin wrote: Gov. Pawlenty seems to believe that the best way to deal with the rising cost of medical care is to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding to hospitals and to cut thousands of people off the state medical programs that help pay their bills Were fairly certain that these spending cuts would simply cause hospitals to lay off employees, refuse to accept new Medicare patients and charge paying customers even more to make up for the loss in state revenue. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 4/28/09]

Pawlentys Budget Raised Fee For Screening Newborn Babies For Health Disorders From $61 To $81. According to the Associated Press, Being born and dying also comes with added expense. A fee for screening the estimated 72,000 newborns a year for health disorders would rise for the second time in four years, going from $61 to $81. Funeral homes, crematories and morticians would pay more to be licensed and reports related to pre-paid funerals would carry a higher fee. [Associated Press, 1/23/07] Pawlenty Sought To Cut $1.2 Million From State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Program. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Former Gov. Arne Carlson hasnt always agreed with current Gov. Tim Pawlenty on fiscal decisions. Carlson on Thursday criticized the administrations proposed cuts to a fetal alcohol syndrome prevention program that Carlsons wife founded, and he said too many officeholders had become obsessed with every little zing and chess game. Speaking before a Senate committee, Carlson said the programs funding had decreased from $7 million annually when he left as governor in the late 1990s and would stand at $1.2 million if cuts recommended by Pawlenty were adopted. Pawlenty has recommended eliminating a planned funding increase for the program. Maybe the time has come for us to get into the business of taking a few days off from passing bills and start discussing some topics that transcend party lines, (Carlson) added. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/15/08] Pawlenty Proposed Budget Cuts To State Health Care Program That Would Have Deprived 40,000 Residents Of Health Insurance. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, MinnesotaCare is the state-subsidized health insurance program for the working poor. Moody and her husband, David, 57, of Edina, are among about 33,700 Minnesota adults without dependent children who would be ejected from the program under a budget-balancing plan proposed last week by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He called the program welfare health care. It covers 148,000 Minnesotans, including many among the working poor who dont have employer-supplied health insurance To ease a projected $700 million budget deficit, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed removing more than 40,000 adults from MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized program for working low-income people. Who would be affected? 33,700 adults with no dependent children, and 7,000 adults with dependent children and whose incomes exceed 190 percent of poverty. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/31/05] Pawlenty Called State Health Care Program Welfare Health-Care. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty, in previewing his budget roll-out that day, had started using the phrase welfare health-care to describe the subsidized health-care coverage for about 45,000 working Minnesotans. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/3/05]

Pawlenty Proposed Cancelling A Previously Planned Expansion Of State Medical Care To Autistic Children. According to the Associated Press, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlentys hurry-up budget fix on Thursday began to thump against speed bumps placed by Democrat-led Senate panels. Lawmakers summarily rejected his plans to take money from an Iron Range development fund, to stop subsidies for ethanol and to have prisons do more with less But Berglin accepted, or only tweaked, Pawlentys biggest-dollar budget moves. Those included cuts in state payments to pharmacists, eliminating a planned expansion of low-income medical programs to cover autistic children and moving forward on an effort to harvest additional federal dollars that would have the side effect of increasing the cost of nursing home care for people who pay their own way. [Associated Press, 1/16/03] Pawlenty Weakened State Health Care Program, Provided Less Health Care To 4,400 Babies And Threatened Health Insurance For Some Between Ages Of 1 And 2 Years Old. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota will provide insurance coverage to 38,000 fewer people by the year 2007 because of changes in a health and human services budget bill Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed last week, according to an analysis by the Department of Human Services. The state is projected to provide insurance for about 700,000 people in 2007. The department calculated the figures based on projected average monthly enrollment Under the new rules: Babies will no longer be automatically covered by Medical Assistance up to age 2, which will affect about 4,400 children in 2007. They will still be automatically covered until they are a year old and may be eligible for coverage under a different insurance program. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/9/03] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Newspaper Castigated Pawlenty For Breaking Faith With The Voters On Budget Cuts To Child Care, Health Care And Education. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: Pawlentys budget keeps faith with one tenet of his campaign. But in another sense, it breaks faith with the voters. He did not disclose last October an intention to cut child care for the working poor or after-school programs for at-risk kids. He made no mention of adding 68,000 people to the ranks of Minnesotas uninsured. He did not speak about cuts in police and fire protection, the courts, libraries, transit - the skeletal tissue of Minnesotas shared life. [Star Tribune, 3/30/03]

PAWLENTY CUT FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, OR SHIFTED MONEY FROM OTHER HEATH CARE PROGRAMS
Pawlentys Proposal To Reorganize State Mental Health Facilities Drew Increasing Fire Over Concerns About Patients And Workers. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A reorganization of state-run mental health facilities proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration is drawing increasing fire around the Capitol, as health care leaders in the House said Thursday that they would seek final say on any such move. The changes, which include shuttering facilities, affect sites in Anoka, Cambridge, Eveleth and elsewhere and aim to saving $17 million while providing better services for those suffering severe mental illnesses. Announced in March, the plan was to be rolled out over the next 14 months. But it drew fire from lobbyists concerned about what the plan means for patients, including those who may be forced to seek services away from their families, and from unions, which object to a plan to lay off 200 workers [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/8/10] Pawlenty Cut Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars From County Mental Health Grants And Community Services Block Grants. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Pawlenty decided to spare $600,000 for methamphetamine abuse treatment and prevention grants. At the same time, he sliced several hundred thousand dollars deeper into county mental health grants and community services block grants. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 6/25/09]

PAWLENTY CUT FUNDING FOR HOSPITALS AND OTHER PROVIDERS

Pawlenty Pushed State To Consolidate Health Programs, Shift Costs To Individuals And Medical Providers. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty wants to combine the General Assistance Medical Care program with the MinnesotaCare plan for a savings of $208 million. Included in that total is the $93 million hospitals will pay for indigent health care. The consolidation means at least 30,000 working-age adults whose incomes are almost at the poverty level will pay some health costs. Unpaid costs will be passed to the medical provider. Also, MinnesotaCare only serves people who have an address. The states homeless will be without health care. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/13/03]

PAWLENTY CUT FUNDING FOR NURSING HOMES AND SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAMS
Pawlenty Proposed Making It More Difficult For Residents To Enter Nursing Homes As A Cost-Saving Measure. According to the Summary of the Fiscal Actions of the 2009 Legislature, The legislature included a proposal submitted by Governor Pawlenty to modify the threshold for the level of care necessary to be admitted to a nursing home for MA enrollees. Under the proposal, potential nursing home residents must be assessed to have significant need with daily activities such as dressing or bathing, need ongoing clinical monitoring for medical conditions, or have behavioral or cognitive needs that require nursing home care before MA reimbursement can be authorized. The implementation date would be much later than recommended by the governor so the savings from the proposal are only $1 million for 2010-11 but the policy change will result in a savings of $87 million in 2012-13. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature (no. 09.04), Page 37] Pawlenty Eliminated Funding For Automatic Cost-Of-Living Increases Relevant To 80% Of Nursing Facility Funding. According to the Summary of the Fiscal Actions of the 2005 Legislature, This provision eliminates funding for the automatic cost-of-living increases for the portion of nursing facilities (approximately 80 percent) that use the states automatic payment system. Other changes for nursing facility funding can be found in change items entitled Long-Term Care Provider Rate Increase and Nursing Facility Transformation. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature (no. 05.03), Page 36] Pawlenty Proposed $100 Million In Cuts To Nursing Homes And Senior Citizen Programs. According to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget-balancing plan suffered a setback in a Senate committee Thursday when a Republican senator joined Democrats in rejecting $1.15 billion in proposed health and human services cuts and cost-saving measures. The legislative rebuke came on a day when another Senate body also nixed proposed cuts in state support for the University of Minnesota and state colleges and universities. The action by the DFL-controlled Senate Health, Human Services and Corrections Budget division was expected, but the fact that a Republican senator from outstate Minnesota would join DFLers in voting against the Republican governors human services budget was not. State Sen. Paul Koerings vote is an early sign that some Republican legislators, although fiercely loyal to Pawlenty and mostly supportive of his political philosophy, are

opposed to about $100 million in proposed cuts to nursing homes and a variety of senior citizen programs. A House committee passed the same human services budget bill early last week. [Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 3/28/03] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Proposal Would Have Imposed Higher Payments On Some Individuals, Drain Resources Of Nursing Home Residents. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: Pawlenty and his fellow Republicans go one step too far. Their bills set in motion a four-year phase-out of a long-standing state requirement that all nursing home residents be charged the same rate. They would allow providers of long-term care to charge private-pay residents more than the state is willing to pay for the care of residents whose assets have been depleted. AARP Minnesota calls the proposal a targeted tax on those doing their best to pay for their care out of their own pocket. Eliminating the equal-rate requirement would make some residents pay more in order to subsidize the care of others. For the nursing home residents who are in for extended stays, the end to rate equalization will hasten the exhaustion of their assets, and the day when their care must be paid by the taxpayer. That is not in taxpayers interestsOnce nursing homes are allowed to shift costs from public-pay to private-pay patients, the gap between private rates and Medicaid support could widen fast. Future legislators may be only too happy to let providers cover an increasing share of their operating costs with private-pay income. An important incentive for keeping Medicaid reimbursement at adequate levels will be lost. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/17/03]

PAWLENTY TARGETED PROGRAMS FOR THE DISABLED TO BALANCE BUDGET

Pawlenty Cut Funding For Personal Care Services, Deprived 1,600 Disabled Residents Of Personal Care Services. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Pawlenty signed a Health and Human Services budget bill that will cut funding for personal care attendants. Estimates say as many as 1,600 disabled people will lose PCA services altogether. Another 7,000 peoplecould lose hours. [Minnesota Public Radio, 6/4/09] Pawlenty Proposed 5% Reduction In Disability Council Funding. According to the Overview of Governor Pawlentys FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendations, Disability Council: The 2010-11 appropriation is $996,000, which includes the recommendation to reduce the operating budget of the agency by $26,000 each year. This represents a 5 percent reduction to the budget. [An Overview of Governor Pawlentys FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendations (no. 09.02), Page 56]

Failed Health Care Reform Initiatives In Minnesota

Pawlenty Proposed Allowing Out-Of-State Insurers To Operate In Minnesota. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said [on October 13, 2009] that he wants to open the state to more competition from out-of-state health insurers a reform that could save Minnesotans money and build his rsum as a free-market conservative if he makes a presidential runThe Republican governor said he is seeking legislative changes to state laws that have limited who can sell health insurance in Minnesota and allowed three nonprofit organizations to dominate the states health insurance marketThese insurers arent opposed to competition as long as it is fair and out-of-state providers are held to the same high regulatory standards, said Julie Brunner, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. As it is, she said, more than 190 companies are licensed to sell insurance products in Minnesota. If were going to change that significantly, she said, I want to know how consumers are going to fare and if they will have the coverage they need. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/13/09] Bemidji Pioneer Editorial: Pawlentys Proposal To Allow Out-Of-State Insurers Prompted Valid Concerns That Opening The Door May Bring Down The Level Of Coverage. In an editorial, the Bemidji Pioneer wrote: At first blush, one of his three proposals to allow Minnesotans to purchase health insurance from other states has promise and should be studied furtherThere are valid concerns that opening the door may bring down the level of coverage as well, but the governor is also proposing that those out-of-state providers adhere to certain minimum standards, such as being accredited by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and possess a certificate of authority in Minnesota. And the insurance company must abide by Minnesotas claims practices and other consumer protection laws. [Bemidji Pioneer, 10/14/09]

Bemidji Pioneer Editorial: Pawlentys Proposed Health Care Reforms Raised Concerns About Rural Access, OutOf-Pocket Costs. In an editorial, the Bemidji Pioneer wrote: Gov. Pawlenty cites the state employee health care program, Minnesota Advantage, as a good example as state employees choose any clinic available to them in a private market system. But they pay more out-of-pocket if they pick one that is more costly and less efficient. That system may work well in the metro area where competition among providers is possible, but we fear that consumers in rural areas where there may be only a single provider could see higher bills. Rural consumers cant travel to the metro area for their medical services that may be cheaper because of economy of scale, and shouldnt be penalized by sticking with the sole provider in their community. Better would be a system where rural providers are given an equitable reimbursement rate for the publicly subsidized services that they provide. Hopefully, the governors proposals will also lead to a discussion of how to replace the health care he vetoed for the states poorest residents. [Bemidji Pioneer, 10/14/09]

TAX CREDITS AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Pawlenty Proposed Tax Credits And Health Savings Accounts To Assist Uninsured In Gaining Health Insurance. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, A day after presidential contender John McCain proposed driving down healthcare costs through tax credits to help those without insurance buy policies, Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- believed high on the Republicans list of possible running mates -- floated a similar idea. At a meeting Wednesday with legislators seeking to overhaul Minnesotas health-care system, the governor suggested their bill should include health savings accounts and tax credits for buying private health insurance. The credits would go to individuals and small employers as alternatives to expanding current public programs, such as MinnesotaCare, the program for low-income workers, said Pawlentys spokesman, Brian McClung. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/1/08] Pawlenty Argued That Market-Based Reforms Were Key To Controlling Health Care Costs In Minnesota During His Administration. In an interview with Real Clear Politics: RCP: What did Minnesota do under you to deal with spiraling medical costs? PAWLENTY: Weve done a number of things that are market-based reforms, starting with this: Minnesota has one of the highest percentage uses of health savings accounts in the country. They bring significant cost savings. Two, in our state employee healthcare pool, I have implemented a system that incentivizes the employees to go to more efficient, more effective providers. They pay more that go to more expensive providers that arent as effective and they pay less out pocket if they go to a place thats more efficient and more effective. That has resulted in phenomenal cost containment results. The premium increases in that program in three of the last five years have been zero percent and two of the other years have been well below market. That has dramatically slowed down costs and resulted in people having financial incentives, having some skin in the game. And Ive had to just flat out reduce spending and change eligibility in a number of publicly subsidized healthcare programs to help contain costs as well. [Real Clear Politics, 7/14/10]

Pawlenty Vetoed Legislatures Health Care Reform Package. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty vetoed lawmakers health care package, which would have expanded subsidized care to Minnesotans and adjusted how health care providers get paid for their services. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/15/08] Legislatures Health Care Reform Package Expanded Eligibility To 40,000 Residents. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Fifteen months in the making, a bill changing how health care in Minnesota is provided and paid for was approved late Monday by the Legislature, a measure one sponsor said is at least the first stage on the road to health-care reform Although significant, the changes provided by the bill are far less dramatic than those recommended at the start of the session by separate panels appointed by the governor and the Legislature. The bill would start a statewide campaign to reduce smoking and obesity and offer public data on the quality and costs of doctor and hospital services. The bill would also certify doctors and clinics that provide medical homes with comprehensive and coordinated care, and expand eligibility to add about 40,000 people to MinnesotaCare, the insurance program for lower-income working poorPawlenty also has taken issue with the expansion of the MinnesotaCare program at a time when medical care is consuming an ever-greater portion of government budgets. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/13/08]

Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Plan To Expand Health Coverage In Minnesota Shows A Disappointing Lack Of Leadership. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: At a Capitol news conference last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had finished outlining his much-awaited plan to expand health insurance coverage when a reporter asked how many Minnesotans would gain coverage under its provisions. An aide consulted some notes and replied: 23,000 people, including 13,000 children. That number is too low. Its a small fraction of Minnesotas 70,000 uninsured

children, and less than one-tenth of its uninsured adults. In fact, it could be less than the number of people who lost coverage from state budget cuts in 2003. It shows a disappointing lack of leadership in a state that prides itself as a leader in health care and that now measures itself against states where Republican governors have embraced universal coverage. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/17/07]

ABANDONED HEALTH INSURANCE APPLICATION PROGRAM

Pawlenty Failed To Complete Project For Improved Processing Of Health Insurance Applications, Abandoned Project After More Than $30 Million Spent. According to the Associated Press, Six years and more than $30 million ago, the Minnesota Department of Human Services set out to improve its method for processing health insurance applications. The vision: caseworkers and customers tapping into an electronic system that could whiz through 1,000 applications a day, determining eligibility and matching a person with the right program in about 30 seconds. It was not meant to be. The project called HealthMatch was finally killed last year after the price tag ballooned, the software developer changed hands three times and the relationship between project leaders and state officials soured. Now the state is defending itself against a lawsuit from the contractor it fired, Dallas-based ACS State and Local Solutions IncHealthMatch was hatched in 2002 under then-Gov. Jesse Ventura. The state hired SSi North America Inc. a year later, under Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration, for $13 million with a goal of having the system ready in less than two years. That deadline was blown. The contract was expanded and extended twice in 2005, with the price jumping to $22.4 million and the completion date pushed back to mid-2008. SSi became Albion Inc., then ACS acquired Albion. [Associated Press, 9/3/09]

UNIVERSAL COVERAGE
Pawlenty Called For Universal Health Care For Children In Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, In a sweeping policy departure that aligns with a top agenda item of the newly elected DFL legislative majorities, Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Tuesday for extending health care access to up to 90,000 uninsured children as a step toward coverage for all Minnesotans. We all, I think, can chart a path toward universal coverage, he said in a luncheon speech to a health reform conference in Minneapolis. Were going to have to move in stages. ... We should start with covering all kids. Pawlenty also peppered his remarks with broad criticism of the nations current tattered, outdated, inefficient health care system and hard shots at health maintenance organizations (HMOs), prescription drug advertising and political meddling in health policy. But the Republican governors change of course on universal coverage was particularly hailed by DFL legislators who fought his cuts in state-subsidized health care during a budget crisis in 2003. [Star Tribune, 11/15/06] Pawlenty Called Universal Health Care For Children A Logical Next Step Towards Universal Health Care For All Residents Of Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, After supporting cuts to subsidized health care in his first term, it appears Gov. Tim Pawlenty will use his second term to focus on expanding health insurance. The governor said Tuesday that the state should start moving toward universal health coverage by covering the states 70,000 to 90,000 uninsured children. About three-fifths of them are currently eligible for subsidized care, but arent covered. We now have the resources to provide coverage for those children, Pawlenty said at a health care conference in downtown Minneapolis. I think thats a logical next step in this progression towards universal coverage in Minnesota. The number of uninsured children in Minnesota jumped about 20 percent from 2001 to 2004, according to the Childrens Defense Fund Minnesota. That was during a period when the numbers were falling in most other statesPawlenty didnt outline specifics for expanded childrens coverage, but said options include extending the MinnesotaCare health plan for the working poor or creating a childrens insurance program with fewer services than those required for adults.Spokesman Brian McClung said theres no cost estimate yet. Koppel said his groups plan to cover all children would have cost the state about $200 million a year if the federal government kicked in half the funding. [Associated Press, 11/14/06]

Pawlenty Eventually Proposed Far More Limited Plan, Admitted Initial Goal To Provide Universal Health Care To Children Cant Be Reached Overnight. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a health care plan Thursday that he said would lower costs, emphasize quality, streamline paperwork and extend coverage to more Minnesotans. Pawlenty said the plan would extend coverage to 23,000 more Minnesotans, including 13,000 children, and would assist another 35,000 who purchase private market policies. Thats a far cry from Pawlentys initial call to cover all kids, which would have meant covering 80,000 uninsured children, but he said that goal cant be reached overnight. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/12/07]

Pawlenty Proposed Creation Of Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, At the heart of Pawlentys plan is the creation of a private entity called the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange. The Exchange would allow employers who dont offer health coverage to set up pre-tax accounts for employees, who in turn would buy policies through the Exchange. Not only would all insurers offer their products through the Exchange, but the state would prohibit individual policies from being sold outside the Exchange. The Exchange would administer the pre-tax accounts, relieving employers of a major burden, and would ensure that policies met certain standards of quality care that Pawlenty says are needed to change the system. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/12/07] Pawlentys Proposed Health Care Plan Falls Short Of A Policy Goal He Set Just Two Months Ago By Failing To Ensure Universal Health Care For Children. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a health care plan Thursday that falls short of a policy goal he set just two months ago covering all of Minnesotas children. The Republican governors proposal would cut MinnesotaCare premiums for children and create MinnesotaCare II, a private version of the subsidized program featuring even lower premiums for kids but more out-of-pocket costs. He said his plan would cover about 13,000 children. Back in November, Pawlenty said the state had the resources to help 70,000 to 90,000 uninsured children get insurance. On Thursday, he said that goal cant be reached right away. [Associated Press, 1/12/07]

INSURANCE EXCHANGE FLIP FLOP

Pawlenty Turned Down Federal Funding For Study On Insurance Exchanges, But State Delegation Went To Germany Anyway To Study Them. According to the Associated Press, Germanys health care system is drawing Minnesota experts across the ocean to get ideas on creating a health insurance exchange under the new U.S. health care overhaul. A 16-member delegation including state Health Commissioner Sanne Magnan (SAN-ee MAG-nan) will spend the coming week in Berlin on a trip organized by the University of Minnesotas Center for German and European Studies. The visit comes just a couple of weeks after Magnans boss, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, refused to apply for a $1 million federal grant to study health insurance exchanges. Instead, he ordered state agencies to avoid discretionary involvement with the federal health care law unless required by law or approved by his office. Germany has long had universal health care coverage through a system of statutorily authorized nonprofit insurers. [Associated Press, 9/12/10] Pawlenty Claimed That Minnesota Had Studied Insurance Exchanges In 2008 Or 2009 And Concluded It Would Not Have A Big Impact On Cost Control. In an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box, Pawlenty said, Well, in Minnesota, we studied the exchanges, because it is an idea that theres a lot of debate about across the country. I think it was 2008 or 2009, we studied exchanges. And, at least as it relates to cost control, setting aside some of the other issues, but at least as it relates to cost control, the group in Minnesota concluded it probably wouldnt make much of a difference. I think what would make a difference is, I dont know why I cant go on the internet, Ed, or you cant go on the internet tonight and buy health insurance wherever we want Why should I be limited or you be limited to two or three choice in our respective states, when you can buy car insurance, life insurance from California, Florida, Ohio? You have to put up some guardrails for consumer protection, but the idea Im essentially limited to three choices in Minnesota that really dont compete anymore is not competition. And that we should open up. And I appreciate the baby step thats in the bill. But I wish it would have gone much, much further. [CNBC, Squawk Box, 9/29/10]

Pawlenty Supported Health Exchanges In 2007 But Opposed Same Idea As Part Of Affordable Care Act. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called insurance exchanges, a key piece of health care reform. He said exchanges amount to government interfering with the free market. Thats a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses He said the best insurance exchange is the free market. We studied it, and said these exchanges wouldnt really make health care more affordable in terms of the cost of health care overall, said Pawlenty. These exchanges -- where the government will direct how and when you buy your insurance if youre an individual or small businessperson. The government will determine what your benefit sets look like. The government will manage it and administrate it, either directly or indirectly. [Minnesota Public Radio, 10/8/10] Pawlenty Touted Benefits Of Health Insurance Exchange For Businesses In 2007. According to Minnesota Public Radio, But three and a half years ago, Pawlenty advocated for a similar idea he called the non-profit Minnesota Insurance Exchange. The goal was to connect employers and workers with more affordable health coverage options. Through the exchange, the governor would have required all employers with more than 10 workers to establish a Section 125 plan, so

their employees could buy cheaper health insurance with pre-tax dollars. In 2007, Pawlenty advocated for a similar idea he called the nonprofit Minnesota Insurance Exchange. During a 2007 news conference touting the plan, Pawlenty said the system would only cost employers about $300 to set up. If just two of your employees go out and buy insurance through the exchange, the benefits to the employer on a pre-tax basis -- because of their payments to Social Security and otherwise into the 125 plan -- more than cover the cost of setting up the plan. [Minnesota Public Radio, 10/8/10] Pawlenty Cited 2008 Study To Claim Minimal Impact From Health Insurance Exchange, But Study Actually Said Exchange Could Have Significant Impacts If Combined With Other Reforms. According to Minnesota Public Radio, When asked why Pawlenty has changed his position on health insurance exchanges, the governors spokesman said the exchange would likely have only a minimal impact on the cost of health insurance coverage in Minnesota. That response is based on a 2008 analysis of the governors exchange proposal, which was conducted by the Minnesota Health Department. However, the analysis goes on to say that in combination with other reforms [which are included in the federal health care law], the exchange idea could have significant impacts on the cost of coverage. If you put in place only an exchange, thats not enough to have a big impact, said Deborah Chollet, one of the authors of the report and an analyst with the independent consulting firm, Mathematical that prepared the study. If you put in an exchange with a range of other changes that lead people to coverage, emphasize personal responsibility for having coverage, it improves the quality of care and the efficiency of care. Then you get big impacts, Chollet added. [Minnesota Public Radio, 10/8/10] Pawlenty Used To Support Health Exchanges But Has Moved Away From Them As He Gets Closer To Running For President. According to WCCo, Pawlenty said he does not like health insurance exchanges because it they not free market enough. Grants would be coming to Minnesota, but he says he doesnt want the money. He used to be generally in favor of things like the exchanges, but has moved away from them as he gets closer to running for president. He has made a compelling case, in his view, for why hes been doing it. He said hell do everything he can to impede the federal health insurance reform bill in Minnesota before leaving office in three months. [WCCO, 10/8/10]

Prescription Drug Program

PAWLENTY SUPPORTED REIMPORTANTION BUT FAILED TO ACHIEVE PROGRAM
Pawlentys Signature Initiative To Facilitate Prescription Drug Importation From Canada Failed After Six Years Due To Lack Of Interest. According to the Associated Press, One of Gov. Tim Pawlentys signature initiatives an online state program that helped residents buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada is ending. The Minnesota Department of Human Services said Wednesday that it will end the drug import program on March 1, about six years after it started. Demand has slumped since the peak days of 2005. The MinnesotaRxConnect Web site processed an average of 57 orders a month last year, compared with more than 1,100 in January 2005. Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman says the limited use no longer justifies the cost of maintaining the service, including onsite inspections of Canadian pharmacies. The Web site will still show in-state prescription drug prices for comparison and other tips for saving money on drugs. [Associated Press, 1/6/10] Pawlenty Started State Program To Purchase Prescription Drugs From Canada, First State To Do So. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, In an act sure to draw a federal rebuke, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday announced the first program by any state to purchase cheaper drugs from Canada for state employees. Its the right thing to do, Pawlenty said. The driving force is we can save money and employees can save money. He said the state, which is selfinsured, hopes to save taxpayers $1.4 million by the end of next year. State employees who agree to purchase drugs from a Canadian mail-order pharmacy could save an estimated $900,000 because their $15 co-pay would be waived, he added. [Star Tribune, 5/14/04]

Pawlenty Encouraged Minnesota Residents To Purchase Prescription Drugs From Canada Despite Staunch Resistance From Federal Government. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota plans to launch a website today offering its residents information on how to order prescription drugs from Canada, making it the first state to take concrete action in defiance of the federal government. The plan represents an escalation of the confrontation over drug costs between the federal government and the more than two dozen states that in one form or another have expressed desires to import cheaper drugs from CanadaIndeed, even the Minnesota plan stops short of what Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty

originally outlined last year. The state is not ready to begin a program for state employees to purchase drugs, and it has no fixed date for launch of that initiativeImportation of drugs is illegal, although the FDA has permitted personal importation of 90-day supplies. The agency said it reserves the right to take legal action against public entities such as cities and states that engage in the practice on a broader scale, but thus far it has not followed through on the threat. The agency had no specific comment on Minnesotas planned launch today. Pawlenty met with FDA officials in Washington this month, seeking permission for the launch, but he did not receive it. [Associated Press, 7/21/04] Pawlenty Violated Federal Law In Promoting Prescription Drug Importation From Canada, Risked Federal Lawsuit And Potentially Even Jail Time. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is courting a federal lawsuit - and potentially even jail time - in his showdown with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the state of Minnesotas prescription drug Web site. On Wednesday, Associate FDA Commissioner William Hubbard said that its very clear Pawlentys actions violate federal law and that the commissioners will have to decide how to respond. The governor, by essentially thumbing his nose at us, is putting the burden on us to take action against him, Hubbard said in an interview. Wed really like to work these problems out in some amicable way, but that might not be possible. Last month, FDA officials explicitly warned Pawlenty that launching a state Web site that encourages people to buy drugs from Canada - MinnesotaConnectRX.com - would violate the law, Hubbard said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/26/04]

Pawlenty Was Warned By Federal Government That His Support For Prescription Drug Importation From Canada Put Minnesota Residents At Indirect Risk, Followed Path Of Profiteers And Outright Criminals. According to the Washington Times, The D.C. government is directing residents seeking low-cost prescription drugs to a Minnesotasponsored program that shows them how to buy drugs from Canadian pharmacies - a purchase that violates federal law Theyre putting their people at an indirect risk, William Hubbard, FDA associate commissioner for policy and planning, said. We cant get any assurances to the U.S. patients that theyre getting a good drug. Earlier this year, Mr. Hubbard sent a warning letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty about the Minnesota RxConnect Web site. The letter accused state officials of shining a bright light on a path used not only by profiteers masquerading as pharmacists, but by outright criminals. [Washington Times, 8/11/04] Pawlenty Was Repeatedly Chastised By Federal Government Over Prescription Drug Importation From Canada. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty has been at loggerheads with the federal government on another prominent health care issue - the reimportation of lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada. The Bush administration has adamantly maintained that such reimportation poses a safety hazard to American consumers, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly chastised Pawlenty for launching the nations first state Web site designed to steer consumers to Canadian pharmacies. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 9/10/04] Pawlenty Urged Canadian Government Not To Restrict Sales Of Prescription Drugs To United States. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty called on the Canadian government Friday not to slam the door on American consumers through a proposed rule change to restrict the export of less-expensive drugs to the United States. Pawlenty made his plea in a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin in response to news reports that Canada was considering a policy that would prevent Americans from receiving Canadian drugs without an examination by a Canadian physician Earlier this week, Pawlenty issued a press releasing saying he would consider finding suppliers from European countries with safe pharmacy systems to fill prescriptions for the Web site if the Canadian mail-order ban happens. [Associated Press, 12/31/04] Pawlenty Cited U.S. Trade With China Despite Communist Control To Counter Critics Of Prescription Drug Importation From Canada Despite Canadian Governments Role In Negotiating Prices. In an interview with Stateline.org, Pawlenty said: The other argument that comes up is, Well, youre re-importing price controls from Canada. I find that an amusing argument coming from conservatives or the industry for this reason: It is true that Canada and other countries negotiate prices with the drug companies, and they require government-negotiated prices, but for almost every other product, American consumers and American businesses scan the globe for the best deal. We dont get uniquely self-righteous for any other product. We dont say to China: Were not going to trade with you because youre a communist country, you lack modern labor laws, you lack modern environmental laws, you lack a market system, you lack integrity around individual property rights. We dont get self-righteous with respect to China or other countries ... so why would we pull our punches when it comes to trade with Canada for prescription medicines, even if their system is flawed? [Stateline.org, 9/14/04] Pawlenty Called His Support For Prescription Drug Importation From Canada The Prescription Medicine Equivalent Of The Boston Tea Party. In an interview with CNN, Pawlenty said: Well, we are worried about it, but there is a rebellion brewing across America. I think its really sweetly ironic that were in Boston today, because this is obviously the

home of the Boston Tea Party. And I think we are doing the prescription medicine equivalent of the Boston Tea Party. People are fed up. They deserve and need relief. Were trying to give it to them. This is not an ideal solution, but it will bring some near-term relief. And, as importantly, it will push the federal government to make some reforms, which are inevitable. I think the current system is going to fall. Its just a question of when and how now. [CNN, 10/28/03] Pawlenty Supported Federal Government Negotiating With Drug Companies On Prescription Drug Prices, Urged Federal Government To Rebalance World Prices. In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune: MST: Do you blame [pharmaceutical companies], then, for the current state of prescription drug pricing? TIM PAWLENTY: In the end, I have to point the finger at the federal government. Because every other developed country in the world has addressed this issue. To have the federal government give up its authority to do bulk purchases for Medicare patients in this recent legislation was, perhaps, the single most astonishing thing Ive seen in health care policy since Ive been involved. Its just profoundly dumb. The federal government basically says to them, Do what you want. We shouldnt be surprised when, if were the only developed country in the world who lets them [drug manufacturers] get away with this, they do it. The real long-term answer, in my humble opinion, is to rebalance world prices. Unless and until the pharmaceutical companies are forced to do that, either through market forces or our own federal government, theyll continue to keep doing what theyre doing. Theyre not going to change until someone makes them change. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/13/04]

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADS

Pawlenty Called For Greater Federal Regulation Of Prescription Drug Advertising. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Thursday for a two-year federal ban on prescription drug advertising aimed at consumers and for increased state regulation of drug ads that he described as silly and ridiculous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was mistaken in 1997 when it loosened advertising restrictions for drug companies, Pawlenty said, and the resulting ads have pushed patients to demand drugs from their doctors instead of doctors recommending the best remedies to their patients. He suggested the moratorium in a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. What it is going to do is put the decision-making back to where it should be in an informed basis between the patient and the doctor, not having consumers duped by silly ads and butterflies and middle-aged men throwing footballs through tires with a smile on their face, Pawlenty said. Thats not how we should make medical decisions. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/21/06]

MEDICARE PART D
Pawlenty Would Have Signed Medicare Part D. In an interview with Esquire: ESQUIRE: Governor, you routinely refer to the presidents health-care reform as a government takeover. If you had been president, would you have signed President Bushs Medicare Drug Benefit? TIM PAWLENTY: Yes. A version of it. Medicare was started a long time ago, and medicine had changed, having gone from clinical practices and hospitalizations to treating more and more conditions with prescription medicines. So it makes sense to extend Medicare benefits to prescription medicines. [Esquire, 2/12/10]

PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

Pawlentys Plan To Lower Prescription Drug Costs Was Far Less Effective Than Alternative Plan. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Two weeks after House DFLers offered a plan to harness state bargaining power to drive down prescription drug prices for uninsured Minnesotans, Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled his own proposal Wednesday. The governors plan would cut costs by 10 to 50 percent for about 13,000 lower-income Minnesotans, far fewer than the DFLers goal of helping several hundred thousand people, with no income limit Under the Pawlenty plan, the state would negotiate rebates on already-discounted prices the state now pays to drugmakers for medicines that help about 200,000 beneficiaries in the Medicaid program for the poor. Those lower prices - a savings of perhaps 50 percent for generic drugs and 15 or 20 percent for brand-name drugs - would be offered to enrollees in the new program Eligible would be about 26,000 Minnesotans with no drug insurance and incomes up to three times the poverty level. About 13,000 people likely would enroll and receive ID cards they could use at local pharmacies, [Human Services Commissioner Kevin] Goodno said. The program would not apply to older and disabled people who already are eligible for a new drug benefit under Medicare Part D. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/23/06]

Health Insurance Companies

Pawlenty Unsuccessfully Pushed A State-Regulated Health Insurance Exchange In Minnesota, Turned Down Federal Funds To Set Up Similar Exchange. According to the Star Tribune, We all, I think, can chart a path toward universal coverage, [Pawlenty] said in a luncheon speech to a Minneapolis health reform conference. Were going to have to move in stages. ... We should start with covering all kids. In 2007, Pawlenty asked the Legislature to create a state-regulated health insurance exchange for individual health insurance policies -- now the centerpiece of Obamas plan to expand access to those who dont have group insurance through their employers. Pawlentys plan lacked an individual insurance mandate but would have required all individual health insurance policies in the state to be purchased through the exchange. That proposal failed in the Legislature and was shelved. Last year, as part of an executive order to prevent Minnesota from using federal funds related to the new law, Pawlenty turned down $1 million from Washington to set up a similar exchange. He cited a 2008 state Health Department study that found it would have only a minimal impact on costs. [The Star Tribune, 08/06/11] Pawlenty Said He Opposed Insurance Exchanges; Falsely Claimed Exchanges Were Utterly Worthless. According to TIME, [I]n an interview with Politico this week, and in an interview with me late last year, Pawlenty stressed that he opposes health-insurance exchanges, an idea he championed as recently as 2007 and a centerpiece of the Ryan proposal to transform Medicare into a private system. I pressed Pawlenty on why his state would turn down federal money to study a concept long favored by free-market conservatives. He told me that his state had already studied exchanges and found them to be useless. As it relates to cost savings, they would not advance the ball, he said, adding that an exchange introduces the troubling concept of government acting as a market brokerI dont think they would work. Pawlenty is right that the Minnesota Department of Health had already commissioned a major study on health-insurance exchanges. But contrary to Pawlentys contention that they would be ineffectual he told Politico that exchanges are utterly worthless the Minnesota study found that a state exchange would increase consumer choice, reduce administrative costs for many employers and introduce savings of 30% to 50% for individuals. Benefits of an exchange would be possible, the study found, when combined with other insurance reforms like an individual mandate, community rating and guaranteed issue. [TIME, 06/23/11] Pawlenty Administration Proposed Loosening Minnesota Law To Permit Insurance Companies To Skip State Approval Of New Consumer Rules. According to the Associated Press, The state Commerce Department has proposed loosening Minnesota law to allow insurance companies the unusual freedom to skip state approval of new, or amended, consumer policies. Insurers would be able to sell most consumer policies simply by certifying to the Commerce Department that they comply with state law under legislation pending in the state Senate and House. Insurers also would be able to raise and lower rates 7 percent annually without state approval. The new rules would apply to most personal insurance including life, health, auto and homeowners policies, Commerce Department spokesman Bruce Gordon said. Few states give insurers such a free hand. Only seven allow the sale of policies without some form of prior approval and only two dont require insurers to file copies of policies and other forms at all, said Cheye Calvo, an insurance expert with the National Conference of State Legislatures. About half the states give insurers similar freedom to set premiums. The Commerce Department proposed the changes, which fit with Gov. Tim Pawlentys philosophy of easing state oversight of financial businesses. Pawlenty has instructed his new Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson to make the state friendlier to such businesses to encourage investment and job growth while still protecting consumers. [Associated Press, 3/19/03] Pawlenty Worked To Loosen The States Regulatory Climate Regarding Insurance Industry. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Though most of the attention in the first two months of Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration has been on his handling of Minnesotas enormous budget deficit, he has also begun to loosen the states regulatory climate. Most of the action so far is in the state Commerce Department, where the new Republican governor appointed banker Glenn Wilson to change its oversight of financial, insurance and real estate businesses. Wilson last month renamed the departments Division of Enforcement as the Division of Market Assurance. For an administration that eschews euphemisms -- Pawlenty renamed the Department of Children, Families and Learning to the Department of Education to send a message that the core mission is education -- the name change is a clear sign of a new directionThe change comes at a time when state regulators are in the spotlight for uncovering abuses in financial and other companies. Securities regulators in New York, for instance, led the investigation into the misuse of stock analyst research that resulted in 11 big brokerages paying $ 1.46 billion in fines and penalties. Some observers fear the Commerce Departments new approach will erode consumer protection. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/2/03] Pawlenty Administration Made A Written Promise To Insurance Company Not To Discuss $100,000 Settlement With Press Or Federal Regulators; Insurance Company Was Accused Of Deceiving Minnesota Seniors. According

to the Associated Press, In one of his first official acts, Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson made a written promise not to tell the press or talk to national regulators about a $100,000 settlement reached with an insurance company accused of deceiving Minnesota seniors. In a two-year investigation, the department under Gov. Jesse Ventura found that Texas-based United American Insurance Co. misled hundreds of Minnesota seniors into purchasing supplemental Medicare insurance policies. A year ago, then-Commerce Commissioner Jim Bernstein lambasted the company in a news conference as deceptive and predatory for telling seniors they could lose benefits unless they bought the policies. But days after Wilson replaced him, the new commissioner signed a consent agreement with company officials in which the state got $100,000 but agreed to not call the money a fine. Wilson also agreed to several secrecy clauses...Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff, Charlie Weaver, said the administration takes a dim view of non-disclosure agreements, but he said there is no policy banning them. [Associated Press, 7/29/03]

Children
Pawlenty Labeled Fact Of 84,300 Children Eligible For State Health Insurance But Not Receiving It Inexcusable. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty, a Republican, called it inexcusable that about 84,300 of those children were eligible for insurance under the states Cover More Kids initiative and not receiving it. [Associated Press, 8/8/02] Pawlenty Pledged To Cover All Children As Step To Universal Health Care, But Actual Proposal Covered Less Children Than Had Lost Insurance Under His Own Budget Cuts. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, After he won a second term in November, Gov. Tim Pawlenty declared that the path to universal health care coverage should start with covering all kids, and that, We now have the resources to do this. DFLers in the House and Senate said they were thrilled with the governors new position and eager to move forward. But when Pawlenty released his plan earlier this month, it covered 13,000 additional children - fewer than half the number who lost coverage in his 2003 budget cutsWhile covering all kids remains a worthy goal, McClung said, it wont happen overnight. Instead, he said, Pawlentys plan focuses on costcontainment, quality and access. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/28/07] Pawlenty Desired To Roll Back Increased Health Insurance Coverage For Low-Income Children And Childless Adults. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty would also roll back hard-fought DFL increases in health care coverage, including increased coverage for lower-income children and childless adults. No one who has health care coverage right now would be cut, he said, but the state cannot afford extensions in coverage. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/8/08]

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Pawlenty Urged Federal Government To Extend Childrens Health Insurance Program And Increase Funding. According to the St. Cloud Times, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other leaders of the National Governors Association last week sent a letter to Washington, D.C., asking Congress to extend the State Child Health Insurance Program and provide it with sufficient funding to avoid shortfalls that would be passed on to the states. Pawlenty, as chairman of the NGA, said full, bipartisan reauthorization of SCHIP is essential. But while bipartisan support was present for a bill that extended SCHIP eligibility beyond its current enrollment, President Bush vetoed it, asking Congress to adhere to his budget request for the program, which would freeze funding and thereby cut eligibility. The nations governors recommend the extension include sufficient funds so no state faces a shortfall during the time of the extension. Going forward, full reauthorization of SCHIP remains our top priority and we are hopeful that Congress and the Administration will continue discussions to ensure a sensible, bipartisan SCHIP reauthorization proposal is reached as soon as possible, Pawlenty wrote. [St. Cloud Times, 12/23/07] Pawlenty Opposed George W. Bushs Proposed Funding Cut For Childrens Health Insurance Program. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was among 18 governors in Washington, D.C., last week who challenged the White House and signed a bipartisan letter urging quick congressional action to avert a reduction proposed by the Bush administration in funding the State Childrens Health Insurance Program. [Star Tribune, 3/5/07] Pawlenty Opposed George W. Bushs Veto Of Expanded Childrens Health Insurance Program. According to the Cato Institute, Governor Pawlenty opposed President Bushs veto of a Democratic bill that would have expanded the State

Childrens Health Insurance program (SCHIP) to families earning as much as $83,000 per year. [Cato Institute Blog Post, 6/24/08]

Stem Cell Research

Pawlenty Vetoed Bill To Allow State University To Fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed embryonic stem cell research legislation Friday, saying rapidly evolving science may make it unnecessary to cross moral and ethical lines by destroying live embryos. The bill would have allowed the University of Minnesota to spend state money on embryonic stem cell research. Cells would have come from stored embryos from donors who consented to research use, and an oversight committee would have been required to review the researchIn vetoing the stem cell bill, which passed the House 71-62 two weeks ago, Pawlenty said he was willing to consider legislation that is consistent with sound ethical and moral standards. The governor said he supported several ideas, including using stem cells from discarded umbilical cords and extracting stem cells from embryos without damaging them. Pawlenty, in his veto message, said two independent studies released last November showed that adult skin cells can be reprogrammed into stem cells with much of the same potential as embryonic cells for medical uses. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/24/08] Pawlenty Said He Did Not Support Wide Open Embryonic Stem Cell Research. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A Minnesota House committee is taking up a bill that would allow the University of Minnesota to fund research on stem cells that come from human embryos with state dollars. Pawlenty told the Minnesota Family Councils Legislative Insight Luncheon that he is open to the science with some restrictions. I do not support wide open embryonic stem cell research, Pawlenty said. Pawlenty says he would like to see research done on stem cells taken from umbilical cords, or adult stem cells, or through a procedure that allows for the extraction of embryonic stem cells without damaging the embryo itself. Pawlenty also says he supports research on existing stem cell lines as long as the embryo is no longer capable of producing human life. I dont support using embryos that exist and are capable of giving life but to take existing lines and not use them, at least on a limited basis, for which the embryo no longer exists, in my view, defies common sense, Pawlenty said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/5/07] Pawlenty Declared, I Support Stem Cell Research. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty made his strongest statement yet in favor of stem cell research during a debate Thursday among the three major candidates for governor in the shadow of Rochesters Mayo Clinic...I know Mr. Hatch wants to make stem cells an issue, but Im going to have to disappoint him. We agree on the issue. I support stem cell research, Pawlenty told a crowd of about 200 Rochester Chamber of Commerce members and guests at the luncheon debate that also focused on health care. He urged President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress to lift restrictions on such research. Theres great promise in umbilical cord stem cell research in adult-derived stem cells and in embryonic stem cells, Pawlenty said. Theres an exciting new process where they can extract stem cells from embryos without damaging them I think more research should be allowed than what has taken place. Pawlenty previously had not clearly defined his position on the issue. Many of his staunchest anti-abortion supporters oppose embryonic stem cell research and probably will be surprised by his stand. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/6/06] Pawlentys Campaign Manager Said Pawlenty Supports Stem Cell Research. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, In a news release Monday, Pawlenty campaign manager Michael Krueger said the governor supports stem cell research but believes safeguards should be in place so that it is not misused. Krueger also touted Pawlentys support of broader bioscience research by the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic. Earlier, Krueger said that Pawlenty believes a limited number of additional stem cell lines should be approved for federally funded research. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 8/22/06]

Tort Reform
Pawlenty Did Not Necessarily Support Capping Noneconomic And Punitive Damages For Plaintiffs As Part Of Tort Reform. In an interview with the Minnesota Lawyer: ML: Another tort reform proposal involves capping noneconomic and punitive damages awards for plaintiffs. Do you agree in general with this proposal? TIM PAWLENTY: Not necessarily. I think it depends on the circumstances and I wouldnt want to make a blanket statement that in all cases we are going to cap noneconomic damages. [Minnesota Lawyer, 10/7/02]

Pawlenty Saw Downsides To Loser-Pays Rule As Part Of Tort Reform. In an interview with the Minnesota Lawyer: ML: Also proposed in terms of tort reform is the loser-pays rule, in which the party who is unsuccessful in litigation must pay the legal fees for both sides. Do you favor a loser pays rule? Pawlenty responded, There are some downsides to it. I think a better answer is to more aggressively enforce [Minnesota Rule of Civil Procedure] Rule 11, [which] is supposed to prohibit and discourage frivolous lawsuits, but is rarely enforced. I think we need to first look to more aggressively enforcing the rules that we have. That would include a call for taking Rule 11 more seriously. If people are filing nonmeritorious lawsuits, and it does happen -- of course, merit sometimes is in the eye of the beholder. When it does happen, I dont think we should laugh it off. I think there should be a consequence for that. A big theme in my campaign is holding government accountable. One of the things we should hold the legal system accountable for is dealing with lawyers and parties who file frivolous lawsuits in a way that sends a message that we really dont have the time and the resources to be dealing with silly or frivolous matters. [Minnesota Lawyer, 10/7/02] Pawlenty Signed Bill Limiting Individual Payouts From State Insurance Guaranty Program. In 2003, Pawlenty signed a bill that limited the amount of money individuals could collect from the states insurance guaranty program if their insurance company went bankrupt while they had pending property and casualty claims. The bill limited payouts to $10 million. [New Laws 2003, Public Information Services, Minnesota House of Representatives, p.49]

Tobacco
Pawlenty Used Proceeds From States Tobacco Settlement To Help Close Budget Deficit. According to the Associated Press, The bill contains about $7.5 billion in state spending, but thats about $1 billion less than it would have taken to meet the predicted costs of programs for families, the disabled and the poor. The bill also absorbs the states tobacco endowment, won in a lawsuit with tobacco companies, to help fill the states $4.23 billion budget deficit. [Associated Press, 6/6/03] Pawlenty Proposed Transferring More Than $1 Billion From Youth Tobacco Prevention And Medical School Education And Training Accounts To Help Close Budget Deficit. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesotas landmark tobacco settlement, hailed five years ago as a great victory for public health, emerged Tuesday as part of Gov. Tim Pawlentys tonic for an ailing state financial sheet, accounting for nearly one-fourth of his budget-balancing proposal. Under Pawlentys plan to fix the $4.2 billion budget deficit for the next two years, more than $1 billion would be transferred to the general fund from youth tobacco prevention and medical school education and training accounts. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/19/03] Pawlentys Desire To Eliminate Tobacco Endowment Threatened Rise In Teenage Smoking Rates. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, But now, Target Market is slated to disappear under Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal, which would eliminate the $446 million tobacco endowment that pays for it. And experts warn that without the program and its multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, teenage smoking rates could start to rise again. The next generation is just waiting to become addicted, said Matt Sones, of the office of smoking and health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If that message is not thererates of smoking will go up. Pawlentys health commissioner, Dianne Mandernach, admits there is a risk that teen smoking rates will rise. I wont say they will - they may, she said WednesdayOn Tuesday, Pawlenty proposed using the tobacco endowment to help erase the states $4.2 billion projected budget shortfall. However, his plan includes spending $3.4 million to combat youth smoking. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/20/03] Pawlentys Success In Eliminating Teen Anti-Smoking Program Contributed To High Smoking Rate Among High School Students In Minnesota, According To American Lung Association. According to Minnesota Public Radio Smoking rates for high school students are higher than the national average. About 23 percent of high school students in Minnesota smoke, compared to 20 percent nationwide. [Robert] Moffitt, [the spokesman for the American Lung Association in Minnesota] said that Gov. Tim Pawlentys decision to end funding for a teen anti-smoking program in 2003 has contributed to the high rate. The governor used part of the states tobacco settlement money to balance the budget that year, eliminating funding for the teen-focused Target Market program. [Minnesota Public Radio, 1/12/10]

Pawlenty Questioned Value Of Tobacco Control Programs, Expressed Possibility Of Eliminating Them. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pawlenty again questioned the effectiveness of tobacco control programs and reiterated his

intention to consider killing them. Attorney General [Mike] Hatch and others have repeatedly cited that many of those programs and related programs are not very effective and they are not using the money very well, and so you may well see some of that tobacco money be put on the table in terms of deficit reduction, he said. [Star Tribune, 12/4/02]

Additional Health Care Issues

Pawlenty Did Nothing To Prevent Tax Increases On Medical Services And Health Insurance From Taking Effect, Claimed He Was Not Responsible Because They Were Passed Before He Took Office. According to the Associated Press, The cost of health care in Minnesota will rise a bit higher Jan. 1 because of increases in two state taxes on medical services and health insurance. The expense of visiting a doctor, spending a night in the hospital, buying a new pair of eyeglasses or getting a cavity filled by a dentist will increase because a current 1.5 percent health tax is scheduled to increase to 2 percent. Almost everybody will pay the tax, either directly or indirectly. The second tax, which covers about one-third of all Minnesota individuals and families who pay for their health insurance themselves or work for companies too small to have self-insurance funds, is not currently being levied. After Jan. 1, the insurance tax, known as a gross-premium tax, will go into effect at 1 percent. The two tax increases are coming on top of an overall rise in health care costs that state planners expect to be about 10 percent a year over the next three yearsPawlenty, who campaigned in 2002 on a promise to oppose and veto any state tax increase, said he had no obligation to prevent the already-scheduled tax increases from occurring. My reaction to the tax increase, Pawlenty said, referring specifically to the change in the provider tax rate, is that, as I recall, that was passed before I became governor. And I said I wasnt going to raise any tax while I was governor, and I didnt. [Associated Press, 12/26/03]

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Pawlenty Was Determined To Cut Health Benefits For Metro Transit Workers, Prepared To Risk Strike In Order To Achieve His Goals. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signaled that he may be willing to risk a strike with Metro Transit workers when he sharply criticized their level of health benefits. Pawlenty said many of the workers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 are given full, lifetime health benefits after only 10 years with the regional agency. This is simply out of line and cannot stand, Pawlenty said. He said that while he still hoped to avoid a strike, this will be coming to a head in the next couple of months. This is something were going to have to change. [Associated Press, 11/1/03]

PAWLENTY OPPOSED CREATING HEALTH INSURANCE POOL FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Pawlenty Pledged To Veto Bill Creating Statewide Health Insurance Pool For Public School Employees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Proponents of a long-sought statewide health insurance pool for school employees revived the proposal Wednesday, arguing a new report shows the pool would save school districts close to $1 billion over the next decade. A bill that would create a mandatory pool for Minnesotas approximately 200,000 school employees passed a legislative conference committee WednesdayThe proposal now will make its way to the full House and Senate for votesIn a letter to the bills sponsors, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would veto the bill, as he did with a similar proposal in 2007. He said the new proposal does not address the real issues driving health care costs, including an aging employee population, growing prescription drug costs and utilization rates. Pawlenty also said that while the Management and Budget Office estimated a small overall savings to districts statewide, it also shows some districts would see different levels of costs or savings. At a time when school districts are managing tight budgets, another costly mandate is not appropriate, Pawlenty said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/24/10]

NEWBORN TESTING
Pawlenty Vetoed Bill Improving Procedures Around Newborn Genetic Testing Due To Concerns Over Parental Rights. According to the Associated Press, A bill that would have altered procedures around newborn genetic testing and blood-sample storage in Minnesota ran into a veto Tuesday. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said while he supports the testing done at

birth for medical disorders, he wasnt convinced the bill gave parents enough power to keep a childs samples from being used in long-term research. An estimated 73,000 newborns are tested each year, and approximately 140 are found to have a confirmed medical disorder. Early diagnosis can help bring about earlier interventionPawlenty said in his own letter accompanying the veto that the bill would have made some improvements related to collection of genetic information. But he said he wanted a requirement that the Department of Health obtain written consent if a sample is kept for future research. Government handling and storage of genetic information is a serious matter, he wrote. Removing the requirement for express authorization from parents regarding the long-term storage and potential future uses of genetic samples, especially when such storage and use is not related to newborn screening, is concerning. [Associated Press, 5/20/08]

CANCER
Pawlentys Health Commissioner Withheld Data Detailing Role Of Taconite Mining In Cancer Outbreak Among Miners; Pawlentys Staff Was Repeatedly Briefed On Health Commissioners Decision. According to the St. Paul Pioneers Press, Minnesotas health commissioner apologized again Tuesday for the delayed release of cancer data that could implicate the dust or other hazards of taconite mining in the deaths of dozens of Iron Range miners At issue are data on 35 former miners who died of a rare cancer, mesothelioma, which is almost exclusively caused by the ingestion of asbestos or asbestos-like fibers. Officials with the Minnesota Department of Health learned of the cases in March 2006 but waited to release the information until March 2007 when they were prepared to discuss further research plans. Lawmakers at the hearing described the delay as an unacceptable and mind-boggling betrayal of public trust. Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, said that Mandernach should resign after the meeting if she alone made the decision, but he joined other Democratic-FarmerLabor lawmakers in questioning whether the governor was involved DFL lawmakers also noted repeated references in the memos to Pawlentys staff being briefed on the matter. However, the governors senior health policy adviser said Pawlenty didnt know the exact number of additional cases until this February. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/26/07] Pawlenty Criticized Health Commissioner For Withholding Cancer Data But Did Not Ask Her To Resign. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Northern Minnesota lawmakers and residents were pleased Thursday to hear that state officials finally agreed to spend $100,000 to start studying cancer rates among miners on the Iron Range. But no one is ready to pat Gov. Tim Pawlenty on the back. I dont think the governor is going to get accolades for doing this, said state Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. The studies should have been underway long before now, he said. Bakk and other Iron Rangers are still angry over Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernachs decision to hold back information about almost three dozen cancer cases, a delay that prompted calls for her resignation. Pawlenty criticized Mandernachs actions but didnt ask her to quit. The governors plan would have Mandernach use about $100,000 from her budget for Health Department and University of Minnesota researchers to design the studies. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/13/07] Pawlenty Accepted Health Commissioners Resignation Over Cancer Data Scandal In August 2007. Accoridng to the Associated Press, Minnesota Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach endured months of criticism about her decision to delay releasing cancer data about miners. Now shes quitting. Gov. Tim Pawlentys office announced the development in a statement Tuesday evening, saying Mandernachs resignation will be effective Oct. 2 and her last day will be Sept. 20. The release followed a report from Minnesota Public Radio News that cited an e-mail Mandernach sent to her staff. [Associated Press, 8/22/07] Pawlenty Signed Bill Allocating $4.9 Million To Research Cancer Data. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A bill signed Monday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty will address decades of questions and rumors about the lung-related health problems of Iron Range miners. The University of Minnesota will lead a $4.9 million effort to research why miners have died at a high rate from mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Researchers will examine death records of former miners, conduct health screenings of current miners and spouses and conduct air quality and environmental tests in the mines and mining communities. The studies were prompted by the announcement last year that 58 former miners had died of mesothelioma, increasing speculation that asbestos-like particles are being released in taconite mining dust. Lawmakers and the governor compromised over the funding of the bill. They agreed to use a workers compensation fund that had ample reserves and less potential to pass costs onto businesses. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/28/08]

Pawlenty On National Health Care Reform

Pawlenty Said He And Romney Applauded Florida Governor Rick Scott And Other Governors Who Planned To Refuse To Implement The Affordable Care Act. According to Newsmax, Former Minnesota Governor and presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty tells Newsmax its head-spinning how many times the Obama administration has changed its position on the healthcare reform bill and insists that the fight to overturn Obamacare is just beginning. [] In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, Pawlenty was asked if he agrees with Florida Gov. Rick Scott and several other governors who say they will reject Obamacare and refuse to implement the law. I certainly did when I was governor of Minnesota, including turning back or refusing federal money that was attached to implementing part of it, he said. My view is that it is a bad law. I know Governor Romney believes thats not the way forward for our nation, and I think governors are saying this is something that should be tackled on a state-by-state basis. We shouldnt have a top-down, heavy-handed, Washington, D.C.-directed approach to healthcare reform So I applaud and I know Governor Romney applauds individual states taking the initiative and saying let us innovate, let us do it the best way for our particular state, and rejecting this kind of Washington approach. So I think thats a set of initiatives by those governors that should be saluted. [Newsmax, 7/3/12] In 2009, Pawlenty Said The Affordable Care Act Was Not A Legal Issue. According to Think Progress, Although he told his far right base that maybe even lawsuits will be needed to block federal health care reform, Pawlenty today told host George Stephanopoulos that it wasnt a legal issue [] in the legal sense, I think the courts have addressed these Tenth Amendment issues, but more in the political sense, in the common sense arena, we need to have a clear understanding of what the federal government does well and what should be reserved to the states. Asked further by Stephanopoulos, whether he believed parts of the Affordable Care Act were unconstitutional, Pawlenty replied I wouldnt go so far as to say its a legal issue. I was raising it as much as a practical matter, that there are some things that the federal government shouldnt do, doesnt do well, and should leave to the states. [Think Progress, 9/13/09] Pawlenty Said Romney Was Good On His Word On Promise To Repeal The Affordable Care Act. According to Fox News, during an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty said I believe fully with my heart, and Mitt Romney is good to his word in terms of saying that he will repeal Obama care. And for most Republican primary voters, thats a very important commitment and hes made it. And take him at his word and I know hes committed to it. Ive talked to him about it directly. [Fox News, 9/13/11] Pawlenty Said He Trusted That Romney Would Repeal The Affordable Care Act If Elected President. According to the Associated Press, While a candidate against Romney, Pawlenty hit hard on his rivals role in crafting a Massachusetts health law, parts of which were a template for President Barack Obamas sweeping health care overhaul. Pawlenty once dubbed the Massachusetts law Obamneycare and said Romney would have a tough time debating Obama on the issue because of it. On Monday, Pawlenty said on Fox that he trusts Romney would move to repeal Obamas law if elected. [Associated Press, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Called The Massachusetts Health Care Law Created Under Romney Obamneycare, And Said It Inspired The Affordable Care Act. According to CNN, In the days leading up to the June 13 CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader debate, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty criticized the health care law passed in Massachusetts while Romney was governor, saying it was the inspiration for the national health care plan signed into law last year by Obama. He called it Obamneycare. [CNN, 9/5/11] In 2010, Gov. Pawlenty Signed An Executive Order Prohibiting State Agencies From Applying For Discretionary Grants Related To The Affordable Care Act. According to The Florida Independent, In 2010, then-Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order prohibiting state agencies from applying for ObamaCare-related discretionary grants. [The Florida Independent, 9/1/11] Some Provisions Of Minnesota Heath Care Law Appeared In Federal Health Care Reform. According to Kaiser Health News, Some of the changes made by the Minnesota law can also be found in the later federal overhaul. The state changed the way that physicians, hospitals and other medical providers are paid, rewarding them for high quality care and for coordinating care for chronic conditions such as diabetes through health care homes. Also, for some conditions, medical providers are paid one fee to cover all the costs of related services. One pot of money, for example, pays for a patients knee replacement, from pre-operative services to anesthesia and rehabilitation. The federal law also contained provisions to pay providers more for high quality care and to test similar payment reforms. [Kaiser Health News, 08/08/11]

Pawlenty Supported Health Care Repeal And Said Health Care Reform Was Philosophically, Directionally, Fundamentally Flawed. According to MSNBC, In a speech for what he was paid for, Pawlenty told members of Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) that healthcare reform was one of the mistakes and that the only way to fix it is to repeal the law. Pawlenty: My approach is to say repeal the whole thing and start over. I think it is in philosophically, directionally, fundamentally flawed. The idea that the federal government is going to take into Washington, DC this chunk of our economy -- manage it, limit choices, limit options, create the oversight, regulate it, finance it, staff it -- I think will be 20 years from now one of the worst mistakes of the modern history of the country. [MSNBC, 06/16/11] Associated Press: Pawlenty Falsely Claimed That The Affordable Care Act Was Unconstitutional. According to the Associated Press, in a USA Today column Pawlenty called the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The Associated Press reported that Obamas health care overhaul might be unconstitutional in Pawlentys opinion, but it is not in fact unless the Supreme Court says so. Lower court rulings have been split. [Associated Press, 5/24/11] Pawlenty Wrote That The Affordable Care Act Was Unconstitutional And Drove Up Health Costs. According to USA Today, in an op-ed Pawlenty wrote that ObamaCare is unconstitutional, and it is already driving up health costs not reducing them. [USA Today, 05/23/11] Pawlenty Predicted Affordable Care Act Would Collapse Financially Within 10-15 Years. According to the Chicago Tribune, Potential Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty on Friday predicted President Obamas deeply flawed signature healthcare law will fall apart financially in 15 years or less. Speaking at the City Club of Chicago while on a two-day book-signing tour of the area, the two-term former Minnesota governor said the healthcare debate also crystallizes where Democrats and Republicans each want to take the country. The healthcare debate is really a proxy for the larger political debate overall, said Pawlenty, who is viewed as among the top contenders for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. He said the Democratic-backed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was based on a bunch of flawed assumptions and cooked numbers. I think the philosophy underneath that [law] and the management and efficiency underneath that is deeply flawed, he said. And I think the country will rue the day both financially and otherwise if that legislation goes forward. Ill give it itll fall apart financially with 10 years, 15 years for sure, probably sooner. [Chicago Tribune, 2/4/11] Pawlenty Compared Federal Governments Proposed Medicaid Expansion To Drug Dealing. In an interview with Jan Mickelson, Pawlenty said: Ive likened them [the Federal government] in the past and this is obviously overstated for exaggerated purposes. But, you know, they are on some level like the drug dealers where, you know, they offer you a free sample, kind of get you hooked in this case, you know they dribble out a little money, the carrots, they get the states hooked up on this programs. You know, you look at a program like Medicaid that is so out of control, going up so fast this is the health care for the disadvantaged and the poor but the costs of it are going up beyond any reasonable ability to pay for it, beyond any reasonable growth in revenue, and states technically have the ability to opt-out to just go it on their own. And there are some states that may consider that. But of course the consequences would be financial. [WHO 1040, Jan Mickelson, 12/13/10 (audio)] San Diego Union Tribune Op-Ed: Pawlenty Rejected Any Participation In Affordable Care Act For Minnesota, Urged Other Governors To Do The Same. In an op-ed for the San Diego Union Tribune, Pawlenty wrote: As long as President Barack Obama holds his veto pen, undoing this misguided piece of legislation will not be easy. But we can make progress. While Congress takes important steps toward eventual repeal, governors can use their authority to stop or delay implementation of Obamacare. It must be fought not only in Washington but in state capitols. In Minnesota, I issued an executive order directing state agencies to reject participation in Obamacare unless required by law or consistent with existing state policy. I also joined the federal lawsuit that challenges Obamacares individual mandate and invokes the 10th Amendment in defense of states rights and a proper view of federalism. Newly elected Republican governors should consider taking similar actions. [Tim Pawlenty Op-Ed, San Diego Union Tribune, 11/18/10] Pawlentys Unyielding Opposition To Affordable Care Act Prevented Minnesota Regulators From Devising System To Provide Coverage For Sick Children. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Most health insurers in Minnesota have yet to write new individual policies for sick children, despite requirements under the new federal health care law that aimed to start such coverage two weeks ago. The policies for children -- one of the few uncontroversial areas of the new law -were supposed to be available starting Sept. 23. But rather than offer individual plans that might attract mostly kids who are already sick, and thus expensive to cover, insurers have cut off or reduced their offerings of individual policies Other states have found a way around the problem: implementing a common enrollment period once or twice a year, so parents cant wait till their kids get sick to apply for insurance. But in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vowed to have minimal

involvement with the federal health care law, regulators initially appeared headed that way, then backtracked. Thats left that part of the law essentially toothless in Minnesota, at least for now. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/6/10] Pawlentys Commerce Department Planned To Take Steps To Expand Coverage To Sick Children, But After Pawlentys Staff Had A Word With Them, Commerce Department Backtracked. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Julie Brunner, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, the groups trade association, said the best solution is a clear lead from the Commerce Department. What Commerce could say, in order to meet the objectives of the federal law and provide a rational way for families with children to understand this, is recommend that plans have a common enrollment period, and name a month or two months in a year, Brunner said. The insurers cant decide that among themselves because that could violate antitrust law. In some states, regulators have responded swiftly Minnesota Department of Commerce spokeswoman Nicole Garrison-Sprenger said the department is aware that other states have taken action. But Garrison-Sprenger said it is up to the insurers whether they want to sell child-only policies, when to hold enrollment periods, and whether they want to seek approval for new products or new rates As recently as the beginning of September, Commerce Department officials told state legislators they would recommend a common enrollment period for kids, according to Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis. Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, said he also was briefed by Commerce officials who said they were working to smooth the laws rollout. But after Pawlentys staff had a word with them, the Commerce Department did a U-turn. Pawlenty spokesman Bruce Gordon put it this way: After consulting with Commerce, it was determined companies can currently offer these policies, requiring no further direction from Commerce. The Republican governor, who is mulling a run for president, has made no secret of his opposition to the federal health care law. In late August, Pawlenty announced an executive order designed to keep what he terms Obamacare out of Minnesota. Pawlenty told all state agencies to funnel their federal grant requests through his office to stop Minnesotas participation in projects that are laying the groundwork for a federally controlled health care system -- unless they are required by law or approved by his office. The announcement drew unusually sharp criticism from the heads of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, the Minnesota Hospital Association and the Minnesota Medical Association, who said in a joint statement that the governors decision just doesnt make sense for Minnesotans. [Star Tribune, 10/6/10]

Pawlenty Endorsed Some Specific Provisions Of Affordable Care Act, Including Children Staying On Their Parents Plan To Age 26 And Mandatory Coverage For Children With Preexisting Conditions. In an interview with Greta Van Susteren: GS: Its the six-month mark since the national healthcare overhaul was signed. And, starting tomorrow, some provisions of the new law kick in. Some examples: adults can keep children on their health plans until age 26; insurers can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions; co-pays are eliminated on preventative care like mammograms, flu vaccines, and some cancer screenings. TIM PAWLENTY: President Obama promised to fix the cost crisis, and all he did was expand access to a broken system. For example, those things you just mentioned are mostly good things, Greta. We should include those in health care reform. But, they didnt make the other changes necessary to hold down costs. [On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, 9/22/10] Pawlenty Endorsed Ban On Discrimination On The Basis Of Preexisting Conditions. During a speech at the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, Pawlenty said: I think telling people they cant get insurance because they were previously sick is not right. So, having a prohibition on preexisting conditions is a good thing. I think affordability is a good thing. I think lifting or relaxing lifetime caps is a good thing. [St. Paul Chamber of Commerce meeting, 10/21/10 (video)]

Pawlenty Aggressive Raised Campaign Contributions Out Of Opposition To Affordable Care Act. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is making no bones about translating his challenge to Obamacare into cash for the national political organization he formed a year ago to test a run for the White House in 2012. A day after the GOP governor announced his executive order limiting the use of federal funds made available under the new health care system, his Freedom First PAC sent out a message to friends promoting his move and soliciting contributions. In case you missed it, I wanted to send you an update on Tim Pawlentys leadership in challenging Obamacare, began the e-mail blast from PAC senior advisor Phil Musser. PS, it ended. If you want to help elect candidates in 2010 who will fight Obamacare, please consider donating to Freedom First Pac today. [Star Tribune, Hot Dish Politics blog, 9/2/10]

PAWLENTY SAID REPEALING HEALTH CARE REFORM WOULD BE PART OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL PLATFORM

Pawlenty Said Repealing Affordable Care Act Would Be Key Part Of Presidential Platform. In an interview on CNNs State of the Union with Candy Crowley: CANDY CROWLEY: Would repealing health care reform be a major part of your platform, should you run [for President]? TIM PAWLENTY: Yes, I think having health solutions dragged into Washington, D.C., top-down command-and-control, bureaucratically run entitlement programs that they cant afford are a bad idea. I like markets, I like people being in charge of decisions, not the federal bureaucracy. [CNNs State of the Union with Candy Crowley, 11/7/10]

PAWLENTY OPTED MINNESOTA OUT OF THE HIGH-RISK POOL CREATED UNDER HEALTH CARE REFORM
Pawlenty Opted Minnesota Out Of Federal High-Risk Insurance Pool. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Signaling his continued opposition to the new federal health care law, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced Friday that Minnesota will opt out of a small part of it. Pawlenty sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, saying that the state wont participate in the laws insurance pool for high-risk people, because the state already has one. The Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) is an insurance plan created by the Legislature in 1976 for people whove been rejected by private insurers because they have cancer, diabetes, heart disease or other costly conditions. With 27,000 members, its one of the oldest and largest of 35 high-risk pools in the country, all set up over the years by states to provide a safety net for those who are medically uninsurable. In his letter to Sebelius, Pawlenty said the state could be saddled with increased costs for participating in the federal pool if it quickly runs out of money, as federal actuaries have predicted. The federal insurance pool is another example of federal government encroachment upon local control and innovation, Pawlenty wrote, adding that it represents federal overreach. The states insurance pool already is in difficult financial straits, having spent $150 million more last year on medical care and administrative costs than it collected in premiums and other revenue. Fridays letter is more limited than Pawlentys broader, repeatedly-voiced critique of the new health care law. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/30/10] Pawlenty Opted Minnesota Out Of Federal High-Risk Insurance Pool Despite Lower Premiums In Federal Pool Compared To State Pool. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesotas opting out of running a federal high-risk pool doesnt mean there wont be a federal high risk pool in the state, only that Minnesota wont run it. In a letter to governors earlier this month, Secretary Sibelius said that if a state chose to do nothing, Health and Human Services would carry out a coverage program in the state. Minnesota is one of the better states for its low rate of uninsured, about 10 percent, but it achieves that rate with an uneven patchwork of programs. While Minnesotas gaps might be slimmer than other states, they still exist The federal, high-risk pool in the state is expected to operate in addition to Minnesotas high-risk pool, but the premiums are expected to be about 20 percent lower than the states. The twist is that to be eligible for the federal pool, a person who has pre-existing conditions must have gone without any insurance for at least six months. That includes Minnesotas high risk pool, so people in the state program wont be able to just switch to the federal program without a wait. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/30/10]

PAWLENTY REFUSED TO OPT-IN TO EXPANDED MEDICAID

Pawlenty Refused To Enroll Minnesota In Early Medicaid Program, Costing State $1.4 Billion And Expanded Insurance Access. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday rejected the Legislatures offer to enroll the state in an early Medicaid program, a program lawmakers say would bring $1.4 billion to Minnesota. Pawlenty, in a letter to state Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman, said he is rejecting early enrollment because of significant general fund costs of $430 million over the next three years and uncertainty surrounding the federal governments ability to fulfill the massive spending obligations to the program in the future. The enrollment was the last hurdle the Legislature faced with Pawlenty before adjourning the 2010 session. Supporters say the state would gain $7.45 in federal dollars for each $1 the state invested. Early enrollment in Medicaid would have been realized for former General Assistance Medical Care patients who know must seek emergency room treatment or care at one of four metro-area hospitals. In the end, the Legislature dropped the idea but left open provisions that a future governor, including Pawlenty, could enact the early enrollment by executive order In the letter, the Republican governor writes that the inability of Congress to pass enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages funding for states should serve as a warning about the federal governments ability to continue spending hundreds of billions of dollars in funds without any way to pay for them. Supporters say the federal government would have matched state funding 50/50 until 2014 when the federal government would pay 100 percent. Democrats accused

Pawlenty of throwing up a roadblock to a clear-cut, common-sense path to improve health care for Minnesotans. [Bemidji Pioneer, 6/23/10] Pawlenty Agreed To Allow Next Governor To Opt In To Expanded Medicaid Program, Should He Choose To Do So. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, Democrats backed off their demand that the state spend $188 million to expand its Medical Assistance program for low-income Minnesotans to tap into $1.4 billion in federal money. Instead, they agreed to a deal where the governor and the next governor would have the authority to opt-in to the program. That authority would expire on Jan. 15, 2011. The plan also includes changes to a recent compromise to keep a health care program for the poor. The changes to the General Assistance Medical Care program are aimed at providing additional funds for outstate hospitals. Some area Democrats voiced frustration that legislative Republicans insisted on blocking the Medical Assistance expansion. On Thursday, the governor had said he was open to the expansion. But after House and Senate Republicans voiced opposition to the deal, Pawlenty said Friday the idea was problematic.Republicans say their opposition is based on principles. They say the expansion would bring Obamacare to the state and lead to other problems. [Rochester PostBulletin, 5/17/10] Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Pawlenty Cut A Devils Bargain With Legislature That Cost State More Than $1 Billion In Federal Health Care Funding Because Of Presidential Ambitions. In an editorial, the Rochester PostBulletin wrote: Gov. Tim Pawlenty concluded his eight-year dominance over the Minnesota Legislature with yet another win. There still are some is to be dotted and some ts to be crossed, but the deal that was to have sent lawmakers home today for the campaign season will allow Pawlenty to launch his presidential campaign with an unblemished anti-tax record. Its really quite remarkable the only compromise he made backing away from a proposed $114 million cut in human services allowed him to block Minnesota from early implementation of federal health care reform. This devils bargain could cost Minnesota more than $1 billion in federal funds, and will be a serious blow to doctors, hospitals and our sickest, poorest residents. But a GOP presidential candidate cant afford to have his home state embrace what some people call ObamaCare. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 5/17/10] Pawlentys Rejection Of Federal Medicaid Expansion Forced Hospitals To Shift Cost Burden Onto Insurance Companies And Individuals. According to the Mankato Free Press, Immanuel St. Josephs Mayo Health System says Gov. Tim Pawlentys refusal to accept federal health care funding will cause hospitals to be paid less than care cost for poor patients and shift costs to patients who can pay. ISJ said it will have to shift more than $10 million of costs on to those who are able to pay their bills through their own personal payments, or through their insurance. The federal Medicaid money would have given Minnesota $7 for each $1 invested by the state in care for indigents. Republican legislators and the governor made the payments an issue late in the session, calling the payments Obamacare that the state should not take. Mayo Clinic as a whole is expected to lose between $20 million and $30 million this year because of the governors decision. In addition, ISJ says it pays more than $4.5 million in taxes to the state to help cover the states payments to hospitals and physicians. This means about 5 percent of everyone elses bill is devoted to cover the costs of care for patients who are insured by the state of Minnesota. [Mankato Free Press, 5/21/10]

GRANTS UNDER HEALTH CARE REFORM

Pawlenty Refused To Sign Letter, Lost Automatic $1 Million In Federal Funding For State Insurance Rate Reviews. According to the Minnesota Independent, At a meeting of the Legislatures Health Care Access Commission, Sen. John Marty questioned Department of Commerce official John Gross about federal funding for the states insurance rate reviews, funds that are virtually automatic, so long as the state applies for them. But Minnesota missed out on $1 million in compensation for the rate review program because Gov. Tim Pawlenty didnt sign the completed application. So rather than sign a letter, we gave up a million dollars, which was automatic as I understand it? Virtually automatic? I mean every state that applied got the money? So the department did its work, said Marty. The governor just said we dont want a million dollars and well not sign a letter. [Minnesota Independent, 8/18/10, video available] Pawlenty Refused To Apply For $1 Million Federal Grant To Strengthen Minnesotas Oversight Of Health Insurance Rate Hikes, One Of Only Five States To Forego Grant. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Some DFL lawmakers say theyre frustrated that Gov. Tim Pawlenty decided not to apply for a $1 million grant under the new federal health care reform law. Minnesota was one of only five states that did not apply for the grant. Wisconsin, North and South Dakota received $1 million each. The funding will help states strengthen their oversight of health insurance rate hikes. State Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, said the state cant afford to not apply for the grant. Its basically money that the federal

government is giving an equal amount to each state, so if were not doing it in effect our tax dollars are going to other states, Marty said. Weve been cutting back on the courts, weve been cutting back in so many ways; a million dollars is a million dollars. [Minnesota Public Radio, 8/19/10] Pawlenty Rejected $850,000 No-Strings-Attached Federal Grant To Prevent Teen Pregnancy, But Accepted $500,000 Federal Grant For Abstinence-Only Education That Required $379,000 In State Matching Funds. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has rejected a federal teen pregnancy prevention grant worth $850,000, with no strings attached, while giving his approval for $500,000 in abstinence-only money that will cost the state $379,000 in matching funds. The Minnesota Department of Health wanted to apply for both grants, which are funded through the federal health care overhaul passed in March, said state Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan. Pawlenty, a longtime supporter of abstinence-only sex education, chose to submit just one application to the federal government, she said. A spokesman for Pawlenty said the governor turned down the larger grant because he is striving to find ways to stop the implementation of health reform in Minnesota, even though both grants were funded by the health care legislation. [Star Tribune, 8/30/10] Pawlentys Refusal To Accept $850,000 Federal Grant For Teen Pregnancy Prevention Was Condemned By Adolescent Health Experts, Called Really, Really Sad. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, But on Monday the governors decision sparked an outcry from adolescent health experts and political opponents, who said he was putting his national political ambitions ahead of the health of young Minnesotans -- at a time when the state faces daunting budget shortfalls. Sexually transmitted infections among teenagers are skyrocketing, and in Minnesota minority teens have significantly higher rates of both teen pregnancy and STIs than the national average. The grant Pawlenty rejected could have paid for providing teenagers with information on contraception and disease prevention, in addition to encouraging teens to delay sexual activity. Its really, really sad to discount young people this way, said Brigid Riley, executive director of MOAPPP, the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 8/30/10] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Newspaper Was Hugely Disappointed In Pawlentys Decision To Forego Teen Pregnancy Prevention Funding But Accept Abstinence-Only Funding, Criticized Him For Pulling Safety Net Out From Under At-Risk Teenagers. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: No one should be surprised that Gov. Tim Pawlenty nixed an $850,000 federal teen pregnancy prevention grant while approving $500,000 in abstinence-only money. Hugely disappointed? Sure. Surprised? No. Our governor joins many people who believe that telling teenagers not to have sex until marriage will keep them from having sex until marriage But they are kids and they desperately need a safety net. The governor just pulled that net out from under many our of children, including at-risk minority teens who experience higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases than their peers. By doing so, he shot himself in the foot. The abstinence money will cost the state $379,000 in matching funds. The sex-ed money, nearly $1 million with no strings attached, would have provided teens with information on contraception and disease prevention, but also on compelling reasons to delay sexual activity. One of the biggest myths around comprehensive sexuality education is that abstinence has no place. It does. Another myth, though, is that an abstinence-only discussion will usher all of our kids into a safe and healthy adulthood all by itself. It cant As school-based information increased, including around AIDS or HIV infection, the number of teenagers having sexual intercourse declined (from 50 percent in 1999 to 46 percent in 2009), as did the percentage of teens reporting four or more sexual partners (16.2 to 13.8). Fewer teens were currently sexually active and, of those who were, use of birth control was up. The percentage of students who said they drank alcohol or used drugs before having sex also was down, from 24.8 percent in 1999 to 21.6 percent in 2009. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 9/2/10]

Pawlenty Signed Executive Order Barring All State Agencies From Discretionary Participation In Affordable Care Act, Denied Authority To Apply For Grants Under Program Without Pawlentys Express Permission. According to an executive order signed by Governor Pawlenty, Governor Tim Pawlenty today signed Executive Order 10-12 directing state agencies to decline all discretionary participation in the federal health care legislation known as Obamacare The Governors order directs all executive branch departments and agencies not to submit applications to the federal government in connection with requests for grant funding for programs and demonstration projects deriving from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless otherwise required by law or approved by the Governors office. The office of the Governor will evaluate federal funding opportunities on the basis of whether they will support existing state initiatives or programs, or whether such federal funding opportunities create new encroachments by the federal government under the recently passed federal legislation. [Governor Pawlentys Executive Order 10-12, 8/31/10]

Pawlenty Raised Campaign Contributions Off Of Executive Order Barring State Participation In Affordable Care Act. According to the Minnesota Independent, Freedom First, Gov. Tim Pawlentys political action committee, asked members for donations on Wednesday following Pawlentys signing of an executive order barring state agencies from applying for health care reform funds from the federal government. The solicitation is sure to draw fire from media outlets and interest groups who accused Pawlenty of issuing the executive order to prop up his presidential ambitions. Already, Freedom First has boots on the ground in Iowa and political experts there say he has one of the largest campaign operations. [Minnesota Independent, 9/2/10] Pawlentys Steadfast Opposition To Affordable Care Act Funding Prompted Opposition From Minnesota Chamber Of Commerce. According to Business Week, The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is urging Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty to soften his stance on the federal health care overhaul. The Republican-friendly organization on Thursday added its voice to a chorus of health care groups and Democrats asking Pawlenty to seek discretionary federal health care dollars. Pawlenty on Tuesday ordered state agencies to decline discretionary involvement in the federal law unless required by law or approved by his office. Chamber President David Olson sent Pawlenty a letter encouraging him to apply for a $1 million planning grant to research and analyze a potential health insurance exchange where consumers could buy medical coverage. Nursing and doctor associations have also pleaded with Pawlenty to seek the money. [Business Week, 9/2/10] Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Unyielding Opposition To Affordable Care Act Participation Risked Costing Minnesota Millions In Federal Grants, $1.4 Billion In Medicaid Funding And Thousands Of Jobs. In an editorial, the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote: How much federal money will Minnesota lose to other states because Gov. Tim Pawlenty dislikes the new federal health care reform law? The ticker clicked another $1 million on Wednesday, the deadline for Minnesotas application for a grant to help fund the establishment of an exchange at which people can shop for affordable health insurance. Thats chump change compared with the money he has already turned down, to the detriment of sick and needy Minnesotans and the professionals who treat them. The Republican governor has already spurned early enrollment of the states poorest adults in the state-federal Medicaid program. DFL legislators say it would bring an additional $1.4 billion to the states health care industry through 2013 and fund an estimated 22,000 private-sector health care jobs. Also on Pawlentys rejection list: $68 million to bring a federal high-risk insurance pool to Minnesota (a justifiable choice, since Minnesotas own pool is less expensive for most people than the federal one); $1 million for premium rate reviews, and $850,000 for teen-pregnancy prevention -- though Pawlenty did apply for a $500,000 abstinence-only sex ed grant. The latter program will cost the state an additional $350,000 and offers weaker evidence of effectiveness. Pawlenty must have been persuaded by something other than cost and results. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 9/1/10] West Central Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Sunk To A New Low, Was Only Concerned About The Health Of His 2012 Presidential Prospects, Rather Than The Health Of Minnesotans, In His Attitude Towards Affordable Care Act. In an editorial, the West Central Tribune wrote: It appears the only health that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is really only concerned about the health of his 2012 presidential prospects. He certainly is not concern about the health of Minnesotans. In the lame duck months of his administration, Pawlenty continues to travel outside the state and this week decided to direct the state to not participate in the new federal health care law, which includes various grants. Why? Simply it looks good on his political record in preparation for the 2012 presidential race and strengthening his conservative street reputation. If you have not noticed, Pawlenty is moving to farther and farther to the far right. It is not right for Pawlenty to deny the state and all Minnesotans of lawful federal services and grants in order to further his own political future On Friday, Pawlenty sunk to a new low by calling the federal government basically a drug dealer by offering these lawful federal health care benefits. However, Pawlenty has arbitrarily rejected these benefits for all Minnesotans If Pawlenty wants to pursue his presidential aspirations, that is all well and good. However, his recent action at a great cost to every single Minnesotans in order to strengthen his conservative record is indefensible and shameful. As governor, Pawlenty should and must act for the benefit of all Minnesotans not just his personal agenda and implement the duly passed federal law. [West Central Tribune, 9/4/10] Winona Daily News Editorial: Pawlentys True Colors Shine Through In Refusal To Seek Federal Funding Under Affordable Care Act; Pawlenty Was Pandering For Presidential Campaign Rather Than Demonstrating Leadership. In an editorial, the Winona Daily News wrote: The galavanting governor, Republican Tim Pawlenty, seems to be everywhere but Minnesota, where citizens elected him governor. Then again, the way hes been governing remotely, he appears not to need to be in the Land of 10,000 Lakes to affect residents and not for the better. On Tuesday, Pawlenty ordered that no state agency could participate in the federal health care overhaul. So, goodbye grant

for teen pregnancy prevention. Goodbye grant to begin health insurance exchange. Goodbye to funding that would be targeted to those most in need of medical care and least able to pay. Pawlentys reasoning has very little to do with the state of Minnesota. Pawlentys actions this week were about scoring political points and pandering with would-be voters in Iowa as the race for 2012 begins. In this move, Pawlentys true colors shine through. Minnesota is important only insofar as it furthers his own agenda Pawlentys most recent stance can only be seen as pandering Instead of a man who looks to solve problems by reaching out across aisle, we find instead a man defiant and proud of his stubbornness. Pawlenty isnt demonstrating leadership, hes demonstrating bullheadedness. Not exactly the kind of thing we should be looking at for leadership in 2012. [Winona Daily News, 9/4/10] Pawlentys Executive Order Cost Minnesota Million Of Dollars In Federal Grants, But Attracted Notice Of Conservative Activists Who Pawlenty Will Need In 2012 Presidential Campaign. According to the National Journal, In 2010, incumbents have become targets. But that doesnt mean the trappings of incumbency have all gone out the window. In fact, for MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), being in office is affording him the luxury of making a splash on the national GOP scene. Pawlenty last week issued an executive order that directs state agencies to avoid discretionary participation in health care reform legislation, labeling it an attempt by the federal government to assert control over the countrys health care system -- at a detriment to the states. The order will have an impact on MN, which will forego millions in early funding. But its also going to have an impact on Pawlentys future plans. The order has already caught notice of conservative activists who Pawlenty will need if he goes ahead with what is increasingly looking like a WH12 bid His executive order may not last long; the competitive race to replace him could see ex-Sen.Mark Dayton (D) take over the GOV mansion, a scenario under which its almost certain Pawlentys order would be overturned. But while others may get more headlines for their opposition to health care, Pawlentys order will win him something more -- credit for actually doing something. [National Journals Hotline On Call, 9/7/10]

Pawlenty Blocked The State From Tapping Certain Federal Funds Under The New Health-Care Law In Order To Facilitate His Presidential Ambitions. According to the Wall Street Journal, Minnesotas Republican governor on Tuesday blocked the state from tapping certain federal funds under the new health-care law, a declaration with political overtones for a possible presidential candidate. Minnesotas Gov. Pawlenty, at Iowas state fair last month, is seen as a likely contender for president in 2012. The executive order by Gov. Tim Pawlenty made Minnesota the first state to formally restrict itself from taking some federal dollars under the law. The order isnt likely to significantly affect how the law is applied in Minnesota. It says the state cant seek further discretionary money for demonstration projects and grant funding unless the governor approves it. In some cases, Minnesotas legislature has already put in place plans to seek federal money under those programs. The order lasts only until Mr. Pawlentys term ends around the end of this year. [Wall Street Journal, 9/1/10] Pawlentys Refusal To Pursue Affordable Care Act Funding Was Condemned By Mayo Clinic. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The Mayo Clinic has joined the states Chamber of Commerce and DFL lawmakers in denouncing Governor Tim Pawlentys plan to keep federal health care money out of the state. In a statement released Thursday, the Rochester-based provider said Pawlentys rejection of early enrollment in Medicaid and his opposition to preserving the original General Assistance Medical Care program have cost the Mayo Clinic and the Mayo Health System about $25 million. As the states largest private employer, Mayo attracts patients from around the nation, and actions by the Governor that jeopardize Mayos ability to continue to attract these patients and their families to Minnesota for health care, jeopardizes a vital economic engine for our state, the statement said. Earlier this week, Pawlenty issued an executive order to stop all state agencies from seeking grants and other funds available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/3/10] Pawlenty Accepted Expanded Medicaid Funding Despite Rejecting All Other Affordable Care Act Grants And Funds. According to the Minnesota Post, Apparently its another Its not a tax, its a fee moment over there in the governors office. After perseverating for weeks, Gov. Pawlenty has decided to accept that nice, fat $250 million medical assistance check from the federal government. According to Brian Baksts AP story, In a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Pawlenty drew a distinction between the Medicaid money and the funding states can apply for to enact the new federal health care law. He justified his use of the Medicaid dollars by saying they reflect current and long-standing Minnesota policy objectives and commitments. And, just for the sake of the argument, what was that GAMC business all about then? [MinnPost.com, The Daily Glean blog, 9/8/10] Pawlenty Allowed State Agencies To Pursue Grants Under Affordable Care Act Despite Executive Order Granting Him Authority To Refuse. According to the Huffington Post, Despite Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys (R) recent executive order intended to stop the implementation of federal health care reform in Minnesota, millions of dollars from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will still be flowing into the state, with the governors blessing. The Huffington

Post has learned that the state Department of Health is considering 10 federal grants worth more than $10 million in total and the governors office is allowing all but two of those grants to go forward, highlighting the fact that Pawlenty is more than willing to take advantage of federal money when it fits his agenda...The Huffington Post spoke with John Stieger, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Health, who identified 10 existing grants worth more than $10 million that come from the federal health care law. He said that Pawlentys office had authorized all but two of them to go forward: the Personal Responsibility Education Program grant that provides funding for comprehensive sex education and the Health Insurance Exchange. [Huffington Post, 9/14/10] Pawlenty Allowed State Department Of Health To Receive $1.96 Million In Affordable Care Act Funds For Public Health Services. According to the Minnesota / St. Paul Business Journal, The Minnesota State Department of Health is receiving $1.96 million in federal health reform funds meant to boost public health services. The money comes less than a month after Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would refuse much of the discretionary funding coming from the health reform. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the award Monday evening; it was part of $42.5 million granted to health departments across the country. The money came from the recently created Prevention and Public Health Fund. These funds will help health departments around the country to improve the quality and effectiveness of the critical health services that millions of Americans rely on every day, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a news release. Strengthening our public health system through better coordination and collaboration will help to deliver higher quality health care more efficiently. Pawlenty, who is considered a likely Republican presidential candidate in 2012, issued an executive order last month that blocked state departments from accepting discretionary health reform funding. However, he said his office would allow funding opportunities supporting existing state initiatives or programs. A state Health Department spokesman said Pawlentys office gave such clearance for the $1.96 million. [Minnesota/St. Paul Business Journal, 9/21/10] Pawlenty Authorized University Of Minnesota To Apply For $100 Million In Federal Funding Under Affordable Care Act. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, University of Minnesota regents voted unanimously Monday to issue up to $150 million in bonds to help build an outpatient health center on the East Bank. U officials plan to apply for $100 million in federal money as well, having received the required support Monday from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The federal money is available as part of President Barack Obamas health care plan, which Pawlenty has called a misguided piece of legislation and pledged to work against. Last month, the governor issued an executive order directing state agencies to decline involvement with programs created by reform unless otherwise required by law or approved by the governors office. Under the terms of the grant application, Pawlenty had to certify that the project was needed and that the financing was in order. In a letter to U President Robert Bruininks, the governor said the project would benefit the state by producing high-quality doctors and improving care and efficiency. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/27/10] Pawlenty Asserted He Was Doing Everything I Can In Minnesota To Stop, Delay Or Avoid Its Implementation. During an interview with Candy Crowley on CNNs State of the Union, Pawlenty said: I think Obamacare is one of the worst pieces of legislation passed in the modern history of the country. Im doing everything I can in Minnesota to stop, delay or avoid its implementation in my state, including signing an executive order saying were not going to participate unless required by law or approved by me. [CNNs State of the Union with Candy Crowley, 11/7/10]

EARLY RETIREE REINSURANCE PROGRAM

Pawlenty Signed Up Minnesota For Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Under Affordable Care Act, Despite His Own Executive Order. According to Politico, Minnesota will accept federal assistance under the Democrats health reform law after all, despite Gov. Tim Pawlentys executive order barring voluntary participation in federal health care programs. The states Management and Budget Office was one of 700 new organizations that signed up for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, a $5 billion program that helps pay for the insurance costs of retirees between the ages of 55 and 64 The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program opened over the summer and, as of this week, has over 3,600 organizations participating from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Participating employers receive assistance with the claims of high cost retirees, whose claims are between $15,000 and $90,000. The program ends in 2014 when state health exchanges come online. [Politico, 10/29/10]

CLAIMED HE WOULD NEVER REDUCE OF ABOLISH MEDICARE OR MEDICAID AS PRESIDENT

Pawlenty Was Not Sure If He Would Have Voted For Medicare And Medicaid In 1965, But Pledged Not To Abolish Or Reduce Them Now. During an interview with Esquire magazine: ESQUIRE: Do you think the Medicare Act of 1965 would have been consistent with your beliefs and something you would have signed had you been president? Or how about the Social Security Act? Is Social Security a proper role of government? How are those programs materially different from the health-care reform that has been the focus of the presidents attention? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, in 1965 I was only five years old. I think if you look at Medicare and Medicaid, the premise was that government needs to provide some assistance to people who arent able to take care of themselves. I think we all share that goal, Republicans and Democrats. I dont think anybodys gonna go back now and say, Lets abolish, or reduce, Medicare and Medicaid. But as we confront the challenges and the responsibilities of our time from here on how do we serve more people or different people who are in need of financial assistance? Just forever having the government expand to address all of that seems unwise. So I cant tell you what I would have thought in 1965. I can tell you I dont favor tearing down those programs, but I do think they can be reformed and improved. [Esquire, 2/12/10]

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE REFORM

Pawlenty Said He Would Do Everything Possible To Defeat Health Care Reform Bill During Legislative Debate. During an interview with Politico: POLITICO: Lets say tomorrow the party as a whole decides to put you in charge of leading the opposition to health care. What would you do now thats different from whats going on? TIM PAWLENTY: I would do everything we can to kill what President Obama and the Democratic Congress has proposed because its a bad idea and theyre only making symbolic efforts to try to make it bipartisan. And then I would try to defeat every one of their subsequent efforts unless and until they reach out and made it a bipartisan effort. I think its really important to put a stake in the policy heart of what they are trying to do right now so that they are forced to do a do-over with Republicans. [Politico, 8/20/09] Pawlenty Called Affordable Care Act A Nanny National Approach Inspired By The 1960s And The European Approach. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the health insurance reform signed by President Obama Tuesdsay is more about politics than the nations health care. Pawlenty offered the Republican rebuttal to Obama advisor David Axelrods comments Tuesday on ABCs Good Morning America program. Pawlenty said the reforms are part of a long-standing liberal agenda pushed by President Obama and Democrats. We do need to fix our health care system, but theyve taken it to this big federalized, bureaucratic, government-run kind of nanny nation approach, and there were better ways to do it, Pawlenty said. They should have worked with us on those better ways. Pawlenty also said the reform was based on outdated and foreign ideas. If President Obama and the Democrats would have set aside their obsession with things from the 1960s, or the European approach to these things ... Its not going to work, he said. Every entitlement program they run is bankrupt. This one will be bankrupt within 20 years as well. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/23/10] Pawlenty Accused Obama Administration Of Cooking The Books To Show That Affordable Care Act Was Paid For, Claimed It Would Not Be Deficit Neutral In Long Term. During an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty said: Dont confuse deficit neutral with costing less or the same. This things going to cost more, nobody debates that. They are just saying they paid for it. In fact, they didnt -- they cooked the books. So, first of all it is not in the long run going to be deficit neutral. But they are increasing the overall cost of the system. And then secondly, they didnt do the work of fixing it. It is going to cost states like Minnesota a lot just on one small piece -- had we early enrolled in this system it would have cost us as much as $400 or more million dollars just in the first few years for one piece of it. But we should have done those things in this reform that put market reforms in place not government centric reforms in place they didnt do it. [On the Record With Greta Van Susteren, 9/22/10] Pawlenty Linked Affordable Care Act With What They Are Trying To Do In The State Of Massachusetts, Criticized Both For Failing To Contain Health Care Costs. During an interview on the Fox Business Network, Pawlenty said: Of course we have to do something about healthcare reform. The current system is broken. But the Democrats are defining healthcare reform as expanding the program, taking care of the uninsured and expanding access to healthcare is only one piece of healthcare reformAnother piece is called cost containment. What they have on the table now is not going to reduce costs. It is going to increase costs. If you look at the most recent similar model to what they are trying to do in the state of Massachusetts, while they expanded access somewhat, its costing 2 or 3 times what they predicted. And from a cost standpoint, thats not sustainable either. [Money for Breakfast, FOX Business Network, 7/15/09]

Pawlenty Accused President Obama Of Creating More Access To A Broken System. During an interview with CSPANs Road to the White House: C-SPAN: How would you fix the health care problem in this country? Why have you been so critical of what the President signed in into law this past March? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, we know that what works and we know what doesnt work. We know what doesnt work is to solve a problem by dragging the system into Washington, D.C., create a national one-size-fits-all bureaucracy, use public employees and standardized bureaucratic approaches and use that to solve the problem. Thats essentially what President Obama has done with healthcare. And he is creating the illusion that its going to be free. And, we know that the main problem facing the health care delivery system in this country is that its costs need to be better contained and healthcare needs to be more affordable. What President Obama just did is create more access to health care, but he didnt fix the system. So hes created more access to a broken system, and in the meantime he has introduced something new things that I think will make it even worse. And to top it off, he has made it a government-centric system, bringing it into Washington, D.C. and running it by a bureaucracy. I think the way to reform health care is to tell individuals, to the extent we can afford it we will give you financial assistance if youre in need. But youre going to be in charge, and youre going to have good information about price and quality. Youre going to make some decisions in the marketplace and were going to financially incentivize you to make wise choices. If you do, then youre going to be able to realize the financial benefits. [C-SPAN Road to the White House, 9/20/10] Pawlenty Urged Governors To Assert Our Tenth Amendment Rights Against Affordable Care Act. According to Politico, Minnesota Republican Tim Pawlenty urged fellow governors on [September 10, 2009] to more frequently assert state sovereignty over the federal government and suggested that the country may increasingly see states suing the federal government. Asked by a caller about the option of asserting the Tenth Amendment as a tactic to reject a successful health care overhaul by President Barack Obama during a tele-town hall organized by the Republican Governors Association, Pawlenty said, thats a possibility. Speaking generally about the tenth amendment, Pawlenty said the country has not had a proper federalism debate since Ronald Reagan raised the issue in the 1980s. Youre starting to see more governors, me and governor [Rick] Perry from Texas, speaking out on this and asserting our tenth amendment rights, Pawlenty said on a call listened to by more than 12,000 people. Asserting the tenth amendment may be a viable option, Pawlenty said, adding that there may be more of those claims and maybe even lawsuits if need be. Perry became a hero of the anti-tax Tea Party movement in April by endorsing a Texas state House resolution affirming the states sovereignty, and suggesting in an interview that he may support his state seceding from the union. [Politico, 9/10/09] Pawlentys Invocation Of 10th Amendment As Possible Recourse Against Affordable Care Act Was Rejected As Non-Starter By Constitutional Scholars. According to Finance and Commerce, Pawlenty, during his Friday morning WCCO-AM radio show, toned down his intensions. He said his 10th Amendment reference wasnt a signal that he wants to file lawsuits to keep national health care policy from taking effect here. Instead, Pawlenty said he was merely trying to inject the issue of federalism into the health care debate. Carleton College political science professor Steven Schier said the 10th Amendment argument would be a non-starter in the courts. But in addressing the issue, Pawlenty scores political points among advocates of limited government in the GOP that have been alarmed by Obamas health care reform effort. In invoking the spirit of the 10th Amendment, hes trying to reinforce anti-federal government sentiment on this issue. ...Its a rhetorical move, not a policy move, Schier said. Hamline University professor David Schultz said a states rights case would run afoul of the federal governments authority to regulate interstate commerce provided in the Commerce Clause in Article 1 of the Constitution. Regulation of the health care industry is clearly interstate commerce and that will trump the 10th Amendment, said Schultz in an e-mail. [Finance and Commerce (Minneapolis, MN), 9/12/09] Pawlenty Threatened To Raise 10th Amendment Objections To Individual Mandate. According to the Washington Times, On the most divisive domestic issue of Mr. Obamas first year in office, Mr. Pawlenty told The [Washington] Times he would want other governors to join in raising objections based on the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution if the Democrat-led Congress enacts a sweeping health-care measure that forces mandates on the states - such as requiring every adult in the country to buy health insurance. The amendment says the powers not specifically delegated to the federal government under the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or the people. It is important to raise the issue - not through lawsuits or threats to secede - but because doing so makes a philosophical statement and political statement for policymakers to take seriously, he said. The federal government shouldnt boss us around as states. Its another example of federal governments encroachment on markets and individual freedoms. He said he is not aware of any other instance where the federal government has required an individual to purchase a good and service. [Washington Times, 10/4/09]

INDIVIDUAL MANDATE

Pawlenty Called Individual Mandate An Extraordinary Overreach By The Federal Government. According to the Marshall Independent, Pawlenty says Obamas health care plan that mandates every American citizen have health care crosses the line in terms of government intervention. At the state level, all 68 Republican members of the Minnesota Legislature are asking the states Democratic attorney general for a lawsuit over the federal health care overhaul. They are urging Attorney General Lori Swanson to challenge the constitutionality of a requirement that individuals buy health insurance and a population-based tax on states. Pawlenty requested a similar lawsuit on Monday. You now have the federal government requiring individual citizens to buy goods or services; its unprecedented, Pawlenty said. Its an extraordinary overreach by the federal government, and weve asked our attorney general to join other states and tell them to knock it off. Its gone too far, and weve had enough of the federal government permeating every aspect of our lives. Theres a lot of citizens, including me, who are just saying, weve had enough. [Marshall Independent, 3/24/10] Pawlenty Called Individual Mandate A Dramatic Overreach By The Federal Government Into The Proper Role Of Individuals And Families. During a Facebook town hall held by Pawlentys PAC Freedom First: QUESTION: Didnt you support the idea of a health care mandate? TIM PAWLENTY: No I dont I think the notion that the United States federal government is going to require citizens to buy a good or a service is a dramatic overreach by the federal government into the proper role of individuals and families. And Ive asked my Attorney General of Minnesota to actually sue the federal government on constitutional grounds to try to stop this mandate. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10] Pawlenty Expressed Interest In Massachusetts Model For Universal Coverage That Included Individual Mandate, Wanted To Examine Whether It Could Be Adapted In A Way That Would Fit Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Pawlenty declined an interview for this article, submitting a statement on health care The statement said Pawlenty also was interested in examining Massachusetts approach of mandatory health insurance and wanted to see whether such a mandate can be adapted in a way that would fit Minnesota. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/27/06]

PAWLENTY FLIP-FLOPPED ON THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF HEALTH CARE REFORM

Pawlenty Expressed Doubts As To Whether Affordable Care Was Unconstitutional, Said He Wouldnt Go So Far As To Say Its A Legal Issue. During an interview with George Stephanopoulos: GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You suggested perhaps invoking the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers to the states, if indeed this does pass. What exactly are you saying? There is a movement to actually nullify health care if it passes? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, George, in the legal sense, I think the courts have addressed these Tenth Amendment issues, but more in the political sense, in the common sense arena, we need to have a clear understanding of what the federal government does well and what should be reserved to the states. GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: So just to be clear, are you suggesting that any parts of the plan as the president has laid it out are unconstitutional? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, I wouldnt go so far as to say its a legal issue. I was raising it as much as a practical matter, that there are some things that the federal government shouldnt do, doesnt do well, and should leave to the states.[ABC News, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, 9/13/09]

DEATH PANELS
Pawlenty Implied That Affordable Care Act Would Allow Health Decisions To Be Made In A Secret Location In The Federal Bureaucracy. During an interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox News, Pawlenty said: This is what we said would happen. And it is kind of an I told you so, moment. Maybe in one meeting tomorrow, in a secret location with people, not open to the press, talking about how health care benefits might be limited in some way. When these decisions come about, the difficult decisions that have to be made, I would rather have me and my family in charge of them rather than some federal bureaucracy or as your guest just said bean counters. Thats why I think the future of health care reform should be getting into the hands of consumers. If they need help, lets give it to them, but lets give it to them directly, not run it through a big bureaucracy. [Neil Cavuto, Fox News, 1/11/11] Pawlenty Called Death Panel Attacks A Fair Critique Of The Obama Plan. During an interview with Political Capital on Bloomberg: AL HUNT: Theres a lot of what some people think are careless terms tossed around, like death panels and socialized medicine, principally by conservative critics. Has that been a mistake and detracted from the merits of

the debate? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, I think the Republicans should be aggressive in criticizing President Obamas plan and the plans of the Congress, and they are bad ideas. AL HUNT: But theyre not death panels, are they? TIM PAWLENTY: Well, they may lead to a different form of health care decision-making and ultimately rationing. I think thats a fair critique of the Obama plan, whether you call it rationing, whether you call it death panels or some other label. I think its fair to say this plan if adopted will result in different kinds of health-care decision-making, probably rationing, if youre really going to be serious about it. And that could lead to people getting different treatments. [Political Capital, Bloomberg Television, 8/28/09] Pawlenty Refused To Condemn Sarah Palins Use Of Death Panel Attacks, Attacked Rationing. According to the National Journal, Pawlenty, asked to weigh in on Palins WSJ op-ed: I think the general concern is, when you have prominent proponents of the current legislation talk about needing to reduce health care expenditures and reduce health care procedures, that leads to concerns about whether theres going to be scarcity and, down the road, rationing. And so, if you have scarcity and rationing, you could get -- or your mom or dad or your grandma or your grandpa could get -- less health care. And so, thats of concern, understandably. Asked about Palins use of the term death panels in continuing to frame the health care debate, Pawlenty responded: Regardless of what term you use, the general point and the point to be made is President Obamas plans may lead to the federal government encouraging things or doing things that could affect your health care choices. And the point is, they should be your choices, not the federal governments choices. [Hotline On Call, National Journal, 9/10/09] Pawlenty Said Elderly People Had Legitimate Concern About Health Care Rationing In Health Care Reform Bill, Placed Death Panel Charges In Context Of Rationing. During an interview with CBNs David Brody: Finally, the socalled death panels. Pawlenty says elderly people have a legitimate concern that health care reform as it stands now could lead to rationed care. TIM PAWLENTY: If you look at the rhetoric surrounding the cost containment goals and objectives of the legislation it could lead to scarcity or rationing of health care delivery services and if that happens people may get less health care or be denied care in certain circumstances and I think that concerns people. I dont think thats an irrational assertion or an irrational conclusion so there is clearly a goal within this legislation thats pending to contain costs and to limit funding. I dont think by the way that the plan is going to actually do that but thats what theyre threatening to do but if you have decisions that are going to be made that deny health care or reduce health care or provide scarcity in terms of health care it could result in people getting less health care or different health care than theyre receiving now and its not irrational to be concerned about that. [The Brody File blog, CBN, 9/10/09, (Video Embedded)] Pawlenty Attacked Health Care Reform Bill For Cuts In Medicare And A Bucket Load Of Tax Increases. During an interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business Network, Pawlenty said: Not at all, Neil. Let me give you one example, the Democrats for generations have been pummeling Republicans about the head and shoulder, about real or perceived cuts in Medicare. Now you have a Democratic majority in the United States Congress saying a centerpiece of the savings in this bill are going to come from cuts in Medicare. Now they try to mitigate that and explain it away but I think Republicans can take a beat and put that right in the crosshairs of the discussion. And the other thing is this thing still features a bucket load of tax increases again on employers, individuals, medical device manufacturers and others. So it still has plenty of reasons to be viewed as a bad, bad bill. [FOX News, 10/7/09]

IMMIGRANTS
Pawlenty Argued That Health Care Reform Bill Would Lead To Insurance Coverage For Illegal Immigrants, Despite Bills Language To The Contrary. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, On This Week, Pawlenty also raised the specter of illegal immigrants receiving health care benefits under Obamas overhaul, an assertion that triggered an outburst of you lie! during Obamas speech to a joint session of Congress last week According to a show transcript, Pawlenty said that even if you have language that says illegal immigrants will not be a part of this program -- unless you have the enforcement mechanism in place, it doesnt mean much. In Minnesota, we have laws that say illegal immigrants wont get many services, but unless somebody actually checks, guess what, they show up and they get the services. Host George Stephanopoulos countered that a study of Medicaid by the House Oversight Committee showed that an $8 million enforcement action caught eight illegal immigrants. Clearly, though, if you have a law thats unenforced, it isnt much of a law, Pawlenty replied. [Star Tribune, 9/14/09] Pawlenty Defended Joe Wilsons Shouting Comment Against Obama During Address To Congress, Said Concerns Over Illegal Immigrants And Health Care Bill Were Fair. According to the Associated Press, One apology is enough, a

digging-in-his heels Rep. Joe Wilson said Sunday, challenging Democratic leaders who want him to say on the House floor that hes sorry for yelling You lie! during President Barack Obamas health care speech to CongressThe Democratic proposals on health explicitly prohibit spending any federal money to help illegal immigrants get health care. Still, Republicans say there arent sufficient citizenship verification requirements to ensure illegal immigrants are excludedGov. Tim Pawlenty, a Minnesota Republican who might seek the White House in 2012, said Wilsons concern is valid. Even if you have language that says illegal immigrants will not be a part of this program, unless you have the enforcement mechanism in place, it doesnt mean much, Pawlenty said. In Minnesota, we have laws that say illegal immigrants wont get many services, but unless somebody actually checks guess what they show up and they get the services. [Associated Press, 9/13/09]

PAWLENTY ATTACKED MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH CARE REFORM

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Pawlenty Criticized Romneys Health Care Plan In Massachusetts For More Than A Year. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney had easy smiles during a joint appearance in Bloomington Friday night, but their pleasantries hid a coming deep rivalry -- and some unkind past words In other forums, the two have sniped at each other. For more than a year, Pawlenty, who supported Sen. John McCains 2008 presidential bid, has taken shots at a Romney signature -- the Massachusetts health law that requires individuals to carry health insurance. Like others, Pawlenty likens that law to the federal health care overhaul. Looking at the Massachusetts experience, it would not be one I would want for the country to follow any further, Pawlenty said in New Hampshire last month. Romney hit back. Facts are stubborn things, he said on CNN last year. He said a study found the plans cost well within the original forecast years after it became law. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/9/10] Pawlenty Said There Were A Lot Of Similarities Between Affordable Care Act And Mitt Romneys Health Care Plan In Massachusetts. During an interview on the Today Show: TODAY SHOW: Is the current health care reform law what Mitt Romney got passed in Massachusetts, in your opinion? TIM PAWLENTY: I would just defer to all the people, including the president and others, who have said there are a lot of similarities between them but, if he had been Governor the past four years, I believe he would have done some things to adjust it or improve it. [The Today Show, 4/2/10] Pawlenty Said Romneys Massachusetts Health Care Plan Was Not A Model For The Nation. According to the Nashua Telegraph, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a potential Republican presidential contender in 2012, said universal health care in Massachusetts is no model the nation should follow. The plan is dramatically propped up by federal money, he said. Take that away and there would be dire economic consequences. Looking at the Massachusetts experience, it would not be one I would want for the country to follow any further. Now that Congress passed the health care reform law, the Massachusetts health experience could become even more a critical bellwether for Mitt Romneys second run for president, in 2012. During an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Pawlenty didnt mention Romney by name, but he relayed how Massachusetts state Treasurer Tim Cahill warned that a national version of the Massachusetts law could bankrupt the country in four years Pawlenty lamented there were plenty of what he called ;bipartisan areas of agreement on health care far short of the national reform, including a new payment system, built-in incentives for healthy outcome, offering insurance across state lines and tort reform. He asked his state attorney general to join the 13 states suing the Obama administration over the law. [Nashua Telegraph, 3/28/10] Manchester Union Leader Editorial: Pawlentys Message On Health Care Had Underlying Message That We Dont Want Romneycare, Directly Attacked Romneys Plan. In an editorial, the Manchester Union Leader wrote: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty attacked Obama-care in an interview with this newspaper and in his speech to New Hampshire Republicans on Wednesday. He advocated a market-driven, rather than regulation-driven, approach to health care reform. Though Pawlentys criticisms were directed at Democrats in Washington, the underlying message to New Hampshire Republicans was inescapable: We dont want Romneycare. In an August op-ed for The Washington Post, Pawlenty directly attacked the Massachusetts health care reform then-Gov. Mitt Romney created in 2006. In October, Pawlenty introduced his own reform plan in Minnesota. It involved reducing regulations and creating incentives for people to spend less on health care. Pawlenty correctly sees health care as a defining issue for the 2012 presidential race. Knowing that his biggest potential rival in 2012 created a mandate-heavy universal coverage plan that is similar to Obamacare in some ways, he is positioning himself as the guy with the free-market, limited government solutions. Not a bad opening salvo for the 2012 primary. [Manchester Union Leader, 12/18/09] Pawlenty Was Criticized By Mitt Romney For Using Incorrect Facts In Criticizing Massachusetts Health Care Plan. According to Politico, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Sunday that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has his

facts wrong in criticizing the health care plan Romney instituted in his state. Pawlenty has repeatedly pointed to the Massachusetts plan of his potential rival for the 2012 Republican nomination as the perfect example of how not to do health care reform. The Minnesota governor has made that case in numerous interviews, speeches and op-eds that, while not focused on the Massachusetts program, make his criticism of it clear. Presented with a clip of Pawlenty arguing that the Massachusetts plan did not come close to meeting cost estimates, Romney told CNN host John King on State of the Union that Pawlentys attacks were not accurate. Asked by King if Pawlenty had the plan right, Romney responded: No, Im afraid facts are stubborn things. The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation has taken a good look at the Massachusetts plan some three or four years after it was passed, and it is well within the original forecast, Romney said. Its a little over 1 percent of the state budget. And in fact, he added, virtually all of our citizens are insured.Romney continued. And by the way, if other governors can come up with something better than I did, congratulations. [Politico, 12/6/09] Pawlenty Took A Series Of Shots At Mitt Romneys Health Care Plan In Massachusetts, Attacked Plan For Failing To Control Costs And Using Taxes And Fees. According to the Washington Post, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has rapidly moved to become a leading voice within the Republican party on health care and, in the process, has taken a series of shots at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romneys handling of the issue in Massachusetts. In a July 27 letter to the Minnesota Congressional delegation, Pawlenty compared the current federal plan being considered to the legislation passed in Massachusetts, noting: That states experience should caution Congress against this approach. Pawlenty added that while the Massachusetts plan has helped reduce the number of uninsured, costs have been significantly higher than expected. Tpaw reprised that argument in a Washington Post op-ed Monday morning, offering a litany of his own accomplishment in Minnesota on health-care before bashing the Massachusetts program as having increased taxes and feesStill, its hard to see Pawlentys critique of Massachusetts health plan as a shot -- whether direct or indirect is a matter of debate -- at Romney. [The Fix, Washington Post, 8/4/09] Tim Pawlenty Op-Ed: Pawlenty Attacked Mitt Romneys Health Care Plan In Massachusetts For Increased Taxes And Fees. In an op-ed in the Washington Post, Pawlenty wrote: Massachusettss experience should caution Congress against focusing primarily on access. While the Massachusetts plan has reduced the number of uninsured people, costs have been dramatically higher than expected. The result? Increased taxes and fees. The Boston Globe has reported on a current short-term funding gap and the need to obtain a new federal bailout. Imagine the scope of tax increases, or additional deficit spending, if that approach is utilized for the entire country. [Tim Pawlenty Op-Ed, Washington Post, 8/3/09]

ALLOWING EMERGENCY ROOMS TO TURN AWAY PATIENTS

Pawlenty Supported Allowing Emergency Rooms To Turn Away Individuals. During an interview with Greta Van Susteren: TIM PAWLENTY: Well, for one thing you could do is change the federal law so that not every ER is required to treat everybody who comes in the door, even if they have a minor condition. They should be -- if you have a minor condition, instead of being at the really expensive ER, you should be at the primary care clinic. GRETA VAN SUSTEREN: OK. OK. But you come in with chest pains, and like, you get horrible chest pains. Now, it could be indigestion, which is minor, or it could be heart, which isnt minor. So then... TIM PAWLENTY: You have to do a little triage. Thats for sure. GRETA VAN SUSTEREN: Right. I mean, so the problem is, its got -- I mean, there really is sort of -- its not that easy. [On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, FOX News, 2/22/10] Pawlenty Denied That His Proposal To Allow Emergency Rooms To Turn Away Individuals Was Extreme. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, On Fox News Monday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was asked about people without health insurance going to emergency rooms. One thing you could do is change the federal law so that not every ER is required to treat everybody who comes in door even if they have a minor condition. They should be --If you have a minor condition, rather than being at the really expensive ER, you should be at the primary care clinic, Pawlenty saidOn Wednesday, Pawlenty said his proposal is not that extreme. That was in reference to the current federal law that requires emergency rooms to treat everybody. Im not saying they shouldnt treat everybody but if its determined that they have a more minor, you know, episode they could be referred then to a primary care clinic, Pawlenty told Minnesota reporters. So, turn them away if they have something minor, a reporter asked. I think you have to make a determination of the nature of their injury or their condition and then make the decision for that, Pawlenty said. The governors spokesman Brian McClung said that some hospitals in Minnesota already do that, if they have an adjacent primary care clinic. Yeah, some do that already, Pawlenty said. I think it would just be good practice that if somebody has a more minor conditions that where possible that they get treated in less costly environments rather than the most costly. And who determines minor then, a reporter asked.

The doctor, Pawlenty said. The doctors and the medical professionals would have to make that determination. [Hot Dish Politics blog, Star Tribune, 2/25/10]

HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Terrorism
CIVILIAN COURTS
Pawlenty Said President Obama And The Justice Department Made A Huge Mistake In Transferring Guantanamo Detainee Ahmed Ghailanis Trial To Federal Civilian Court. According to a radio interview on Hugh Hewitts show, Pawlenty was asked, about the verdict in New York City yesterday. What did you think of that? Pawlenty responded, saying Well, I think we should all pause and make sure we understand the lessons of that. And I think President Obama made, and the Justice Department made a huge mistake in transferring that case to the civilian court. [Hugh Hewitt, 11/19/10] Pawlenty Said Attorney General Eric Holder Should Resign After Accused Al Qaeda Terrorist Ahmed Ghailani Was Acquitted Of Terrorism. According to a radio interview on Hugh Hewitts show, Pawlenty said, of Ghailani, You have somebody who amongst other things, Hugh, was taken down in a ten hour firefight in Pakistan, in an al Qaeda safe house, allegedly. And you had somebody who clearly tried to kill and injure dozens or more people. And the only conviction they get out of him is relating to destruction of property. Now theres a lot of underneath the hood of that, but the point is there is a major disconnect between that conclusion and his behavior. And the big problem in that regard was bringing that into civilian court, because of the way they couldnt consider the other things that are under the hood. Hewitt asked if Eric Holder should resign, and Pawlenty said yes. [Hugh Hewitt, 11/19/10] Pawlenty Criticized Obama For Trying Suspected Terrorists In Federal Civilian Courts, Saying Terrorists Shouldnt Be Treated With The Rights And Privileges Of The U.S. Court System. According to Minnesota Public Radio, The governor also criticized Obama for trying suspected terrorists in federal civilian court. We shouldnt treat people who are not citizens of our country, who have come to our country or towards it with terroristic intentions to blow up and kill hundreds if not thousands of our citizens ...[with] all of the rights and privileges of our civil or criminal system, he said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/6/10] Pawlenty Said Prosecuting Khalid Sheikh Mohammed In A New York Federal Court Was A Security Risk And Almost Incomprehensible. According to Bill Bennetts radio show, during an interview, Pawlenty said, Just financially, from a security standpoint, from a fairness standpoint, the notion that we are going to put that individual, that terrorist, in New York City, and put him in a civil court of law, and incur all of the risk and financial burdens and I think just misguided prosecution of him in a civil context, as opposed to a military context, is just bad on so many levels, Bill, its almost incomprehensible. [Bill Bennett Radio Show, 1/27/10]

SAID OBAMA GAVE MIRANDA RIGHTS TO TERRORISTS

Pawlenty Called On President Obama To Stop Giving Miranda Rights To Terrorists. According to Politico, Speaking at the 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference, Pawlenty said, I have a message for President Obama and my message is this: Mr. President, no more apology tours and no more giving Miranda rights to terrorists. [Politico, 2/19/10] WCCO Fact Check Called Pawlentys Criticism A Political Distortion. According to a WCCO fact-check, Pawlenty also challenged Obama for, in Pawlentys words, apologizing for U.S. military and diplomatic actions under Bush. And he directly challenged Obama for allowing terrorists to be charged as criminals in the U.S. legal system. Mr. President, no more apology tours and no more giving Miranda rights to terrorists, he said. This is a political distortion. The fact is terror suspects under Bush and Obama did get Miranda warnings. Under Bush the rate of terrorist court conviction was nearly 9 in 10. [WCCO Minnesota, 2/22/10]

AS GOVERNOR, PAWLENTY CUT ANTI-TERROR BUDGET

Pawlenty Cut $3.6 Million In Anti-Terrorism Funding, Including Training Grants, And Prevention And Response Tools. According to the Associated Press, State money will flow after all for flood recovery in Roseau and after-school programs wont endure as steep a funding drop as once planned. But there will be less cash available for counties stocking up on anti-terrorism gear and some Head Start grants will be canceled. Those are the results of adjustments Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration has made to spending cuts he announced two weeks ago. The decisions are final because they fall under Pawlentys unilateral budget-balancing power called unallotment, which he invoked to solve a $356 million deficit for fiscal 2003Funds for a grant program to help outfit communities with more terrorism prevention and response tools - like hazardous material suits and radiation detection devices - will drop $1.5 million, $500,000 more than announced Feb. 7. Pawlenty previously said he was also taking $2.1 million from anti-terrorism training grants. [Associated Press, 2/25/03] Pawlenty Cut $7.6 Million From The State Department Of Public Safety, Including $3.1 Million For Anti-Terrorism Grants. According to The Star Tribune, Grant money to provide local governments with training and equipment for antiterrorism activities will disappear through June and some vacant staff positions at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will stay that way as a result of budget cuts. Gov. Pawlenty cut about $7.6 million from the Department of Public Safety Friday, including about $3.1 million for anti-terrorism grants and $2.5 million for the development of CrimNet, a statewide data integration system designed to help police and courts share informationOther cuts include $56,000 for grants to battered womens shelters and $39,000 from the Minnesota Gang Strike Force. [The Star Tribune, 2/8/03]

CLAIMED MINNESOTA HAD AN AL-QAEDA PROBLEM DUE TO SOMALI IMMIGRANT POPULATION

Pawlenty Said Minnesota Had A With Al-Qaeda Problem Associated With Somali Immigrant Population. According to Laura Ingrahams show, during an interview, Ingraham asked, Governor Pawlenty, story is out about 20 young men from a Somali community in Minnesota that have traveled down and aligned themselves with Al-Qaeda. Do you guys have an Al-Qaeda problem in Minnesota? Pawlenty responded, Well, we have the largest Somali population in the country as a result of our refugee relocation program from the 1990sand now of course you saw in the news that we got people here connected to Minnesota who are recruiting people to go back to Somalia to fight and potentially be suicide bombers under Al-Qaeda or Al-Qaeda related themes. So, the short answer is, yeah, we got a problem, the magnitude of it and the degree of it is being investigated. [Laura Ingraham Show, 11/30/09]

BODY IMAGING SCANNING

Pawlenty Supported Body Imaging Technology To Screen Airline Passengers For Suspected Terrorists. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Pawlenty was the guest host for Jason Lewis on KTLK last night. At the top of the three hour show, Pawlenty questioned the federal oversight of a passenger who was unsuccessful in an alleged attack on a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas DayHe also said he supports body imaging technology to screen for suspected terrorists and said we have to err on the side of caution and safety when it comes to screening. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/30/09]

INTERROGATIONS
Pawlenty Criticized Attorney General Eric Holder Decision To Investigate CIA Interrogators And Said The Interrogators Should Be Encouraged And Supported. According to Fox News, during an appearance on The Sean Hannity Show Pawlenty said, As bad as the health care plan is, and its bad for all the reasons youve been highlighting to your viewers, this decision by Eric Holder today to politicize interrogations, to bring it into the White House, we should be prosecuting individuals who are involved in the war on terror as terrorists. They are cold blood killers. We should not be prosecuting individuals who are working hard day in and day out to protect this country. In many cases, risking their own lives. These individuals should be, you know, encouraged and supported in their roles. But to have the CIA basically have this taken away from them I think is outrageous. The attorney general should be reminded we are still a nation at war and CIA shouldnt stand for cant interrogate anyone. [FOX News, 8/25/09]

Disaster Relief And Emergency Preparedness

SUPPORTED BUSH DISASTER EMERGENCY PLANS
Pawlenty Was One Of Only Two U.S. Governors Who Supported President Bushs Proposal For Military Leadership During Natural Disasters. According to USA Today, There is almost no support among the nations governors for President Bushs suggestion that the Pentagon could take the lead in responding to catastrophic natural disasters, a USA TODAY survey has found. Of the 38 governors who responded to a request for reaction to Bushs comments, only two backed the idea: Republicans Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Half the state chief executives said they were opposed or had reservations, including Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the presidents brother. Eleven wanted more details before taking a position, and 12 did not respond. Most governors who opposed the suggestion said they would resist any effort by Washington to usurp state control of disaster relief, even in a devastating event like Hurricane Katrina, in which more than 1,100 people diedPawlenty said federal control in an ultra-catastrophe could bring quicker and more effective relief. [USA Today, 10/3/05] Pawlenty Supported Bushs $7.1 Billion Plan To Prepare For Possible Bird Flu Pandemic. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty praised President Bushs $7.1 billion strategy to prepare for a potential flu pandemic on Tuesday. In a conference call with rural Minnesota reporters, Pawlenty said Bushs announcement was welcome and needed. The governor said state officials will hold a news conference Thursday to outline Minnesotas plans and activities for fighting bird flu. All governmental units need to work together in trying to anticipate the potential crisis, he saidThe National Governors Association on Tuesday named Pawlenty and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as co-lead governors on pandemic and avian flu. They will focus on helping states prepare and coordinating strategies with the federal government. [Associated Press, 11/1/05] Pawlenty Laid Out Multi-Step Plan To Prepare For Possible Outbreak In Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, School closures, mass vaccinations and quarantines are among the worst-case steps the state could take if an aggressive strain of flu hits Minnesota. State leaders, led by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, detailed a multi-step plan Thursday to cope with avian and pandemic flu. It ratchets up as the threat worsensPawlenty said the government needs to walk a fine line between informing people of the threat and alarming them. He and other leaders went out of their way to note that chicken is safe to eat, an important nod given Minnesotas $1.5 billion poultry industry. This is one of the moments that as a nation, as a state, as communities were going to have to be on our A game, Pawlenty said. Its better to be overprepared than not prepared. If were going to err on any side of the ledger, were going to err on the side of overpreparation and more action. He was flanked by the heads of public safety, agriculture, health and military agencies at a new $60 million state research lab that would figure prominently into any response. Pawlenty designated the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as the lead agency. [Associated Press, 11/3/05]

Funding For Disaster Assistance And First Responders

CUT FUNDING FOR FIREFIGHTERS TRAINING
Minnesotas Firefighters Coalition Criticized Pawlenty For Cutting Nearly $10 Million In Training Money. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A coalition representing the states 20,000 firefighters is criticizing Gov. Pawlenty for using nearly $10 million in training money to help balance the states budget. The firefighters say the money comes from a surcharge on fire insurance policies which were created in 2006 to help improve firefighter training across the state. Isanti Fire Chief Randy Polzin said Pawlentys decision to take the money means firefighters wont be properly trained to handle emergency situations. While claiming to protect public safety, Gov. Pawlenty is doing the exact opposite, Polzin said. His actions endanger public safety. His actions endanger fire fighters by preventing them from being properly trained and equipped. Gov. Pawlenty cant have it both ways. [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/18/10] Fire Chiefs And Firefighter Union Leaders Opposed Pawlentys $10 Million Firefighter Training Cut. According to the Associated Press, Minnesotas fire chiefs and leaders of firefighter unions from around the state are teamed up in opposition to Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to cut $10 million from a fund for training firefighters. The Austin Daily Herald reports that the Minnesota Professional Firefighters union and the State Fire Chiefs Association are united in

opposition to shifting the money out of the training fund in order to help cover the states nearly $1 billion budget deficit. The fund is fueled by a 0.65 percent surcharge paid by homeowners on their insurance policies. Austin firefighter Chris Grunewald says the money is crucial to departments like his with limited budgets and a need to keep firefighters trained. Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung says $3 million of the shift would come from the funds $4 million surplus, with the rest a transfer from its current balance. [Associated Press, 3/5/10] West Central Tribune: Pawlentys Plan To Cut Firefighters Training Fund Could Endanger The Safety Of Firefighters And Minnesota Citizens. According to the West Central Tribune, Minnesota firefighters are crying foul at one of Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed budget balance moves a government switch-a-roo. Pawlenty has proposed as part of his supplemental budget a plan to raid a fire-safety training fund and transfer nearly $10 million over two years to the general fund. This is not a good idea, especially for rural and city volunteer fire departments. If fact, this training fund raid could actually endanger the safety and experience of Minnesotas 20,000-plus firefighters and the citizens they serve as well. Minnesota volunteer firefighters not only battle fires in the state, but also often are among the first responders to accidents and/or medical emergencies. Continued fire safety training is needed throughout the state. [West Central Tribune, 3/10/10]

Pawlenty Used Line-Item Veto To Cut $3 Million For Regional Fire Training Center. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty used the line-item veto to cancel several projects included in the legislatures public works bill. Among Pawlentys cuts included $3 million for a regional fire training center in Maplewood, Minnesota. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/15/10] After Pawlentys Cut To Local Government Aid, The City Of Brainerd Considered Eliminating Six Fire Equipment Operators. According to the Brainerd Dispatch, An effort to reduce Brainerds budget in the wake of a proposed $683,000 reduction in local government aid from the state could have a drastic change in how fire services are delivered. City Administrator Dan Vogt, in a memo delivered to city staff and council members Thursday, recommended $672,500 in cuts to the citys budget. The recommended cuts, in both funds and in personnel, would effect just about every department in the city. For the Brainerd Fire Department, it would mean six full-time fire equipment operators would be laid off as the department is changed over to a paid on-call fire department. [Brainerd Dispatch, 3/12/10]

VETOED FUNDING FOR FLOOD MITIGATION

Austin Post-Bulletin: Pawlentys Veto Of $25 Million In Funding For Flood Mitigation Could Have Long-Lasting Negative Effects. According to the Austin Post-Bulletin, Residents of low-lying areas in Austin are breathing sighs of relief now that Turtle Creek and the Cedar River appear to have crested. We had a heavy snow pack this year, and the recent warm spell and speedy thaw doubtless made more than a few people nervousThats why were puzzled by Gov. Tim Pawlentys decision to veto $25 million in Reinvest in Minnesota conservation grants that were included in the bonding bill, including at least $2 million for the Cedar River and Turtle Creek Watersheds. He did preserve $63.5 million in flood mitigation dollars, some of which might come Austins way, but wed argue that the RIM dollars are just as crucial, and perhaps even more beneficialWe acknowledge the need for fiscal restraint, but this seems to be a case where the governors short-sightedness could have long-lasting negative effects on Austin, as well as every community along the Cedar River. [Austin Post-Bulletin, 3/17/10]

FEDERAL FUNDS FOR FLOOD ASSISTANCE

Pawlenty Planned To Use Federal Aid To Pay For Flood Assistance To Minnesota Residents. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Last weeks record rainfall in southern Minnesota could lead to flooding along portions of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, the National Weather Service said Monday Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Monday that hell likely call a one-day special legislative session in early October to provide assistance to southern Minnesota residents impacted by last weeks flooding. Pawlenty met privately with legislative leaders Monday morning and said the special session will likely take place between Oct. 7 and Oct. 12. He said hes is waiting for additional damage assessments before choosing a final date Minnesota is currently facing cash flow problems and Pawlenty couldnt say if the state will need to borrow money in the short term to pay for flood assistance. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said Pawlenty will likely rely on federal funds passed by Congress over the summer to cover the cost of the aid Pawlenty said hell ask the federal

government to declare counties affected by flooding a disaster area, but he doesnt know how much money the state will have to provide. [Minnesota Public Radio, 9/27/10] Winona Daily News: In 2007, Pawlenty Was Reluctant To Call Special Session To Address Floods. According to the Winona Daily News, He may be a lame duck, but a wiser one than in 2007. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced Monday he intends on calling a one-day legislative special session to address flood relief. You might recall that three years ago when Rushford, St. Charles, Stockton and other parts of the state were swamped by similar storms, Pawlenty wavered about whether to call a special session. Part of the reason the worst, most odious he was reluctant was purely partisan. He didnt really want to call a Democratically controlled Legislature back into session, possibly opening a Pandoras box of issues ranging from taxes to budgeting. Like 2007, this special session was called for the specific purpose of flood relief. And thats as it should be. [Winona Daily News, 10/4/10] Pawlenty Scheduled A Special Legislative Session To Address Flood Damage In Southern Minnesota. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has tentatively scheduled a special legislative session for next Monday to ensure that state funding is available to help southern Minnesota residents clean up from last months flooding. Pawlenty is tentatively scheduling the date because the federal government hasnt declared the damage a disaster area yet. If President Barack Obama makes the declaration after Friday, Pawlentys office said the special session could be held later. The governors office says a preliminary damage estimate from the September 22 flooding is $64.1 million. If a disaster declaration is made, the federal government will pick up 75 percent of the cost. Pawlenty and legislative leaders have pledged that the state will pick up the rest of the tab. [Minnesota Public Radio, 10/5/10] Pawlenty Postponed The Special Session While Federal Officials Reviewed Minnesotas Disaster Aid Request. According to the Associated Press, The absence of a federal disaster declaration for southern Minnesota flooding has led Gov. Tim Pawlenty to postpone a special session to consider accompanying state relief. Pawlentys office said Friday he was canceling plans to call a Monday special session of the Legislature. Federal officials are still reviewing Minnesotas request for a federal disaster declaration. The action will determine if the state can count on federal money for part of the aid response to September flooding caused by heavy rains. A preliminary estimate puts the damage at $64.1 million. [Associated Press, 10/9/10]

Pawlenty Blocked Lawmakers Attempts To Consider Anti-Bullying Laws During Special Session On Flood Aid. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he expects legislative leaders to abide by an agreement and understanding to make Mondays special session solely about natural disaster aid. Pawlenty said Thursday he doesnt want other bills considered in what is likely to be a one-day session. Some lawmakers announced plans to push for additional antibullying laws, which led to discussion of other measures popping up too. In a joint statement, Democratic legislative leders say it is unlikely that other measures will come to votes Monday. The Republican governor is stopping short of threatening to veto other bills, saying that he doesnt think it will come to that. Pawlenty says top staff from his office and the Legislature were in contact Thursday about enforcing a limited session agenda. Pawlenty says Minnesota law currently prohibits school bullying and changes to the law can wait until the 2011 session starts in January. [Associated Press, 10/14/10] Pawlenty Accused Legislators Of Wanting To Politicize Bullying Issue, And Claimed That Minnesota Law Already Outlawed Bullying. According to Fox9, Theres a special session this Monday for recent flood victims that opens the flood gates for some lawmakers to try and introduce anti-bullying legislation. Some Democratic lawmakers want to change the law after several gay kids have killed themselves both at home and across the country. The reason this is so controversial is the timing of it and who is for and against it. Thursday morning, Governor Tim Pawlenty spent some time with residents at the Minneapolis Veterans Home which is a few hours after putting out the call to lawmakers for the special session on flooding and tornado relief. We have an understanding with legislative leaders that is the purpose of the legislative session and it should be focused on that, said Pawlenty. According to the governor, it is a direct message to some democrats who want make bullying another topic on the agenda. I know there are several legislators who want to politicize the bullying issue. And its a legitimate issue. But they should keep in mind Minnesotas laws already outlaw and ban bullying. The law allows school boards to adopt bullying policies that conform to the states human rights act. Some Democrats say its far too vague and want the law to be more specific, prohibiting bullying against race, disability, sexual orientation, among other classifications. [Fox9, 10/14/10]

Pawlenty Signed $80.2 Million Disaster Relief Bill Aimed At Helping Minnesota Recover From Devastating Natural Disasters. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, An $80.2 million disaster-relief bill cleared the Minnesota Legislature on Monday and was signed within hours by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The package, aimed at helping the state recover from devastating

floods in late September and storms and tornadoes in June, was approved unanimously by the House and Senate before being sent to the governor. The House approved it 131-0 and the Senate 66-0 The package will help state and local governments rebuild roads, provide loans and offer grants to people and small businesses in southern Minnesota hurt by the recent flooding. It includes money to help communities such as Wadena recover from severe storms last spring, including a June 17 tornadoThe package, which supplements federal help, was reached in advance and agreed to by legislative leaders of both parties and Pawlenty. It draws on $38.4 million from the general fund, $26.8 million in general obligation bonds, $10 million from the state transportation fund, and $5 million from the trunk highway fund. It includes language allowing the state to use health care-related federal stimulus money it might get next year for the disaster relief. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/18/10] City Pages Hart Van Denburg Criticized Pawlenty For Loving Federal Spending For Flood Relief But Refusing Aid For State Health Care Reform. According to City Pages, in an op-ed, Hart Van Denburg wrote, Yesterday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was loving federal spending. Not the kind to help all Minnesotans with their health care costs, however. Just the kind to help southern Minnesota recover from floods. The former isnt a priority, he says. He wont even allow state agencies to access federal grants to help implement health care reform measures. But he called the Legislature to a special session yesterday to approve relief for counties hurt by flooding after the region was declared a federal disaster area. The designation means the feds pick up three-quarters of the recovery costs while the state picks up the rest -- about $80 million. DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina was happy to call out Pawlenty for suddenly finding love in his heart for a truckload of federal cash, even as he campaigns around the country, biting the hand thats feeding him. I find a little irony in being here, he said. When the chips are down, the chumps get going, and in this case out to Washington D.C. with not just one hand out, but two. After signing the bill, reporters asked Pawlenty about why he was OK with federal flood relief, but not health care dollars passed by Congress. Pawlentys reply: You cant have health care reform because you dont need it. Responding to emergencies and natural disasters is one of the most important priorities for government, he replied. Its very different from furthering participation in a piece of health care reform that I think is misguided, and something the country shouldnt do and doesnt need. [City Pages, 10/19/10]

HOUSING
Op-Ed: Pawlenty Was Silent On The Housing-Bubble Hangover. According to the San Francisco Examiner, As campaign season gears up, White House hopefuls understand that voters top concern is the economy. But the candidates are ignoring the biggest drag on growth: the housing-bubble hangover. Recent speeches are typical. Last week, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty went to Chicago to give his economic pitch. Pawlentys remarks clocked in at nearly 2,800 words, but he devoted more time to taxation than to whats on everyones mind. On housing, he said only that home prices are in the gutter. [San Francisco Examiner, 06/19/11] In 2008, Pawlenty Warned Against Overreaction To The Housing Crisis And Against Proposals That Would Freeze Up Credit Markets. According to the Northwestern Financial Review, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is cautioning against over-reaction amid the current housing correction and tumult in the credit markets. Pawlenty addressed about 250 bankers attending a panel discussion on regulatory issues hosted by the Minnesota Bankers Association in Minneapolis on Aug. 27. Pawlenty noted that Minnesotas job growth and economic well-being depend to a great degree on small and medium-size businesses, and that entrepreneurs and growing companies must have access to attractive and affordable financing. Consequently, he warned against proposals that would freeze up credit markets. In Minnesota and across the nation there has been good work done as it relates to flushing out some of the abuses, some of the bad practices, some of the bad actors, Pawlenty said in reference to the subprime mortgage arena. We have put a lot of money into counseling. Were working with the federal government and the state agencies on people who are eligible to refinance into something thats more stable, he said. But as we do that and more, we need to make sure we dont wreck the credit markets. Youll see from time to time proposals where people want to do things that abrogate previously existing contractual rights, or they want to do things that so over-reach or are so ham-fisted that it has implications for the credit markets going forward. That would be a bad direction for our state, Pawlenty said. [Northwestern Financial Review, October 2008]

Minnesota Foreclosures Increased As Housing Value Dropped

Minnesota Experienced The Steepest Drop In Housing Values In 20 Years. According to The Star Tribune, The steepest decline in housing values in 20 years has dramatically shrunk home equity and hit construction hard. Banks are foreclosing on properties across the state at record rates. Personal income growth has dropped and unemployment is up. The Ford plant is gone and Macys is paring more than 900 jobs as it closes its regional headquarters in Minneapolis. [The Star Tribune, 2/27/08] 2008: HousingLink Study Projected Foreclosures Would Increase By 39% In Minnesota. According to the Wall Street Journal, A recent study conducted by HousingLink, a Minnesota nonprofit research group that compiles data on affordable housing, projects a 39% increase in foreclosures in the state this year, with perhaps 28,000 households affected. In a May 13 conference call, Robert Toll, chief executive officer of luxury builder Toll Brothers Inc., rated Minnesota an F-minus in his assessment of regional housing markets. [Wall Street Journal, 5/28/08] State Report: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Under Polarizing Commissioner Dan Bartholomay Was Plagued By Ineffective Communication, Secrecy And Incidents Of Intimidation. According to The Star Tribune, The mission of the state agency that finances low- and moderate-income housing has been jeopardized by a management that damaged employee morale, risking the departure of critical staff members, a report concludes. The report says management of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency under Commissioner Dan Bartholomay is plagued by ineffective communication and perceived shrouds of secrecy and incidents of intimidation. The report called Bartholomay a polarizing figure, adding that he appears to have misread the level of distrust he has generated, as well as his lack of credible knowledge of housing programs and housing finance. Bartholomay on Monday defended his management, which involved a major restructuring of the agency. Its very difficult to get 100 percent agreement on change, Bartholomay said, adding that some longtime employees had difficulty accepting the changes. He said that only a relatively small number of people are discontented. But Mike Finch, chair of the board overseeing the agency, said the problem runs much, much deeper. The report was completed this month by LarsonAllen consultants at the request of the board after it heard complaints about morale and other problems in the agency, Finch said. [The Star Tribune, 12/20/10]

Foreclosure Prevention Measures

Pawlenty Vetoed Bill To Put Foreclosures On Hold For Homeowners Struggling With Subprime And Exotic Home Loans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have put foreclosures on hold for thousands of Minnesotans struggling with subprime and exotic home loans. The temporary foreclosure freeze was a key but particularly controversial part of a package of bills sent to the governor recently that are aimed at easing fallout from the foreclosure crisis, 11 of which have been signed into law. They include laws to protect renters in foreclosure situations, deal with abandoned properties, increase limits on financial assistance to homeowners and give homeowners in trouble more information about foreclosure prevention counseling. In a letter to state Senate President James Metzen, DFL-South St. Paul, Pawlenty said halting foreclosures would cause lenders to make credit more expensive for other Minnesotans. He also said the bill raises major legal questions because the U.S. Constitution forbids states from making laws that impair existing contracts The vetoed bill would have halted foreclosures of subprime or exotic negative amortization loans for one year for homeowners, not investors. Borrowers would have to continue making minimal payments during the stay, and lenders would be able to cancel a deferral if they showed they participated in good-faith negotiations with the homeowner in trouble to fix the problem. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/29/08] The Bill Would Have Prevented 12,000 Minnesota Families From Losing Their Homes To Foreclosure. According to The Star Tribune, As for the mortgage foreclosure deferment bill, which passed both the House and Senate but was criticized by some as overreaching, Pawlenty said it was flawed legally and philosophicallyThe bills DFL authors criticized the veto, saying the legislation would have prevented 12,000 Minnesotans from losing their homes to foreclosure and that the governor had chosen to side with the banking industry over ordinary homeowners. Under the bill, homeowners holding a subprime or negative amortization mortgage could defer a pending foreclosure for up to a year but would have to agree to use the services of a foreclosure-prevention counselor and make partial payments during the deferment period. [The Star Tribune, 5/30/08] Wall Street Journal: Pawlentys Veto Could Be Portrayed As Insensitive To Homeowners. According to the Wall Street Journal, If the governor takes a higher profile in the presidential election, amid a widespread housing crisis, a veto of the deferment plan could be portrayed as insensitive to homeowners. Anything he does right now is magnified because of his possible role as a vice-presidential nominee, said Steven Schier, a political-science professor at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. He has to consider whether any actions he takes now could show up in the fall campaign. [Wall Street Journal, 5/28/08] 2008: HousingLink Study Projected Foreclosures Would Increase By 39% In Minnesota. According to the Wall Street Journal, A recent study conducted by HousingLink, a Minnesota nonprofit research group that compiles data on affordable housing, projects a 39% increase in foreclosures in the state this year, with perhaps 28,000 households affected. In a May 13 conference call, Robert Toll, chief executive officer of luxury builder Toll Brothers Inc., rated Minnesota an F-minus in his assessment of regional housing markets. [Wall Street Journal, 5/28/08] National Journal: Lenders And Wall Street Investment Companies Welcomed Pawlentys Veto. According to the National Journal, The American Securitization Forum, a group of lenders and Wall Street investment companies, welcomed the veto. The group said the law would have eroded lender and investor confidence in the stability of contracts in Minnesota. [National Journal, 6/2/08]

Pawlenty Vetoed Homestead Mediation Legislation Lender Act, Which Would Have Expanded Foreclosure Mediation Law. According to Finance & Commerce, Pawlenty vetoed the Homestead Mediation Lender Act of 2009, which would have expanded the states existing homestead-lender mediation law, adding the option of a mediation proceeding with a mediator appointed by the states attorney general if a mortgage holder was unable to resolve a default with a lender. The report noted that the program would have been paid for by an increase of $125 in the foreclosure fee, which would have gone into the state treasury and credited to the Homestead-Lender Mediation Act account in the special revenue fund. Pawlenty used some strong words to criticize the legislations scope, noted the report. Pawlenty said, Having the mediator decide who is eligible for mediation is nonsensical. If the mediator is deciding which case is appropriate for mediation, the mediation process would have already begun. In addition, Pawlenty objected to the $125 fee, saying that lenders and borrowers involved in foreclosures who do not receive mediation should not have to pay for mediation services. [Finance & Commerce, 5/27/09]

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson Said Pawlenty Denied A Good Bill That Would Have Tried To Head Off Foreclosures. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed, Minnesotas Attorney General, Lori Swanson wrote, a bill that would have tried to head off foreclosures -- a good bill, in no way a bailout -- was passed by the Legislature but denied by the governor. She explained that the bill simply required the parties to meet, usually by telephone, before the foreclosure process began to see if a fair and reasonable resolution could be found to avoid foreclosure. [The Star Tribune, 5/27/09]

Pawlenty Vetoed A Bill Preventing Reverse Mortgage Lenders From Taking Advantage Of Senior Citizens. According to Finance & Commerce, Pawlenty vetoed a bill that was backed by Attorney General Lori Swanson and designed to prevent reverse mortgage lenders from taking advantage of senior citizens. Pawlenty opposed the legislation because he claimed that it may trigger unintended consequences and increase costs to consumers. A reverse mortgage company released a statement, according to the report, saying As an industry, we are relieved (that) Gov. Pawlenty vetoed the bill. [Finance and Commerce, 5/27/09] AARP State Director Michele Kimball Wrote That The Group Was Disappointed In Pawlenty Veto. According to The Star Tribune, in an op-ed, Michele Kimball, the Minnesota state director for the AARP wrote, As a consumer organization representing more than 700,000 Minnesotans age 50 and older, AARP would like to respond to reverse mortgage broker Gail Wempners July 13 Business Forum column, Seniors need reverse-mortgage option, about Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of a bill to protect consumers of reverse mortgages. Unfortunately, reverse-mortgage fraud happens - even in MinnesotaConsumers of reverse mortgages deserve protection from fraudulent tactics that could steal their home equity and destroy their financial well being. AARP supported this legislation as a common-sense way to protect consumers of reverse mortgages, while at the same time ensuring that those who truly need these products can get themAARP is disappointed that Gov. Pawlenty vetoed this bill that would help protect homeowners seeking reverse mortgages. We hope that the industry and lawmakers are willing to come to the table to protect older homeowners and we are willing to work with all parties to find a reasonable solution that protects Minnesotas consumers. [The Star Tribune, 7/16/09]

Pawlenty Announced Plan To Avoid Foreclosures By Expanding Foreclosure Counseling Workshops And Mediation For Homeowners And Lenders. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Hoping to avert foreclosures, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday announced steps to provide homeowners and lenders with more mortgage counseling and mediation. Pawlentys actions would: Expand foreclosure counseling workshops for borrowers and lenders across the state; Ask lenders and mortgage servicers to voluntarily sign a foreclosure prevention compact in which they agree to work with counselors and mediators and modify loans where permissible; Fund mediation to help homeowners when counseling is unsuccessful. Mediators will be paid by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency; Create a foreclosure hotline for loan counselors; The nonprofit Minnesota Home Ownership Center, which already is providing state-funded counseling, will conduct workshops across the state. Julie Gugin, the centers executive director, said she expects her staff to counsel about 12,000 homeowners this year and stave off foreclosures in half the cases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/4/08] Pawlenty Announced $1.8 Million Deal To Double The Number Of Foreclosure Counselors In Anticipation Of Increased Foreclosures. According to the Associated Press, The ranks of Minnesotas foreclosure counselors are set to double, giving more homeowners advice that might help them hang onto their homes. A $1.8 million public-private deal, announced Friday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will boost the number of counselors to 37 and potentially head off as many as 5,700 foreclosures next year. The move comes as housing leaders expect foreclosures in Minnesota to double this year as homeowners fall behind on risky mortgages. None of the aid will go directly to homeowners in crisis. Pawlenty said the counselors can advise them on switching from adjustable to fixed-rate mortgages, working out more affordable payment plans and referring them to organizations that offer financial aid. He acknowledged it wont help everyone in need. [Associated Press, 11/16/07] By The End Of 2007, 80,000 Minnesota Families Were Expected To Fall Behind On Mortgage Payments And 20,000 Would Likely Lose Their Homes To Foreclosure. According to the Associated Press, Some 80,000 Minnesota families are expected to fall behind on mortgage payments by the end of the year, said Warren Hanson, who heads the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and joined Pawlenty at a St. Paul news conference. More than 20,000 households will probably lose their homes to foreclosure by Dec. 31, according to the Minneapolis-based nonprofit HousingLink. The figures are based on sheriffs sales of foreclosed homes in most Minnesota counties during the first nine months of 2007, and projections for the rest of the year. The hardest-hit areas include the Twin Cities metropolitan area and outlying counties such as Isanti, Mille Lacs, Sherburne and Pine. [Associated Press, 11/16/07]

Loosened Regulations On Mortgage Industry

During First Months In Office, Pawlenty Began Loosening State Regulations On Financial And Insurance Industries. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Though most of the attention in the first two months of Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration has been on his handling of Minnesotas enormous budget deficit, he has also begun to loosen the states regulatory climate. Most of the action so far is in the state Commerce Department, where the new Republican governor appointed banker Glenn Wilson to change its oversight of financial, insurance and real estate businesses. Wilson last month renamed the departments Division of Enforcement as the Division of Market Assurance. For an administration that eschews euphemisms -- Pawlenty renamed the Department of Children, Families and Learning to the Department of Education to send a message that the core mission is education -- the name change is a clear sign of a new directionThe change comes at a time when state regulators are in the spotlight for uncovering abuses in financial and other companies. Securities regulators in New York, for instance, led the investigation into the misuse of stock analyst research that resulted in 11 big brokerages paying $ 1.46 billion in fines and penalties. Some observers fear the Commerce Departments new approach will erode consumer protection. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/2/03]

IMMIGRATION
Federal Immigration Issues
Pawlenty Addressed A Conference Of Hispanic Republicans But Didnt Detail Where He Stood On Immigration. According to Politico, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty took a break from his national book tour Friday to address a conference of Hispanic Republicans, the only 2012 presidential hopeful making the trek to this battleground state to woo this key electorate. But he gave a speech that could have easily been delivered in Marquette, Ind., rather than Miami, a center of the American Hispanic community. It wasnt until the very end of the speech that Pawlenty even broached the topic of immigration On immigration, he didnt detail where he stood on the issue or talk about his extensive record in Minnesota trying to tighten state laws governing immigration. [Politico, 1/14/11] Pawlenty Declined Invitation To Speak At The National Council Of La Raza Annual Conference. According to The Plum Line, The National Council of La Raza, a top Latino civil rights group, is taking a shot at RNC chair Michael Steele and several prominent GOP figures for skipping its ongoing annual conference, saying it raises questions about the GOPs interest in wooing Latinos. NCLR spokesperson Marie Watteau confirms to me that Steele, along with three Republican governors, were all invited to its conference, which is concluding today with a big speech by DNC chair Tim Kaine. But Steele and the three governors Mississippis Haley Barbour, Minnesotas Tim Pawlenty, and Puerto Ricos Luis Fortuno all declined the invitations through the RNC, Watteau says. [The Plum Line, Who Runs Gov, 7/28/09] Pawlenty Claimed Politicians Should Not Pigeonhole Hispanics As Only Caring Amount Immigration As A Political Issue. According to St. Petersburg Times, Pawlenty, in an interview, responded to a question about Jeb Bushs support among Hispanics and opposition to Arizonas immigration law by saying, I have a great deal of admiration for Jeb Bush. Hes one of the brightest, most courageous leaders that we have for the country, particularly for the conservative movement, so Im honored to spend some time with him...Number two, as we talk about immigration and the Latino vote, we shouldnt make the mistake of thinking the only thing they care about is immigration and jump to that first and only. As I talk to the Hispanic community and Latino community, theyve got a lot of other concerns as well, which is are they going to have a job, are they going to get a good education, are they going to be able to afford college, are they going to be able to buy health care, whats the economy going to be like. They have national security concerns, so one of the messages Im going to deliver down there is we dont need to have every discussion start and continue and end with just immigration and not pigeonhole either them or their concerns just in that last. As for immigration itself, were a country based on the rule of law and weve got to have a country where the law is respected and enforced. [St. Petersburg Times, The Buzz blog, 1/10/11] On Illegal Immigration, Pawlenty Said He Was Against Blanket Amnesty As Well As Blanket Deportation. According to the Washington Times, As for illegal immigration, Mr. Pawlenty is against blanket amnesty as well as blanket deportation. One of the founding principles of this country is the rule of law, so we cant have a large segment of the population flouting or violating the law and others large segment nodding and winking, he said. It corrodes respect for the law. He advocated the tightest possible border security enhanced by an electronic Social Security verification system so employers dont unknowingly hire illegal immigrants. Deportation should depend on factors such as how long the illegal has been in the country. [Washington Times, 10/4/09] Pawlenty: I Dont Support Amnesty For Illegal Immigrants. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In comments to reporters, Pawlenty said I dont support amnesty for illegal immigrants, Pawlenty said. We should be in favor of immigration, but it needs to be orderly, reasonable and legal. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/19/04]

Pawlenty Supported Allowing Immigrants Who Are In America Illegally To Stay Her Temporarily, Or On An Intermittent Basis If They Have Been Here 20 YearsServed In The Military[And] Have Been Law-Abiding. According to Newsweek, Pawlenty was asked, On another topic, should there, as President Obama suggests, be a pathway to citizenship for immigrants here illegally? Pawlenty responded, As to the 12 to 15 million people who are here illegally, anybody who tells you they are all going be rounded up and thrown out of the country is probably not shooting it to you straight. So we have to make some judgments. If you have been here 12 months and you are a felon and a drug dealer, you should get thrown out. If youve been here 20 years, and youve served in the military, and you have been law-abiding, then allowing you to stay here temporarily, or on an intermittent basis, is OK. [Newsweek, 12/21/09]

Pawlenty Opposed The McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill. According to The National Review, But on the McCainKennedy immigration bill, [Pawlenty] says, If I were in the Senate, I dont think I would have supported it. Its a matter of sequencing. The McCain-Kennedy bill is reasonable, but only after we control the border and win the confidence of the American people. [National Review, 8/4/08] Pawlenty Called Americas Immigration System Chaotic. According to the Star Tribune, Declaring the nations immigration system as bordering on chaotic, Gov. Tim Pawlenty went to Worthington, Minn., Tuesday to discuss with officials and businesspeople ways that the state and local governments can address the problem. We have to have a system that is functioning, legal and orderly, the governor said, adding that the current one is broken and that federal officials for years havent been doing a great job at it.Pawlentys trip came a day after President Bush renewed his call for a guest worker program that would grant undocumented immigrants work visas for up to six years. After signing legislation a month ago that will add 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, Bush vowed also to crack down on those who enter the country illegally. This issue has divided social conservatives and business leaders, who are core supporters of both the Republican president and governor. Pawlenty said Tuesday that business desire for cheap labor should not be the only consideration in setting immigration policy. Its not appropriate to say that it doesnt matter whether its legal or illegal as long as its cheap, he said. I support tighter border patrols. [Star Tribune, 11/30/05] Pawlenty Welcomed Bushs Work-Visa Proposal And Called It Overdue. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty called the current immigration system chaotic, and he criticized the federal government for failing to curb illegal immigration. Up until recently, at the federal level, these issues have been allowed to get out of hand, the governor said. As a nation in general, weve been looking the other way when it comes to illegal immigration. I feel our federal policy-makers have been lax. He welcomed President Bushs recent proposal to grant three-year work visas to undocumented immigrants, but he said the initiative was overdue. [Associated Press 11/30/05] Pawlenty Supported Removing The Cap On H1-B Visas, As A Way To Promote Legal Immigration. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty asked a key senator on immigration issues Monday to back an increase in the number of visas for foreign workers in high-tech and specialty fields, arguing it would help U.S. businesses become more competitive. Pawlenty, a Republican who has pushed a crackdown on illegal immigration, said that it was also important to encourage legal immigration, such as raising the number of H1-B visas from the current limit of 65,000. He made that pitch in a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican who chairs the Judiciary Committees immigration, border security and citizenship subcommittee. To have an artificial cap of 65,000 is not near enough, Pawlenty said. So we would like to see that dramatically increased. Pawlenty said he didnt think there needed to be a cap at all. But 65,000 is ridiculously low, given how thirsty we are for engineers, researchers, computer programmers weve got a big shortage in a lot of these areas, he added. Wed have an inverse brain drain into this country which would be very beneficial with an increase in the visas. We need to do more than just border security, Pawlenty said. We also need to find ways to promote legal immigration. As we look at H1-B visas, I would hope that we would be focused on those categories and occupations where we have a shortage, wheres theres an unmet need or projected unmet need, he added. [Associated Press, 2/28/06]

Pawlenty Scored Easy Points, According To Political Observers, By Sending Minnesota National Guard Troops To The Mexican Border. According to the Star Tribune, Candidate Tim Pawlenty, running for reelection as Minnesota governor, could certainly do the math when he announced last week that he would send Minnesota National Guard troops to the Mexican border to bolster protection efforts against illegal immigration... In making his announcement and including a reference to the estimated 75,000 to 100,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota, Pawlenty broached a subject that is expected to be a hot-button issue with voters in November Political observers say Pawlenty scored easy points on a number of fronts: The federal government is picking up the tab, and any troops going to the border would be doing so voluntarily. [Star Tribune, 7/9/06] Rochester Post-Bulletin Editorial: Pawlentys Action Has A Lot To Do With Politics And Not Much To Do With Border Security. According to a Rochester Post-Bulletin editorial, Its easy to be cynical when political machinations are so transparent. Take the statement by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is sending 200 Minnesota National Guard troops to the southwest (as in New Mexico, not Luverne) to perform border duty. Securing Americas border, the governor said, is an urgent national priority and we must all do our part. Fine, except that Americas border also runs for several hundred miles along Minnesotas boundary with Canada. If the nations borders are so important, why is the governor sending Minnesota troops thousands of miles away rather than having them do their part at the neighborhood border? The answer, of course, has a lot to do with politics and not much to do with border security. Pawlenty and other

politicians know its always good politics to have a bogeyman handy. This years handy bogeymen are illegal immigrants -specifically immigrants who dont speak English and who have dark skin Its all a game, and we might find it entertaining if it werent such a political football. [Editorial, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 7/11/06] Pawlenty On The Immigration Debate Within The Republican Party: You Have People Who Are Taking Unrealistically Harsh Approaches, Saying, You Know, Were Going To Throw Everybody Out In The Country And Were Going To Start Over, And Thats Not Realistic Either. According to NPR, Michele Norris interviewed Pawlenty for NPRs All Things Considered, and asked, Theres a deep split within the Republican Party, your party, over this [immigration] issue, and from the perspective of a Republican governor, Im just curious to hear from you, whats going on with the party? Pawlenty responded, Well, I think whats going on is we have a system that is currently broken. You know, our current immigration laws and enforcement mechanisms are not adequate. And so theyre in need of updating. Theyre in need of being more rigorous. And so whats taking place, I think, is a debate over how to best do that. And on the one end of the continuum you have people who say, oh, dont do anything. And on the other hand you have people who are taking unrealistically harsh approaches, saying, you know, were going to throw everybody out in the country and were going to start over, and thats not realistic either. And so we have to find some reasonable and thoughtful common ground between those two positions. [NPR, All Things Considered, 3/29/06] Pro-Immigration Reform Protestors Chose To Rally Outside Of A Pawlenty Event Because They Say Pawlenty Supports Policies That Hurt Immigrant Families. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Dozens of supporters of immigration reform rallied in downtown Minneapolis Monday, voicing their anger about a new Arizona law designed to crack down in immigrants who are in the state illegally. About 50 people rallied outside the Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, where Gov. Pawlenty and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke last night. They chose that site because they say Pawlenty supports policies that hurt immigrant families. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/27/10]

PAWLENTY EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR REPEALING THE 14TH AMENDMENT

Pawlenty Expressed Support For Amending The Constitution To Repeal The 14th Amendment. According to Bloomberg Television, in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, Pawlenty was asked, Governor, let me ask you about another issue - immigration. A number of Republicans said they want to amend the 14th Amendment to prohibit children born of illegal immigrants in the United States from being American citizens. Do you favor amending the Constitution? Pawlenty responded, Well, I think were the only, or one of the few, developed nations in the world that allows somebody to come here illegally, give birth to a child, and then have the child be a legal citizen of our country. The procedure around amending the Constitution is very difficult, but I would be in favor of a rule that says you have to be here legally in order for your son or daughter to be deemed legal here if theyre born here. Hunt asked, And its necessary to amend the Constitution for that purpose? and Pawlenty responded, It is, unfortunately, because the courts as I understand it have interpreted the language of the Constitution in a way that gives anybody the right that has a baby here to have that child be deemed here a legal citizen. And thats the way the courts have interpreted it, so the only way to trump the courts decision is to amend the Constitution. [Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, 8/6/10]

Immigration Proposals And Failed Initiatives

PAWLENTY INVENTED HIS REPUTATION FOR BEING TOUGH ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Pawlenty: In Minnesota, I Have Advanced And Implemented A Number Of Reforms To Crack Down On Illegal Immigration. According to Pawlentys PAC Freedom First, during a Facebook town hall on March 31, 2010 Pawlenty was asked, How do you feel about amnesty for illegal immigrants? Pawlenty responded, We are a nation of immigrants but, it needs to be legal, it needs to be reasonable, and it needs to be orderly. The system that we have now is none of that. In Minnesota, I have advanced and implemented a number of reforms to crack down on illegal immigration. But, we also have to recognize that the system that we have is busted, and that we have a nation based on the rule of law, and we cant have wide large swaths of our population nodding and winking at each other condoning illegal behaviors. So, I do not support amnesty for illegal immigration, but I there are steps we can and should take to have a better, and more constructive, and more enforceable immigration set of laws. [Tim Pawlentys Freedom First PAC Facebook town hall, 3/31/10]

St. Cloud Times Randy Krebs: Pawlenty Should Explain Why He Suddenly Made Cracking Down On Illegal Immigration A Priority. According to Randy Krebs of the St. Cloud Times, Gov. Tim Pawlentys stick-then-carrot actions the past few weeks regarding immigration raise more questions than they answer. Considering they are proposals for the Legislature to debate, thats not all bad. However, the governor needs to provide better context and perspective about the issue if he is going to make this a top priority. He can start by explaining why he suddenly decided to jump on the divisive and complex national issue of illegal immigration. In his last three State of the State speeches, the only similar issue he addressed was getting visa expiration dates of foreign visitors posted on their Minnesota drivers licenses in 2003. Those speeches, the ensuing legislative sessions and even the publics attention have focused overwhelmingly on the state budget, education and the economy. So why immigration, especially cracking down on illegal immigration, now? [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/20/06]

PAWLENTY LINKED IMMIGRATION TO TERRORISM

Pawlenty Ran Ad Linking Immigrants To Terrorism, Opponents Called Ad His Willie Horton Ad. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A new TV ad from Republican gubernatorial nominee Tim Pawlenty about combating terrorism was condemned by his leading rivals Wednesday as a scare tactic that exploits the Sept. 11 attacks for political gain _ a charge the Pawlenty camp strongly denied. I believe this is Tim Pawlentys Willie Horton ad, said DFL candidate Roger Moe, referring to former President George Bushs 1988 campaign spot about violent crime that was accused of playing on racial bigotry. He is using terrorism as a political campaign tool. The Pawlenty ad, which touts his support for marking foreign visitors visa expiration dates on their drivers licenses, also was denounced by Independence Party nominee Tim PennyThe ad opens with a statement in text, superimposed over a map of Minnesota, about alleged terrorist conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui having learned to fly a plane in the state. Terrorists are here, a narrator says. It then cuts to a close-up of Pawlenty saying: When foreigners apply for a drivers license we are going to print their visa expiration number right on it. So at any traffic stop our police will know if they are breaking immigration laws. Tim Penny and Roger Moe are opposed to this. Law enforcement is on my side. Im Tim Pawlenty. Elect me governor and well make this the law. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/24/02] Pawlentys Ad Called Immigrants Foreigners. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in his television ad on immigration, Pawlenty referred to immigrants as foreigners. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/24/02]

Pawlenty Called For Visa Expiration Dates On Drivers Licenses, Even Though Requirement Was Already In Effect. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Despite an uproar when the issue was raised during the campaign for governor, about 3,000 immigrants now have Minnesota drivers licenses printed with their visa expiration dates. Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty and Republican legislators have vowed to make an emergency order permanent, ensuring that law enforcement officers can more easily spot people in the country illegallySo far, none of the 3,000 immigrants with the special licenses has an expired status, so no one has been reported to immigration authorities under the new regulationDuring his campaign for governor, Pawlenty strongly supported the rule and drew complaints from other candidates when he ran a TV advertisement on the subject that stated: Terrorists are here. Pawlenty stood by the ad, and Republican legislators have promised to pass a law mirroring Weavers order in the upcoming legislative session. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/02] Pawlentys Administration Pursued Permanent Rules To Require Immigration Status On Drivers Licenses After His Proposal Failed To Pass The Legislature. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, If the Minnesota Legislature doesnt do it, the Department of Public Safety will. The department announced Monday it is pursuing permanent rules requiring temporary immigrants drivers licenses to be marked with their visa expiration dates and the words status check. The rules would allow the department to cancel visitors licenses after their visas expireThose rules were already put in place last summer through an emergency process after lawmakers failed to pass a similar proposal. That process was challenged in court. Last month, the Minnesota Court of Appeals struck down parts of the rules, and the state has appealed that decision. Already about 6,000 people in Minnesota are carrying licenses with the status check designation on them. Legislation mimicking those rules is in debate again this session. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a former House member, said he wanted the rules in law so that future administrations could not easily rescind them. The Republican-controlled House backed Pawlenty up on that idea and made the drivers license issue the first bill introduced. The House overwhelmingly passed it in January. The Democrat-controlled Senate -- like last year -- has been far less friendly to the idea. The measure failed to pass a Senate panel and procedural moves to bring it up on the Senate floor have failed on party-line votes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/22/03]

No Terrorists Had Been Intercepted Due To Immigration Status On Licenses Because, As Pawlentys Administration Claimed, Terrorists Stopped Applying For Licenses Because Of The New Scrutiny. According to the AP, Since June 2002, Minnesota has issued about 10,000 drivers licenses to foreign visitors with the red words status check and the visitors visa expiration dates on them. Those who pushed the change said it would help root out potential terrorists. Opponents said it would give everyone from cops to grocery store clerks a license to discriminate. More than a year later, nobody can prove that a single potential terrorist has been intercepted. Nor has anyone come forward with a case of harassment spurred by the words status check on someones license. Officials from several law enforcement agencies - including Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Minnesota State Patrol - say they havent much used the extra information on the licenses. But Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff, Charlie Weaver, said he believes bad people have not applied for Minnesota licenses because of the new scrutiny. Representatives of immigrants and others who oppose the program said they too have not heard about many cases of immigrants being ill treated because their legal status is emblazoned on their licenses. [Associated Press, 9/8/03] Minnesota Court Of Appeals Overturned License Rule, Which Was Centerpiece Of Pawlentys Gubernatorial Campaign. According to the AP, The Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned rules Tuesday that allowed law enforcement to track foreign visitors through special drivers license markings. A three-judge panel, while agreeing that the threat to public safety arguably might be both serious and immediate, determined that the Department of Public Safety didnt demonstrate a strong enough reason to go around the normal rulemaking process. The statutory requirements ... have not been satisfied, Judge Gordon Shumaker wrote. The move to align drivers license expiration dates with the time visas expire is also a hot topic at the Legislature. Charlie Weaver, who was Gov. Jesse Venturas public safety commissioner and is now chief of staff to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, used emergency authority to push through the rules after the Legislature deadlocked last session on a bill that would have approved the tracking system. The House has already passed a bill this year that would put the change into law, but the Senate has yet to take action. The issue was a centerpiece of Pawlentys gubernatorial campaign. [Associated Press, 3/11/03] Visa Expiration Regulation Was Called Unconstitutional. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Despite an uproar when the issue was raised during the campaign for governor, about 3,000 immigrants now have Minnesota drivers licenses printed with their visa expiration dates. Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty and Republican legislators have vowed to make an emergency order permanent, ensuring that law enforcement officers can more easily spot people in the country illegally. But at a hearing today before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, a number of organizations will challenge the July order by then-Public Safety Commissioner Charlie WeaverBut the groups challenging the rule -- including Jewish Community Action, the National Lawyers Guild and the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union -- will argue today that the court should strike down the regulation. They contend that the rule is unconstitutional and that Weaver improperly issued it after the Legislature rejected a similar bill. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/02]

2005: PAWLENTYS INFLAMMATORY IMMIGRATION REPORT

Pawlentys Administration Released A Report That Claimed Illegal Immigration Cost Minnesota Up To $188 Million Annually. According to the AP, Illegal immigration in Minnesota costs the public up to $188 million annually, according to a new report commissioned by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The report, released Thursday, estimated that Minnesota has between 80,000 and 85,000 illegal, or undocumented, immigrants. An estimated 17,000 children cost public schools $146 million to $158 million to educate in 2004 and it cost another $30 million in costs for subsidized health care and incarceration for crime, the report said. In addition, illegal immigrants arguably displace American workers, which contributes to lost jobs and wages, the report said. The report was produced by the Department of Administration, whose commissioner, Dana Badgerow, called its findings alarming. Legislation adopted in 2003 barred illegal immigrants from most health and welfare assistance, except emergency and pregnancy services. However, the report said the most recent annual figures still show a state cost of $17.3 million for emergency medical assistance, pregnancy treatment and childrens health insurance. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections estimated a cost of $12.8 million for imprisoning 501 illegal aliens in the year ended June 30. An unknown portion of those costs is offset by taxes paid by illegal immigrants, the report added. About 8,000 of them file state income tax returns. Many others do not, but taxes deducted from their paychecks remain in state coffers. [Associated Press, 12/9/05] Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Pawlentys Immigration Report Was Inflammatory And Seems Calculated To Whip Up Anti-Immigration Sentiment. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman for the Star Tribune that said, Gov.

Tim Pawlenty has issued an inflammatory report on illegal immigrants in Minnesota just as we are in the midst of Advent, the joyous season of anticipation. Nice timing: When better to give some foreigners a kick in the teeth in the hope of political gain? ...Minnesota has fewer than half the average states number of illegals, but Pawlentys report seems calculated to whip up anti-immigration sentiment and to provide cover for more anti-immigrant efforts ahead Minnesota has a humanitarian tradition of helping refugees and asylum-seekers, who make up half of the foreign-born residents of this state, a higher percentage than in any other state. Despite the good efforts of our churches, government and institutions to help the people who come here to escape war, torture and famine, they now can look forward to being treated with suspicion or hostility by Minnesotans who believe Tim Pawlenty has uncovered a huge outrage to taxpayers. Baloney. Pawlenty only has pandered to the xenophobic instinct that always rears its ugly head in America in times of war and fear-mongering. Very sad. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/11/05] Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Poured Gasoline On The Immigrant Issue With His Immigration Report. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman for the Star Tribune that said, [Pawlenty] recently poured gasoline on the immigrant issue with the release of a crudely overstated report designed to inflame opinion and make immigration into a wedge issue. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/28/05] Minnesotas Top Demographic Experts Cast Doubt On Pawlentys Immigration Report. According to the Star Tribune, The states top demographic experts are casting doubt on whether there are as many undocumented immigrants in Minnesota as a controversial new report released this month by the Pawlenty administration claims. And, the national expert named in the report, whose work served as an underpinning for the number of undocumented workers cited in it, is also questioning some of the reports conclusions, saying he didnt mean to claim any special expertise on the immigration situation in Minnesota. The report, released Dec. 8, relied on national estimates when it stated that there are 80,000 to 85,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota. It pegged the public cost of illegal immigration in Minnesota at up to $188 million a year, and it appeared to set the stage for what could be a divisive and pivotal debate in next years legislative session and elections. State Demographer Tom Gillaspy, whose office tracks immigration, said he was out of the loop when it was prepared and added that its not possible to be as precise about these numbers as the report makes it seem. His offices specialist on international immigration has said that she believes the number is far lower than 85,000 - that perhaps theres only one-third that many undocumented immigrants in the state. [Star Tribune, 12/22/05] Even The Expert Named In Pawlentys Report Questioned Reports Conclusions. According to the Star Tribune, The national expert cited in the report, demographer Jeff Passell of the nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C., used a computer model to group Minnesota among several states whose illegal immigrant numbers are likely somewhere in the range of 55,000 to 85,000, with Minnesota apt to be closer to the high end. The estimate of 80,000 to 85,000 - the number cited in the state report - resulted from a phone call placed to Passell by a state researcher in Minnesota. Passell is cited personally in a footnote justifying using the higher end of the estimate in the report. Passell agrees he authorized this, but added that its not that simple. If the question is, `Whats my best estimate? - its 85,000, he said. But the difficulty of assigning any truly hard-and-fast number remains, he said, and theres a lot of variability. [Star Tribune, 12/22/05]

Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Pawlentys Immigration Report Used A Militant Anti-Immigration Group As A Source. According to an op-ed by Nick Coleman for the Star Tribune, More today on Gov. Tim Pawlentys report on illegal immigrants One source cited in the governors report is the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), a spinoff of a militant anti-immigration group called Federation for American Immigration Reform, which was founded by John Tanton, a notorious anti-immigration activist and promoter of English-only laws. The inclusion of CIS as a source on the cost of providing health care to illegal immigrants set off alarm bells among many in immigration circles. This is a very out-front organization in opposing immigration, says Michele Garnett McKenzie, director of the refugee and immigrant program for the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. This is a completely unbalanced report. It is in no way objective. There you have it, kids: The governor wrote a very poor report based, in part, on very biased sources. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/14/05]

PAWLENTYS 2006 ELECTION YEAR IMMIGRATION PLAN

2006: Pawlenty Proposed Anti-Illegal Immigration Measures. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Starting the election year with a politically charged issue, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today announced a series of proposals to crack down on illegal immigration. Pawlenty said at a Capitol press conference that illegal aliens are committing many crimes involving drugs, human trafficking and false identification documents. This proposal is not about being anti-immigrant, he said. To be

anti-immigrant is really to be anti-American. I am a strong supporter of immigration. But the immigration system must be legal, reasonable and orderly, he said. Illegal immigration is undermining public support for legal immigration. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Illegal Immigration Enforcement Team. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed creating a Minnesota Illegal Immigration Enforcement Team of 10 state law enforcement officers who would be trained to question, detain and arrest suspected illegal immigrants. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Ban On Local Sanctuary Laws. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed passing a state law pre-empting St. Paul, Minneapolis and other cities from having sanctuary laws that prevent local police officers from inquiring about immigration status or enforcing immigration laws. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] New Penalties For Fake IDs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed enacting new and increased penalties for creating, possessing or selling false identification documents. Possession of a false document would be punishable by up to a year in jail, and creating or obtaining fake IDs could result in a 5-year prison sentence. This law would apply to minors, as well as illegal immigrants. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Increase Prison Sentences For Trafficking. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed increasing prison sentences for human trafficking when the victims are under age 18. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Require Immigration Status On Drivers Licenses. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed making permanent a state rule that requires non-citizens immigration status to appear on their Minnesota drivers licenses. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Require Immigration Status In Criminal Records. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed requiring law enforcement officers to record the country of citizenship and immigration status of suspects arrested for serious crimes. This would enable the state to keep better track of illegal immigrants who commit crimes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Impose Fines On Employers. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in January 2006, Pawlenty proposed imposing fines of up to $5,000 on employers who knowingly recruit or hire illegal immigrants. In addition, employers that employ illegal immigrants would be barred from receiving state contracts. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06]

Pawlentys Proposals To Crack Down On Illegal Immigration Were Questioned By The Minnesota Chiefs Of Police Association And The Minnesota Sheriffs Association. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposals to crack down on illegal immigration got their first public hearing Tuesday night, when groups ranging from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association to disabled Hispanic war veterans expressed concerns about various provisions. St. Paul Police Cmdr. William Martinez told the House Public Safety Committee that toughening penalties for the possession of false identification could mean college students sneaking into bars could wind up with felonies on their records. The Minnesota Sheriffs Association suggested that if law enforcement had to ask everyone for proof of citizenship, federal immigration officials would have to have 24-hour staffing to answer those questions. And a law professor warned the committee that the proposed new fines for employers who hire illegal immigrants may not be permissible under federal law. No one testified in favor of the proposals. In all, 19 people testified against the plan that has made headlines for weeks. Some were polite; some were blunt. Our organization was not contacted or consulted on this bill, Bill Gillespie, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, told the committee. We didnt ask for this bill. And we dont want it. [Star Tribune, 3/22/06] Some Committee Members Wondered Why A Public Safety Committee Would Be Passing Legislation That The States Major Law Enforcement Organizations Had Concerns About. According to the Star Tribune, Some committee members wondered why a public safety committee would be passing legislation that the states major law enforcement organizations had concerns about. The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, for example, testified against a provision barring cities from enacting so-called sanctuary ordinances, which restrict police from inquiring about a persons immigration status. [Star Tribune, 3/22/06] Minneapolis Mayor Ascribed Political Motives To Pawlentys Efforts to Repeal The Citys Sanctuary Law.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The mayors and police chiefs of St. Paul and Minneapolis have come out staunchly against a plan announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to roll back sanctuary laws that restrict immigration enforcement by local police Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak also ascribed political motives to the proposal. I feel strongly about protecting peoples rights and safety, but so far my experience over the past few years is this is only discussed when theres an election around the corner, Rybak said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06] St. Paul Mayor Called Pawlentys Efforts To Repeal The City Sanctuary Law Brownbaiting. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The mayors and police chiefs of St. Paul and Minneapolis have come out staunchly against a plan announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to roll back sanctuary laws that restrict immigration enforcement by local police. St. Paul passed such an ordinance in May 2004, and Pawlenty suggested Tuesday that the state scrap such policies as part of an initiative to crack down on illegal immigration and immigrants. This is redbaiting, except its brownbaiting this time, said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who took office Tuesday. If there is a legitimate law enforcement issue, like a counterfeit document production center somewhere in the state of Minnesota, then lets go after that. But when the governor stands up at a press conference and then flies around the state of Minnesota, in an election year, hes using fear to try and get re-elected. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06] St. Paul Police Chief: To Think That We Have Some Free Time To Do Immigration Enforcement Thats Not Related To Serious Criminal Activity In The City Is Just Ludicrous. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The two mayors joined St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington and Minneapolis Police Chief William McManus in elaborating on that point in a joint statement Thursday. They said routine immigration status checks would interfere with efforts to establish trust among immigrants and refugees, trust that might prove fruitful for investigating everything from domestic assaults to terrorism. Harrington suggested that it would be difficult to add immigration enforcement to his departments priorities, regardless of who wanted to do so. To think that we have some free time, some discretionary time, that were not already running call to call, to do immigration enforcement thats not related to serious criminal activity in the city is just ludicrous, Harrington said in an interview. My cops right now are stacking calls; theyre having a hard time giving the kind of attention that we want them to give to serious violent crimes in the city right now. So to add an additional burden on top of that is just not practical. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06] St. Paul Police Chief And Neighborhood House President: Pawlentys Proposal To Prohibit Sanctuary City Laws Would Have Major Repercussions For Our Economy, Our New Arrivals, Law Enforcement And Criminal Activity. According to Dan Hoxworth, president of Neighborhood House, and St. Paul police chief John Harrington, who together wrote an op-ed for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed a bill that would force local law officers to enforce the national immigration policy. This legislation is also included in Gov. Tim Pawlentys omnibus immigration bill (HF 3308) being considered by the House. These legislative initiatives would have major repercussions for our economy, our new arrivals, law enforcement and criminal activityTrust leads to greater communication between community members and police, thereby increasing the reporting of issues arising in immigrant communities so that police can take preventive measures. Child abuse, domestic abuse, assault and rape occur and are underreported in all cultures. Yet because of past experiences, these and other crimes are often further underreported within immigrant communities. Crime has an impact on all of us. Why would we want a policy that leads to the proliferation of criminal acts and reduces both the knowledge of the crimes and the polices ability to resolve acts that are reported? [Dan H. Hoxworth and John M. Harrington op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/28/06]

Immigrant Law Center Of Minnesota Executive Director: The Governors Statements Scare The Heck Out Of People. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, John Keller, acting executive director of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, suggested immigration enforcement might undercut efforts to fight other crime. The governors statements scare the heck out of people, and its sending real hard-earned efforts to gain trust in the wrong direction, Keller said. You have to be able to trust the police to protect you. In many cases, he said, immigrants come from countries where the police are feared, Keller said. Where theres mistrust, victims dont get help and witnesses dont come forward, he added. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06] Immigration Experts Roundly Criticized Pawlentys Proposals To Crack Down On Illegal Immigration. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed clampdown on illegal immigration was roundly criticized by immigration experts in the Twin Cities but praised by some outstate officials who welcomed new tools to ferret out undocumented workers. The potential for racial profiling and for lawsuits against the state multiplies today, said John Keller, an attorney at the Immigrant Law Center in St. Paul. Theres no evidence that illegal immigrants commit crimes at any higher rate than other Minnesotans, Keller said. Plus, the governors plan would frighten many immigrants who otherwise would call 911 to report a

crime or to protect themselves or their children, he saidKeller said there was another problem: Most police officers dont understand the complexities of immigration status. The question is, do these officers have the sophistication to differentiate between the dozens of different kinds of legal statuses in the United States? Keller asked. Its not easy. The immigrants themselves have a difficult time. And whats the point of all this scrutiny on illegal immigrants, when there are so many more pressing issues facing public safety, asked Jared Erdmann, director of Hacer, a Hispanic research organization at the University of Minnesota. Undocumented workers are involved in a tiny fraction of Minnesota crimes, Erdmann said. For example, state figures show that about 2,000 undocumented people were arrested in 1999, for a variety of offenses big and small, said Erdmann, referring to the last numbers he had available. If youre talking about getting your biggest bang for the buck, this is not the population to be focusing on, Erdmann said. [Star Tribune, 1/4/06] Some Latinos Viewed The Governors Comments As Election-Year Grandstanding. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Some Latinos viewed the governors comments as election-year grandstanding. This is a big, big noise, said Angel Sanchez, owner of the Spanish-language newspaper El Amanecer of the Twin Cities. They are using us to stay in office. Ninety-five percent of the people theyre workers, Sanchez said. They pay taxes like everybody else. Maria Castro, the principal of Roosevelt Elementary School on St. Pauls West Side, said her family has lived in Minnesota since the 1950s, when her parents worked as migrants in the farm fields. Minnesota has traditionally welcomed new immigrants, Castro said, and she fears Pawlentys proposals could jeopardize that. She also worries that a crackdown on illegal immigrants could cause people to look upon all immigrants or everyone who looks Hispanic with suspicion. The public perception of Hispanics could change, she said. It could affect the employment of individuals. Or if I was to go into a store in northern Minnesota, what would be the first reaction in seeing me as a Hispanic female? It raises a lot of concerns. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Pawlenty Accused Immigrants Committing Crimes Involving Drugs And Human Trafficking. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Starting the election year with a politically charged issue, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today announced a series of proposals to crack down on illegal immigration. Pawlenty said at a Capitol press conference that illegal aliens are committing many crimes involving drugs, human trafficking and false identification documents. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/3/06] Illegal Immigrants Estimated To Commit Just Small Fraction Of Crimes. According to the Star Tribune, And whats the point of all this scrutiny on illegal immigrants, when there are so many more pressing issues facing public safety, asked Jared Erdmann, director of Hacer, a Hispanic research organization at the University of Minnesota. Undocumented workers are involved in a tiny fraction of Minnesota crimes, Erdmann said. For example, state figures show that about 2,000 undocumented people were arrested in 1999, for a variety of offenses big and small, said Erdmann, referring to the last numbers he had available. If youre talking about getting your biggest bang for the buck, this is not the population to be focusing on, Erdmann said. [Star Tribune, 1/4/06]

Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Sloppy And Polarizing Immigration Report Triggered A Nasty And Divisive Start To What Really Needs To Be A Civil And Careful Conversation. According to a Star Tribune editorial, When Minnesotans peer into the box labeled immigration, they generally see what they are predisposed to seeGov. Tim Pawlenty opened this box recently, pulled out a piece of the puzzle called cost to taxpayers, and triggered a nasty and divisive start to what really needs to be a civil and careful conversation. The sloppy and polarizing nature of his administrations Dec. 8 report on illegal immigration - it completely omitted the economic contributions of immigrants, for example, and ignored the work of the states own demographer - is inexplicable. If it was an accident, its embarrassing. If it was deliberate, its inexcusable Wittingly or not, the governor has started a vigorous new discussion of immigration and immigration policy. We hope the next few chapters are more reasoned and constructive than this last one. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/1/06] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlentys Plan Went Easy On Businesses That Knowingly Hire Illegal Immigrants. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, we think the governor could have proposed stricter penalties for businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Fining Wal-Mart or big agribusiness $5,000 per worker for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants is akin to fining former Minnesota Vikings bad-boy Randy Moss $10,000 for misbehaving. Like Moss, most businesses will see the fine as a minor annoyance, the cost of doing business in the 21st-century immigrant economy. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4/06] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Focus On Illegal Immigration Is Hard To Understand Given Minnesotas Lower Than Average Foreign-Born Population. According to a Star Tribune editorial, In proposing a crackdown on illegal immigrants Tuesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty showed his political radar to be as acute as ever. Immigration to the United States has reached its highest level in a century, with the result that many Americans are worried about the nations ability to police its borders and anxious about unfair competition in a sluggish job market. But political acuity is not the same as

intellectual coherence, and that is plainly lacking in the governors immigration framework. Its hard to understand, for example, why the governor has made immigration a banner issue in a state whose foreign-born population is far below the national average. It is equally hard to understand why he placed the emphasis on crime Tuesday - his strategy paper is loaded with references to methamphetamine use and human trafficking - when its not clear that immigrants, legal or illegal, commit serious crimes more often than anyone else in Minnesota. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/5/06] Op-Ed By Immigration Experts: Pawlenty Has Chosen To Foster A Climate That Isolates And Blames Immigrants, At The Cost Of The Health, Safety And Economic Well-Being Of All Minnesotans. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial by Katherine Fennelly, a professor at the University of Minnesotas Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and Kathleen Moccio, is vice chair of the American Immigration Law Foundation, As professionals who specialize in immigration issues, we were surprised and dismayed to listen to Gov. Tim Pawlentys recent proposals regarding immigration, and to read the Department of Administration report on the Impact of Illegal Immigration on Minnesota. The choice is clear: We can acknowledge the presence of immigrants and support their full integration into society or continue to foster a climate that isolates and blames immigrants, at the cost of the health, safety and economic well-being of all Minnesotans. Unfortunately, Pawlenty appears to have chosen the latter path. We invite him to meet with us and a host of individuals working on immigration policy to sort facts from fiction on this politically volatile topic. The goal of the meeting would be to develop policies that meet the needs of Minnesota families and employers, while living up to the states proud tradition of integration. [Katherine Fennelly and Kathleen Moccio op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/5/06] St. Paul Pioneer Presss Rubn Rosario: Pawlentys Proposals Are Shortsighted And Mostly Punitive, Driven More By Fear And Political Scapegoating. According to an op-ed that Rubn Rosario wrote for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlentys immigration proposals are shortsighted and mostly punitive, driven more by fear and political scapegoating than a comprehensive and practical response to the reasons why people come here illegally. [Rubn Rosario op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] St. Cloud Times Randy Krebs: Pawlentys Proposal To Focus On Illegal Immigration At The State Level Eats Up Valuable State Resources And Could Irreparably Harm Local Connections With Immigrant Residents. According to an op-ed that Randy Krebs wrote for the St. Cloud Times, Gov. Tim Pawlentys stick-then-carrot actions the past few weeks regarding immigration raise more questions than they answer the fundamental issue is who should handle immigration legal and otherwise. The answer is clearly the federal government. And while its too bad that the federal government has done a poor job of everything from applying laws on employers to monitoring borders for the better part of the past two decades, that doesnt make it Minnesotas job to do right. Taking on this challenge not only eats up valuable state resources, it could irreparably harm local connections with immigrant residents. For example, if local law enforcement has to enforce immigration laws, isnt that just giving them more duties without extra help? To say nothing of how reluctant immigrant communities will be to interact with local police. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 1/20/06] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Was Responsible For A Confused And Divisive Start To A Discussion About Immigration. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Minnesotas latest immigration debate got off to a confused and divisive start last month when Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a series of appearances that seemed to link immigrants with crime and dependency. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/21/06]

PAWLENTY OFFERED BENEFITS FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS A WEEK AFTER PROPOSING IMMIGRATION CRACK-DOWN
Pawlenty Proposed A $5 Million Plan To Help Immigrants Who Play By The Rules. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Taking a carrot-and-stick approach to the immigration issue, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday showed his kinder, gentler side, offering to help legal immigrants land jobs, learn English and become citizens. Pawlenty proposed seven steps to help immigrants who play by the rules that would cost the state about $5 million a year. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] Tax Credit To Offset The Cost Of English Language Classes And Citizenship Application Fees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Provide a tax credit of $300 per family to encourage immigrants to become citizens. The credit, for families earning less than $30,000 a year, would offset the costs of English language classes and citizenship application fees. It would cost $1.7 million and benefit about 15,000 families annually. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06]

Financial Literacy Services. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Offer financial literacy to immigrants by providing basic information on financial and business institutions through a partnership with the Itasca Project, a coalition of CEOs of the states largest corporations and public officials. The service would inform immigrants about topics such as income tax credits, homeownership opportunities and business start-up suggestions. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] Encourage The Federal Government To Grant More Visas To Immigrants With Higher Education And HighTechnology Skills. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Push the federal government to grant more visas to graduates of U.S. colleges and universities and green cards for immigrants with high-technology skills. Pawlenty said he would go to Washington next month to lobby key members of Congress on this issue. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] Offer Immigrant Investor Visas. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Invite foreign business investment in Minnesota by offering immigrant investor visas. They would allow foreign investors to live and do business in the state if they invest at least $500,000 in new or existing businesses, create at least 10 new jobs for U.S. workers or maintain the current level of employment at a struggling business. The investment would have to be in a regional center designated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] Grants To Help Employers Offer English Language Classes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Establish a $3 million grant program for employers that provide English language instruction to their employees. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] Increase Foreign Physicians Working In Underserved Areas. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Expand the number of foreign physicians working in underserved areas, especially in rural Minnesota. Last year, the state used 21 of the 30 waivers available to the state for foreign medical doctors. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06] Increase Immunizations For Immigrants. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Increase immunizations for immigrants, especially for hepatitis B and tuberculosis, at an annual cost of $500,000. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06]

Immigration Group: Pawlentys Plan Addressed Only Fraction Of Immigrants. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Its good that the governor is trying to do something positive to create legal paths of immigration, said Alison Quito Ziegler, interim director of the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network. But the governors proposal doesnt fully address the breadth of immigrants in Minnesota, the majority of whom are working in agriculture and the meatpacking industry. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/13/06]

PAWLENTY USED VOTING IN HIS IMMIGRATION CRACK-DOWN

2006: Pawlenty Directed The Department Of Public Safety To Search The Voter Registration Database For Noncitizens, And Called For Requiring A Picture ID In Order To Vote. According to the Star Tribune, In a news release, [Pawlenty] announced the launch of a two-pronged Governors Voter Security Initiative. First, Pawlenty has directed the Department of Public Safety to search the state voter registration database for names on a list of noncitizens drivers licenses or other state ID cards. Thats where evidence of 32 illegal registrants and 11 illegal voters arose. The names have been turned over to local election officials for investigation and possible felony charges. As a second step, Pawlenty called for requiring presentation of a picture ID in order to vote. [Star Tribune, 9/28/06] Pawlentys Proposal Was Called An Election-Year Gimmick That Would Make Voting More Difficult. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Joining a national debate between Democrats and Republicans over voter-identification laws, GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday announced he has taken a step to prevent voter fraud and, if re-elected, will ask the Legislature to pass additional voting requirements. Democrats labeled his plan an election-year gimmick and warned that it would make voting more difficult for thousands of eligible voters. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/28/06]

PAWLENTYS ELECTION YEAR IMMIGRATION PLAN HAD NO SIGNIFICANT RESULTS

December 2007: Star Tribune Noted There Had Been No Significant Change In Minnesotas Immigration Policy. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty proposed broad action to deny services to illegal immigrants. The report noted, however, that there had been no significant change in state policy. [Star Tribune, 12/12/07]

2008: PAWLENTY CONTINUED TO HARP ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES

2008: Pawlenty Signed An Executive Order To Allow Some Minnesota Law Enforcement Officers To Enforce Federal Immigration Laws And Require State Contractors To Verify Employees Citizenship. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty waded back into the immigration debate Monday, reaffirming his concern with an issue that is heating up his partys presidential nomination contest and drawing complaints that his motives may be political. Pawlenty outlined measures to crack down on illegal immigration, signing an executive order to allow some Minnesota law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration law for the first time, requiring new state employees and contractors to verify citizenship and ordering the review of millions of drivers license photos for possible duplication. [Star Tribune, 1/8/08]

Immigrant Leaders Perceived Pawlentys Proposals To Be Designed To Bolster Pawlentys Conservative Credentials. According to the Star Tribune, Immigrant leaders said the proposals, much like those offered two years ago, seemed more designed to bolster Pawlentys conservative credentials than to halt illegal immigration. [Star Tribune, 1/8/08]

2008: Pawlenty Brought The Debate Over Immigration Back To Center Stage With A Host Of Proposals. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday brought the debate over immigration back to center stage in Minnesota by unveiling a host of executive actions and legislative proposals on the divisive issue. The policies range from allowing closer cooperation between local officials and federal immigration enforcers to cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. They include reworked proposals that the Legislature previously rejected. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08] Forbid Sanctuary Cities. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Forbid city policies that bar local law enforcement from asking about immigration status as part of their routine business, something he proposed in 2006 and the Legislature rejected. Minneapolis and St. Paul currently have such policies. If lawmakers dont accept the prohibition, Pawlenty will reduce state aid to cities with such policies by 10 percent in his next budget, he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08] Fine Employers Up To $5,000 For Knowingly Hiring Illegal Immigrants And Encourage The Use Of E-Verify. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Fine employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants up to $5,000 and potentially forbid the employers from getting relicensed in the state. The proposal, which is similar to one Pawlenty made in 2006, would also encourage employers to use the federal E-Verify system, an electronic database that allows employers to check immigration status. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08] Increase Penalties For Identity Theft. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Increase the penalties for identity theft and use of fraudulent documents. That crackdown would affect people who use false documents to hide their immigration status, and criminals who use false documents for other reasons. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08] Expand The Definition Of Human Trafficking. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Expand the definition of human trafficking to include forced participation in pornography, exhibition or exotic dancing under the crime of sex trafficking. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08]

St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlenty Has Proposed A Series Of Get-Tough Measures On Illegal Immigration For The Second Straight Election-Cycle. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, For the second straight election-cycle January, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed a series of get-tough measures on illegal immigration. Two years ago, when he faced a re-election battle, and again on Monday, the beginning of another big election year, the governor has turned his attention to sanctuary ordinances, hiring practices, forgery, identity theft and other issues related to the mass movement of illegal workers from Mexico and Central America into the U.S. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08] Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Pawlenty Was Cynically Exploiting Public Prejudice And Intentionally Muddling The Immigration Issue, Which Serves His Purpose. According to an op-ed that Nick Coleman wrote for the Star Tribune, Pawlenty unveiled a series of nothing-burger proposals - many of which he could have initiated on his own just

about any time during the past five years without calling the TV cameras - to put on a Big Scary Face and promise to curtail unlawful activities committed by some among the many immigrants who are illegal or undocumented. Most of them, whatever their status, are not criminals in the way Pawlenty was using the word. But it serves his purpose to fudge such distinctions. For 30 minutes, he tossed around loaded terms like, criminal, fraud, theft, human trafficking and violent gangs. By the time he was done, I wanted to round up all the immigrants I could find and send them back to Norway. This is where Gov. Nice Guys game gets nasty: He keeps saying he supports legal immigration. But when he holds election-year press conferences (he has done it before) to deliberately confuse the alleged activities of the few with the undocumented status of the many, he is cynically exploiting public prejudice and intentionally muddling the issue (he rarely mentions refugees.) Its mostly just posturing, but it poisons the debate and divides the voters. And its useful to him The only real news was that Pawlenty was milking another opportunity to strut his anti-immigrant stuff for any Republican presidential candidates out there who might be, ahem, looking for a jut-jawed vice president (are you listening, John McCain?). [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 1/8/08] May 2008: Pawlentys Immigration Proposals Went Nowhere. According to the Star Tribune, When the 2008 Legislature adjourned last week, one order of business was noticeably absent from its list of accomplishments -- an immigration crackdown. Tougher penalties for identity theft. A ban on so-called sanctuary cities. New penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants. They were among proposals declared a priority by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in January, and all went nowhereHouse and Senate leadership, which did not give the bills public hearings, said the session was short and packed with more pressing matters. Plus, the governor never really went to bat for the bills, they said. [Star Tribune, 5/25/08]

Labor Law Enforcement

Attorney General: Claimed Pawlentys Administration Has Failed To Enforce Labor Laws At Businesses That Hire Illegal Immigrants. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Attorney General Mike Hatch, a DFL candidate for governor, charged that the Pawlenty administration has exacerbated the illegal immigration problem. He said he has received repeated complaints that the Department of Labor and Industry has failed to enforce labor, occupational health and safety and workers compensation laws at businesses that hire illegal immigrants. He also has heard complaints that the Revenue Department isnt investigating allegations that those employers are failing to pay payroll taxes. As a result of the lax enforcement, middle-class Minnesotans have lost their jobs to lower-paid undocumented immigrants, Hatch said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/16/05] January 2008: Pawlenty Signed Executive Order Requiring The State To Check The Immigration Status Of All New Employees Using E-Verify System. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order to require the state to check the immigration status of all new employees, contractors and recipients of state business incentives using the E-Verify program. Pawlenty said he didnt believe the state necessarily had been hiring or funding illegal immigrants, but it should lead by example. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/7/08] In 2008, Pawlentys Executive Order Requiring The Use Of E-Verify Was The Most Significant Change In Immigration Policy In Minnesota. According to the Star Tribune, The most significant change in immigration policy this year resulted not from legislative action but from an executive order by Pawlenty. It requires thousands of Minnesota contractors and subcontractors to verify the legal status of their employees through a controversial federal electronic verification system. The move is being closely watched by employers, immigration advocates and lawyers: The use of EVerify has faced legal challenges in other states. Similarly, the Minnesota Legislative Auditor will be monitoring E-Verify for its accuracy and its impact on businesses. [Star Tribune, 5/25/08]

June 2009: Audit Found That Minnesota State Agencies Were Not Complying With Pawlentys Order To Use Federal System To Verify Employee Immigration Status. According to the Star Tribune, in June 2009, Minnesotas Legislative Auditor found that the states big contractors are doing a better job than the states own agencies complying with Gov. Tim Pawlentys order that they use a controversial federal computer system that checks employees immigration status, reported the Star Tribune. More than a year after Pawlenty ordered that contractors and its own executive agencies start using the system, the agencies still arent doing so, the audit found. [Star Tribune, 6/10/09] Pawlenty Failed To Implement His Major Initiative Against Illegal Immigration, Failed To Use E-Verify Immigration Status Checks Even In His Own Office. According to the Star Tribune, Eighteen months after Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered state agencies and contractors to more aggressively verify workers immigration status, a state audit has found that the governors own office has yet to implement the program. In fact, none of Minnesotas state agencies, which

hired about 7,000 workers last year, has used the federal electronic identity-check system known as E-Verify, according to the office of the Legislative AuditorAbout 43 percent of the 1,400 private businesses required to use the electronic verification system are doing so, the audit saidWhen Pawlenty ordered all businesses with annual state contracts of at least $50,000 to use E-Verify, it was considered Minnesotas first major effort to stop illegal immigration at its source -- the workplace. Pawlenty had announced about a dozen initiatives to curb illegal immigration during his tenure, but this was the most significant. [Star Tribune, 6/11/09] Minnesota State Legislative Auditor Had Significant Concerns Over Firms Ability To Protect Employee Data, But Pawlentys Administration Contracted The Firm To Verify The Identities Of State Employees Anyway. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A state auditor wants to know if Minnesota officials adequately addressed whether a Texas firm hired to verify the identities of new employees had sufficient security safeguards. State Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles said a report by his office in June raised significant concerns about the ability of Lookout Services of Bellaire, Texas, to protect employee data. But the company won the contract anyway after Gov. Tim Pawlentys office ordered state agencies to begin verifying the identifies of new employees. Nobles wants to determine if Minnesota officials were satisfied that the company had addressed those issues before the state signed a deal with the company in July. He also wants to know if state officials adequately responded in October to complaints that employee information -- including names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers -- was still at riskE-verify is optional in Minnesota, but in January of 2008, Pawlenty signed an executive order requiring the state use E-verify to screen all new hires in the executive branch, and employees of large vendors and contractors doing business with the state. Minnesota did not have to use a vendor like Lookout Services, one of more than 13,000 designated agents working with the federal department. The state could have entered employees data directly into the federal government site. But the Office of Management and Budget, which handles human resources work for the state, chose the company to be the middleman for the data. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/17/09] Pawlenty Executive Order To Verify All New Hires Put The State Under Pressure And As A Result An Auditor Determined The State Hired A Vendor With Poor Security. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesotas legislative auditor is recommending changes to the way the state selects and manages outside vendors who handle sensitive data for the state. Auditor Jim Nobles recommendations stem from his examination of a data security breach at a Texas company hired to verify that new hires are authorized to work in Minnesota. Nobles spent almost four months picking through the states troubled history with Bellaire, Texas-based Lookout Services, which was hired by state officials in July, 2009. The state was under pressure to comply with Gov. Tim Pawlentys 2008 executive order to verify all new hires From Nobles reading of the contract, the state didnt protect itself very well. Somebody thats out there running a business, offering the kind of services that Lookout was offering, should have provided better security but frankly, they told state up front in their service agreement, in black and white they would not be responsible for state data, Nobles explained. Even the data that was encrypted. The data that was not public data. They told state in their service agreement that they would not take any responsibility for it, and the state signed the agreement anyway. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/21/10]

Additional Immigration Issues

PAWLENTY OPPOSED THE DREAM ACT
Pawlenty Walked Back Romneys Promise To Veto The DREAM Act, Saying Romney Was Open To Citizenship For Immigrants Who Served In The Military. According to Think Progress, On Monday morning, Romney surrogate Tim Pawlenty tried to create additional breathing room for the former Massachusetts governor. During an appearance on CNNs Starting Point [with Soledad OBrien], Pawlenty sought to dismiss Romneys promise to veto DREAM, suggesting that he may ultimately sign the measure if elected president: [] There are a lot of things labeled the DREAM Act, Soledad, so we have to be careful. What Governor Romney has said is when it comes to Senator Rubios ideas about the DREAM Act that he would be open to that. That legislation hasnt been put in final form yet but he said he would consider it or at least look at it. He has said in other settings and times he would be willing to allow a pathway to legal status for children no are in this situation. For example, if they serve in the military and are honorably discharged. As it relates to the issue of children and through no fault of their own are under that circumstance, he said Im open to try to explore or consider a permanent solution and I think these a reasonable gesture on his part. [Think Progress, 6/18/12] Pawlenty Said Romney Supported A Reasonable Solution For Children Of Illegal Immigrants. According to ABC News, Pawlenty said that Romney also supports a solution for children of illegal immigrants, but said Latino voters wont be duped to vote for the president because of the immigration change, saying they will also consider the state of the economy.

Governor Romney has said, look, obviously, we need to find a reasonable solution for children who come to this country through no fault of their own, Pawlenty said. But when you have a president who didnt do it when he could have, in those first two years, Latino and Hispanic voters arent going to be duped twice. [ABC News, 6/17/12] Legislature Dropped DREAM Act Provision From Higher Education Bill After Pawlenty Threatened To Veto The Bill Over The Language And Pawlenty Called Removal Of DREAM Act Language Progress. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Members of a House and Senate conference committee are expected to agree on a higher education spending bill that adds $325 million to current spending on colleges and universities. Legislators are still working on the details of the $2.75 billion spending plan, but some major parts of the bill have been approved. The bill does not contain a provision to allow children of illegal residents to pay in-state tuition, a provision that Gov. Pawlenty said would lead him to veto the billOne thing absent from the bill is a provision to allow children of illegal immigrants living in Minnesota to pay in-state tuition when they go on beyond high school. The House and Senate both passed the Minnesota Dream Act language. Pappas says the DFL-controlled committees bowed to the governors opposition. We agreed to drop it in order to avoid the governors veto. This is the third time hes threatened to veto the bill because of the Dream Act. We feel very sad for students. We hope to help them on an individual campus basis, she saidPawlenty called removing the Dream Act provision progress, but was still holding out for word on key details of the plan before committing to signing it. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/7/07] Pawlenty Hoped Legislature Wouldnt Pursue Controversial Proposals Such As The DREAM Act. According to the Star Tribune, the most controversial proposal in the DFL package is the so-called Dream Act, which was passed by education committees in both houses last year but not the full House or Senate. The bill would allow children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates if they had graduated from a Minnesota high school and lived here three years. Pawlenty said he didnt support the Dream Act and hoped that legislators would not pursue controversial proposals. He had, he noted, chosen not to resurrect his strict immigration proposals that failed last year. We have to focus on things that are doable this session, Pawlenty said. [Star Tribune, 2/15/07] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Should See That Opposing The DREAM Act Isnt Being Tough On Immigration. Its Depriving This State Of Brainpower It Needs. According to a Star Tribune editorial, One of the most moving sights this legislative season was the view from the Capitols front steps one month ago today. Marching up the hill were more than 1,000 bright, ambitious high school students, pleading for a chance to go to college and establish careers that contribute to this stateThe marchers came to plead because some of their parents are immigrants - both illegal and, in some cases, legal. The children of immigrants are nonresidents in the official eyes of state higher education institutions, even if they have been living in Minnesota for years. If they enroll in one of those institutions, they will face tuition costs more than twice as high as resident rates, with no prospect of financial aid and little chance for a student loan That measure is moving smartly through the Legislature, with bipartisan support. But the veto threat that stopped it in each of the last two sessions hangs over it again. In last falls campaign, Gov. Tim Pawlenty trumpeted his opposition to the Dream Act to prove his hostility to illegal immigration. Minnesotans should help him see that denying the academic dreams of college-ready young Minnesotans - no matter who their parents are - isnt being tough on immigration. Its depriving this state of brainpower it needs. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/27/07]

Pawlenty Ran An Ad Opposing The DREAM Act. According to the AP, Pawlentys latest ad mirrors a strategy from his 2002 campaign. Set to a dark background and ominous music, the ad casts Pawlenty as the only candidate vowing to block a proposal that would let illegal immigrants access in-state college tuition. We dont even give that to people from Iowa, a narrator says. [Independence Partys Peter] Hutchinson favors the so-called Dream Act the Legislature considered last year. Under it, illegal immigrants who are Minnesota high school graduates could gain tuition at resident rates provided they have lived in the state least three years. The ad accuses Hatch of failing to take a stand. On Wednesday, he said he would oppose the tuition proposal as governor. [Associated Press, 10/25/06] Star Tribunes Nick Coleman: Pawlentys Anti-DREAM Act Ad Is A New Low Aimed At Whipping Up AntiImmigration Sentiment. According to an op-ed that Nick Coleman wrote for the Star Tribune, The election is 11 days away, and we know what that means, Minnesota! Thats right! Its time to smack some immigrants! Just as he did four years ago, Tim Pawlenty has rolled out a last-minute TV ad that is a masterpiece of misinformation aimed at whipping up anti-immigration sentiment. This one drops a bomb on a benign proposal that enjoys bipartisan support and is called the Minnesota Dream Act. It would permit children of illegal immigrants to enroll in Minnesota colleges at residential tuition rates. Not on Tim Pawlentys watch! No kid who graduated from high school last spring with a 3.5 GPA and ran track or was on the debate team and wants to go to Dakota County Technical College will be allowed to pay in-state tuition! We

must defend the border! its hard to demagogue the facts, so Pawlenty appeals to emotions: There they go again, those crafty illegals. Sneaking into the United States from Ciudad Juarez so they can sign up for calculus class at Normandale! Drop that homework, Pedro! This is a new low for Pawlenty. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 10/27/06] Pawlenty Said He Would Consider Bipartisan DREAM Act Provision If Legislature Approved Stricter Enforcement Measures Of Immigration Law, But Said It Was Wrong To Reward Immigrants Who Are Here Illegally With Lower Tuition Rates When Legal Americans From Other States Pay Higher Tuition. According to the Star Tribune, A Republican-dominated House committee thumbed its nose at Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday, overwhelmingly approving a higher education bill that would allow some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition to Minnesota public colleges and universities. After very little discussion and virtually no debate, the Ways and Means Committee voted 26 to 8 for the bill, with only a few Republicans dissenting. There was no effort to remove the tuition provision, despite Pawlentys Tuesday letter to committee members, urging them to drop it. The proposal, called the DREAM (development, relief and education for alien minors) act, would allow children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities as long as they attended Minnesota high schools for three or more years, graduated from Minnesota high schools and pledge to apply for legal residence in the United States. The in-state rates, charged to Minnesotans, are thousands of dollars less a year than out-of-state ratesLast year, a similar proposal was dropped in the conference committee when Pawlenty threatened to veto the higher education bill over the issue. Its not clear what Pawlentys intentions are this year, but Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the governor might be willing to accept the provision if his proposals for stricter enforcement of immigration laws were part of the package. Pawlenty argued in his letter that its wrong to reward immigrants who are here illegally with lower tuition rates when legal Americans from other states pay higher tuition. [Star Tribune, 4/20/06] Pawlenty Reportedly Threatened Veto Of Higher Education Bill Over In-State Tuition For Immigrants. According to the Minnesota, approximately 120 people protested outside Gov. Tim Pawlentys mansion Monday chanting, 1, 2, 3, 4, we dont wanna mop the floors, and, Bring the dream back! The group was protesting Pawlentys alleged threat to veto the entire higher-education bill unless the Dream Act was removed from it. The Dream Act would allow undocumented students from Minnesota high schools who have lived in the state for at least three years to pay in-state tuition at Minnesota colleges and universities. Currently, such students are classified as international students, pay out-of-state tuition and are not eligible to receive financial aidBrian McClung, Pawlentys press secretary, said the concern was that the Dream Act would probably be illegal under federal lawMcClung said Pawlenty was never involved in deciding what to put in the higher-education bill. [Minnesota Daily (University Wire), 6/8/05] Pawlentys Office Allegedly Called The Author Of An Education Funding Bill To Say That A Measure To Allow Undocumented Students To Pay In-State Tuition Was A Deal Breaker. According to the Star Tribune, Should a student whos not a legal U.S. citizen, but who has lived in Minnesota for years, be considered a Minnesotan when it comes to paying college tuition? The question of whether undocumented students should pay in-state or out-of-state tuition to Minnesota public colleges erupted at the State Capitol late Wednesday as a Senate and House conference committee wrapped up deliberations on a bill that would give $213 million in additional funding for the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). Measures designed to allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if they met certain conditions were thwarted by what two legislators said was a veto threat from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governors office got ahold of us and said it was a deal breaker, said Rep. Ray Cox, RNorthfield, and the House author of the tuition measure. Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, author of a similar measure in the Senate, said she heard the same thing. Because of that and concerns that the bill might not pass on a House floor vote, Pappas reluctantly withdrew her amendment to the higher-education funding bill. Pawlentys office could not be reached for comment. [Star Tribune, 5/20/05]

PAWLENTY AND LOCAL IMMIGRATION MEASURES

Pawlenty Was Criticized For Asking Cities To Change Their Immigration Ordinances
Pawlenty Asked Cities To Repeal Ordinances That Prohibit Police Officers From Randomly Asking Individuals About Their Immigration State. According to the AP, In the name of homeland security, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has asked the City Councils of Minneapolis and St. Paul to reconsider ordinances that limit situations in which police officers can ask about a persons immigration status. In a letter dated Aug. 24 and obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, Pawlenty asks each City Council to amend or repeal an ordinance which effectively prohibits police officers from inquiring about immigration status if such an inquiry is the sole basis for questioning or detaining an individual. Pawlenty, who enacted a

statewide system of tracking immigrants through their drivers licenses, said officers should have the right to exercise discretion. We should not take away a tool of law enforcement in this heightened age of homeland security, he said from the Republican National Convention in New York. [Associated Press, 8/31/04] Duluth News Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Immigration Proposal Is Ill-Advised, Smells Like An Erosion Of Civil Rights, And Would Do Little To Strengthen Security. According to a Duluth News Tribune editorial about Pawlentys request that localities enact harsher immigration policies, the paper called it ill-advised idea by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. It continued, Together, the Immigration status? requests begin to smell like an erosion of civil rights that should be anathema for a country fighting a war for freedom and liberty abroad Pawlentys proposed line of questioning without document checks would do little to strengthen security, and officers already have the power to investigate characters who act suspiciously enough to warrant a closer look. Thats not just our view -- the police share it as well If Pawlenty has forgotten, the extra powers are also unneeded because we have immigration police whose whole business is to enforce and protect our borders. If their efforts are less than effective, it has not been due to the failure to expand their powers to other authorities but rather the lack of communication between different agencies charged with identifying different threats -- a point made painfully clear in the recent Sept. 11 Commission report. St. Paul officials say they will look at their ordinance to see whether it restricts officers from nabbing criminals. Their Minneapolis counterparts say there are no plans to change their ordinance, calling it appropriate, but adding theyll be happy to talk to the governor. We hope hell listen. [Editorial, Duluth News Tribune, 9/2/04] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Immigration Proposal Is A Thoroughly Bad Idea And Unnecessary. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has played the anti-immigrant card before, and hes doing it again. In letters to Minneapolis and St. Paul, hes asked that the two cities repeal policies prohibiting police from inquiring about a persons immigration status unless the question comes in an investigation of other illegal activity. As officials from numerous large American cities with similar policies know, that would be a thoroughly bad idea, as well as unnecessary Turning local police officers into agents of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) impedes their ability to do the duty they were hired for. Illegal immigrants who see an INS threat in the local police are unlikely to come forward with information about crimes they witness, or about crimes committed against them. People concerned about deportation are unlikely to ask authorities to protect them or their children from physical abuse. Police simply cant afford to alienate or frighten an immigrant population with which they must work closely to keep a city safe. Nor are frightened illegal immigrants likely to provide the sort of tip that might actually foil a serious terrorist threat. Indeed, at one point Attorney General John Ashcroft was so worried about that phenomenon he proposed that illegal immigrants with information on potential terrorist attacks be rewarded with legal resident status. As some conservatives point out, Pawlentys position points in a dangerous direction: nationalization of American police powers. Requiring local police to enforce federal immigration law, they say, is akin to, and perhaps a harbinger of, requiring them to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Endangered Species Act. It also violates the general police policy of not making arrests for misdemeanors committed in another jurisdiction. Crossing the U.S. border without going through the appropriate inspections is a misdemeanor, but it is committed at the border. An illegal immigrant commits no additional crime by living in Minneapolis or St. Paul. Some Americans hate illegal immigrants, and playing to their hatred is an easy political pander. Its true that immigrants should come the legal way. Its also true the U.S. government needs to find a way to deal with the problem of illegal entry. But it has not, and that leaves American cities to deal with the reality of a large - and generally upstanding - illegal immigrant community. They live here; they work here; they raise families here. Further heightening their innate fear of local police makes the community less safe, not more. It also puts illegals further at risk of unethical employers, landlords and others who use fear of deportation to silence complaints about economic exploitation, unsafe conditions in the workplace and inhuman conditions at home. Pawlenty should give it a rest. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 9/2/04] Police Chief Of Minneapolis Adamantly Opposed Pawlentys Immigration Proposal. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, William McManus, police chief of Minneapolis, acknowledges that publicly snuffing out fires that threaten to further scorch the departments image and relations with the community at large is a big part of my job. Its a reason why he adamantly is opposed to a suggestion by Gov. Tim Pawlenty that city cops become de facto Immigration and Naturalization Service agents, generally asking folks they stop about their immigration status. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/6/04] Pawlenty Called Minneapolis And St. Paul City Ordinances Regarding Immigration Really Ridiculous. According to the AP, Two sheriffs joined Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday in support of his request that Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils reconsider laws limiting when police officers can ask about a persons immigration status On the radio show, Pawlenty called the ordinances really ridiculous and said they lacked common sense. [Associated Press, 9/3/04]

Pawlenty Said He Would Try To Change State Law If Cities Did Not Adopt His Immigration Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has asked Minneapolis and St. Paul to change their ordinances to allow police officers more latitude to inquire about immigration status If the cities refuse, the governor said, Well have to consider other options. A spokesman later said the governor is looking at potential changes in state law giving the police broader authority to ask about immigration status. [Star Tribune, 9/1/04] Minneapolis Police Chief Called Pawlentys Proposal A Form Of Racial Profiling. According to the Star Tribune, Police chiefs in both cities were not enthusiastic about changing the ordinances; neither were elected leaders or community membersMinneapolis Police Chief Bill McManus said he will discuss the letter with City Council leaders, but his initial reaction was to say Im not in favor of asking people for green cards, calling it a form of racial profiling. It just doesnt sit right with me, McManus said. Dan Niziolek, Minneapolis City Council Public Safety Committee chairman, said: My first question is where did it come from? Why now rather than when we passed it? [Star Tribune, 9/1/04] St. Paul Police Chief Said Rescinding The Local Ordinance Could Have A Chilling Effect On Immigrants Willingness To Report Crimes. According to the Star Tribune, St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington hadnt seen Pawlentys letter, but heard the governor had expressed concerns on the issue at a meeting of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He said an internal review of St. Pauls law, passed in May, showed that the language was appropriate. We believe our law was crafted broadly enough that it allows us to work with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and conduct investigations where there is a criminal violation, Harrington said. He is concerned that Pawlentys letter, if it leads to rescinding the law, could have a chilling effect on immigrants willingness to come forward as crime victims. If Im there on a domestic [call] and youre the victim, I cant ask to see your green card just because youre the victim of a crime, Harrington said. Recently, we had a rape victim who was hesitant to make a report because of her immigration status. If you make a report and are a crime victim, that shouldnt mean the cop is going to immediately begin asking questions about your immigration status. Is that really relevant to whether youve been raped, beaten or robbed? [Star Tribune, 9/1/04] Minneapolis City Council President: It Certainly Is Not The Role Of Local Law Enforcement To Enforce Immigration Laws. According to the Star Tribune, Minneapolis City Council President Paul Ostrow said he will respond to Pawlentys Aug. 24 letter in writing by saying, We intend to respond and state that we would be more than happy to sit down with the governor and his staff and the police chief and discuss his concerns. But Ostrow said that doesnt mean the city is interested in changing the ordinance. Cities across the country have looked at this and it certainly is not the role of local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. That I think is quite clear, Ostrow said. [Star Tribune, 9/1/04] Some Immigrant Leaders Were Disapproving Of Pawlentys Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, Some members of the immigrant community were disapproving. Juan Linares, a board member with the Latino Economic Development Center in Minneapolis, said the Police Department has come a long way to improve relationships with the community and he would be very disappointed if the city changed the ordinance. I dont think Pawlenty understands the magnitude or repercussions that it will create, he said. Right now police are being scrutinized for profiling. Now can you imagine? Linares, a 30-year resident of Minnesota, said he doesnt look Anglo and believes changing the ordinance would be an insult to his civil liberties. If I saw a crime, why would I report it? he said. Cha Lee, executive director of the Southeast Asian Community Council in Minneapolis, said he understands the importance of homeland security, but the ordinance was critical to protect immigrant rights. People would start to feel unsafe in their communities if they couldnt freely give information to officers, he said. This is a drastic stance by the governor, Lee said. [Star Tribune, 9/1/04] Minneapolis Police Spokesman: Police Officers Can Investigate Suspicious Behavior Without Determining Someones Citizenship. According to the AP, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has asked the city councils of Minneapolis and St. Paul to reconsider laws that limit situations in which police officers can ask about a persons immigration status Ron Reier, a Minneapolis police spokesman, said the citys ordinance doesnt interfere with an officers ability to question someone in a situation like North Carolinas. If I see something and it looks to me as being suspicious, questionable, do I have the right as a police officer to question it? Yes, said Reier said. Can I continue my investigation without determining the nationality or the citizenship of that person? Yes. [Associated Press, 9/1/04] Minneapolis City Council President: Current Local Practice Stems From A Police Department Policy That Was Created To Help Officers Build Trust Within The Communities They Serve, And To Make Sure A Clear Line Was Drawn Between The Duties Of Local Authorities And Federal Immigration Officials. According to the AP, Under the Minneapolis ordinance, passed in 2003, police officers do not have the authority to walk up to someone on the street and ask whether he or she is a naturalized citizen. The issue of citizenship can be raised, however, if it is part of the crime being investigated. It stems from a police department policy that was created under former Chief Robert Olson to help officers build

trust within the communities they serve, and to make sure a clear line was drawn between the duties of local authorities and federal immigration officials, [Minneapolis City Council President Paul] Ostrow said. It in large part really just codified what was existing practice, he said. [Associated Press, 9/1/04] Minneapolis Mayor Welcomed Talks On Homeland Security Issues, But Chided The Governor For Supporting Budget Cuts That Have Hurt Citys Police And Fire Departments. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In a statement, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said he welcomed talks on homeland security issues, but he chided the governor for supporting budget cuts that have hurt citys police and fire departments. The most urgent homeland security issue facing the city is funding for local police and firefighters on the front lines, Rybak said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/1/04] Mayors Condemned Pawlentys Immigration Plan. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The mayors and police chiefs of St. Paul and Minneapolis have come out staunchly against a plan announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to roll back sanctuary laws that restrict immigration enforcement by local police. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06] Pawlentys Proposal Was Called Brown-Baiting. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, This is redbaiting, except its brownbaiting this time, said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who took office Tuesday. If there is a legitimate law enforcement issue, like a counterfeit document production center somewhere in the state of Minnesota, then lets go after that. But when the governor stands up at a press conference and then flies around the state of Minnesota, in an election year, hes using fear to try and get re-elected. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06] Police Chiefs: Pawlenty Plan Would Interfere With Anti-Terrorism Efforts. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The two mayors joined St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington and Minneapolis Police Chief William McManus in elaborating on that point in a joint statement Thursday. They said routine immigration status checks would interfere with efforts to establish trust among immigrants and refugees, trust that might prove fruitful for investigating everything from domestic assaults to terrorism. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/6/06]

But Later Expressed Concern Over A Similar Arizona Law

Pawlenty Said He Was Concerned About Arizonas New Immigration Law, And Claimed We Must Enforce Immigration Laws In A Nondiscriminatory Manner. According to CNN, Pawlenty was interviewed by Campbell Brown on April 27, 2010. Brown asked Pawlenty if he supported the new Arizona immigration law that requires police offices to question anyone they believe to be an illegal immigrant, and he said, First of all, Arizona is clearly frustrated with the lack of attention and action from the federal government on this issue. Number two, we need an immigration system that allows for legal and orderly and reasonable immigration. But the current system is not that. Its frustrating and its broken. So, it needs to be fixed. So, theyre taking steps to do that. I applaud their efforts to try to have better enforcement. But I am concerned about the standard that law enforcement can and must interact with anybody and try to detain or interact with somebody on probable cause Thats the problem. I think the definition of what is the probable cause to believe that somebody is here illegally, that would have to be better defined. And we have got to get some comfort around that. Brown mentioned, There are a lot of people saying it is unconstitutional, and Pawlenty continued, We do need better enforcement for immigration. But we need to do it in a fair manner, and we need to do it in a nondiscriminatory manner. And how they interpret this language in this statute, in this law, which is pretty ambiguous, is going to be a very important part about whether this is fair and whether it works or not, and that remains to be seen. [Campbell Brown, CNN, 4/27/10] Pawlenty Avoided Saying Whether He Would Have Signed The New Arizona Immigration Law In Minnesota. According to ABC News, Pawlenty declined to say how he would have handled the new Arizona immigration law if the legislature in Minnesota had sent him a similar bill. I support stronger enforcement mechanisms for illegal immigration. Ive done that in Minnesota in a variety of ways. It needs to be fair and legal, and I know theres some concerns about that relative to Arizona, but theyre frustrated. I mean, theyre living in a situation down there where they feel many of their states citizens feel that the situation is out of control. The federal government has abandoned them or not helped them enough, and so tougher enforcement, stronger enforcement, securing the borders is a direction I think our nation needs to go, and need to make sure though that its fair and that its reasonable. [ABC News, The Note blog, 5/4/10] Pawlentys Pastor Spoke Out Against The New Arizona Immigration Law. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A group of conservative evangelical leaders today called for a ratcheting down of the rhetoric surrounding the immigration issue in the wake of the passage of the Arizona crackdown on illegal immigration Pawlentys pastor, Rev. Leith Anderson of Edinas Wooddale Church, said the group will take out a full-page ad in tomorrows Roll Call newspaper that will call for

dignity for each person, unity of families, respect of the rule of law, secure borders, and the establishment of a path to legal status for those who wish to become legal residents. Thats the part that appears to divide conservatives. Anderson, who is also president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said the Arizona law is not pro family and were interested in what we can do to have intact and healthy families. The pastors appeared to embrace the idea of a multiple approach in immigration reform that starts with securing borders, but also provides pathways to citizenship for illegal immigrants. They rejected mass deportations. The reality is that just doing one piece of solving a problem is going to unbalance the issue, Rev. Anderson said. What we have already is a number of people whose families are divided who need to be reunited. We typically dont deal with other issues incrementally. What we need is Republicans and Democrats to come together and address the issue and not just shout opinions to a broader audience. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/12/10]

But Then Eventually Supported The Arizona Law

Pawlenty Said He Supports Arizonas New Immigration Law. According to the Star Tribune, At an hour-long taping of Meet the Press, part of which will be broadcast on the NBC show Sunday morning, the governor was met with tough questioningPawlenty was asked to weigh in on national issues and he responded. He said he supports the new Arizona immigration law, would repeal and replace the federal health-care overhaul, and wants to keep the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy in place for gays and lesbians in the military. [Star Tribune, 5/28/10] Pawlenty Said Most People In The Media Have Either Mischaracterized, Misunderstand, Or Misportrayed Arizonas New Immigration Law. According to CNN, Candy Crowley interviewed Pawlenty on CNNs State of the Union and asked if it was appropriate for President Calderon of Mexico to criticize Arizonas new immigration law. Pawlenty responded, Well, President Calderon is an important friend and ally of the United States. And we certainly welcome him. And we want to make sure that our country has good and positive relations with Mexico. He has also to come to the reality that the immigration situation between our two countries is out of control. We need to have an immigration system thats legal and reasonable and orderly. What we have now is none of that. Arizona is understandably frustrated, as are a lot of other states. And so I think he should actually read the law. Most people in the media who are talking about it have mischaracterized it or misunderstand it or misportray it, Candy. So I think we need better enforcement of the laws and immigration. But as to your question, I think hes free to comment on our policies. [CNNs State of the Union, 5/23/10] Pawlenty: As Long As Youve Got A Reasonable Inquiry Checking On Someones Immigration Status Is Okay. According to a local ABC affiliate, Mike Gousha interviewed Pawlenty and asked about Arizonas new immigration law. Pawlenty said, I think this Arizona law has been mischaracterized, Mike, a little bit in the press. People are saying its going to allow police to just stop people for any reason no it doesnt. They have to have a probable cause for the initial stop, and additionally they have to have probable cause or reasonable suspicion that somebodys there illegally before they can inquire. And I think, as long as youve got a reasonable inquiry or a reasonable basis for the top, checking on someones immigration status is okay. I dont think we should be afraid of that. [UpFront with Mike Gousha, 5/23/10] Pawlenty Claimed Arizonas New Immigration Law Has Been Wildly, Irresponsibly And Recklessly Mischaracterized, Including By The President Of The United States. According to the Star Tribune, In an hourlong session on Monday with some of the nations top political journalists, Gov. Tim Pawlenty laid into President Obama on everything from Afghanistan to the nations middling recovery, making the case for how the Minnesota Republican could be the GOPs best hope for recapturing the White House in 2012 Some of Pawlentys sharpest criticism of Obama came on the debate over Arizonas stringent new illegal immigration law, which the White House is challenging in court. Pawlenty said the law, which gives local police broader powers to detain illegal immigrations, had been wildly, irresponsibly and recklessly mischaracterized, including by the president of the United States. [Star Tribune, 7/26/10] Pawlenty Said Laws Must Be Respected, Because If You Allow People To Pee On The Sidewalks, Next Theyre Snatching Purses, Next Theyre Punching You In The Face, Next They Are Breaking Windows And Putting Guns In Your Ribs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said he supports the new Arizona law designed to get tough with illegal immigrants. Referring to illegal immigrants, he said the country cannot have a wide swath of the population openly, knowingly ignoring the law. Law breaking can escalate, he indicated. If you allow people to pee on the sidewalks, next theyre snatching purses, next theyre punching you in the face, next they are breaking windows and putting guns in your ribs, so youve got to have the law be respected, you have to conform the law to behavior or the behavior to the law, he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/26/10]

PAWLENTY SAID MINNESOTA HAD AN AL-QAEDA PROBLEM DUE TO SOMALI IMMIGRANT POPULATION
Pawlenty: We Got A Problem With Al-Qaeda In Minnesota Due To Somali Immigrant Population. According to the show transcript, Pawlenty appeared on Laura Ingrahams show on November 30, 2009. Ingraham asked, Governor Pawlenty, story is out about 20 young men from a Somali community in Minnesota that have traveled down and aligned themselves with Al-Qaeda. Do you guys have an Al-Qaeda problem in Minnesota? Pawlenty responded, Well, we have the largest Somali population in the country as a result of our refugee relocation program from the 1990sand now of course you saw in the news that we got people here connected to Minnesota who are recruiting people to go back to Somalia to fight and potentially be suicide bombers under Al-Qaeda or Al-Qaeda related themes. So, the short answer is, yeah, we got a problem, the magnitude of it and the degree of it is being investigated. [Laura Ingraham Show, 11/30/09, MP3 Available Here]

PAWLENTY FALSELY CLAIMED HEALTH CARE REFORM WOULD COVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Pawlenty Claimed That Health Care Reform Legislation Would Cover Illegal Immigrants. According to the Star Tribune, On This Week, Pawlenty also raised the specter of illegal immigrants receiving health care benefits under Obamas overhaul, an assertion that triggered an outburst of you lie! during Obamas speech to a joint session of Congress last week According to a show transcript, Pawlenty said that even if you have language that says illegal immigrants will not be a part of this program -- unless you have the enforcement mechanism in place, it doesnt mean much. In Minnesota, we have laws that say illegal immigrants wont get many services, but unless somebody actually checks, guess what, they show up and they get the services. Host George Stephanopoulos countered that a study of Medicaid by the House Oversight Committee showed that an $8 million enforcement action caught eight illegal immigrants. Clearly, though, if you have a law thats unenforced, it isnt much of a law, Pawlenty replied. [Star Tribune, 9/14/09] Pawlenty Said Joe Wilsons Contention That Health Care Reform Would Include Coverage For Illegal Immigrants Was Valid. According to the AP, One apology is enough, a digging-in-his heels Rep. Joe Wilson said Sunday, challenging Democratic leaders who want him to say on the House floor that hes sorry for yelling You lie! during President Barack Obamas health care speech to CongressThe Democratic proposals on health explicitly prohibit spending any federal money to help illegal immigrants get health care. Still, Republicans say there arent sufficient citizenship verification requirements to ensure illegal immigrants are excludedGov. Tim Pawlenty, a Minnesota Republican who might seek the White House in 2012, said Wilsons concern is valid. Even if you have language that says illegal immigrants will not be a part of this program, unless you have the enforcement mechanism in place, it doesnt mean much, Pawlenty said. In Minnesota, we have laws that say illegal immigrants wont get many services, but unless somebody actually checks guess what they show up and they get the services. [Associated Press, 9/13/09] Pawlenty Argued That The Contention That Health Care Reform Would Cover Illegal Immigrants Had Merit, Even Though Independent Fact Checkers Have Found The House Version Of The Bill Explicitly Forbids Federal Money From Being Spent On Health Care For Illegal Immigrants. According to the Star Tribune, About South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilsons You lie outburst during Obamas speech to Congress last week, Pawlenty first said it was inappropriate and unfortunate. But he also said the underlying issue -- Wilsons contention that federal health care legislation could give illegal immigrants access to health insurance -- has merit, even though independent fact checkers have found the House version of the bill explicitly forbids federal money from being spent on health care for illegal immigrants. [Star Tribune, 9/17/09]

PAWLENTY APPROVED MEASURE THAT ALLOWED CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS TO OWN DAIRY FARMS
Pawlenty Signed Bill That Included Measure Allowing Immigrants With E-2 Visas To Own Dairy Farms. According to the St. Cloud Times, Herman Gabbert has watched the price of milk slowly climb out of a black hole, giving dairy farmers like himself a chance to make a decent living again. The Gilman-area farmer is worried that a state law allowing certain immigrants to own dairy farms might put that chance in jeopardy. Im not real happy about it, Gabbert said. There are plenty

of Minnesota people who would like to get in and stay in the dairy business if the price stays decent. It appears to me that its a ploy to try to drive the price back down. The Legislature passed the measure the last night of the session as part of a larger agriculture bill. Its since been signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. For the first time, the law will allow immigrants with E-2 visas to buy up to 1,500 acres for a dairy farm, as long as they live in Minnesota at least 10 months of the year and work toward becoming a permanent resident. Supporters of the law say it will entice buyers for now-empty farms and help keep Minnesotas dairy industry strong. But the law has been controversial among farm groups and dairy farmers, who say foreign investment will drive up land prices and shut out existing farmers. [St. Cloud Times, 6/2/04]

BORDER PATROL
FactCheck.Org: Pawlenty Falsely Claimed He Was One Of The Few Governors To Send National Guardsmen To The Border; All 50 States Did. According to Factcheck.Org, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty falsely claimed he was one of the few governors to respond when President George W. Bush asked states to send guardsmen to support Border Patrol agents in four states along the U.S.-Mexico border. In fact, all 50 states participated in the two-year program. [] Over the course of the two-year campaign, all 50 states (plus the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) sent a little more than 30,000 guardsmen to four states: New Mexico, California, Arizona and Texas, according to a 2008 National Guard report on the program. That report (page 79) shows that Minnesota provided 370 guardsmen. [Factcheck.org, 06/15/11] Pawlenty Sent Members Of The Minnesota National Guard To The Arizona Border. According to CNN, Im a strong supporter of state rights, but if the federal government wont do its job -- in this case, protecting and securing our border -then let the states do it. And they will. And when President Bush asked governors to volunteer their National Guard to go to the border to help reinforce, through Operation Jump Start, our border, I was one of the few governors who did it. I sent Minnesota National Guard there to reinforce the border, and it works. And thats what we need to do. [CNN, 06/13/11]

JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
Non-Minnesota Judges
Pawlenty Said I Dont Like Judges Who Overreach And Think Theyre Smarter And Better Than Everybody Else. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty supports direct election of judges as is done in Minnesota and is opposed to granting equal marriage rights to same-sex couples. I dont like judges who overreach and think theyre smarter and better than everybody else, Pawlenty said. [Des Moines Register, Iowa Politics Insider blog, Jason Clayworth, 10/31/10]

PAWLENTY WAS NOT OPPOSED TO SONYA SOTOMAYOR

Pawlenty Called For A Swift Confirmation Of Sonia Sotomayor To The Supreme Court, Cautioned Against Jumping To Conclusions With Overheated Rhetoric Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty struck a charitable tone towards Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on [on June 3, 2009], calling for a swift confirmation hearing in the Senate and arguing that Obamas pick for the high court should be given the benefit of the doubt because she has a compelling life story., Judge Sotomayor has got a compelling life story. She has been accomplished in her legal career and her career as a judge and as a juristWe shouldnt jump to conclusions, particularly with overheated rhetoric. [Political Ticker blog, CNN, 6/3/09]

IOWA JUDGES
Pawlenty Said He Wasnt Concerned By A Campaign To Oust Three Judges For Ruling In Support Of Gay Marriage. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday he wasnt concerned by a campaign to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices over a decision that legalized gay marriage in the state. In an interview with The Associated Press, Pawlenty said he would need to study the justices record before deciding whether to join the effort, but that voters have the right to remove judges if they disagree with their rulings. The notion that judges stand for election is embedded in the Iowa Constitution. Its embedded in the Minnesota Constitution, Pawlenty said. Its the right and privilege of the citizens of this state and my state to weigh in on whether they like or dont like the job that a judge is doing and to agree or disagree with him. Asked about a campaign organized by Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats who failed in his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination to remove the justices, Pawlenty stressed that he supports limiting marriage to one man and one woman. I think the law should support that, and to the extent you have judges inserting their personal views to change that, I dont like it, Pawlenty said. Vander Plaats and others have promised to organize an effective campaign to remove Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices David Baker and Michael Streit when they come up for a retention vote in the November general election. The three joined a unanimous decision in 2009 that found an Iowa law banning same-sex marriage violated the state constitution. [Associated Press, 8/12/10] Pawlenty Claimed That Sitting Duck Governors Should Not Appoint New Supreme Court Justices In The Interim. According to the Des Moines Register, An outgoing governor should refrain from appointing new Iowa Supreme Court justices in the interim between the November elections and the end of a term, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said here today. Pawlenty was asked about the issue by reporters after reports this week surfaced indicating that even if Gov. Chet Culver loses Tuesdays elections that he could have a chance to appoint new members to the Iowa Supreme Court if voters oust all or some of the three who are up for a retention vote. If that happens and theyre withdrawn in Iowa and somebody tries to manipulate the process, I think that would be disrespectful of what the voters just expressed in that vote, Pawlenty said. The vetting process could not begin until Nov. 29 at the earliest, when the results of Tuesdays retention election are certified. [Des Moines Register, Iowa Politics Insider blog, Jason Clayworth, 10/31/10]

Minnesota Judges
DID NOT SUPPORT JUDGES WHO LEGISLATE FROM THE BENCH
Pawlenty s Biggest Cheer At A Campaign Rally Was His Refusal To Support Judges Who Legislation From The Bench. According to Politico, Pawlenty called on Washington to oppose raising the debt ceiling and passing a constitutional

amendment that requires a balanced budget. He blasted the royal triangle of greed: big government, big unions and big bailed out businesses. The biggest cheers erupted as Pawlenty railed against judges that legislate from the bench and Obamacare, the presidents overhaul of the health care system. [Politico, 2/26/11]

HAS A RECORD OF APPOINTING CONSERVATIVE JUDGES

Pawlentys Opportunity To Appoint A Replacement Chief Justice For The Minnesota Supreme Court Was Legally Challenged Because It Was Argued That Judges Time Their Resignations So The Governor Can Appoint The Replacement He Wants. According to the Grand Forks Herald, The resignation of Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson gives Gov. Tim Pawlenty a chance to do something he has done twice before: pick the person who holds the high courts top spot. But not everyone is happy about letting the governor choose again. Attorney Jill Clark argued before the state Supreme Court on Tuesday that the secretary of state should put the chief justices seat on the November ballot. Magnuson was due to stand for election this fall, but the timing of his resignation allows Pawlenty to choose his replacement instead of voters. The position wouldnt be up for election again until 2012 Clark said the chief justice slot hasnt been filled by voters since Kathleen Blatz was elected in 2000. Starting with her resignation in 2006 before she was due to stand for reelection, the last three chief justices have resigned and had their positions filled by appointment for attorney Greg Wersal, who is joining Clark in the lawsuit, the problem is systemic. He says Magnusons resignation is another in a line of judges timing their departure so that the governor can appoint the person he wants. Wersal said at least 95 percent of all state judges have been appointed to their position. Think of any other office: a state legislator, a member of Congress, the governor. Where do you see them resign before the end of their term? Nowhere. Only judges, he said. We wouldnt allow this game to go on anywhere else. [Grand Forks Herald, 4/20/10] Pawlentys Previous Judicial Appointments Show He Favored Judicial Conservatism And That It Was A Safe Bet He Preferred Conservative Lawyer From The Private Sector. According to the Minneapolis City Pages, With the governor in his final year in office, his court picks may be one of his most lasting legacies in his home state. And as he gears up for a likely presidential run, it also offers a window into what kind of judicial appointments a President Pawlenty might make Pawlentys inner circle has so far kept mum about the short list of candidates for appointment, but court-watchers say his previous choices show he favors judicial conservatism So who will Pawlenty pick for Magnusons replacement? Based on the pattern of his earlier appointments, its a safe bet hell select a conservative lawyer from the private sector. [Minneapolis City Pages, 4/7/10] William Mitchell College Of Law Professor Said Theres No Question That Pawlentys Appointments Have Made The Court More Conservative. According to Minneapolis City Pages, Theres no question that Pawlentys appointments have made the court more conservative, says Peter Knapp, a professor at William Mitchell College of Law who writes a review of Supreme Court decisions for Minnesota judges, noting that conservative justices are more likely to rely on the text of the law rather than weighing whether it makes sense in the modern world. [Minneapolis City Pages, 4/7/10] Law Professor At St. Thomas: Said Pawlentys Picks Were More Doctrinaire Than Other Republican Judicial Appointments. According to Minneapolis City Pages, Scott Swanson, a law professor at St. Thomas who has tried cases before the court, said the Peck decision shows just how far the court has moved with Pawlentys appointments. Theyre much more doctrinaire now, he says. Before Pawlenty, even the Republican appointees were still fairly populist when it came to criminal issues. The new majority is much more ready to side with law enforcement against defendants. [Minneapolis City Pages, 4/7/10]

Op-Ed: In His Appointment Of Judges, Pawlentys Rejection Of A Commission Process Created A Bad Impression. According to a Finance & Commerce op-ed, With his recent pronouncement that he will be interviewing candidates to replace Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, above, Gov. Tim Pawlenty appears poised to once again make his appointment via committee of one. Pawlentys rejection of a commission process creates a bad impression. Before a governor appoints a District Court judge in Minnesota, he or she is required to first allow a merit-selection commission to screen potential candidates and submit recommended finalists (typically three) for the post. The governor can at this point do one of two things: Select one of the finalists for the judgeship, or ignore the commissions recommendations and appoint somebody else In making his Supreme Court picks, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has eschewed a commission process. With his recent pronouncement that this month he will be interviewing candidates to replace Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, he appears poised to once again make his appointment via committee of one. [Mark Cohen Op-Ed, Finance & Commerce, 4/7/10]

Op-ed: Pawlenty Did Not Expand The Diversity Of The Minnesota Supreme Court. According to a Finance & Commerce op-ed, So far, Pawlentys high court picks have included his former lawyer, a former law partner and a former lawyer for the Republican Party Pawlenty administration has not exactly represented banner years for expanding the diversity of the Minnesota Supreme Court, once the only state high court in the country to have a majority of women justices. Three of the governors appointments have been white men and the fourth was a white woman. Just two of the courts seven sitting justices are women. The only African-American on the court got his seat through election rather than through the appointment process. There are no other minority groups represented on the court, which makes key decisions on issues of importance to an increasingly diverse citizenry. [Mark Cohen Op-Ed, Finance & Commerce, 4/7/10] The Executive Director Of The Judicial Crisis Network Said Conservatives Should Be Pleased With Pawlentys Judicial Appointments. According National Review Online, Earlier this month, Minnesota Chief Justice Eric Magnuson announced that he would be stepping down from the Minnesota Supreme Court in June. With his retirement, the court is evenly divided (33) between conservatives and liberals, so whoever Gov. Tim Pawlenty appoints to replace Justice Magnuson will be a key vote. According to court watchers in the state, Governor Pawlentys appointments to the narrowly divided court have been good so far, moving it in a conservative direction. As the Star Tribune put it, The Minnesota Supreme Court once known as a moderate to liberal body has shifted rightward with four appointments by Gov. Tim Pawlenty over the past seven years. Governor Pawlenty is widely expected to run for president in 2012. Naturally, conservatives are keeping notes on his administration and looking for more clues indicating how he might perform at the highest level. Conservatives have reason to be pleased with his judicial appointments so far, but that should not diminish their expectations for the Magnuson vacancy. [National Review Online, Bench Memos - Gary Marx, 3/30/10] Pawlenty Once Considered His Own General Counsel For A Hennepin County Judgeship. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is considering his in-house lawyer for a judicial post. The governors office said Karen Janisch is one of four finalists for two Hennepin County judgeships. Janisch has been the governors general counsel since 2003. Before that, she was a partner at Rider, Bennett, Egan and Arundel, a law firm where Pawlenty also worked. The Commission on Judicial Selection picked Janisch and three other finalists from 40 applications. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 9/24/08] Pawlenty Appointed A Former Colleague From A Minneapolis Law Firm To The Minnesota Court Of Appeals. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday appointed three people to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, including one who was a colleague at his former Minneapolis law firmLouise Dovre Bjorkman, a former Ramsey County judge and partner in the law firm of Rider, Bennett, Egan & Arundel, Pawlentys former firm. Bjorkman, 48, now in private practice with the St. Paul firm of Larson King, will fill a vacancy resulting from the retirement of Bruce Willis in SeptemberAlthough Bjorkman and Pawlenty worked in the same law firm in the 1990s, the governor said they had little interaction with each other and never worked substantively on a case together. [Star Tribune, 6/25/08] Pawlenty Appointed Christopher Dietzen To The Minnesota Supreme Court He Was A Lawyer For Pawlentys 2002 Race, Political Donor, And Longtime Acquaintance. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday named Appeals Court Judge Christopher Dietzen, a former campaign lawyer and longtime acquaintance, to the Minnesota Supreme Court Dietzen worked as a lawyer on Pawlentys 2002 campaign and played a key role in defending Pawlenty in a controversy over a political TV ad during that race. He also has been a regular contributor to Republican campaigns, including Pawlentys in 2002, and to the Freedom Club political action committee, which backs conservative candidates As for his associations with Dietzen over the years, the governor said candidates shouldnt get any additional consideration because of that, but they also shouldnt be penalized because of that. Dietzen helped out Pawlenty after DFLers accused his campaign of improperly colluding with the state Republican Party on an ad. Pawlentys campaign eventually paid a $100,000 fine and was penalized another $500,000 off its spending limit. It gave me a chance to see his skills up close, Pawlenty said at a news conference three years ago when he announced Dietzens appointment to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Dietzen contributed $625 to Pawlentys 2002 campaign, and his wife, Peggy, gave $525 as part of nearly $5,000 that the family has contributed to Republican candidates in state races over the years. [Star Tribune, 12/28/07] Pawlenty Did Not Check With His Special Screening Committee. According to the Star Tribune, Dietzen said he approached the Pawlenty administration about three weeks ago to express interest in the Supreme Court job. In making his selection, Pawlenty didnt consult with a special screening committee, saying he already knew the possible candidates from earlier screenings for judicial vacancies. [Star Tribune, 12/28/07]

Star Tribunes Op-Ed: Pawlentys Nominee Would Tip The Court To The Right. According to a Star Tribune oped, There are 35,000 attorneys in Minnesota. Last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, looking for a new Supreme Court justice, plucked from that crowded field a personal friend and political consigliere named Christopher Dietzen. If you think it was because Dietzen was No. 1 in Lawyer Land, you are sweet but naive. Dietzen, a conservative whom Pawlenty appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2004, will take a seat on the seven-person Supreme Court in January. Dietzen is likely to tip the balance of the high court, moving it hard to the right and making it more open to challenges to state law on a broad front of social and sexual issues where the court has been reluctant to tread. Dietzen was one of three judges given Republican Party endorsement in 2006, has been a financial contributor to Pawlenty and, as a Pawlenty campaign attorney, helped the Republican steer his way out of a jam when his 2002 campaign ran afoul of election laws and had to pay a $100,000 fine Pawlenty intended to signal his base that the court is in safe, right-wing hands. In a fundraising e-mail sent to supporters, Pawlenty touted Dietzens appointment in language made infamous by Richard Nixon: [Dietzen] has proven himself to be a strict constructionist who will follow the rule of law with impartiality, Pawlenty said. In a time when legislating from the bench has unfortunately become commonplace, Judge Dietzen has continually used judicial restraint and common sense. Minnesota now has a Pawlenty Court, much as the United States has a Bush Court. Ironically, the Minnesota bench now may become far more truly an activist court than it has been painted by Pawlenty and his political supporters. That could spell trouble for many. [Nick Colemam, Star Tribune, 12/5/07]

Pawlenty Appointed A State Senator Tom Neuville To The Rice County District Court. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today appointed state Sen. Tom Neuville, R-Northfield, to a Rice County District Court judgeship in Faribault. Neuville was one of four new trial court judges Pawlenty named today, and he was scheduled to pick a new supreme court justice this afternoon Pawlenty will have to call a special election to fill Neuvilles Senate seat. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/27/07] Pawlentys Appointment To The State Court Of Appeal, G. Barry Anderson, Was Formerly Active In Republican Politics. According to the Associated Press, G. Barry Anderson, a judge on the state Court of Appeals for six years as part of a legal career that has spanned a quarter century, was named a Minnesota Supreme Court justice Friday. Anderson, 49, was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to replace James Gilbert, who resigned in May to start his own law firm after six years on the court He was formerly active in Republican politics, but Pawlenty said Anderson is separated in time and position from those activities in a way and a manner and a degree that insulates him properly. [Associated Press, 8/27/04] Pawlenty Appointed A Court Of Appeals Judge Who Defended Pawlentys 2002 Gubernatorial Campaign. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed an attorney to the state Court of Appeals on Thursday who had defended his campaign against a complaint over a political ad during the 2002 gubernatorial campaign. Chris Dietzen, 57, of Bloomington, assumes the vacancy created in August when Pawlenty tapped G. Barry Anderson for the state Supreme Court...Pawlenty, a licensed attorney himself, denied using the judgeship as a political reward for his lawyer. Its a good thing that I know people Im appointing because Ive seen their skills, Ive seen their ability and Ive seen their integrity up close, he said. So, I dont think the fact that somebody is familiar to me should either give them special favor or exclude them. During Pawlentys run for governor two years ago, Democrats complained that his campaign improperly colluded with the state Republican Party on some television ads. The state board that regulates campaign finance matters eventually ordered that Pawlentys campaign had to count $500,000 toward the state spending cap in return for the benefit of the ad, plus a $100,000 fine. [Associated Press, 9/23/04]

PAWLENTY APPOINTED A NEW JUSTICE AND PROMOTED A JUSTICE, BOTH SUPPORTED HIM IN THE UNALLOTMENT DECISION
Pawlenty Had The Opportunity To Select Selected The Supreme Courts Next Chief Justice From One Of The Three Supreme Court Justices Who Ruled In His Favor On The Unallotment Case. According to the Star Tribune, A current Minnesota Supreme Court justice will be the courts next chief. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will interview Associate Justices G. Barry Anderson, Christopher J. Dietzen and Lorie Skjerven Gildea to replace Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, who will step down next month. Pawlenty, who appointed Magnuson to the court in 2008, also appointed all three associates to the court All three dissented from last weeks 4-3 ruling tossing out Pawlentys 2009 unilateral budget decisions. Magnuson wrote the majority opinion. Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the trios dissent didnt have anything to do with the Tuesday decision to interview the three current justices. Choosing from among them would also give Pawlenty another court appointment before he leaves office. [Star Tribune, 5/12/10]

Pawlenty Appointed Lorie Gildea, A Justice Who Supported Pawlentys Side In The States Unallotment Ruling, As Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty deepened his imprint on the Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday, promoting Lorie Gildea to lead the court and naming a 35-year-old law professor who once clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to fill her seat. The Republican governor said the elevation of Gildea and appointment of David Stras fit within his philosophy of a limited role for the judiciary. Both took his side in a case that went against him last week when the court found he exceeded his authority by cutting the budget without legislative consent Gildea in a dissenting opinion, Stras with a friend-of-the-court brief Democrats criticized the appointments, saying they were political payoff for siding with Pawlenty in the case over the budget cuts. [Associated Press, 5/13/10] Pawlenty Appointed Conservative Law Professor David Stras To The Minnesota Supreme Court, Wrote a Legal Brief On Behalf Of Him For The States Unallotment Case. According to West Central Tribune, Two people who sided with Gov. Tim Pawlenty in a historic lawsuit about his budget cutting powers earned his support Thursday with Supreme Court positionsPawlenty named as a justice a young law professor who wrote a legal brief on his behalf in that suit and who belongs to a conservative legal organization. David Stras once worked for conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a conservative Stras belongs to the Federalist Society, a group that claims to oppose orthodox liberal ideology it says is found in most law schools. He co-wrote a legal brief on behalf of the governors position in the case involving last summers budget cuts. [West Central Tribune, 5/14/10] Op-Ed: Pawlentys Two Appointment To The Minnesota Supreme Court Was Awkward And A Bit Sticky Because They Both Supported His Stance In The Unallotment Ruling. According to MinnPost.com, Erick Black wrote, Its awkward. Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday elevated Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea to be chief justice just eight days after Gildea had published a strong dissent taking Pawlentys side in the unallotment case. Awkward. Pawlenty simultaneously appointed Law David Stras as an associate justice. Stras is just 35. Hes a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, whom he described yesterday as his mentor. Stras has never been a judge, never argued a Supreme Court case. Stras did once file an amicus brief in a big Supreme Court case, but as MinnPoster Doug Grow noted in yesterdays coverage of the announcement, Stras amicus brief was also in that unallotment case and, unsurprisingly, it was on Pawlentys side of the case. Awkward, I call it. A bit sticky. [MinnPost.com, Eric Black Ink blog, 5/14/10] Pawlentys Appointment Of Stras To The Minnesota Supreme Court Was Heralded By Conservatives. According to National Review Online, Gary Marx wrote, When it comes to state supreme courts, governors are giving us plenty to talk about. In late March, I brought attention to the Minnesota Supreme Court and the fact that Governor Pawlenty would be filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Justice Eric Magnuson. As I said then, With his retirement, the court is evenly divided (33) between conservatives and liberals, so whoever Gov. Tim Pawlenty appoints to replace Justice Magnuson will be a key vote. Yesterday, Pawlenty announced that he had appointed David Stras to the seat. Conservatives in the state tell us that Stras is an eminently qualified appointee who will make Minnesotans proud by relying on text and the original meaning of the law and the Constitution. [National Review Online, Gary Marx for Bench Memos blog, 5/17/10]

PAWLENTYS APPOINTMENTS HAD CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIM

Pawlenty Named, Jamie Anderson, The Wife Of His Deputy Chief Of State To Be A Judge For The Hennepin County District Court. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty reached around the standard judicial selection process Tuesday for one of his last appointees to Hennepin County District Court, naming Jamie L. Anderson, the 35-year-old wife of his deputy chief of staff, to the states busiest bench. Pawlenty also gave appointments to his staff counsel, Patrick Robben, and to a nurse-turned-lawyer, Mary Vasaly, who works for a respected downtown Minneapolis firm. The governor followed the standard selection process to make those two appointments. The three appointees succeed Judges Tanja Manrique, Warren Sagstuen and Stephen Aldrich, respectively. Anderson was a surprise choice because she works for a small firm, has not been a prominent lawyer and was not screened through the Commission on Judicial Selection. The nonpartisan commission sorts through applicants and provides the names of finalists to the governor. Bypassing the selection process is legal, and other governors have done it. Under state law, the governor can skip the process if he is leaving office and has fewer than 60 days left in his term Pawlenty announced the selections late in the day by written news release, which did not mention the name of Jamie Andersons spouse, nor his position in the Pawlenty administration. Anderson didnt return calls to her office and home. [Star Tribune, 12/21/10] Pawlentys Last Judicial Appointments Were Fairly Close To Home And His Appointment Of Jamie Anderson Was Not Properly Screened. According to the Minnesota Post, In his waning days on the job, Gov. Tim Pawlenty stayed

fairly close to home in making three appointments to the Hennepin County District Court bench. One is the governors general counsel, Patrick D. Robben. Another, Jamie L. Anderson, is married to Paul Anderson, a longtime Pawlenty aide and now his deputy chief of staff. Also appointed was Mary R. Vasaly. The three replace Warren R. Sagstuen. Stephen C. Aldrich and Tanja K. Manrique, whove retired. Anderson wasnt screened through the Commission on Judicial Selection, which normally reviews applicants and names finalists for the governor to select. The law allows this because Pawelnty is near the end of his term. Robben and Vasaly did go through the screening process. [Minnesota Post, 12/22/10] Pawlentys Judicial Appointee Jamie Anderson Had Little Major Legal Experience But Had Religious Right Experience. According to the Minnesota Independent, On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed Jamie L. Anderson to the 4th Judicial District Court following the retirement of Judges Tanja Manrique. Press reports note that Anderson is the wife of Pawlentys deputy chief of staff and that the appointment raised eyebrows because the governor bypassed the standard judicial selection process to tap a friends wife who has little major legal experience. But one fact may shed some light on the appointment: Anderson has ample religious right experience. [Minnesota Independent, 12/23/10] Pawlentys Judicial Appointee And Wife Of Pawlentys Former Deputy Chief Of Staff, Jamie Anderson Served As Counsel For The Minnesota Family Council And Worked With James Dobsons Alliance Defense Fund On A Case, Vehemently Opposed Gay Marriage. According to the Minnesota Independent, Anderson served as counsel for the Minnesota Family Council (MFC) when that group recently petitioned a Hennepin County judge to become defendants in a case seeking to overturn Minnesotas ban on same-sex marriage. Three couples have filed suit against Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota challenging the states Defense of Marriage Act. The case will be heard in the 4th Judicial District Court, the same court where Anderson was appointed. Jason Shellack, an attorney for the samesex couples, said that Anderson joined the case this fall. The Family Council had enlisted the help of James Dobsons Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) in its bid to be named a defendant in the case, but needed a local attorney to back the ADFs case. When a previous local attorney dropped the case, Shellack said, Anderson joined up to assist MFC and ADF. [Minnesota Independent, 12/23/10] Pawlentys Judicial Appointee Jamie Anderson, Represented Child Evangelism Fellowship(CEF) Of Minnesota And Jerry Falwells Liberty Counsel, Promoted Public Schools Students To Read Christian Literature. According to the Minnesota Independent, In 2009, Anderson represented Child Evangelism Fellowship of Minnesota (CEF) along with Jerry Falwells Liberty Counsel, an evangelical legal group, in a suit against the Elk River School District. The district allowed outside groups such as the Boy Scouts to send literature home with students, but when the CEF asked to send literature about Christianity home with students, the district said no. The court said that the districts policy was discriminatory, and the district amended that policy so that no groups could send literature home with students. In the CEF case, Anderson was part of the legal team of her employer, Howse and Associates. According to the firms website, Andersons specialties are business law and new company formation, wills and trusts, probate and real estate. [Minnesota Independent, 12/23/10] Pawlentys Judicial Appointee Jamie Anderson Was A Lobbyist For Born-Again Christian Frank Vennes a Major Donor To The Fidelis Foundation, Which Was Chaired By G. Craig Howe, Andersons Boss At Howse And Thompson Law Firm. According to the Minnesota Independent, Anderson also served as a lobbyist for Frank Vennes in 2007. Vennes, a born-again Christian, made headlines after the fall of Tom Petters Ponzi scheme when his home was raided by authorities in October 2008. He hasnt been charged in the case, though his name was frequently brought up in the trials against Petters and his employees. Vennes made significant money finding investors for what was later revealed to be a Ponzi scheme created by Petters. Vennes was a large donor to evangelical outfits such as Minnesota Teen Challenge through the Fidelis Foundation. The Fidelis Foundation, based in Plymouth, Minn., was a nonprofit organization organized to assist Christians in discerning, clarifying and implementing Gods call and direction in their life. G. Craig Howse, Andersons boss at Howse and Thompson, was its chairman, was Vennes personal lawyer, and leased space to Fidelis. [Minnesota Independent, 12/23/10]

PAWLENTYS JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS LACKED DIVERSITY, BUT HE PROMOTED GENDER EQUITY

In 2005, Pawlenty Appointed 12 Men And 12 Women To State Courts, But Only Two Of His District Court Appointees Were Nonwhite. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty likes to see women on the bench. That shouldnt be a surprise, since hes married to one: Dakota County District Judge Mary Pawlenty. And now, after

the governor appointed three more female judges on Wednesday, half of his judicial appointees are women. He named Waseca County District Judge Renee Worke of Owatonna to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, assistant Beltrami County attorney Shari Schluchter of Bemidji to a Beltrami County district court judgeship and assistant Otter Tail County attorney Barbara Hanson of Fergus Falls to the Otter Tail County district court bench. Eight of the 14 district court judges Pawlenty has picked -- 57 percent -- are women. By comparison, 28 percent of former Gov. Jesse Venturas and 31 percent of former Gov. Arne Carlsons district court appointees were female. Including all state courts, Pawlenty now has appointed 12 men and 12 women to the bench. But women still have a way to go to reach judicial parity. In all Minnesota courts, women hold 79, or 27 percent, of the 296 judgeships currently filled, said State Court Administrator Sue Dosal... Although Pawlenty is making progress on gender balance, he acknowledged he has not appointed many minority judges. Only two of his 14 district court appointees -two Hispanic judges in Ramsey County -- are nonwhite. Pawlenty said hed like to appoint more minority judges, but we dont get as much interest as we would like from certain communities of color. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/7/05] Pawlenty, Said About Gender Equity On The Court: The Answer Is An Unabashed Yes. Not Only Gender Equity, We Might Even Strive For Gender Overburden. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Asked if he was striving for gender equity in the courts, Pawlenty replied, The answer is an unabashed yes. Not only gender equity, we might even strive for gender overburden. While gender is not a determining factor in his judicial appointments, he said he is seeking diversity on the bench. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/7/05]

By 2004, Pawlenty Had Only Appointed One Person Of Color To A Judgeship, Who Was Hispanic. According to the Minnesota Lawyer, Pawlenty so far has only appointed one person of color to a judgeship. The governor appointed Elena Ostby - a Hispanic woman - to the Ramsey County District Court bench in August Seven of Pawlentys 17 appointments have been women. The governor has appointed five women to the District Court, one to the Tax Court and one to the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals (which was actually a reappointment). [The Minnesota Lawyer, 11/22/04]

SOME CONSERVATIVES OPPOSED PAWLENTYS JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS AND WERE UNHAPPY BY HIS SUMPREME COURT NOMINEES
Pawlentys Nomination Of Russell Anderson And Lorie Gildea Made Some Conservatives Unhappy. According to the Star Tribune, some conservatives are unhappy with all three appointments, said David Strom, president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. Ive had lots of conversations with conservatives who had other candidates in mind and theres a general feeling of disappointment, he said. This was a great opportunity to pick a strong, principled conservative, and instead he picked someone with very little experience who is an unknown quantity. He was referring to Gildea, 44, whom Pawlenty named to the trial court just three months ago. Some conservatives were already comparing her with Harriet Miers, President Bushs U.S. Supreme Court nominee who withdrew following strong criticism from conservatives of her experience and record While the appointments disappointed some conservatives, Anderson drew praise from the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, a Democratic-leaning group. [Star Tribune, 12/16/05]

DURING THE MIDPOINT OF HIS FIRST TERM, THE MINNESOTA BAR APPROVED OF PAWLENTYS JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
The Minnesota Bar Gave Pawlenty High Marks On His Judicial Appointments. According to the Minnesota Lawyer, Approaching the midpoint of his term, Gov. Tim Pawlenty gets high marks from members of the bar on his judicial appointments so far. Pawlenty has appointed 17 judges to the bench since he took office in January 2003, including one appointment to the state Supreme Court. Like his immediate predecessors - Gov. Jesse Ventura and Gov. Arne Carlson Pawlenty has made good use of the Commission on Judicial Selection to vet judges and pick finalists. A lawyer himself, Pawlenty has on several occasions given the final nod to individuals whom he knows, but has only selected individuals who are generally viewed as well-qualified to fill a judgeship, according to attorneys. Former Supreme Court Justice James Gilbert, who chaired the Commission on Judicial Selection during the Carlson administration, said that without exception the perception in the legal community is that the governor is making excellent appointments. Minneapolis attorney George Soule, head of the commission during the Ventura administration, concurred, saying the commission and the governor are working hard and picking good judges. The governor doesnt know the political affiliation of most candidates, said Soule. People should not be deterred [from applying] because he is a Republican. .,. David Stowman, president of the Minnesota State Bar Association,

told the governor to keep up the good work. Minnesota is fortunate to have had a succession of such conscientious governors making judicial appointments. [The Minnesota Lawyer, 11/22/04]

Tort Reform
Pawlenty Said Tort Reform Depend On The Circumstances If It That Involved Capping Noneconomic And Punitive Damages Awarded For Plaintiffs. According to the Minnesota Lawyer, Another tort reform proposal involves capping noneconomic and punitive damages awards for plaintiffs. Do you agree in general with this proposal? Pawlenty responded, Not necessarily. I think it depends on the circumstances and I wouldnt want to make a blanket statement that in all cases we are going to cap noneconomic damages. [The Minnesota Lawyer, 10/7/02] Pawlenty Said There Were Downsides To The Loser-Pays Rule Included In Tort Reform, The State Should Look To Enforce The Rules It Already Has. According to the Minnesota Lawyer, Also proposed in terms of tort reform is the loser-pays rule, in which the party who is unsuccessful in litigation must pay the legal fees for both sides. Do you favor a loser pays rule? Pawlenty responded, There are some downsides to it. I think a better answer is to more aggressively enforce [Minnesota Rule of Civil Procedure] Rule 11, [which] is supposed to prohibit and discourage frivolous lawsuits, but is rarely enforced. I think we need to first look to more aggressively enforcing the rules that we have. That would include a call for taking Rule 11 more seriously. If people are filing nonmeritorious lawsuits, and it does happen -- of course, merit sometimes is in the eye of the beholder. When it does happen, I dont think we should laugh it off. I think there should be a consequence for that. A big theme in my campaign is holding government accountable. One of the things we should hold the legal system accountable for is dealing with lawyers and parties who file frivolous lawsuits in a way that sends a message that we really dont have the time and the resources to be dealing with silly or frivolous matters. [The Minnesota Lawyer, 10/7/02]

LABOR
Minimum Wage
2009: Pawlenty Suggested Lowering The Minimum Wage For Workers Who Make Tips. According to the Associated Press, During a meeting with supporters in September 2009, Pawlenty led a discussion focused on ideas meant to help businesses, such as allowing a lower minimum wage for workers who make tips. [Associated Press, 9/9/09] 2008: Pawlenty Vetoed Minimum Wage Increase. According to the Star Tribune, in May 2008, Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would boost the minimum wage in Minnesota to $7.75 an hour by 2009. In his veto message, Pawlenty said the minimum wage approved by the Legislature would give Minnesota the seventh-highest in the country, hurting efforts to maintain jobs during the economic slowdown and ultimately raising consumer costsPawlenty said he had made it clear he would support a reasonable increase in the minimum wage provided the bill included a tip credit, which allows employers to pay a lower wage to workers who get gratuities for their services, such as waiters, noted the report. According to the report, worker advocate groups criticized the veto, saying they had compromised several times to meet Pawlentys concerns only to have him reject the bill anyway. [Star Tribune, 5/15/08] Star Tribune Editorial: Low Minimum Wage Is Not Business Friendly. According to a Star Tribune editorial, is a low minimum wage really business friendly? Not if it drives up pressure for taxpayer support for the working poorThey would be well advised to aim for a modest increase and avoid wading into the political thicket of a minimum wage policy overhaul. Wed suggest sticking with features in current law: A break for small employers. No automatic increases for inflation. No lower wage for tipped employees. No discount for teenagers. Work is work, whether its performed by a 16year-old or a 65-year-oldA states minimum wage is about more than the size of workers paychecks. Its also a statement of how deeply a state values work, no matter how lowly the job. We think most Minnesotans hold that all work is noble. The states minimum wage needs to be higher to reflect that value. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/3/08]

2005 Minimum Wage Increase Was Only Half Of Proposed Alternative. According to the Associated Press, Workers who make the minimum wage are in line for a $1 an hour raise in August, following a Minnesota Senate vote Tuesday that affirmed a compromise approved by the House and supported by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Minnesotas minimum wage has been $5.15 since 1997. The new wage would be $6.15, with some exceptions for the states smallest businesses. The measure passed the Senate 44-22. Six dollars and 15 cents is still a bare-bones increase, said Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul. But, she added, any increase was goodThe increase is about half the size of one the DFL-led Senate previously approved. They passed a bill to hike it to $7 an hour in two steps over two years. But Anderson said she had to compromise to achieve a bill that would be supported by Pawlenty and the Republican-controlled House to ensure passage. [Associated Press, 5/3/05] Pawlenty Said The Minimum Wage Increase Passed By The Senate Was Too Big A Leap. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The state Legislature is considering increasing the $5.15 per hour minimum wage in two steps, landing on $7 per hour next year Pawlenty has supported minimum wage increases in the past, but believes that the minimum wage increase passed by the Senate is too big a leap at one time, said Brian McClung, Pawlentys spokesman. The Senate version would boost minimum wage to $6.10 this July and $7 the next. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/24/05] Pawlenty Said He, Respectfully Disagreed With Those Who Argue The Marketplace Should Determine Wages Without Government Intervention. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said today he was looking forward to signing into law a bill that raises the states minimum wage to $6.15 an hour. The state Senate passed the bill today, 44-22 and the Minnesota House passed it Monday. For now I think its a reasonable increase, Pawlenty said. The bill also provides a lower minimum wage of $5.25 an hour for employers that have under $625,000 in sales. Pawlenty said he, respectfully disagreed with those who argue the marketplace should determine wages without government intervention. If we are going to have a minimum wage we should have one thats occasionally adjusted, Pawlenty said. The state last hiked its pay for the lowest wage earners in 1998. Pawlenty said he would sign the bill into law when it reached his desk, likely within the next few days. [Duluth News Tribune, 5/3/05]

Prevailing Wage And Organized Labor Issues

Pawlenty: The Rise Of The Labor Movement In The Early 20th Century Was A Triumph For Americas Working Class. According to an op-ed by Tim Pawlenty in the Wall Street Journal, When Americans think of organized labor, they might think of images like I saw growing up in a blue-collar meatpacking town: hard hats, work boots, tough conditions and gritty jobs The rise of the labor movement in the early 20th century was a triumph for Americas working class. In an era of deep economic anxiety, unions stood up for hard-working but vulnerable families, protecting them from physical and economic exploitation. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Wall Street Journal, 12/13/10] Pawlenty Issued Order Barring State Agreements To Ensure Wage Standards. According to Finance and Commerce, In a big victory for non-union contractors, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order Monday that calls for open competition in state construction contracts. The order, effective immediately, declares that state departments should not discriminate against government contractors on the basis of labor affiliation or lack thereof. Specifically, departments may not require or prohibit bidders, contractors and vendors from signing agreements with labor organizations. The governors order aims to promote and ensure open competition, which will reduce construction costs to the state and to the taxpayers and expand job opportunities, especially for small and disadvantaged businesses. [Finance and Commerce (Minneapolis, MN), 11/22/05] Trades Council Questioned Legality Of Pawlentys Executive Order Prohibiting State Department From Entering Into Agreements With Labor Organizations. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council is questioning Gov. Tim Pawlentys executive order last month prohibiting state departments from entering into agreements with labor organizations. A lawyer for the labor group said the matter could be taken to court. Project labor agreements, which are effectively banned by Pawlentys order, provide for no labor disruptions during construction and a job referral system operated by local unions. They also provide standards for wages and hours and ways of resolving disputes. The governors order says it intends to promote competition and equal access to government construction contracts, which will result in reduced costs and expand job opportunities. Project labor agreements have been used for years. The state Building and Construction Trades Councils attorneys believe Pawlenty may have exceeded his authority by signing the directive without public input. [Duluth News-Tribune, 12/17/05]

Enforcement Of Labor Laws Was Halted During 2005 Government Shutdown. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, during the partial government shutdown of 2005, the enforcement of minimum wage, prevailing wage and overtime laws was suspended during the eight day period that the government was shutdown. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/1/05]

Worker Training And Safety

Pawlenty Claimed Businesses Are Concerned About Health Care Costs And Workforce Training. According to an interview on Morning Joe, Pawlenty was asked, Weve got a new poll out showing Americans are still very concerned about the track that America is on. What would President Pawlenty do to reverse that trend? He responded, It is all about the economy. Most peoples pathway to a good lifestyle and quality of life is about having a job or an economic opportunity. So, weve got to do the things that encourage not discourage our job providers, our entrepreneurs, our inventors, our innovators, people who add employees, grow businesses. And if you talk to them theyll tell you pretty clearly what it takes for them to feel confident and to feel like they have encouragement to do more, not less. And, its not rocket science. These are folks that run businesses all across the country. And theyre concerned about taxes and cost structures, theyre concerned about health care costs, theyre concerned about workforce training and development. And, thank you for spending this week focused on our education system in the country. Thats a really important issue. So those are some of the things as a nation we need to address. [MSNBC, Morning Joe, 9/29/10]

PAWLENTY PROPOSED CUTTING EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS

Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlenty Should Recognize That Investing In Teaching Minnesotas Workers Skills Yields A Higher Return Than Simply Letting The Market Work. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Remember the late Gov. Rudy Perpichs insistence that Minnesota should make itself the brainpower state?...A plea for a comprehensive plan to renew and refocus Perpichs vision was made to Gov. Tim Pawlenty last week by the Governors Workforce Development Council, a 31-member panel representing business, labor, education, government and more. A governor looking for a midterm policy thrust that goes beyond no new taxes would do well to consider seriously the councils advice. The councilurged the Republican governor to make upgrading the marketable skills of Minnesotas workers a central priority for

the remaining two years of his term. Not just any skills, mind you, but those that meet the needs of three business sectors health care, manufacturing and biosciences - in which Minnesota is already strong, and has the potential to become stronger stillMinnesotas spending on higher education and postsecondary career and technical education has been allowed to lag. The states spending on higher education, as a share of personal income, ranked it 21st among the 50 states in the fiscal year just ended - a ranking unbefitting a brainpower state. Conscious of the states continuing money problems, the council stopped short of putting a price tag on its recommendations. But what the governor should recognize is that the kind of investments in human capital that the council endorses have been proven to yield a high rate of return - higher, arguably, than that achievable by simply letting the market work. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 9/8/04] 2003: Pawlenty Proposed Cutting Youth Construction Jobs Program. According to Finance & Commerce, a state program that trains at-risk young people for jobs in construction is facing a $394,000 cut in state funding as part of Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposed 2004-05 budget. According to the report, the Minnesota Youthbuild Program, which provides construction skills training, work experience and other services for youths ages 16 to 24, typically receives $877,000 per year in state funding. The proposed cut would leave the program with an annual budget of $1.3 million. [Finance & Commerce, 3/25/03] 2003: Pawlenty Froze Job Training Funding. According to the St. Cloud Times, Some workers laid off from Fingerhut and SPX Valves & Controls may not be able to get money for new job training after the governor told state agencies Thursday to freeze new spending. The state dislocated workers fund, used to help terminated workers get training and find new jobs, was among those hit. Gov. Tim Pawlenty asked state agencies to halt new spending and freeze any dollars that arent already spoken for. The spending freeze comes as the governor and Legislature prepare to balance the states $4.56 billion budget deficit. It means people laid off after Thursday may not get state dislocated workers benefits until the freeze is lifted. The Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council had requested $475,000 in state money for 160 Fingerhut workers who werent already being helped through Aid-Minn, an $8 million fund created with federal money to help workers who lost their jobs after Sept. 11, said Paul D. Moe, director of the dislocated worker program. That request will be cut to one-third or $158,333 and will use only federal funds, no new state money, Moe said. [St. Cloud Times, 1/10/03]

PAWLENTYS POOR RECORD ON WORKER SAFETY

Pawlenty Proposed Weakening Worker Safety By Transferring Authority To Federal Government. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys plan to hand off Minnesotas worker safety program to federal regulators could lead to less-strict safety standards in some areas and fewer workplace inspections. A well-known national work safety group wrote the governor this week to caution against the transfer, saying that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration already is overburdened. Our view is that this would probably not be in the best interest of worker safety, said Aaron Trippler of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, a business- and labor-supported nonprofit group, which wrote the letter. Pawlentys planned workplace safety switch also wont be much of a balm to taxpayers. Minnesotas worker safety program is paid for by Minnesotas workers compensation fund, not the states ailing general fund. So why make the switch? The Pawlenty administration says it will create savings -- albeit slight -- for the workers comp fund, which in turn could mean savings for state businesses. The states savings are estimated at $931,000 annually beginning in 2005. Also, the governor says the switch wont hurt safety regulation. We dont think we are sacrificing worker safety with this, said Leslie Kupchella, Pawlentys spokeswomanUnder Pawlentys plan, Minnesota would continue regulating safety in the public sector. If Pawlenty prevails, Minnesota OSHA will lose 69 full-time equivalent jobs, about 50 of which are inspector positions. Kupchella said the governors office has very good expectations most state inspectors will be hired by federal OSHA. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/27/03] But Then Withdrew The Proposal After It Drew Swift Opposition. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has reversed his earlier position and decided to keep workplace safety under state regulation instead of turning it over to the federal government. The surprise announcement came from Grace Schwab, legislative liaison for the Department of Labor and Industry, who said at a packed Senate committee hearing Thursday that the governor has withdrawn his proposal. The Pawlenty administration had proposed eliminating Minnesotas Occupational Safety and Health Division, known as Minnesota OSHA, and shifting its functions to the less-stringent federal OSHA program. That wont happen for now, at least until there is further study, administration officials said. It turned out that the proposal, which drew swift opposition, would have saved little money. The room, filled with employee and management organizations opposed to the change, applauded the news from Schwab, a former Republican state senator.[Associated Press, 3/7/03]

Labor Commissioners Business Had OSHA Violations. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday told his appointee for state labor commissioner, Jane Volz, that he wanted her resignation. He got it. Attempting to stamp out the first burning controversy of his young administration, Pawlenty said Volzs failure to pay mandatory workers compensation insurance for the employees at her law firm undermined her credibility to serve as head of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry -- the very agency that oversees the insurance programVolz, 42, of Lakeville, did not return phone messages. Earlier in the week, when she acknowledged her failure to pay for workers compensation coverage, she said it was an oversight, apologized to the governor and her former employees, and said she took full responsibility. In the days following Volzs admission, a number of lawmakers and labor officials said that a closer look at Pawlentys choice for labor commissioner made them suspect she might have a stealth agenda to weaken or eliminate labor regulations, including eliminating Minnesotas state-administered Occupational Safety and Health Administration and handing it back to federal regulators. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/1/03]

Benefits And Unemployment Compensation

OPPOSED MEASURE TO COLLECT BETTER UNEMPLOYMENT DATA
Pawlenty Vetoed Measure That Would Collect More Comprehensive Unemployment Information. According to Minnesota Public Radio, state lawmakers this past session approved a measure to collect the more comprehensive unemployment information but the measure was vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty, who said it duplicates data already supplied by the federal government. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/28/09]

OPPOSED MEASURE TO ALLOW WORKERS TO USE SICK LEAVE FOR RELATIVES

Pawlenty Vetoed A Bill To Allow Workers To Use Sick Leave To Care For Immediate Relatives. According to the Star Tribune, In previous action late Thursday, Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would allow workers to use their sick leave to care for immediate relatives. Pawlenty called such a proposal an unfunded mandate on hard-pressed local governments. The law currently allows workers to use their sick leave to care for ill or injured children. The bill he vetoed would have expanded that to allow use of sick leave for adult children, spouses, siblings, parents and stepparents, and grandparents. [Star Tribune, 5/17/08]

OPPOSED PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE FOR WORKERS LAID OFF BECAUSE OF 9/11
Pawlenty Helped Author Bill To Encourage More Affordable Housing By Reforming Welfare, Creating Business Enterprise Zones And Reworking Workers Compensation. According to the Star Tribune, Suburban IndependentRepublican legislators announced a plan Tuesday to bring more low-income housing to wealthier suburbs. The IR proposal includes a pilot project for scattered-site, low-income housing in Eden Prairie and removal of blighted housing in the inner cities. It also envisions an Express to Success Transit System to transport low-income city residents to jobs in the suburbs. Folded into the plan are familiar IR proposals that have a more indirect bearing on the problem. They include endorsement of Gov. Arne Carlsons welfare-to-work proposal, reductions in workers compensation and business property taxes and tax credits and business incentives to spur job creation. The IR metropolitan poverty reduction bill is the work of Reps. Tim Pawlenty of Eagan, Todd Van Dellen of Plymouth and Ron Abram of Minnetonka. All represent southern and western suburbs in the fastest-growing and most prosperous regions in the Twin Cities area. DFLers have singled out those areas for criticism, saying that they have benefited from development subsidies and incentives but failed to provide housing for lowincome people who are most in need of the many jobs created in the suburbs. The Star Tribune reported in March 1994 that the bill, with Tim Pawlenty, IR-Eagan, as chief sponsor, would encourage more affordable housing by reforming welfare, creating business enterprise zones and reworking workers compensation. [Star Tribune, 2/9/94; 3/27/94]

Government Workers
Pawlenty Called On Federal Salaries To Be Frozen, Despite An Effective Federal Pay Freeze. According to the Associated Press, in a campaign announcement Pawlenty said The truth is, people getting paid by the taxpayers shouldnt get a better deal than the taxpayers themselves. That means freezing federal salaries, transitioning federal employee benefits, and downsizing the federal work force as it retires. The Associated Press reported that A federal pay freeze is already in effect. Obama proposed and Congress approved a two-year freeze on the pay of federal employees, exempting the armed forces, Congress and federal courts. [Associated Press, 5/24/11] Pawlenty Wanted To Freeze Federal Salaries And Downsize The Federal Workforce. According to the Washington Post, Pawlenty said That means freezing federal salaries, transitioning federal employee benefits, and downsizing the federal workforce as it retires, [Washington Post, 05/23/11] Factcheck.Org: Pawlentys Claim That Government Jobs Increased, While Private Sector Employment Declined Was False. According to Factcheck.Org, [Pawlenty] was well off the mark when he said in a December op-ed for the Wall Street Journal that local, state and federal governments added 590,000 jobs since January 2008, while private sector employment had declined by millions. The private sector job loss, as of Pawlentys writing, was 7.3 million, but public sector jobs had also gone down not up, as Pawlenty claimed. Figures on government employment showed a loss of 118,000 jobs. It turns out Pawlenty got his information from a several months old blog post. [FactCheck.org, 05/23/11] Factcheck.Org: Pawlentys Claim That Federal Employees Received $123,049 In Pay And Benefits Was Misleading. According to Factcheck.Org, Pawlenty also repeated a popular and misleading conservative talking point when he said that [f]ederal employees receive an average of $123,049 annually in pay and benefits, twice the average of the private sector, also in that op-ed. The figures came from USA Today and the Cato Institute, but we found that the government pay and benefits included retiree health and life insurance benefits, and money Congress uses to cover unfunded liabilities for retirees. Also, the average federal worker has more education and experience than the average private sector worker, and these compensation figures fail to take that into account. [FactCheck.org, 05/23/11]

PAWLENTY WAS CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS

Public Employee Unions Are Striking Back At Pawlenty After He Criticized Them In An Op-Ed. According to MinnPost.com, Public employee unions are striking back at both the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has used chamber numbers to attack the public workforce. Pawlenty, in an article that has appeared in the Wall Street Journal and in the Star Tribune, claims that public employee unions have actually become the anti-unions of our times. [MinnPost.com, 12/14/10] Head Of AFSCME Council 5 Claimed Pawlenty Is Distorting Facts Regarding Compensation Of Public Employees, Since The Average AFSCME Employee Makes $38,000 A Year. According to MinnPost.com, Not surprisingly, neither Jim Monroe, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, nor Eliot Seide, who heads Council 5 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, is buying into Pawlentys argumentSeide says that the chamber and Pawlenty are painting a wildly distorted picture regarding compensation for public employees. For starters, he said the average AFSCME employee is being paid $38,000 a year and also claims that public workers in the state earn 4 percent less than private-sector employees when matched by education and experience. Thats because public workers have sacrificed wages for better benefits. With Pawlenty and the chamber, Seide says, the real agenda is to strip the entire working class of wages, benefits and pensions. [MinnPost.com, 12/14/10] Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Executive Director Said The Cheap Government Pawlenty Espouses Led To The I-35W Bridge Collapse. According to MinnPost.com, Not surprisingly, neither Jim Monroe, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, nor Eliot Seide, who heads Council 5 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, is buying into Pawlentys argumentMAPEs Monroe dismisses Pawlentys claims in a statement that essentially says the governor is a lapdog of the Chamber of Commerce. He even makes sarcastic references to the title of the governors forthcoming book, Courage to Stand: An American Story. Youve got to give Tim Pawlenty credit, Monroe wrote. He had the courage to stand with the Chamber of Commerce

for eight years. He had the raw courage to veto bill after bill that would have raised revenue needed to balance Minnesotas budget. Monroe says that cheap government that Pawlenty espouses, led to the collapse of the I-35W bridge. [MinnPost.com, 12/14/10] AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director: Pawlenty Criticized Public Employees Because He Marches Lockstep To The Drumbeat Of Cheap-Labor Conservatives Who Want To Gut The Essential Public Services While Protecting Wall Street And Greedy CEOs. According to an op-ed by Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5 which is Minnesotas largest union of public employees, for the Star Tribune, Its no surprise that president wannabe Tim Pawlenty urged governments to take on their unionized employees in Mondays Wall Street Journal column, reprinted Tuesday in the Star Tribune (Public-sector unions burden the taxpayer). He wants government to lead a race to the bottom thats bad for our economy and for the entire working class Pawlenty marches lockstep to the drumbeat of cheap-labor conservatives, who pit private workers against public workers. Their real agenda is to strip all workers of their wages, benefits and retirement. They want to gut the essential public services while protecting Wall Street and greedy CEOs. [Eliot Seide op-ed, Star Tribune, 12/16/10]

Pawlenty Argued For Switching Public Employee Unions From Defined-Benefit To Defined-Contribution Retirement Plans. According to an op-ed by Tim Pawlenty in the Wall Street Journal, we need to end defined-benefit retirement plans for government employees. Defined-benefit systems have created a financial albatross for taxpayers. The private sector dropped them years ago in favor of the clarity and predictability of defined-contribution models such as 401(k) plans. This change alone can save taxpayers trillions of dollars. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Wall Street Journal, 12/13/10] Pawlenty Called The Rise Of Government Unions An Inside Job Engineered By Self-Interested Politicians And Fueled By Campaign Contributions. According to an op-ed by Tim Pawlenty in the Wall Street Journal, The rise of government unions has been like a silent coup, an inside job engineered by self-interested politicians and fueled by campaign contributions. Public employee unions contribute mightily to the campaigns of liberal politicians ($91 million in the midterm elections alone) who vote to increase government pay and workers. As more government employees join the unions and pay dues, the union bosses pour ever more money and energy into liberal campaigns. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Wall Street Journal, 12/13/10] Pawlenty: The Public Employee Unions Would Stick A Shiv In All Of Us If They Could. According to the LA Times, The main opponent mentioned at the Republican Governors Assn. conference here described in terms ranging from misguided to downright evil is the other party, the Democrats. But running a close second are the public employee unions, particularly the teachers unions. Frankly, said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the public employee unions would stick a shiv in all of us if they could. [LA Times, 11/19/10] Pawlenty: Federal Employees Shouldnt Be Paid More Than The Taxpayers Paying Their Salaries. The New Republican Congress Should Freeze Federal Employees Salaries During Recession. According to Tim Pawlentys facebook page, he posted a link to his facebook profile that said, USA Today reports that the number of Federal workers making more than $150k has doubled under Obama. More proof that Washington is out-of-control. Federal employees shouldnt be paid more than the taxpayers paying their salaries. The new Republican Congress should freeze Federal employees salaries during recession. [Tim Pawlenty facebook status, 11/10/10, accessed 07/05/12, linked article] Pawlenty Said There Is A Silent Coup By Public Employees Unions Who Are Overpaid And Over-Benefited. According to an interview on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Pawlenty said, In my view, whats really going on is you have now Mr. Big, in the form of big business, big unions, and big government coalescing together to basically screw everybody else. And you know, theres a silent coup, by my view, by many public employee unions. They used to be underpaid and overbenefited; now theyre overpaid and over-benefited, compared to most of their private sector counterparts. So we should be-there is a role for government to do many of the important things that we can all agree on, but the bottom line, truth of the matter, is this: most of the spending pressure is coming from a couple of categories: its the entitlement programs, its publicly subsidized health care, and a few other things. And the question is going to be: is the country ready for the truth: again, not as a matter of rhetoric, not as a matter of political BS, but a matter of mathematical truth. Last year the federal government took in 2.2 trillion dollars, they spent 3.5 trillion. The countrys got at least $70 trillion in LT unfunded liabilities. [Daily Show with Jon Stewart, 6/11/10] Pawlenty Called For Reform Of Public Workers Compensation Packages And Benefits Saying They Were Inflated. According to Politico, Schwarzeneggers political judgment reflects a growing national consensus that public sector unions may be at their most vulnerable point ever. The public mood is clearly changing regarding these issues, said

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty, a likely 2012 presidential candidate, boasts of weathering a 44-day bus strike in 2004, the longest in the nations history, and recalled that during that knockdown, drag-out brawl, he shored up support by telling the public that bus drivers under one version of their contract could get retirement benefits for the rest of their lives after working for just 15 years. If you inform the public and workers in the private sector about the inflated benefits and compensation packages of public employees, and then you remind the taxpayers that theyre footing the bill for that they get on the reform train pretty quickly, he told POLITICO. [Politico, 6/6/10] Pawlenty: Public Employees Are Are Over-Benefited And Overpaid Compared To Their Private-Sector Counterparts. According to The Post-Bulletin, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that public employees are over-benefited and overpaid compared to their private-sector counterparts, so cutting school employee salaries and benefits are a key to solving the states education funding challenges. It used to be that public employees were underpaid and over-benefited. Now they are over-benefited and overpaid compared to their private-sector counterparts, he told a crowd gathered in Plainview on Thursday morning. Pawlenty spoke to the Plainview Chamber of Commerce during a swing through southeastern Minnesota. The Republican governor made the comments after Plainview-Elgin-Millville Superintendent Gary Kuphal asked Pawlenty what his long-term solution is for education funding. Kuphal said his district has cut $1.35 million over the last two years. School after school, PEM included, has gone through budget cuts and budget reductions and in the near future, it looks like we may have to do it again, he said. Pawlenty quizzed Kuphal on whether employees received a salary increase. Kuphal said the district approved a total benefits package increase of $200,000 for two years. The governor told the crowd that public employee benefits, salaries and entitlements need to be brought under control. He also reiterated his call for linking teachers pay to student performance. He asked, I dont know about you, but do you get paid for how many years youve been on the dairy farm, or what you produce? Finally, he said the state has to wrestle control of spending for special services, welfare and subsidized health care, which he said is growing rapidly and is consuming almost all of the financial oxygen in the country. [The Post-Bulletin, 4/29/10]

MADE QUESTIONABLE CLAIMS ABOUT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

PolitiFact: Pawlenty Claimed Federal Employees Make Twice The Average Salary Of Private Sector Employees, Even Though We [Previously] Ruled A Less Precisely Worded Version Of This Statistic False. According to PolitiFact, In the Dec. 13, 2010, edition of the Wall Street Journal, outgoing Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- a potential contender in the 2012 Republican presidential primary -- wrote a column that blasted public-employee unions. Pawlenty wrote that government employees, especially those who are unionized, have become unfairly advantaged compared to private-sector workers, through a silent coup, an inside job engineered by self-interested politicians and fueled by campaign contributions. Across the country, at every level of government, the pattern is the same: Unionized public employees are making more money, receiving more generous benefits, and enjoying greater job security than the working families forced to pay for it with ever-higher taxes, deficits and debt, Pawlenty wrote. He even repeated what has become a major Republican talking point -that federal employees receive an average of $123,049 annually in pay and benefits, twice the average of the private sector. (In November, we ruled a less precisely worded version of this statistic False.) [PolitiFact, 12/16/10] PolitiFact: Pawlentys Assertion That The Government Added 590,000 Since January 2008 Was Problematic And So Compromised That We Rate His Statement Pants On Fire! According to PolitiFact, responding to a December 13, 2010 Wall Street Journal op-ed by Tim Pawlenty, PolitiFact wrote, We thought wed take a look at one of the cornerstones of Pawlentys column -- his contention that the private sector lost nearly 8 million jobs while government added 590,000. To see if he was right, we turned to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which calculates a wide range of labor and employment statistics on a monthly basis. In January 2008, total private-sector employment in the United States stood at 115,562,000. By November 2010, the most current month available, that number had sunk to 108,278,000 -- a drop of roughly 7.3 million jobs. That pretty close to the nearly 8 million figure that Pawlenty cited. (Almost two-thirds of those job losses, incidentally, happened while George W. Bush was president.) But Pawlentys public-sector figures were problematic. The BLS has a category called government employment -- which encapsulates local, state and federal employment, just as Pawlenty had defined it. Over the same period, the number of government jobs went from 22,379,000 to 22,261,000 -- a decrease of 118,000, rather than an increase of 590,000, as Pawlenty had written Not only did he apparently mangle the time frame, contradict his own definition of federal workers and fail to acknowledge the huge caveat of Census worker hiring, he also repeated a statistic that had been criticized as inaccurate as long as six months ago. (Another politician who got caught by PolitiFact Ohio was the incoming House Speaker, John Boehner, ROhio.) And in the context of his column, the job numbers comment was more than a throwaway line. The comparison of job growth he made -- which showed the size of the federal workforce going in exactly the opposite direction as it did in

reality -- is a key pillar supporting the premise of his column, that government work is the only booming industry left in our economy. Pawlentys number is so compromised that we rate his statement Pants on Fire! [PolitiFact, 12/16/10] Minnesota 2020: Pawlentys Assertion That Public Employees Are Over-Benefited And Overpaid Is Wrong, Of Course. According to the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that public employees, specifically teachers, are over-benefited and overpaid and need to have their incomes cut. Pawlenty answered a question from PlainviewElgin-Millville Superintendent Gary Kuphal while speaking to the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. Kuphal asked him about his long-term solution for education funding. As reported in the Post-Bulletin, the governor said public employee benefits, salaries and entitlements need to be brought under control. It used to be that public employees were underpaid and overbenefited. Now they are over-benefited and overpaid compared to their private-sector counterparts, he said. So Pawlenty is saying teachers are overpaid and need to make less money. According to the National Education Association, Minnesota ranks 24th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in average teacher salary in 2008-09 with a salary of $51,938. When asked why nearly half of all teachers leave their first hiring posts within five years, most say its due to Minnesotas average $33,018 salary for starting teachers, 25th in the nation in 2007-08. Pawlenty is wrong, of course, but that hardly matters. What matters is that people hear the governor say things like this and then start to believe he might be right. A conversation about facts isnt Pawlentys goal. He simply wants to dictate what we talk about and how we talk about it Minnesotas historically strong K-12 education system has been cut by 14 percent since Pawlenty took office in 2003. For a host of reasons, including the fact that teachers deserve to be paid like the professionals they are, this cannot be allowed to continue. Not everyone bought into Pawlentys answer. The Post-Bulletin reporter Heather Carlson asked Kuphal what he thought of Pawlentys answer. It was a non-answer. I really didnt hear anything that I hadnt heard before. He was kind of stating a position without offering a solution, he said. I had hoped for more. [Twin Cities Daily Planet, Minnesota 2020s John Fitzgerald, 5/5/10]

PAWLENTY PUSHED PRIVATIZATION

2005: Pawlenty Proposed Eliminating 1,285 State Government Jobs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday announced an overhaul of state government designed to make it more efficient, improve delivery of services and save money The plan would eliminate 1,285 state government jobs over seven years, Pawlenty said. With 47 percent of the states roughly 50,000 employees scheduled to retire in the next decade, he said he expects to reduce those positions through attrition, not by layoffs. But the budget he proposed for the next two years assumes 890 jobs would be eliminated. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/5/05] 2004: Pawlenty At Least Seems Intrigued By Outsourcing State Data Handing To Private Businesses. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Can the state of Minnesota save money by outsourcing its data handling to private enterprise? Gov. Tim Pawlenty at least seems intrigued by the question. Last week, he peppered Unisys CEO Larry Weinbach with questions about the companys technology outsourcing capabilities at its facilities in Eagan, where Unisys already handles public sector IT work. The company works for clients that include the state of Pennsylvania, Los Angeles County and the city of Minneapolis on its army of server computers. But both state and company officials downplayed any thought that the state of Minnesota might farm out its information technology work. State law says an agency cannot outsource work unless it can certify that no state employee is available and able to do the work, said Dan Wolter, Pawlentys director of communications. Thats always perceived as one of the biggest barriers to outsourcing state work, he said. In March, Pawlenty directed state agencies to consider keeping work in the United States when awarding contracts after lawmakers criticized two contracts that sent call center and programming work for the Department of Human Services to India. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/22/04] 2003: Pawlenty Proposed Increased Privatization Of State Work And Called Law Preventing Outsourcing If It Would Result In Job Losses For State Workers Stupid. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Last week, as he proposed cost-saving corrections to the fiscal 2003 state budget, Gov. Tim Pawlenty reserved his sternest tone for condemnation of an obscure statute concerning contracts with nongovernmental service providers - a practice called outsourcing. Minnesotans need to know that we have a law on the books that prevents us from saving money, Pawlenty said. Its a stupid law. It needs to be changed. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/22/03] 2002: Pawlenty Promised To Push For Outsourcing And Privatization Of State Work. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty intended to push for changes that include performance pay for teachers, outsourcing and privatizing some state functions, replacing state-funded social programs with private or nonprofit providers, and tax breaks for charitable giving and for businesses that invest in distressed areas. [Star Tribune, 10/24/02]

1995: Pawlenty Voted Against Privatization. According to the Star Tribune, during the 2002 campaign, Pawlentys Republican primary opponent, Brian Sullivan, criticized Pawlenty for voting against an amendment in 1995 that would have required that 10 percent of state government work be performed by private contractors. [Star Tribune, 3/1/02]

DURING 2005 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, WORKERS LOST PAY AND VACATION TIME
Government Shutdown Cost State Employees More Than $10 Million. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesotas government shutdown and the Legislatures special session have cost more than $12 million, and the 8,900 state employees who were locked out of their jobs bore most of that price. State employees contributed $10.1 million worth of either lost pay or vacation time during the shutdown, state Employee Relations Commissioner Cal Ludeman said Monday. You could also say the state lost $10 million worth of productivity on the part of those employees. [Pioneer Press, 7/12/05] Nearly 9,000 Workers Lost Wages During The Shutdown. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the 8,883 state employees who were locked out of their jobs since July 1 started returning to work [on July 10, 2005], and closed state services were reopening, after the government shutdown ended on July 10, 2005. The report noted that the biggest losers in the shutdown were the state employees -- about one-fifth of the state workforce -- who lost about one weeks wages. The budget agreement does not provide back pay for those employees, but unions representing most of those workers will try to make our members whole in contract negotiations that will resume in about a week, said Jim Monroe, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. Most of those employees will be able to take vacation pay to cover wages they lost during the shutdown, but 1,150 didnt have any accrued vacation. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/10/05] Pawlenty Offered Only Partial Reparations For Lost Wages. According to the Star Tribune, Imagine that your employer shut down your worksite with little warning and you were off work for more than a week, left to use up your vacation time or simply go without pay. Months later, the employer offers to compensate you for half the time lost. Is that a good deal or a bad deal? State workers said Friday they would reluctantly give a tentative acceptance of just such an offer from Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as partial reparations for last summers state government shutdown. Union leaders lambasted Pawlenty as a bad employer and said the offer has left morale among employees in the toilet. [Star Tribune, 1/14/06] Pawlenty Twice Said He Was Open To Reimbursing State Employees For Shutdown. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, During the partial government shutdown, Pawlenty twice said he was open to considering some means for the state to reimburse employees who went without pay or claimed vacation pay for days they were involuntarily out of their jobs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/30/05] But No Money For Reimbursing Employees Included In State Budget. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, although Pawlenty and legislators discussed putting money into the budget to do that, but they ultimately did not. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/30/05]

Union Agreement In 2005 Did Not Provide Payback For Workers. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the state employees contract that was negotiated in July 2005 do not provide any payback for the approximately 9,000 employees who were forced to take vacation time or go without pay early this month when a budget impasse led to a 13-day partial shutdown of state government. But the unions and state negotiators agreed to talk about that approximately $10 million issue with a dispute-resolution facilitator in September. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/30/05]

PAWLENTY TARGETED AND OFTEN FROZE SALARIES FOR STATE WORKERS

2009: Pawlenty Administration Reached Deal To Freeze State Worker Salaries For 2 Years. According to the Associated Press, state workers wages would be frozen for the next two years under a tentative contract agreement reached [on April 22, 2009] between the state and the two largest unions representing public employees in Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Brian McClung, spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty, said that although the agreement is silent on the issue of furloughs, state government retains the right to impose them in the event of a fiscal crisis. However, the report noted that unions were telling their members that the agreement did not include required unpaid furloughs. [Associated Press, 4/23/09; Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/23/09]

Pawlenty Wanted Option To Freeze Pay Of State Workers And Order Unpaid Furloughs. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gov. Pawlenty said that hed like the option of ordering up to 48 days of unpaid furlough for state workers over two years and wants all government employees -- state and local -- to submit to a pay freeze over that time. Pawlenty said that if he could wring such a furlough concession from the states unions, he would include nonunion workers -- including his own commissioners -- in it. I think its a good idea.Lets face it, public employees have it pretty good in terms of what they get paid, benefits, conditions of their employment. I do not think its too much to ask to have a pay freeze. In addition, the ability to have some furloughs to avoid layoffs or avoid more layoffs would be a wise thing. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/14/09]

2009: State Employees Union Called On Pawlenty To Collect Unpaid Fees And Debt Owed To The State To Save $240 Million Over The Next Two-Years Instead Of Targeting State Workers. According to KARE-11 (Twin Cities), the Minnesota Associated of Professional Employees, the states second largest public employees union, called on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to pursue unpaid fees and other outstanding debt which the Department of Revenue isnt actively collecting. The union claimed that it could save $240 million over the next two-year budget cycle, during which Pawlenty has proposed making cuts to public employees payroll. In addition, the union said that the state could also shave $110 million off the 20102011 budget by eliminated excess management in those divisions the union considers too top heavy. Pawlentys office claimed that the debt could not be collected due to situations were the debt was discharged in bankruptcy court, the debt cannot be substantiated, or other similar reasons. [KARE-11 (Twin Cities, MN), 5/6/09] July 2009: MN State Workers Union Said They Are Still Waiting To Hear Back From Pawlenty About Their Proposal To Trim $356 Million From The State Budget. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, A proposal from a state workers union to trim $356 million from the state budget went to Gov. Tim Pawlenty in May. The union, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, is still waiting to hear from the governor. We hand-delivered it and called for a meeting, MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe said last week. Were still waiting for that meeting -- Im threatening to follow him around the country. Monroe said state workers took up the challenge after hearing Republican Pawlenty in April on one of his weekly radio shows. The governor said that the public employee unions, and the spenders and the DFL should quit coming up with the tax increase of the week or the day idea and focus on how we can reduce our spending. We took him at his word, Monroe said last week in an interview, as MAPE officials are now traversing the state to meet with local union members and the media. Pawlenty, saying the 2009 Legislature didnt complete its work by giving him a budget with no tax increases, signed into law spending bills that caused a $3 billion gap between revenues and spending. He unilaterally balanced the budget with line-item vetoes, spending shifts and unallotment of allocated spending. [Bemidji Pioneer, 7/26/09] Bemidji Pioneer Editorial: Pawlenty Should Listen To State Unions Proposals To Reform State Government Without Placing The Burden On Vulnerable Minnesotans Or Property Taxpayers. According to an editorial in the Bemidji Pioneer, Much has been said about Gov. Tim Pawlentys unilateral move to balance the state budget to close a $3 billion budget gap with line-time vetoes, delayed payments and unallotments. He called for public input on how to close that gap, and presumably had many suggestions from Minnesotans. Still, we cant help but believe that he essentially ruled as out of hand a significant suggestion by state union workers that could cut as much as $350 million from state spending -- savings that wouldnt have put more Minnesotans in jeopardy of losing their health insurance, or local governments scrambling to make up state aid losses by cutting essential services or raising property taxes or forcing program decisions that affect the states most vulnerable citizens. As early as last May, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, as outlined elsewhere in this edition, proposed savings in state spending without raising taxes that would have prevented Gov. Pawlenty from unalloting $350 million elsewhere in the budget. Union officials handdelivered the pitch to the governors office, but as yet have not heard from him. Instead of seeking ways to cut or furlough state workers, the Pawlenty administration should be listening to them as they offer ways to reform state government without placing the burden on vulnerable Minnesotans or property taxpayers. [Editorial, Bemidji Pioneer, 7/26/09]

2003: Pawlenty Proposed Freezing Wages For All Public Employees, Including Teachers. According to the Associated Press, [Republican House Speaker Steve] Sviggum said Pawlentys proposal to freeze wages of all public employees also has been a concern among Republicans in his caucus. The freeze would apply even to those employed by school districts and local governments, which the state does not directly control. [Associated Press, 2/22/03] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Proposal To Freeze Local Government Employees Wages Runs Roughshod Over Local Control, And Makes Little Political Sense. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum is right: The Legislature ought not order every city, county, township and school district in

the state to freeze their employees wages. Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to do so runs roughshod over local control, and makes little political sense. Further, the governors demand that the Legislature outlaw any state employee wage increases makes little labor-relations sense. The Legislature should think twice before pulling out its statutory guns to force its will on public employee bargaining this year. Sviggum did not say that local government employees should get raises in this, the most severe fiscal crisis in state government history; neither do we. Public employee wage adjustments should rise and fall with government revenue, just as private employee compensation reflects employers profits...Local elected officials are best positioned to know and deal with local governments fiscal imperatives. Thats their sworn duty. It is neither the obligation nor the forte of legislators. As Sviggum said on declaring his opposition to a statutory local employee wage freeze, he was not elected to be state representative, city councilor and county commissioner all at once. State officials have little choice but to make decisions this year that will disappoint able, dedicated, politically savvy public workers. They should want local elected officials to make some too. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/24/03] Pawlenty Sought To Double Health Care Premiums For State Employees. According to the Associated Press, Pawlentys offer to the state employees would freeze pay scales for two years. It would also raise health care costs for many workers by nearly doubling the premium for family coverage and increasing the maximum yearly out-of-pocket costs employees could pay from $2,200 to $5,000. [Associated Press, 10/9/03] Unions Considered Strike Due To 2003 Labor Negotiations. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A labor mediator has called the state of Minnesota and its two largest unions back to the bargaining table starting Thursday. State mediator Pat Harrington scheduled the contract talks after informal meetings Thursday at the Bureau of Mediation Services among negotiators for Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration and representatives of Council 6 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. The sides havent returned to the table since negotiations broke off Aug. 14. On Monday, union leaders announced their members had voted to reject the states latest offer and authorize a strike. No strike date was set. The biggest sticking point is health care benefits. The state wants its employees to pick up a bigger share of the costs through higher premiums, co-payments and deductibles. Union leaders argue that since the state isnt offering any cost-of-living wage increases, the increased health costs would effectively result in pay cuts for many workers. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/3/03]

2005 Labor Agreement Included 4 Percent Wage Increases Over Two Years. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Many Minnesota state employees who received no cost-of-living pay raises in the past two years will get 2 percent increases this year and next under contract offers union negotiators tentatively approved early Friday. Typically the wage increases won by the two big public employees unions, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, set a pattern for raises negotiated by other state unions and the raises awarded to nonunion workers. If that pattern holds true this year, the 2 percent cost-of-living raises -- combined with bigger annual raises that more than half the unionized employees will receive for longevity and performance -- will cost the state about $140 million over the two years, said Cal Ludeman, Minnesotas commissioner of employee relations. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/30/05]

PAWLENTY INSULATED HIS OWN STAFF AND APPOINTEES FROM BUDGET CUTS
Pawlenty Opposed Legislation To Eliminate Jobs For His Political Appointees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation on April 24, 2009 to eliminate the jobs of many Pawlenty political appointees across state agencies, which would save $16.5 million. Brian McClung, Pawlentys spokesman criticized the bill because, he said, it should treat staff in the executive branch and the Legislature fairly and not single out a certain group of employees. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/24/09] Pawlenty Spread Out The Cost Of His Employees Over State Agencies To Reduce Gubernatorial Budget. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty now uses his executive authority to spread out the cost of some of his employeesa practice that has made the governors budget look leaner. According to the report, roughly $500,000 would reappear as gubernatorial spending in the budget if Pawlentys staff at various departments were counted as part of the Governors budget. [Associated Press, 4/8/09]

Pawlenty Complained That The Legislatures Budget Plan Cut His Staff And The Use Of A State Car By The Lieutenant Governor. According to a letter in the Albert Lea Tribune to legislators negotiating Minnesotas 2011-2012 budget, Gov. Tim Pawlenty complained that the budget includes provisions that impede the executive branches ability to manage its internal affairs and carry out its responsibilities. According to Pawlenty, these provisions include significant reductions in policy-level agency positions, as well as a provision prohibiting the use of a state car by the lieutenant governor. Pawlenty complained that the provisions represent an excessive infringement by the legislative branch upon the executive branchs ability to manage and operate the executive branch. [Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Albert Lea Tribune (MN), 5/5/09]

FAILED TO ENFORCE HIS OWN HIRING FREEZE

Report Found That State Hiring Continued Despite Pawlentys Executive Order Instituting A Hiring Freeze, Pawlentys Office Did Little To Monitor Or Enforce The Freeze. According to The Star Tribune, about a year after Gov. Tim Pawlenty imposed a hiring freeze on state government to help combat budget problems, the state government work force has actually grown, according to a report on Minnesota Public Radio. The report noted that there were nearly 5,100 hires compared with roughly 4,800 positions that were vacated in the past 15 months Pawlenty issued his executive order to restrict hiring on Feb. 19, 2008. The executive order said that positions that become vacant from now until this directive is rescinded should be left unfilled in every possible case. The report said no one within Pawlentys office or the budget agency is policing the hires to see if they should be prevented under the executive order, according to the report. [Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), 5/14/09] Pawlenty Ordered Review Of Hiring Procedures After Failing To Enforce Own Hiring Freeze, Said There Would Be Significant Layoffs. According to Minnesota Public Radio, As a result of the Minnesota Public Radio News story, Gov. Pawlenty ordered finance officials to review and improve the process used to monitor new hires, reported Minnesota Public Radio. Pawlenty said, Its pretty clear that some of the paperwork and some of the review of the decisions was not as aggressive as we would like. Were moving towards a harder freeze with different procedures and because of that and also because of these budget decisions, there will be significant layoffs. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/14/09]

2008: Pawlenty Ordered A Soft Hiring Freeze By State Agencies. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Facing a budget deficit, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today ordered a soft hiring freeze by state agencies. Positions that become vacant from now until this directive is rescinded should be left unfilled in every possible case, Pawlenty wrote in a memo to state department heads. He took the action to start addressing a $373 million budget shortfall that is likely to grow when a new revenue forecast is issued Feb. 28 Some critical positions, such as prison guards, tax enforcement officials and emergency management staff, will have to be filled to protect public safety and support critical government functions, he wrote. But every new hire must be justified to Employee Relations Commissioner Patricia Anderson. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/08]

UNDERCUT STATE WORKERS

Union Sued Pawlenty For Using Prisoners To Do Jobs Of State Workers. According to the Associated Press, The biggest state employees union sued Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration Tuesday over a highway cleanup effort, saying prisoners are performing duties that should fall to state workers. The lawsuit from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says offenders in the sentencing-to-serve program are being used as outside consultants and that state agencies should have determined whether state employees could do the work. The suit was filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court. [Associated Press, 4/26/05] Pawlentys Administration Paid Deloitte Consulting $2.5 Million To Find Opportunities To Save Money, And Expressed Hope That Money Could Be Saved By Cutting Jobs. According to the Star Tribune, Within state government, the idea that agencies might save money if they band together to do such things as purchase software licenses, administer online professional exams and issue consumer permits is so new that Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff, Dan McElroy, summoned reporters last week to discuss it. He announced that the Pawlenty administration has found $2.5 million in a squeaky-tight budget to hire Deloitte Consulting to identify opportunities for cross-agency information technology cost savings, in time for the 2005 Legislature In the long term, the administration hopes to reap personnel savings by not

replacing a portion of the 47 percent of the states workforce that is scheduled to retire in the next nine years. [Star Tribune, 9/17/04] Pawlenty Proposed Allowing State Supervisors To Order Unpaid Leave For Employees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty proposed amend[ing] state law to allow state supervisors to order employees to take unpaid leaves of up to two weeks. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/7/03] Pawlenty Sought To Require Performance Pay For State Workers. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty has pledged to shake up government by paying state agencies based on how well they do their jobs. The agencies would set goals and measures, and be rewarded for reaching themThroughout his campaign, and as he builds his new administration, Pawlenty has talked about using pay-for-performance as a tool for reining in the state budget deficit. Pawlenty hasnt laid out specific plans, but some of his commissioners already are looking into itA lot of people think, Well reward a program that is doing well, said Ronald Snell, director of the economic division of the National Conference of State Legislatures. The question isnt that simple. If an agency is doing what its supposed to do already, why would you reward it with more money? Conversely, if a program isnt doing what its supposed to do - say a drug rehabilitation program in a prison - does it mean it is poorly managed? Does it mean its underfunded? [Star Tribune, 12/24/02] Pawlenty Had A Poor Record On Labor In State Legislature. According to the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, While business leaders are excited [about Pawlentys election to the governorship], those who represent workers arent. As of January, 1,100 flight attendants, at Eagan-based Northwest Airlines Corp. will be laid off, and Republican leaders likely wont go out of their way to help them, said Mollie Reiley, trustee for the Teamsters Local 2000. For those of us trying to protect the rights of workers, it is really a blow, she said. Diane OBrien, spokeswoman for the Minnesota AFL-CIO, said Pawlentys votes against ergonomic standards in the workplace and increasing the minimum wage demonstrate his anti-worker record: He voted against important working-family issues 94 percent of the time this year, she said. Its clear that business supported Pawlenty as a candidate, but whether thats going to be good for workers remains to be seen. [Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, 11/8/02]

National Labor Relations Board

Pawlenty Said The National Labor Relations Boards Complaint Against Boeing Was Outrageous And Compared The Decision To The Soviet Union. According to The Progressive, Tim Pawlenty criticized the National Labor Relations Boards complaint against Boeing for retaliating against its union employees, reports The Hill The NLRB decision and what they are saying to an American economy as to where and how they can do business is outrageous, said Pawlenty on Fox News. This is not the Soviet Union circa 1970s or 1960s or 5Os. [The Progressive, 9/2011]

Pensions
2010: Pawlenty Signed A Pension Reform Plan That Was Immediately Taken To Court. According to the Associated Press, Two retired public employees filed a class action suit Monday against Minnesota officials, protesting pension cuts that the Legislature approved last week. The suit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, contends that the changes violate the retirees contractual rights to benefits that were promised when they retired. The changes are part of a larger pension package that Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed into law the lawsuit only affects about 65,000 former public employees who already have retired and are receiving pensions, said Susan Coler, an attorney representing the former employees. The suit alleges that millions of dollars in promised benefits are at stake. Under the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota, a retired employee who receives an annual $30,548 pension this year could lose about $28,000 in anticipated benefits over the next decade because of the changes. [Associated Press, 5/17/10] A Lawsuit Challenging Pension Legislation Pawlenty Signed Into Law Was Kept Alive After Lawyers From The Attorney Generals Office Asked For A Judgment. According to the American Banker, A Minnesota judge this week kept alive a lawsuit filed by retirees against the states public pension funds that challenges legislation enacted earlier this year curbing benefit increases for current retirees. At a hearing Wednesday, Ramsey County District Court Judge Gregg Johnson put off issuing a judgment in the case as requested by lawyers from the attorney generals office, which is representing the defendants. The defendants include the state, the pension funds, their top managers, and Gov.

Tim Pawlenty Johnson said discovery can continue in the case that was filed May 17 after state legislation was enacted limiting future benefit increases for participants in the funds covering teachers, state employees and local government employees. The lawsuit argues the legislation violates both state and federal laws governing contractual obligations and the taking of private property for public use. The complaint contends that the average employee in one of the funds stands to lose $28,000 in benefits over the next 10 years as a result of the new law. Lawyers are seeking class action status to represent an estimated 75,000 retirees. [American Banker, 9/17/10] 2010: Pawlenty Threatened To Veto A Pension Reform Bill, But Said He Would Hold It For A Few Days Until We See How The [Budget] Negotiations Go. According to a blog associated with the Star Tribune, A day after signaling his intention to veto a government pension overhaul, Gov. Tim Pawlenty adopted a different strategy. Pawlenty at a press conference Thursday indicated the pension change could become a variable in negotiations to resolve a stalemate between Republicans and DFLers over balancing the state budget. Its on my desk, Pawlenty said of the pension package. Im going to hold it for a few days until we see how the negotiations go. [Star Tribune, Hot Dish Politics blog, 5/13/10] Pawlenty Reversed His Original Stance And Signed An Omnibus Pension Bill Into Law. According to Politics in Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty reversed his original stance in opposition to the omnibus pension bill and signed it 18 minutes before the midnight deadline. After the House and Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, Pawlentys spokesman Brian McClung said the bill would be vetoed. McClung told PIM the bill lacks significant reform and places costs on local government among other concerns. Shortly before Pawlenty signed the bill, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said Republicans in the Legislature had intervened on the bills behalf. Pawlenty needed to act on the bill by midnight because it was presented to him three days ago. Ive been told hes been asked by the minority caucus to sign it. Thats a rumor, Pogemiller said. The bill addresses long-term shortfalls in state pensions by increasing employer and employee contributions and reducing the increase in retiree benefits. [Politics in Minnesota, 5/16/10]

2005: Pawlenty Signed Bill To Fix Pension Deficit, Law Took Bigger Bite Out Of Employee Paychecks. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, This week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to sign the last act passed by the Minnesota Legislature during its recent special session -- a pension bill that will cost Minnesota cities, counties and school districts $87 million over five years and take a bigger bite out of the paychecks of nearly 150,000 public employees without increasing their benefits. The additional money will head off projected deficits in two big pension funds[Gary Carlson, a lobbyist for the League of Minnesota Cities] said the additional pension costs would create some pressure to increase property taxes and provide pay raises for affected employees. Some cities might reduce other costs by increasing productivity or laying off workers. Others wont have the luxury of avoiding a property tax increase, he said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/25/05] Some Unions Said Workers Were Shortchanged In Pension Fix. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, a union leader says workers will get shortchanged under the new law. Shane Allers, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 284, said most of the funding gap should have been filled by the state, which raided PERA for a budget-crisis bailout in the 1980s, and local governments that paid reduced pension contributions from 1984 to 2001. Local 284 represents about 9,000 school cooks, bus drivers, custodians, secretaries and other nonteaching support staff. It looks like they were trying to balance this on the backs of the lowest-paid workers in the system, Allers said. Its money out of their paychecks, and their paychecks arent very big to start with. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/25/05] Pawlenty Signed A Pensions Bill That Will Cost Minnesota Cities, Counties And School Districts $87 Million Over Five Years And Take A Bigger Bite Out Of The Paychecks Of Nearly 150,000 Public Employees Without Increasing Their Benefits. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, This week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to sign the last act passed by the Minnesota Legislature during its recent special session -- a pension bill that will cost Minnesota cities, counties and school districts $87 million over five years and take a bigger bite out of the paychecks of nearly 150,000 public employees without increasing their benefits. The additional money will head off projected deficits in two big pension funds The bill increases employee and employer contributions to the Public Employee Retirement Association pension funds. State officials have known for more than a decade that those contributions, combined with investment income, would not be enough to cover future pension obligations. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/25/05]

Other Labor Issues

Pawlenty Signed A Bill Extending Unemployment Benefits To More Than 3,000 Minnesotans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A bill extending unemployment benefits for more than 3,000 Minnesotans cleared the Minnesota House

on Thursday, and has been sent to Gov. Tim Pawlenty for his expected signature. The bill, the first passed by the Legislature this year, affects about 10 percent of unemployed Minnesotans who have used up state unemployment benefits but dont qualify for a federal extension. About 3,000 out-of-work people would be eligible immediately, and about 150 more people could qualify every week for the foreseeable future, according to its chief House sponsor, state Rep. Tim Mahoney, DFL-St. Paul. Pawlenty supports the legislation and looks forward to signing the bill as soon as possible, according to his spokesman, Brian McClung. According to the Star Tribune, Last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a law that will extend state benefits to 33 weeks for jobless Minnesotans who are ineligible for the federal extension. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/29/09; Star Tribune, 2/7/09] February 2009: Facing A Draining Unemployment Trust Fund, Minnesota Could Borrow From The Federal Government. According to the Star Tribune, With the nations jobless rate scraping the rafters at 7.6 percent, Minnesota officials confirmed that the states unemployment benefit trust fund is on course to run out around Christmas. The scenario would send the state scurrying to the feds to borrow cash so that payments to laid-off Minnesotans can continue. The state paid out $1 billion in unemployment insurance benefits in 2008 and had about $500 million left in the trust fund as of Jan. 1. But thousands more claims are on the way. Minnesotas unemployment rate hit a staggering 6.9 percent in December as more manufacturers, construction firms and retailers let workers go. Officials expect about $1.3 billion in unemployment claims this year, which would leave a $30 million deficit by year end, said Lee Nelson, the chief attorney for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Nelson and other state officials downplayed the significance of having to tap federal funds. The state and federal unemployment insurance programs were designed to work in tandem and have been used together many times to see laid-off workers through lean times, they said Minnesota tapped the federal unemployment benefit trust fund in 1975, 1984 through 1986, and from 2002 to 2005, Morell said. In 1984, the deficit was close to $1 billion based on todays dollar. And as recently as March 2003, we were $443 million in debt, Nelson said. The federal trust fund operates like a rolling credit line and is paid back over time from the unemployment insurance taxes that roll in quarterly from corporations. Should the pressures of this recession dry up state and federal trust funds, Nelson said, the state would borrow directly from the U.S. Treasury. [Star Tribune, 2/7/09]

Pawlenty Vetoed A Bill To Prevent FedEx From Classifying Its Drivers As Independent Contractors, Thereby Avoiding Payment Of Benefits While Also Saving Millions On Taxes. According to a profile of Pawlentys 2008 session vetoes that Jonathan Kaminsky wrote a for City Pages, Did you know that FedEx gains competitive advantage on UPS by classifying its drivers as independent contractors, thereby avoiding payment of benefits while also saving millions on taxes? Governor Pawlenty does. That didnt stop him from vetoing a bill that would have outlawed the practice in Minnesota. Its a hugely important issue to the workers who are caught in a bind, says Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul), who sponsored the bill in the House. In his veto letter, Pawlenty derided the bill as arbitrary, vague, and certain to create unwarranted confusion in the industry. [Jonathan Kaminsky, City Pages, 7/23/08] 2007: Pawlenty Supported 3.25 Percent Pay Raises For Unionized Public Employees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The state of Minnesota and its two largest unions reached a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract at midnight Friday, 24 hours before their current pact was set to expire. The new contract will provide 3.25 percent pay raises this year and next for the 19,000 members of Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the 11,500 members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. Those would be the largest wage increases for state employees in at least eight years, MAPE executive director Jim Monroe said Saturday Neither side won, State Employee Relations Commissioner Pat Anderson said Saturday. I think its a fair, responsible settlement. This is about where most public contracts are settling in Minnesota. Anderson said the settlement would cost the state an additional $88 million. Thats $2 million below the administrations budget target. She said Gov. Tim Pawlenty was pleased with the agreement. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/30/07] Pawlenty Agreed To A New Contract With A Government Employee Union, Which He Called A Good Deal. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration and the states two largest government employee unions reached a tentative agreement Friday on a two-year contract for some 30,000 employees. The early, amicable settlement has a 2 percent across-the-board pay increase in each of the next two years and only a slight increase in health insurance premiums for the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The governor described the proposed contract as a good deal for the state, taxpayers and our valued employees. With the economy showing signs of improvement, Im glad were able to give a deserved pay raise, Pawlenty said. [Star Tribune, 7/30/05]

PAWLENTY BANNED PROJECT AGREEMENTS THAT REQUIRED UNION WORKERS

Pawlenty Signed An Executive Order That Banned Union-Only Project Labor Agreements. According to Finance & Commerce, In a big victory for non-union contractors, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order Monday that calls for open competition in state construction contracts. The order, effective immediately, declares that state departments should not discriminate against government contractors on the basis of labor affiliation or lack thereof. Specifically, departments may not require or prohibit bidders, contractors and vendors from signing agreements with labor organizations. The governors order aims to promote and ensure open competition, which will reduce construction costs to the state and to the taxpayers and expand job opportunities, especially for small and disadvantaged businesses. With the signing of the executive order, Minnesota becomes the second state to ban union-only PLAs, according to Minnesota ABC. Last July, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee a similar order. President Bush, early in his first term, signed a similar order for federal projects. Labor unions unsuccessfully challenged the order in court. Unions argue that PLAs promote safer workplaces and better working conditions. [Finance & Commerce, 11/22/05] A Lawyer From The Minnesota Building And Construction Trades Council Said Pawlentys Decision Could Be Challenged In Court. According to the Duluth News Tribune, The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council is questioning Gov. Tim Pawlentys executive order last month prohibiting state departments from entering into agreements with labor organizations. A lawyer for the labor group said the matter could be taken to court. Project labor agreements, which are effectively banned by Pawlentys order, provide for no labor disruptions during construction and a job referral system operated by local unions. They also provide standards for wages and hours and ways of resolving disputes. The governors order says it intends to promote competition and equal access to government construction contracts, which will result in reduced costs and expand job opportunities. Project labor agreements have been used for years. The state Building and Construction Trades Councils attorneys believe Pawlenty may have exceeded his authority by signing the directive without public input. What the governor has done is bypass the Legislature, which makes policy, and he also bypassed the rule-making process, said Brendan Cummins, a Building and Construction Trades Council attorney who helped draft a letter to Commissioner of Administration Dana Badgerow about the order. If the labor group receives no response or the administration doesnt agree that the public should be heard, we would consider proceeding with legal action, Cummins said. [Duluth News Tribune, 12/17/05]

Right To Work
Pawlenty Said He Strongly Supported Right to Work Legislation. According to CNN, during a GOP primary debate, Pawlenty said We live in the United States of America and people shouldnt be forced to belong or be a member in any organization. And the government has no business telling you what group to be a member of or not. I support strongly rightto-work legislationLike I said, for much of his life my dad was a teamster truck driver. My brothers and sisters, many of them are in unions, I was in a union. We grew up in a blue-collar town. I understand these issues. [CNN, 06/13/11]

MINORITIES
PAWLENTYS ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT DIVERSE
Pawlentys Administration Had Three Out Of 23 Cabinet Appointees Were Racial Or Ethnic Minorities. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty says he will make a concerted effort to welcome people of color into his administration and to expand the Republican Party beyond its almost-lily-white base. He wants to form a majority coalition that reflects Minnesotas increasingly diverse populationStill, just three of his 23 Cabinet appointees are racial or ethnic minorities. That reflects a lack of diversity in the Republican Party. And Pawlenty recognizes the partys need to appeal to Hispanic, Asian-American and even solidly Democratic African-American voters to win future elections. I think the party has dropped the ball in many key respects, he said. It failed to support the civil rights movement in the 1960s. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/26/03] A Third Of Pawlentys Appointments Were Women. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has appointed disproportionately more men and more Twin Cities residents to Minnesota boards and commissions than would follow by their representation in the states population. A third of his appointments have been women, while census figures show the states population is nearly equally divided between men and women. Thirty-eight percent have been from outside the Twin Cities, although 46 percent of Minnesotans live outside the seven-county metropolitan area. We have struggled with that, the Republican governor said in an interview about the 278 people he has appointed to boards in his eight months in office. We have strived to find balance based on gender and geography but our applicant pools tend to be skewed. We have tried to make attempts to recruit people. John Hultquist, one of two men Pawlenty counts on to find appointees, said he has a hard time finding women and people who live outside the Twin Cities to serve on boards. He said about a quarter of Pawlentys appointments did not apply but were recruited, mostly to achieve racial, gender and geographic balance. [Associated Press, 9/8/03]

PAWLENTY CUT THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND MINORITY AFFAIRS

Pawlentys Line-Item Scrapped The Only Four Buildings Earmarked For Communities Of Color. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, When Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut about one-third of the projects out of a $1 billion public works bill passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature last month, he scrapped the only four buildings earmarked for communities of color. This week, Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, proposed another public works bill to restore those four projects Her bill would restore $5 million for an Asian-Pacific Cultural Center in St. Paul; $6.7 million for an American Indian Resource Center at the University of Minnesota, Duluth; $5.8 million for a new school on the Red Lake Indian Reservation; and $840,000 to renovate a Minneapolis mansion to house the Minnesota African American History Museum. Those projects make up $18 million of the $313 million in public works appropriations the governor line-item vetoed. Hausman said she didnt think Pawlentys vetoes were racially motivated. But clearly 100 percent of the (minority community) projects seemed to him not to be important or worthy, she said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/15/10]

PAWLENTY WANTED TO MAKE ENGLISH MINNESOTAS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

After The Town Of Lino Lakes Adopted English As Their First Language, Pawlenty Said Minnesota Should Consider Designating English As The States Official Language. Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he thinks Minnesota should consider a statewide measure designating English as the official language. The northern Twin Cities suburb of Lino Lakes recently became the first Minnesota city to adopt English as its official language. It prevents the local government from translating official city actions and documents into other languages. Similar bills have been introduced at the Capitol. Pawlenty said it may be a good idea. As we have more diversity of languages in the country and there may be some question about how are official documents going to be created ... I think it may be helpful to make it clear that that will be English, he said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 8/3/10] Editorial: Pawlenty Only Supported Making English The Official Language Because It Was Political Red Meat. According to the St. Cloud Times, Step back from that white-hot, summertime grill -- and the sizzle of some political red meat hitting it -- and take a logical look at the latest English-only push in Minnesota. First, it started with Lino Lakes, a city that, as of 2008, City-Data.com reported had 91.2 percent white population, a median household

income of about $92,000 and a median home value of about $288,000. Although the city has never spent one cent on translating its official business from English into any other language, four of five City Council members cited budgetary concerns in supporting a law requiring that English become the citys official business language Upon passage of the Lino Lakes English-only law, Gov. Tim Pawlenty seared this political red meat even more by suggesting the Legislature next session should consider making English the states official language. Again, step back from the grill and think a minute. Remember, Pawlenty wont be governor next session but he has been in every session since 2002, including at least one in which he could have pushed this issue to the limit by making a much higher priority of such legislation. That didnt happen. However, after a 2006 trade mission to China, the governor did convince the Legislature to develop and provide all Minnesota school districts with a Mandarin Chinese language curriculum. Sorry, but the governors words now and his actions then reveal just a bit of a philosophical inconsistency. Lino Lakes and a lame-duck governor aside, we hope most Minnesotans realize how ridiculous it is to even be discussing this idea. From the obvious statement that English already is the language of state business to the undeniable point that a measure like this serves only to divide a community, state and nation, its pretty clear the backers of such a measure have only one goal in mind. Throw some more red meat on that white-hot political grill. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 8/13/10] Editorial: Pawlentys Proposal To Establish English As The Official Language Of Minnesota Was Misguided And That His Successor Would Never Let The Proposal See The Light Of Day. According to the Star Tribune, Last week Gov. Tim Pawlenty said it might be helpful to clarify in state law that English is the official language of Minnesota. Confusion can arise, he added, because as the state attracts more foreign-born, non-English-speaking residents, there could be uncertainty about what language to use in official documents. But we doubt that there are many immigrants who arent crystal-clear about the importance of using English in this country. There really isnt any question: English is the official language of the state Most states with official English or English-only laws adopted them within the past 40 years, and several are facing court challenges. And heres another reason to back away from the English-only movement: Two federal laws require local government to make reasonable accommodations for non-English speakers. Thats spelled out clearly in Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and in an executive order signed by President Bill Clinton in 2000. Pawlenty will be out of office well before he could champion such misguided legislation. We hope his successor will follow the lead of the 2010 Legislature and never let the proposal see the light of day. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 8/9/10] Editorial: Pawlentys Proposal To Establish English Minnesotas Official Language Would Work Well In An Election Year In Terms of GOP Presidential Politics. According to the Winona Daily News, Last month as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was roaming around the country as an official unofficial presidential contender, he made the statement that Minnesota should adopt an English-only position. That kind of talk plays well in an election year as the GOP takes a hard tilt to the extreme right. And since Pawlentys been a lame duck in Minnesota for more than a year, no one back home really took him seriously. So much for Minnesota nice. We suppose its Minnesota nice so long as you speak our language, and have our color of skin if Pawlenty really wanted to show leadership the kind worthy of the Oval Office he may or may not be seeking then why play to a soundbite that already appeals to hardliners? Why not offer something truly innovative? [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 9/6/10]

Tribal Gambling
Pawlenty Pushed To Renegotiate State Gambling Contracts With Tribes. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty, suggested that American Indian tribes with casinos had better share some profits with the state or prepare for more competition. In perhaps the most provocative segment of his State of the State speech, Pawlenty noted that while hes opposed expanding gambling in the past we need to recognize that times have changed. He said the compacts the state negotiated with tribes nearly 15 years ago do not reflect current circumstances and we need to explore a better deal for Minnesotans. His aides refused to elaborate on what he meant, although they said Pawlenty met with tribes early last week. There are a number of bills pending to give the state money by sanctioning private casinos. [Associated Press, 2/5/04] Pawlenty Switched Positions To Support Expanded Gambling In Order To Pressure Tribes Into Sharing Profits With The State Of Face More Competition, Was Noted As A Either A Threat Of A Bluff. According to the Associated Press, Call it either a threat or a bluff, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty suggested on Thursday that American Indian tribes with casinos had better share some profits with the state or prepare for more competition. In perhaps the most provocative segment of his State of the State speech, Pawlenty noted that while hes opposed expanding gambling in the past we need to recognize that times have changed This year, the Canterbury plan and at least four other casino proposals are being pushed

by Republican legislators. The so-called racino bill that passed the House last year would allow slot machines at Canterbury, but give tribes with casinos the ability to block the expansion by giving 6 percent of gross receipts to the state. It has not received a vote in the DFL-led Senate, which has traditionally aligned with the tribes on the issue he switches, Pawlentys approval of more gambling would head against a tide of his own words. Last year, he strongly questioned the worth of the racino bill, asking why, if the government wants to get involved in private businesses, it doesnt open a government-run WalMart. [Associated Press, 2/5/04] Pawlenty Was Open To An Expansion Of Gambling Other Than Indian Gambling If Progress Was Not Met On Their Increased Contributions To State Funding. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty appeared to open the door to an expansion of gambling on Tuesday, saying that if he does not see progress soon on an increased contribution to the state from Indian gambling, we will consider all other - most other - gaming options. [Star Tribune, 3/17/04] Pawlenty Would Consider Signing Any Gambling Bill That Would Reach His Desk If An Agreement With Minnesota Tribes Was Not Met. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty would consider signing any gambling bill that reaches his desk if he doesnt reach an agreement with Minnesota Indian tribes to protect their casino monopoly. The main reason he is willing to consider expanding gambling is to get the tribal communities to come to the table in a serious way, Pawlenty said in a conference call with reporters. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/6/04] The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Accused Pawlenty Of Using Threats To Negotiate. According to the Star Tribune, John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, said he sees Pawlentys remarks as continued public negotiation using threat. He told us he did not want to see an expansion. Now he says nothing is off the table. Id like to think the governor was sincere, but I dont know what to make of this. The tribes will be very concerned. [Star Tribune, 3/17/04]

Pawlenty Did Not Want To Raise Taxes To Resolve Minnesota Financial Woes, So He Resorted To Pressuring Tribes To Agree To Sharing Casino Revenues. According to the Star Tribune, Publicly, the heat got hotter last week for Minnesotas casino-running Native American tribes. Armed with new figures showing that the state nets only a 1.5 percent return from Minnesotas $10 billion gambling industry, Gov. Tim Pawlenty used his weekly radio program to renew his call for a better deal. In private talks with the tribes, too, pressure from the administration for new gaming compacts has been rising for some time, and for understandable reason. This state is still in money trouble, and Pawlenty is still preaching no new taxes. To make that vow stick with the 2005 Legislature, he likely needs to come up with a sizeable chunk of new revenue from a nontax source. Gambling could be that source - through revenue-sharing agreements with the tribes, or several other options, all of which involve ending the tribes monopoly on casinos. [Star Tribune, 9/28/04] Pawlenty Said Tribes Should Contribute Their Gambling Profit To The State At A Rate Similar To Comparable States, Such As Wisconsin. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty, repeating themes he first outlined early this year, said the Minnesota tribes should be contributing to state coffers at a rate similar to those in comparable states. Tribes in Wisconsin, whose casinos raked in $1 billion last year, recently agreed to pay that state $200 million over two years. [Star Tribune, 8/27/04] Pawlentys Office Released A Report That Tribal Gambling Was A $10 Billion Per Year Industry As He Built His Case For Convincing Tribes To Contribute A Share Of Their Revenues. According to the Star Tribune, Signaling his most serious intention yet for the state to cash in on Indian gambling revenue, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday released a report that says casino gambling is now a $10 billion-a-year industry in Minnesota and yet the state barely shares in the take. That needs to change, Pawlenty said in a letter sent to all four legislative leaders Friday In what appears to lay the groundwork for next years legislative session, the report sets out the states options on gambling revenue, including a state-tribal cooperative casino that could yield $97 million a year for the state and video lottery terminals that could result in a whopping $400 million annually. [Star Tribune, 9/25/04] Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Claimed That Pawlentys Report Distorted Indian Gambling Revenues. According to the Associated Press, A group representing American Indian bands that run casinos in Minnesota accused Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday of distorting gambling revenues to increase pressure on them to share profits with the stateThe group says Pawlenty has repeatedly referred to the tribal gaming as a $10 billion industry, without clarifying that the figure isnt adjusted for prize payouts and operating expenses. Pawlenty responded that the numbers are based on the information available. The tribes give audits on a confidential basis to the Department of Public Safety, which enforces

gambling regulations. Some audit information has been made public, but not until several years have passed. [Associated Press, 10/5/04]

PAWLENTY ASKED TRIBES FOR $350 MILLION PER YEAR

Pawlenty Finally Asked Tribute To Contribute $350 Million Per Year, After He Pressured Tribes All Year To Share Casino Gambling Revenues. According to the Star Tribune, After pressuring Indian tribes all year to share casino gambling revenues with the state, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has finally put a number on what he wants: $350 million a year, which he says amounts to about a fourth of tribes gambling profits. In a personal letter that went out to the states tribal leaders on Oct. 12, Pawlenty asked them to meet with him on Oct. 27 to discuss a new agreement that would, for the first time, require Minnesota tribes to turn over a portion of their gambling revenues to the state. If they dont, Pawlenty is quietly developing other options. Dan McElroy, his chief of staff, said Thursday that he went to Las Vegas two weeks ago to meet with representatives of three of the largest casino concerns in the country: Harrahs, MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay. They are very interested in Minnesota, McElroy said. [Star Tribune, 10/22/04] The GOP State Chair Claimed Pawlentys Request For Gambling Revenues From Indian Tribes Was A Tax. [Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron] Eibensteiner, in a statement he later corrected, called the $350 million a year Pawlenty is trying to get from the tribes a tax on the casino industry. He acknowledged that federal law bars the state from taxing Indian gaming. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/29/04] The Upper Sioux Community Chair Said Pawlentys Request Was A De Facto Tax On Tribes. According to the Star Tribune, The governor knows full well where this community stands, said Helen Blue-Redner, chairwoman of the Upper Sioux Community. Hes trying to use this as a de facto tax on tribes, Blue-Redner said. This is not allowed within the bounds of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, and he knows it. Since 1989, the states tribes have operated under compacts negotiated with Minnesota that gave them the right to casino gambling, but did not specifically guarantee exclusivity. The tribes have always argued that exclusivity was implied, a point the governor disputes. The compacts had no termination date. [Star Tribune, 10/22/04] The National Indian Gaming Association Believed Pawlentys $350 Million Request From Tribes Was Way Off Base. According to the Star Tribune, The Pawlenty administration has said the $350 million figure is based on a recent Minnesota Lottery report that estimated total wagers for casino gambling in the state at $10 billion annually. The $350 million figure is the administrations calculation of what 25 percent of net profits would be for the industry in Minnesota. Mark Van Norman, executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association, said that estimate is way off base. He said the National Indian Gaming Commission, a federal regulatory agency that receives annual audits from the nations tribes, has put gross revenues for Indian gambling across the country at $16.7 billion. For the region that includes Minnesota, the figure is $3.7 billion, but that region includes Wisconsin, Michigan, North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa, Van Norman said. [Star Tribune, 10/22/04] Op-Ed: Pawlentys Efforts To Get $350 Annually From Tribes Was Ill-Conceived And Constitutionally Problematic Due To Sovereignty Issue. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, David Wilkins, wrote, Sen. John McCain, long a solid proponent of tribal sovereignty, astutely observed in remarks before his fellow senators in August 1988, just two months before enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, that the state and gaming industry have always come to the table with the position that what is theirs is theirs and what the tribes have is negotiable. Gov. Tim Pawlentys present attempts to coercively extract $350 million from the gaming coffers of the sovereign Dakota and Ojibwe nations, when the present compacts are still good law, typifies this attitude and provides ample contemporary evidence that the relationship between tribal nations and state governments are as contentious as ever Pawlentys efforts are deeply flawed on several important grounds: They are constitutionally suspect; they violate the inherent doctrine of tribal sovereignty; they run afoul of existing federal law; they contradict the states own sovereignty accord that was first announced in 2002 and was reaffirmed by Pawlenty in 2003; and they breach the essential doctrine of federal supremacy in the field of Indian affairs Pawlenty should immediately terminate his ill-conceived, unjust and constitutionally problematic assault on the economic sovereignty of the gaming tribes since the states action violates tribal sovereignty, existing state and federal law, and U.S. constitutional clauses aimed at supporting tribes in their commercial and diplomatic relations with the federal government. [David Wilkins op-ed, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/11/04] Op-Ed: Pawlenty Launched A Campaign Of Intimidation And Blackmail Against The Tribes Despite Its

Prior Opposition To Casino Gambling. According to the Grans Folks Herald, Lloyd Omdahl wrote an op-ed that said, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has launched a campaign of intimidation and blackmail against the tribes in Minnesota by demanding half of their casino profits. If they dont surrender $350 million a year, he threatens to support a competitive casino industry in the next session of the legislature. This in spite of the fact that he has always opposed casino gambling. But his scruples crumbled when his proposed budget lacked the revenue it needed to balance. Apparently, Pawlenty would rather extort money from American Indians than face up to the need to restore Minnesota taxes to their 1990s level. Minnesota was one of the states in which politicians from both parties fell over each other to reduce taxes when a surplus developed in the state treasury. Now that the surplus is gone, they are unwilling to restore the reductions. [Lloyd Omdahl, Grand Forks Herald, 11/14/04]

ANGERED TRIBAL LEADERS

The Ojibwe Chief Executive Wrote To Pawlenty That He Created An Environment Of Mistrust By His Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, Nationally, tribes paid $759 million to states in 2003, nearly 5 percent of estimated total Indian casino revenues of $16.2 billion Minnesota tribes, however, have invoked perpetual compacts signed with the state in the late 1980s and early 1990s that require no payments except the relatively small amount for enforcement. In response, state political leaders have proposed competitive nontribal gambling operations that would make significant payments to the state. Those efforts, while showing little success so far, have been pressed in a way that has hardened tribal leaders and created an environment of mistrust, Benjamin [chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe ] wrote in a letter to Pawlenty and legislative leaders. If left unresolved, this hostility will continue to spread among the populace of the state, including tribal members, causing cultural misunderstandings that could divide our state for generations. [Star Tribune, 8/27/04] The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Said Pawlenty Put A Gun To The Tribes Head And Threatened To Pull The Trigger. According to Indian Country Today, Other tribes are willing to give up a lot, they have different circumstances, there are some false expectations from Pawlenty. Pawlentys people are very evangelical and they hate gaming. I found it very strange that Pawlenty can put his arm around Louis Palau (an international evangelical rally speaker) and in the next two days is talking about gaming, threatening the tribes, McCarthy [executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association] said. He puts a gun to the tribes head, says hes morally opposed to gambling, threatens the tribes with larger and more casinos and if the tribes dont come forward he will pull the trigger. [Indian Country Today, 9/15/04] The Upper Sioux Tribal Leader Completely Lost Faith In Pawlenty Over His Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, Helen Blue-Redner, leader of the Upper Sioux, said in a letter to Pawlenty that he had hoodwinked the tribes and that the Upper Sioux had completely lost faith in your administration, [Star Tribune, 11/18/04] The Ojibwe Chief Executive Withdrew Their Offer To Partner With The State On Joint Gambling Proposals. Because Of Pawlentys Proposal. According to the Star Tribune, In a harshly worded letter that accuses Gov. Tim Pawlenty of poisoning the water on negotiations between Indian tribes and the state, the head of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe on Wednesday withdrew an earlier offer to be a partner of the state on joint gambling proposals. Melanie Benjamin, the bands chief executive, criticized several of Pawlentys recent actions, particularly his decision to personally appear in election ads for House Republican candidates that called for Indian tribes to make revenue payments to the state. You led a political smear campaign, Benjamin wrote, in a deliberate attempt to turn undeserved animosity toward Indian gaming and Indian people into votes for Republican candidates. Benjamin, whose tribes casinos at Hinckley and Lake Mille Lacs are the second most profitable in the state, had broken with other tribes in August to propose a joint partnership with the state. In return for new casino games and simulcast horse-race betting, Benjamin said the tribe could offer contributions toward a Vikings or Twins stadium. Benjamin also cited Pawlentys call for the tribes to pay $350 million a year to the state to retain their monopoly on casino gambling and his intimation that Las Vegas casino interests might otherwise be waiting in the wings. [Star Tribune, 11/18/04] Mdewakanton Sioux Chairman Said Pawlentys Proposal Was Punishment For Tribes Achieving Meaningful Economic Success. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A year ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced in his State of the State message that it was time for Minnesota to get a better deal from the states big Indian casino industry. But after months of on-again, off-again negotiations with tribal leaders, Pawlenty has made little progress toward persuading tribes to give the state $350 million a year from their gambling earnings Tribal officials so far have rebuffed Pawlentys efforts. The Mdewakanton Sioux, the tribe that operates the huge Mystic Lake casino in Prior Lake and that would provide much of the money Pawlenty is seeking, has flatly rejected his request. In a Dec. 17 letter to Pawlenty, Stanley Crooks, the Mdewakanton

tribal chairman, wrote, in part: (You) trample your own political partys core principles by promoting a tax or fee (or whatever you wish to call it) on the tribes. Regardless, it is nothing more than a financial punishment against tribes for achieving meaningful economic success. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/30/04]

EXTERNAL CRITICISM
Editorial: Pawlentys Bullying Shakedown Of Tribal Casinos Imposed What Amounted To A Tax Increase, Revenue Sharing Was A Fancy Way To Say The T Word. According to a Star Tribune editorial, so much for no new taxes. Gov. Tim Pawlenty calls his demand for $350 million per year from Minnesotas Indian casinos revenue sharing, but thats just a fancy way to say the T word. Its also a way to justify a ham-handed, risky attempt by the governor to balance his next state budget with a raid on the resources of this states native population. Its ham-handed, because Pawlentys demand turns what should be respectful government-to-government negotiation into a bullying shakedown. Instead of saying lets make a deal, the governor is telling the tribes to pay up or lose their market to the Las Vegas competition hell bring to town. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 10/30/04] Op-Ed: Pawlenty Claimed He Sought His Demand Was Not A Tax But A Guarantee of An Exclusive Franchise And That It Was A Fair Share But The Governors Demand Is Way Off The Mark Because He Was Not Treating Other Businesses In The State The Same Way. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Pawlenty insists that what he seeks from the tribes is a fair share. But if fairness means treatment on par with other businesses in the state, the governors demand is way off the mark. He seeks $350 million per year, against total annual casino revenues that a tribal spokesman pegged at $1 billion, after prizes are awarded but before expenses are paid. All other enterprises combined paid the state $590 million in corporate income tax in 2001, the most recent year for which figures are compiled, against total taxable net income, minus prior-year losses, of $7.7 billion. The governor says that his proposed payments are not taxes, but the price of a guarantee of an exclusive franchise, something that the tribes have enjoyed on a de facto basis to date without having to pay the state for the privilege. But the price Pawlenty is asking is steep, for a situation that has benefitted all of Minnesota. Confining casinos to tribal ownership has brought a measure of prosperity to chronically impoverished Minnesotans (though the wealth is far from uniformly shared) while keeping gamblings come-on fairly unintrusive and its operations free of scandal. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 10/30/04] Op-Ed: Pawlentys Threat To Allow Other Casinos To Compete With Tribal Casinos Did Not Sit Well With The Mille Lacs, Suggested That A Vist Was In Order. According to a Star Tribune op-ed, Traditionally, many Indians have voted Democratic. The result: Republicans have largely ignored Indian voters while Democrats have taken them for granted. Many Indians dont want to play this game anymore: If you want Indian votes, you will have to earn them According to [chair of the Mille Lacs Reservation] Benjamin, Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a recent (and brief) visit to the Mille Lacs Reservation - the first time a governor has visited the politically important reservation since DFLer Rudy Perpich, who left office in 1991. Pawlenty, a Republican, might be smart to schedule another visit. His threat last winter to bust the tribal casino monopoly has not made the reservations any riper for Republican canvassers, nor did President Bushs recent tongue-tied failure to explain the concept of tribal sovereignty. [Nick Coleman, Star Tribune, 9/10/04] Op-Ed: Pawlentys Promise To The Tax Payers League Of Not Raising Any Taxes Forced His Ploy To Make Indian Tribes To Share Gambling Revenues. According to the Star Tribune op-ed, In order to win his partys endorsement in 2002, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had to promise the Tax Evaders League that, if elected, he would never - not in a million years - raise taxes. The state was looking at a deficit in the billions, but Pawlenty drank the Kool-Aid of the Tax Evaders. (They call themselves the Tax Payers League, but lets not be stupid - they arent interested in paying taxes, just avoiding them). Now, two years later, he has to close the gap between his promise and reality. He is going to take it out of the pockets of Minnesotas Indians. Pawlenty has become Big Tim, Indian Fighter. Its an old ploy in American politics. And a reprehensible onePawlentys shotgun threat - give me your money or I will bring in a Las Vegas casino to eat your lunch - is an echo of threats that have always been made to Indians: We want what you have; give it to us or we will take it And so, on the eve of a highly contested election, Pawlenty has made racial resentment and ignorance part of a get-out-the-vote effort aimed at whipping up redneck envy of Indian rights. Sad, sad, sad. [Nick Coleman, Star Tribune, 10/31/04] Editorial: Pawlentys Casino Revenue-Sharing Ultimatum Presented Tribes With A Lose-Lose Choice. According to the Grand Folks Herald, Minnesota Republicans seem to be leaving the states Indian tribes with only two options The two options Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Republicans are presenting are, Pay or compete. That is, Pawlenty says the tribes

which own casinos should pay $350 million to the state, or face competition from Vegas casinos. For the tribes, thats a loselose choice. [Grand Forks Herald Editorial, 10/30/04] Op-Ed : Pawlenty Launched A Campaign Of Intimidation And Blackmail Against Tribes By Demanding Half Of Their Casino Profits Even Though He Had Always Opposed Casino Gambling. According to a Grand Forks Heralds op-ed .Gov. Tim Pawlenty has launched a campaign of intimidation and blackmail against the tribes in Minnesota by demanding half of their casino profits. If they dont surrender $350 million a year, he threatens to support a competitive casino industry in the next session of the legislature. This in spite of the fact that he has always opposed casino gambling. But his scruples crumbled when his proposed budget lacked the revenue it needed to balance. Apparently, Pawlenty would rather extort money from American Indians than face up to the need to restore Minnesota taxes to their 1990s level. Minnesota was one of the states in which politicians from both parties fell over each other to reduce taxes when a surplus developed in the state treasury. Now that the surplus is gone, they are unwilling to restore the reductions. [Lloyd Omdahl, Grand Forks Herald, 11/14/04] Editorial: Pawlenty Should Have Considered The Worthy Projects Tribes Fund Such As Modern Health Care Facilities, Elderly Housing, Enhanced Early Childhood Programs, And Public Golf Courses Before Trying To Force American Indians To Pay For The States Fiscal Woes. According to a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, Recently Gov. Tim Pawlenty floated a plan to force American Indians to pay 25 percent of their casino revenues to maintain the gaming monopoly they enjoy under compacts negotiated more than a decade ago. We wish that first he had stopped by the site of seven proposed new homes in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. The plans for this site show how wisely the money is already being spent, in this case by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The homes are an example of the many initiatives taken by American Indians in Minnesota to enrich their immediate and neighboring communities. Examples include modern health care facilities, elderly housing, enhanced early childhood programs, even public golf courses. Its critical that state officials understand the way American Indians have invested in themselves and their futures and see the broader benefits of these investments as well Its hard to put a price on community pride and the stability to a family. Its impossible to calculate the public good created when a people carry through long-range strategies to enhance the quality of life. Were not saying that every penny of casino profits has been perfectly spent in Minnesota, any more than we believe that every penny of a commercial or a household budget is perfectly spent. What we do know, however, is that before state officials look to American Indians to bail them out of a serious budget dilemma, they need to understand the consequences of that action, not just for tribal communities but for the state as a whole. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/12/04] Op-ed: Pawlentys Revenue Sharing Plan Was Blackmail. According to a Duluth News Tribunes op-ed, It sounds like blackmail to me. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants American Indian tribes to pay up or face competition in the casino business. He is asking for 25 percent of revenue while holding over their heads the threat of Las Vegas-style casino expansion in Minnesota that would hurt tribal profits. It also sounds like history repeating itself. Whenever American Indians had something good going for them, the white guys wanted it. Wow, look at all this land, this fresh air, these giant forests, these millions of buffalo, these crystal clear lakes and streams. We want them, well take them. Now, after we have deforested much of the land, polluted the fresh air, killed the buffalo, and poisoned the lakes and streams, we want to exploit yet another Indian resource I hope there are legislators who will stand with the tribes and against the governors blackmail. Remember, that after having taken their land and their livelihood, and confined them to poverty-stricken reservations, native people survived and found another way to help themselves. Shame on all of us if we now take that away as well. [Pat Helmberger, Duluth News Tribune, 11/3/04] Op-ed: Pawlenty Proposed Tribal Was Called Revenue Sharing Because He Pledged Not To Raise Taxes, Therefore If Its Not A Tax He Can Make Them Pay More Than Other Folks. According to a St. Cloud Times op-ed, Tricky Tim Pawlenty, thats what I call him Hes not calling it a tax, and by golly only a few people are going to pay, but he has his sights set on a big pay off: those dang old American Indians and their casinos. In a wonderful play on words, Tricky Tim calls his proposal revenue sharing. Isnt that nice? How could anyone be against sharing? And hey, we all know how most Minnesotans (the ones who dont live on reservations) feel the money tribes bring in from casinos should be shared. Its only fair. Tricky Tim announced he wants the tribes that own casinos to pay $350 million a year to the state. The governors office said thats about 25 percent of what the casinos take in The governor wants 25 percent of pre-expense revenue? I hate math, but even I know your average corporation pays 8.5 percent for their state taxes. Why do the tribes get singled out for this treatment? Remember, this isnt a tax. Tricky Tim said there wouldnt be any taxes. So if its not a tax, he can make them pay more than other folks. After all, its only fair. [Mike Sawin, St. Cloud Times, 11/17/04] Editorial: Pawlenty All But Demanded The States 11 Gaming Tribes Share Casino Revenues With The State, And Hoped To Strong-Arm The Tribes Into Ceding Casino Funds, Remained To Be Seen If Pawlenty Would Bargain

Government-To-Government In Good Faith. According to an Indian Country Today editorial,, Meanwhile in Minnesota, the issue of casino revenue sharing has once again come to the forefront. Unlike last February, however, when Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty all but demanded that the states 11 gaming tribes fork over some cash, this time the initiative comes from Indian country An August poll conducted by the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association showed that support for expanded gambling in the state may be on the decline. By letting the threat of commercial gaming percolate as he termed it at the time, Pawlenty apparently hoped to strong-arm the tribes into ceding casino fundsit remains to be seen whether Pawlenty will bargain, government-to-government, in good faith. [Indian Country Today, 9/15/04] Editorial: The Tribe Were Forced to Play Into Pawlentys Hands Because They Were Looking To Build A Twin Cities Casino According to an Indiain Country Today Editorial, In January, Pawlenty announced his intention to force the states gaming tribes, whose current compacts carry neither an expiration date nor revenue sharing provisions; back to the bargaining table by threatening them with commercial competition. The three tribes casino prospects have been hampered by their remote locations in the rural northern region of the state. Their only recourse in their quest for casino-driven revenue appears to be to a Twin Cities casino, which unfortunately plays into Pawlentys hands. [Indian Country Today, 9/29/04] DFL Senate Majority Leader Said Pawlentys Request For Gambling Revenue From Indian Tribes Was A Desperate Attempt To Balance A Budget Problem Created By His Own Actions. According to the Star Tribune, Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson on Friday was harshly critical of a proposal by the Pawlenty administration to extract $350 million a year from the states Indian tribes in exchange for a continuing casino monopoly. Johnson called Pawlentys move a desperate attempt to fix a budget problem produced by shifts, gimmicks and one-time fixes of Pawlentys own making Johnson, DFL-Willmar, said Pawlenty has backed himself into a corner. Thats after making promises to no-tax groups such as the Minnesota Taxpayers League and the national Club for Growth, and now must find a way to deal with an expected budget deficit, Johnson said. What hes attempting to do by sending his chief of staff with his hat in his hand to Las Vegas is making Minnesota the next gambling mecca of the nation. He does this under the banner of being beholden to the Taxpayers League and new Club for Growth. He is walking down a very dangerous path in his political agenda at the expense of Minnesota and good public policy, Johnson said. [Star Tribune, 10/23/04]

PAWLENTY APPEARED IN ADS CRITICIZING THE TRIBES, MANY NOTED THEM AS RACE-BAITING
On Behalf Of House Minnesota Republican Candidates, Pawlenty Appeared In Ads That Criticized Tribes. According to the Circle, Pawlenty was starring in a new series of radio ads on behalf of Republican candidates for the House of Representatives, calling for Indian tribal casinos to share a huge chunk of their profits with the statePawlenty wants the tribes to pay the state $350 million a year to maintain their monopoly on Minnesota casino gambling, [The Circle, 11/30/04] Pawlentys Ad Charged That Minnesota Democrats [Would] Rather Tax Average Citizens Than Have Tribal Casinos Pay Their Fair Share. According to the Associated Press, The Republican Party of Minnesota ran a radio ad that said, The facts about Minnesotas tribal casino industry. They run a monopoly. Tribal casinos are one of Minnesotas largest industries. And a recent report indicates that Minnesota has one of the nations largest tribal casino industries. Billions of dollars each year. But Minnesotas casinos pay virtually nothing to the state. In other states, casinos pay their fair share. What happened here? Thank Minnesota Democrats. Minnesota Democrats gave away that monopoly. Theyd rather tax average citizens than have tribal casinos pay their fair share. In return, Minnesota Democrats have received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. Its wrong and we can change it. Governor Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Republicans have a plan for a fair deal with tribal casinos. So on November second, vote for a fair deal on tribal casinos. Vote Republican on Tuesday, November second. [Associated Press, 10/28/04]

The Pawlenty Ads Were Noted As Race-Baiting. According to the Star Tribune, the Republican Party of Minnesota has bought radio advertisements urging voters to support Gov. Tim Pawlentys attempt to persuade Indian tribes to pay 25 percent of their casino revenues to the state. Pawlenty, who helped produce the earlier House Republican advertisements, denied this week that election-year politics played any role in his Oct. 12 demand that Indians share their gaming revenues with the state. He said he raised the issue to jump-start negotiations he has been trying to conduct with the tribes for months. But an Indian gaming official charged Thursday the Republican ads are an improper effort to win votes by attacking Indians. This is an attempt on the part of the Republicans to get people to come out to vote for them by voting against an Indian, said John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association. In my mind, thats race-baiting. [Star Tribune, 11/18/04]

Pawlenty Was Charged As Leading A Political Smear Campaign. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Melanie Benjamin, the [Mille Lacs] bands chief executive, criticized several of Pawlentys recent actions, particularly his decision to personally appear in election ads for House Republican candidates that called for Indian tribes to make revenue payments to the state. You led a political smear campaign, Benjamin wrote, in a deliberate attempt to turn undeserved animosity toward Indian gaming and Indian people into votes for Republican candidates. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/29/04] Pawlenty Asserted The Ads Were Not A Mistake. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, You infuriated some tribes this fall by producing radio ads for House Republican candidates on the gaming issue. Were those ads a mistake? Pawlenty responded, No. I want to be respectful of the tribes and the tribal leaders, and I hope we can restart negotiations with all of them. Its a little ironic that the tribes are raising a caution about me addressing these issues on a political level when they have been one of the most significant political players in the state for the last 10 years. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/27/04]

DECIDED TO SEEK AN AGREEMENT WITH THREE NORTHERN TRIBES

Pawlentys Proposed A Partnership With Tribes Which Called $200 Million In Shared Revenue In The First Year And Over $100 Million Per Year. According to the Star Tribune, Making good his intention to pursue casino gambling revenue for the state, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday offered to create a partnership with Minnesota Indian tribes that would provide the state with a quick $200 million to reduce the budget deficit and more profit sharing laterA deal could also include changes in the states gambling agreements with tribes willing to join the partnership to afford them protection against new competing casinos and to allow them to offer live roulette, craps, Keno, multi-casino jackpots, and parimutuel horse racingThe proposal calls for the state to receive $200 million in fiscal 2006, described as a one-time licensing for which a consortium of participating tribes would be responsible. Additionally the state would receive $114 million a year in revenue from the casino beginning in fiscal 2008. [Star Tribune, 1/26/05] Tribes Were Not Were Unaware Of An Up-Front $200 Million Fee That Pawlenty Included In The Proposal. According to City Pages, Last year, [Pawlenty] demanded that tribes running casinos in Minnesota fork over $350 million in annual payments or face the prospect of competition from expansion of the states own gaming operations. When the tribes ignored his threat, Pawlenty unveiled a Gaming Fairness plan as part of his official state budget proposal on January 25. The governors plan purports to be a partnership between the state and the three northern Minnesota tribes whose geographical isolation has precluded them from reaping the gambling profits enjoyed by their American Indian brethren. But within days of Pawlentys announcement, it was revealed that the governor had been negotiating with his partners--the White Earth, Leech Lake, and Red Lake bands--in bad faith: a $200 million fee to be paid up-front by the tribes was never mentioned in key talks. Meanwhile, the Senate minority leader from Pawlentys own party countered with his own racino proposal and declared the governors plan to be dead on arrival at the state LegislatureLets begin with the $200 million fee, a small detail that Pawlenty somehow neglected to mention in negotiations with tribal leaders. The governors [budget] speech was the first time we heard there was going to be a $200 million fee, said Gary Padrta, the public relations coordinator for the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council. [City Pages, 2/9/05]

Pawlenty Proposed Up To Two Metro-Area Casinos With Three Northern Tribes And Promised The Legislature Would Not Build Anymore. According to Duluth News-Tribune, Casino legislation being negotiated between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and three Indian tribes would allow lawmakers to license up to two metro-area casinos and provide a promise that the Legislature would not authorize any more for some period into the future, according to the state senator who is scheduled to sponsor the bill. [Duluth News-Tribune, 3/3/05] Pawlentys State-Tribal Casino Plan Was Rejected By State Senate Committee. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty said in a news release that once those costs were paid, the state and the tribes would get about equal amounts of casino profits. He estimated that once the casino was up and running the states gross revenue would be about $164 million a year. The deal calls for a one-time licensing fee of $200 million that would be paid to the state. The proposal does not name a site for the new casino, but backers are looking for a location somewhere in the Twin Cities metro area. The deal says a willing host community would be picked by the Minnesota Lottery and the tribes. If the Legislature approves the deal, a temporary casino could be operational within six months, Pawlentys office said. The permanent casino would take about two years to build and would cost about $550 million. It would employ at least 3,000 people. [Associated Press, 3/4/05] Pawlentys Metro Casino Proposal Met Resistance From Some Members Of The Northern Bands. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal for a metro casino partnership with three northern American Indian bands may

have hit another obstacle Tuesday: the resistance of some band members, who say they will try to force the issue to referendum votes on each of the three reservations involved. More than three dozen members of the Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake bands traveled to the Capitol to protest their tribal leaders move for a joint state-tribal casinoAs part of the deal, the state is requiring the tribes to pay a $200 million licensing fee and take on most of the financial risk of running the casino. The tribes would own the casino, but the Minnesota State Lottery would own the 4,000 slot machines. [Star Tribune, 3/30/05] Pawlenty Exploited Divide Between Have And Have-Not Tribes. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the states Big Dealer, has shuffled all sorts of political alliances with his desire to expand gambling in Minnesota. Hes got Indians embracing him. Social conservatives questioning him. The antitax Minnesota Taxpayers League suggesting that higher taxes -yes, a tax increase! - would be better than more gambling In a politically shrewd move, Pawlenty has put forward a plan in which the states three large northern Chippewa bands - White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake - would be partners with the state in a metro-area casino. This scheme plays straight to a sore spot that long has separated the have tribes of the metro region with the have-nots of outstate Minnesota. [Star Tribune, 3/22/05] Minnesota Gaming Alliance Said Pawlentys Plan Was Nothing More Than A Cynical Effort To Create Disunity Among Tribes. According to the Associated Press, mulled a project that might include the White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake tribes, all in far northwestern MinnesotaThe idea was immediately criticized by the Minnesota Indian Gaming Alliance, a group that includes all of Minnesotas bands except for Red Lake and White Earth. The governors scheme to involve three northern tribes in a metro-area casino is nothing more than a cynical effort to create disunity among tribes and use the poorest Indians in the state as human shields to protect him from the political fallout of gambling expansion, the group said in a statement. [Associated Press, 1/25/05]

Attorney General Said Pawlentys Casino Plan Was Likely Be Found Unconstitutional And Should Go To Voters First. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal for a state-tribal metro casino likely would be found unconstitutional by a court and should go to voters first, according to an opinion released Wednesday by Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch. [Star Tribune, 3/31/05] Pawlentys Believed The Attorney General May Have As His Legal Opinion Seemed To Be Based On Politics. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys chief of staff, Dan McElroy, questioned the opinions timing, process and reasoning. Hatch often has declined to issue opinions on the constitutionality of proposed legislation, McElroy said, on the grounds that as the states top lawyer he might have to defend state government in the matter. In an aside at the end of a news conference on another matter, Pawlenty said that given the pressures that are on the attorney general in terms of stakeholder groups and interest groups involved that oppose this, he probably didnt have a lot of choice. [Star Tribune, 3/31/05]

Tribes Ran TV Ads Which Highlighted Pawlentys Flip-Flop On Gambling As He Opposed Gambling In 2003. According to the Associated Press, The Indian tribe that owns Treasure Island Resort and Casino near Red Wing on Friday sharpened its criticism of Gov. Tim Pawlentys pursuit of a new Twin Cities casino by launching a TV ad questioning the governors sincerity on the issue. The ad, airing on stations across the state, highlights a statement Pawlenty made in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio in 2003: Its not a proper function of government to be running and owning and profiting from gambling operations, the governor said at the time. The Prairie Island Indian Community said thats in direct conflict with Pawlentys current push for a partnership with three northern Minnesota tribes to open the new casino. That came after Prairie Island and other wealthy tribes refused to honor Pawlentys request that they share casino profits with the state in exchange for a continued Twin Cities monopolyPawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the governor still feels the same way he did in 2003 - hed rather not expand gambling. But he said the wealthier tribes refusal to share profits left the state with no other choice. People realize the current system is unfair and has to be changed, McClung said. People understand the entire argument here. [Associated Press, 4/8/05] The Red Lake Band And The Leech Land Band Withdrew Their Support Of Pawlentys Casino Proposal. According to the Associated Press Two of three American Indian tribes working with Gov. Tim Pawlenty on a proposed Twin Cities casino formally withdrew their backing Monday, with one saying last weeks move to link it to a second casino will do more harm than good. The Red Lake Band of Chippewa and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe said they could no longer press ahead after the state-tribal plan was merged with another proposal for a state-backed casino at Canterbury Park racetrack. The plan would lead to two casinos in Shakopee. Leech Lake tribal leaders said they cant go along with a plan that benefits private industry. They said in a written statement that casino gambling in Minnesota was intended to provide an economic lift on

Indian reservations Separately, the Red Lake tribal council voted 9-0 on Monday against partnering with the state and Canterbury Park owners. In March, the two tribes joined the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in forging a casino partnership with Pawlentys administration. That plan, which called for a $200 million upfront licensing payment by the tribes and shared profits down the road, found scant support in the Legislature. In recent weeks, Pawlenty initiated talks to merge his plan with the Canterbury proposal, in hopes of building stronger momentum for his plans to fill state budget shortfalls with gambling proceeds. [Associated Press, 4/25/05] Editorial: There Was No Proof That The Cash Cow Pawlentys Proposal Would Occur . According to a Duluth News-Tribune editorial, In his own bid for a gambling jackpot, Pawlenty is seeking a deal with three rural American Indian tribes to build a casino in the lucrative Twin Cities market. Though he gets credit for taking a risk, Pawlenty is playing a hand thats not only likely to end up busted but threatens to drain the kitty of other casinos, particularly in Northeastern Minnesotabringing another casino to the Twin Cities can only divide that market and give less reason for metro residents to travel up Interstate 35 to play the slots and tables in Hinckley, Cloquet, Duluth and Grand Portage. If Pawlenty is planning on increasing state aid to those local governments to replenish those loses, fine, but we doubt thats in the cards. Much of the governors lustful look at gambling stems from his contention that Minnesotas American Indian casinos could do as well as Connecticuts lavish Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, which rake in hundreds of millions and rival Las Vegas and Atlantic City in terms of big bucks and big-name entertainment. But a look at a map shows a big difference between Minnesota and Connecticut, a geographically tiny state that draws driving-distance gamblers from huge population bases in New York and New England, including several states with no American Indian casinos. By contrast, the patrons at Minnesotas casinos are most likely driving cars with 10,000 lakes license plates, meaning the states take is mostly churning homegrown cash theres nothing to guarantee the new casino will be the cash cow Pawlenty promises. Its time for the governor to abandon this getrich-quick scheme and concentrate on other, and more serious, ways to raise needed revenue. [Editorial, Duluth News Tribune, 1/30/05] Editorial: Pawlenty Is Gambling On The Expansion Of Gaming Rather Than Looking At More Sure Ways To Fix The States Financial Woes. According a St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial, The release Monday of the state revenue forecast marks the start of serious action on Minnesotas budget for the next two years. The February forecast projects a much less austere situation than anticipated just two months ago, when the gap between revenue and spending was projected at $700 million. This weeks forecast reduced the estimated deficit to $466 million over the next biennium. That doesnt mean the governor and Legislature can rush into a spending spree. But an improved forecast does mean they have more options for achieving a balanced budget without resorting to accounting gimmicksThe state budgeting, however, must result in a balance and it must reflect the reality that the states fiscal problems are structural. Some lawmakers, both Republicans and DFLers, want to spend a lot more, especially in education, than the anticipated revenue would cover. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is gambling on the expansion of gaming rather than looking at sure things to reduce the size of the hole in the bucket. There is a great deal of justified public pressure to make education spending a priority and on the Legislature to do more on transportation. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/1/05] Editorial: Pawlentys Mistake Was Calling For A $200 Million Fee From Tribes While Keeping The Door Open For Non-Indian Casinos. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Its no wonder that prospects are growing dim for legislative passage this session of Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal for joint state/tribal casino in the metro area. In recent weeks, the proposal took some bad turns Pawlentys proposal took its first troubling turn when it called for a large licensing fee - $200 million - to be paid by tribal partners in order to initiate the venture. That big number signaled to legislators, fairly or unfairly, that the governor is more interested in casino proceeds than in making gaming a fairer development tool for the tribes. There was another signal, too: The governor did not close the door to non-Indian casino proposals, including one at Canterbury. Things became more problematic last week, when a new proposal emerged. It would build two large casinos in Shakopee, one operated by Canterbury, one by the state/tribal partnership. This was not the single-casino venture that some supporters of the tribes (including this newspaper) found acceptable. This was two full-blown, competing casinos. That proposal breaks Minnesotas Indian-only casino configuration - and it broke the deal for two of the tribes, Red Lake and Leech Lake. They have backed out of the proposal, leaving the states largest band, White Earth, still pushing for action this session. Given that political reality, the governor would do well to call a retreat of his own. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 4/28/05]

RACINO
In 2003 Pawlenty Said He Opposed Racino I Oppose Racino. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday that if a bill authorizing such a casino ever reaches his desk, he probably would veto it. I oppose

racino, Pawlenty said, referring to a proposal to authorize the Minnesota State Lottery to put 2,000 slot machines at the Canterbury Park racetrack in Shakopee. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/5/03] In 2005 Pawlenty Proposed Plan For State-Tribe Operated Racino. According to the Minnesota Public Radio, Its the latest indication that Gov. Tim Pawlentys gambling initiative is losing steam. Pawlenty has proposed opening a state-run Twin Cities casino in partnership with three northern Ojibwe bands, as a development tool for their reservations, and as a $200 million revenue bump for the state budget. But a Senate committee defeated the plan, and House supporters put it on ice while they scramble to find enough votes to ensure passage. One suggestion was to combine the state-tribal partnership with a separate bill authorizing video slot machines at Canterbury ParkThe racino plan passed the House in 2003. But [Rep. Mark] Buesgens says merging the two bills, far from increasing the chances of passage, could doom both. [Minnesota Public Radio, 4/19/05] One Of The Tribes That Agreed With Pawlenty On The Plan Tribes Pulled Out. According to the Duluth NewsTribune, one of three northern American Indian tribes that agreed with Gov. Tim Pawlenty to operate a Twin Cities-area casino said Monday it wants no part of merging its gambling plan with a rival casino proposal pushed by the owners of Canterbury Park racetrack. [Duluth News-Tribune, 4/19/05] Two Tribes Eventually Pulled Out Of The Pawlenty Racino Plan. According to the Associated Press, two of three American Indian tribes working with Gov. Tim Pawlenty on a proposed Twin Cities casino formally withdrew their backing Monday, with one saying last weeks move to link it to a second casino will do more harm than good. [Associated Press, 4/25/05] Pawlentys Racino Plan Was Rejected By Legislature After It Appeared It Did Not Have The Votes. According to the Associated Press conceding their bill would have been defeated, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his state casino bill allies again put off a House committee hearing Tuesday while refusing to declare the issue dead for the year. The lack of casino revenue deprives Pawlenty of at least $200 million he was counting on to balance the state budgetPawlenty forged a partnership with three northern Minnesota Indian tribes earlier this year to open a casino in the Twin Cities. The deal came after the Republican governor failed in an attempt to get tribes with more profitable casinos to share money with the state. But Pawlentys plan struggled to get off the ground, causing the governor to look at joining forces with Canterbury Park. Two of the partner tribes - Leech Lake and Red Lake bands - refused to go along. And the Legislature went into overtime over five weeks ago, after the regular session ended with the biggest portions of the budget unfinished. [Pawlenty] dropped calls for a new casino at Canterbury Park, although they didnt declare it off the table for good. [Associated Press, 5/17/05; 7/1/05] In July 2005, Pawlenty Attempted To Revive Racino During The Government Shutdown. According to the Star Tribune, that Pawlenty offered to sign a stopgap spending bill to end the partial state government shutdown if DFLers agree to allow a vote on a racino at the Canterbury Park race trackHouse Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, said a vote on a racino would force legislators to take a position on a funding source most Minnesotans view favorably. [Star Tribune, 7/7/05] After An Agreement Was Reached To End The Government Shutdown Pawlenty Said Failure To Get Gambling Change Was His Biggest Disappointment. According to the State Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said the failure to get some change in gambling was his biggest disappointment. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/11/05] Pawlenty Denied An Accusation That A Veteran State Lawmaker And Gambling Lobbyist Claimed Pawlenty Would Racino If It Reached His Desk, Which Pawlenty Denied. According to Minnesota Public Radio, A veteran state lawmaker says hes resigning his Minnesota Senate seat in a month to lobby full time for legislation to expand gambling. Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, announced today that hell soon lead a grassroots effort called Racino Now. The group will try to get legislation passed to allow slot machines and video games at the Canterbury Park and Running Aces horse racing tracks. Day estimated the measure would bring in $125 million a year to the state. And with the state facing a $1.2 billion budget deficit, Day said hes optimistic about its chancesDay claimed that Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently told him he would sign a racino bill if it landed on his desk. Asked about that pledge, Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung offered this written response: Gov. Pawlenty has stated many times publicly and privately there isnt enough legislative support to pass gaming legislation and its also not a road hes interested in going down again, McClung wrote. [Polinaut blog, Minnesota Public Radio, 12/8/09]

Nuclear Storage On Tribal Land

Pawlenty Supported Nuclear Waste Storage At Prairie Island. According to the Star Tribune, a 1994 legislative compromise allowed storage of highly radioactive waste in 17 outdoor casks at Prairie Island, which expected to run out of space in its underwater storage pool by 2002. The company later revised that date to 2007. The plant is owned by Northern States Power Co., which has since merged with another company and become a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. According to the report, Pawlenty, who served in the Legislature during the 1994 debatevoted for the agreement allowing the casks. [Star Tribune, 9/24/02] Tribes Lacked Resources To Fight A Pawlenty Backed Nuclear Storage Facility On Island. According to Indian Country Today, The Prairie Island nuclear power plants first reactor officially went online in 1973. Its second reactor went online the following year. At the time the Prairie Island tribe lacked resources and funding to fight against construction of the plant. The tribe was initially told that it was going to be a steam plant. In 1990, Xcel (then known as Northern States Power, or NSP) applied for an on-site dry cask storage facility from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It was determined that Legislative approval was necessary for dry cask storage, and in 1994 the Minnesota Legislature approved the dry concrete pad method storage of 17 casks. [Indian Country Today (Lakota Times), 6/11/03]

Pawlenty Said He Supported Temporary Additional Storage At Prairie Island. According to the Star Tribune, nuclear waste storage, one of the most emotional and hard-fought controversies in Minnesota during the past decade, is also the most divisive environmental issue among the four major candidates for governor this year. According to the report, Republican Tim Pawlenty and the Independence Partys Tim Penny favor allowing more waste to be produced and kept at the plant until a federal repository or private storage is available elsewhere in the nation. The report noted that Pawlenty, who served in the Legislature during the 1994 debate and voted for the agreement allowing the casks, said he would do so again as long as the additional storage would be temporary. As in 1994, he said more casks would have to be coupled with requirements that Xcel invest more in alternative energy. [Star Tribune, 9/24/02] In 1994, Xcel Energy Promised Not Attempt To Build More Casks When Initial Storage Was Approved. According to City Pages, to convince the state to allow the storage of nuclear waste in dry casks at Prairie Island back in 1994, the corporations executives and lobbyists swore up and down that the utility would never come back to the capitol to ask for more casks. They lied. [City Pages, 5/28/03] By Referendum, Tribes Agreed To Expanded Waste Storage In 2003, Which Pawlenty Supported. According to Indian Country Today, By a referendum vote of almost 2 to 1, the Prairie Island Tribe accepted an agreement with Xcel on May 14. The tribe will receive 2.25 million every year for the next 10 years and lesser amounts each year thereafter. Tribal officials have said that the tribe will use the money to conduct its first-ever health study focusing on elevated cases of cancer since the plant was built, an evacuation plan from the island in case of any possible accidents, and purchase land elsewhere so that tribal members wishing to relocate away from the plant may do so. [Indian Country Today (Lakota Times), 6/11/03]

TRIBAL LEADERS SAID THE PLANT CAUSES CANCER AND OTHER ILLNESSES NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF PLANT
Tribal Leader Cited Increased Cancer And Sicknesses Due To The Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, Pawlenty Supported Its Expansion. According to Indian Country Today, Prairie Island tribal elder Chris Leith, also known as Brave Thunderhorse, recalls Over the years we have seen our tribal members become ill with cancer and other unexplained sicknesses, and now we cant even use the plants we once used for healing and medicines. Its hard to believe that the steam we see coming out of the plant in the winter isnt poisonous like they tell us in those brochures. Leith holds traditional sweat lodges on his property year-round. When exiting from the east door at dusk, the first sight to behold is not the starry sky or the tall prairie grasses, but the large, imposing praying mantis-like concrete reactor towers. During cold months the steam can be seen billowing from the reactors cooling vents by the naked eye. Environmental studies revealed that the reactors emit 200 curies per year of airborne radioactive material. [Indian Country Today (Lakota Times), 6/11/03]

Aid/Cuts To Tribes

Pawlenty Called For More Aid To Tribes In 2003. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty welcomed a national gathering of state and tribal leaders to the Leech Lake Reservation with a renewed commitment to narrowing the gap in health and economic disparities between American Indians and other racial groups. We need to make sure that we dont lose sight from some of the fundamental issues which is not just land issues, not just gaming issues, but the health and welfare and well being of American Indians, Pawlenty told members of the Governors Interstate Indian CouncilThe Interstate Indian Council was created in 1949 by state governors to improve relationships with Indians and provide a liaison in creating public policy with lawmakers. [Associated Press, 8/23/03] Pawlentys Proposed Education Cuts Were Expected To Harshly Impact Tribe, Included A 9 Percent Cut. According to the Star Tribune, the state would give transition money to local school districts to ease funding cuts, but that money disappears in the second year of the Pawlenty proposal. After that, school districts would have to raise property tax levies to make up the difference or cut servicesThe Pawlenty budget does mean lost funding for school districts that didnt pass excess levies in the past couple years. Because the proposed budget relies on local excess levies to account for most of the 3.5 percent revenue increase Pawlenty said schools will enjoy, officials in districts without levies say they see no good news. Red Lake, which relies almost entirely on the state and federal governments to cover its $13,000-per-pupil spending, has nowhere to turn for a 9 percent cut in its state funding, said Superintendent Stuart Desjarlait. We dont have a property-tax base, he said of his district on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. We have maybe 10-12 people who pay [property] taxes. [Star Tribune, 2/22/03] Pawlenty Was Alleged To Attempt At Disestablishing The Mile Lacs Reservation Borders. According to the Star Tribune, in addition to his position on Indian gaming, Pawlenty also incurred the ire of Mille Lacs leaders with his request that the state file an amicus brief that supported Mille Lacs County in a lawsuit that [Melanie] Benjamin [the chief executive of the mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe] said was aimed at disestablishing the Mille Lacs reservation boundaries. [Star Tribune, 11/18/04]

Issues With Cabinet

Pawlentys Natural Resources Commissioner Used The Word Apartheid In Reference To Treaties That Give Special Hunting And Fishing Rights To Indian Tribes., Tribes Called For His Resignation. According to the Star Tribune, The leaders of eight Minnesota tribal bands called Monday for the resignation of Department of Natural Resource Commissioner Gene Merriam, citing his use of the word apartheid in reference to treaties that give special hunting and fishing rights to Indian tribes. In a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the leaders criticized Merriam for attending a fundraiser for a group opposed to treaty rights, for displaying obvious bias against those rights and for making several statements that suggest he will not be an impartial referee in disputes between tribes and opponents of their treaty privileges. Pawlenty and Merriam later released statements apologizing for the use of the word apartheid but a spokesman for Pawlenty said Merriam will not resign. Merriams comments were unfortunate and did not reflect the policy of my administration, Pawlenty said, adding that Merriam will act quickly to ensure that these regrettable comments do not damage the relationship that DNR has with the tribes. [Star Tribune, 5/13/03]

Drug Importation
Pawlentys Doomsday Scenario For Prescription Drug Importation Would Force Tribes To Buy And Resell Canadian Prescription Drugs, Tribes Were Not Waiting For That Scenario. According to the Star Tribune, one of Gov. Tim Pawlentys latest proposals has brought to light little-known negotiations between Indian tribal groups in Minnesota and Canada that may alter how and where Minnesotans get prescription drugs - whether the state likes it or not. Pawlenty recently said that if the feds shut down the states RxConnect program, which links Minnesotans to low-cost Canadian drug purveyors via the Internet, he might employ his doomsday scenario - having northern Minnesota bands use their sovereign status to buy and resell Canadian drugs from their reservations. But theres a catch: While Pawlenty considers this a last resort, at least two Minnesota bands are proceeding with plans to enter the lucrative prescription drug market. And they say the state will have little to do with their decision. Floyd Jourdain Jr., chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, said his band is deep into negotiations with a Manitoba tribe on a range of trade issues that include selling prescription drugs, possibly from the bands Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minn. But it will be the Red Lake Nation that makes that decision, he said, not the state of Minnesota. None of our talks regarding trade with Canadian tribes have involved the governor or the state of

Minnesota, Jourdain said, and its pretty presumptuous of him [Pawlenty] to be making those statements, since he hasnt been dealing with us straightforward. Pawlentys press secretary, Brian McClung, said earlier that Pawlenty had talked about the concept with Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake Indians - the same group with whom he is negotiating the states first off-reservation, metro-area casino. But Jourdain said he has had no discussion with Pawlenty about prescription drugs. And taking the idea public before talking to the bands about it, Jourdain said, is not the proper way to do this. That is definitely not considered government-to-government interaction. [Star Tribune, 3/5/05] Pawlenty Said He May Ask Tribes To Import Prescription Drugs From Canada And Resell Them If A Federal Ban On Mail-Order Pharmaceuticals Was Imposed. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The same legal status that allows Indian tribes to operate casinos and sell discount cigarettes could make them the next place to look for discount prescription drugs. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Wednesday that he may seek the assistance of Minnesotas Indian tribes in importing low-cost medicine from Canada for Minnesota consumers if a federal ban is imposed on mail-order pharmaceuticals The governor said he and tribal leaders were looking into the legality of Minnesotan tribes importing prescription drugs from their Canadian counterparts and selling them in pharmacies on tribal lands. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/17/05]

SENIORS
Senior Programs And Health Care
PAWLENTYS 2009 UNALLOTMENT HURT SENIORS
Pawlentys Unallotment Of State Funds Is Hurting Community Partners, Such As Nursing Homes And Residential Group Homes. According to the West Central Tribune, The unallotment of state funds is hurting community partners, such as nursing homes and residential group homesGov. Tim Pawlenty implemented the unallotment of $246 million in health and human service funds to offset a $2.7 billion state budget deficit. Kieft said those who provide services to county residents are feeling the impact of the unallotment. The squeeze is being put on them as reimbursements are delayed, reduced or frozen.[West Central Tribune (Wilmar, M.N.), 7/8/09] Pawlentys Unilateral Budget Cuts To Health Care Would Cause Some Nursing Homes To Close, Reduce Access To Seniors And Limit Personal Care For Seniors. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, With more than a quarter of nursing homes in financial jeopardy, the withdrawal of rate increases may force some to close and reduce access for seniors. Rate adjustments to compensate for inflation already had been eliminated for 2011, but Pawlenty pushed the schedule up one year. Similarly, the state budget already capped personal care aides, or PCAs, at no more than 310 hours of work per month. Pawlenty would cut that to 275 hours. The cap could eliminate some fraudulent billing to the state some PCAs claimed more than 24 hours of work in a day but also push some quality aides out of the business. Seniors needing round-the-clock care may struggle to find help and end up in expensive nursing homes sooner than planned. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/16/09] Senior Centers Were Feeling The Pinch Partly Due To Pawlentys Cuts To Local Government Aid. According to the Star Tribune, Across Minnesota, several hundred senior centers that serve thousands of older people are feeling the pinch of declining funding from corporate and government supporters and individual contributorsAfter state aid to cities was cut by Gov. Tim Pawlenty earlier this year as part of his efforts balance the state budget, some cities cut their support of senior centers and other services. Thats the main reason for a 25 percent budget cut -- from about $720,000 to $575,000 -- at the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud, Minn., which serves about 4,000 seniors, said director Steven Hennes. Were cutting hours and part-time jobs, but were trying to protect our programming as much as possible. [Star Tribune, 12/14/09] County Cut Homemaking Program For Disabled And Elderly Residents As A Result Of Pawlentys Unilateral Budget Cuts. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, On a 3-2 vote, the Beltrami County Board decided [on September 15, 2009] to eliminate the Health and Human Services homemaking program for disabled and elderly clientsHealth and Human Services Director Mary Marchel proposed discontinuing the service to 167 county clients during a work session Sept. 1. County Board members asked for a thorough description of the plan to phase out the services by the end of the year, as a savings in 2010 of $105,921[Marchel] said during the Sept. 1 work session that discontinuing the homemaking services was a response to the reduction in state funding in Gov. Tim Pawlentys unallotment. [Bemidji Pioneer, 9/16/09]

NURSING HOME FUNDING BARELY IN 2005 UNDER PAWLENTY

Pawlenty Proposed Paltry Increase For Nursing Homes In 2006-07 Budget. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, In a $29.6 billion budget, there is enough for everybody to chew on. From school parents to nursing home workers, college students to hospital administrators, people relying on government-run health care to those looking at their tax payout on April 15, all are affected by the two-year spending plan Gov. Tim Pawlenty laid out Tuesday. Two percent, to me, is almost laughable, said Mary Ball, a veteran licensed practical nurse at an Annandale nursing home, responding to the proposed increase in nursing home fundingMary Balls viewpoint is shaped by 22 years at the Annandale Care Center, where she supervises a wing of 31 residents, who are cared for by three nursing assistants. She has nearly three decades of experience and believes nursing homes -- even with Pawlentys proposed increase -- remain chronically underfunded and cannot attract and keep committed workers. For 31 years of nursing -- thats taking care of people, not working on cars -- I make $18 and some change an hour, she said. How are you supposed to staff nursing homes, provide quality of care with all the mandates when you cant bring staff in to work because of poor wages? She said the ability to focus on each resident is limited because of staffing restrictions. A lot of people I take care of, I know them from growing up in town, she said. For me not to be able to do any more than maintenance work, not to be able to spend quality time with them, is terrible. [Duluth News-Tribune, 1/26/05]

PAWLENTYS 2003 BUDGET PROPOSED PENALTIES AND CUT FUNDING FOR SENIORS
Pawlenty Proposed Penalizing Private-Pay Nursing Home Residents. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Pawlenty and his fellow Republicans go one step too far. Their bills set in motion a four-year phase-out of a long-standing state requirement that all nursing home residents be charged the same rate. They would allow providers of long-term care to charge private-pay residents more than the state is willing to pay for the care of residents whose assets have been depleted. AARP Minnesota calls the proposal a targeted tax on those doing their best to pay for their care out of their own pocket. Eliminating the equal-rate requirement would make some residents pay more in order to subsidize the care of others. For the nursing home residents who are in for extended stays, the end to rate equalization will hasten the exhaustion of their assets, and the day when their care must be paid by the taxpayer. That is not in taxpayers interestsOnce nursing homes are allowed to shift costs from public-pay to private-pay patients, the gap between private rates and Medicaid support could widen fast. Future legislators may be only too happy to let providers cover an increasing share of their operating costs with private-pay income. An important incentive for keeping Medicaid reimbursement at adequate levels will be lost. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/17/03] Pawlenty Proposed $100 Million Cut To Nursing Homes, Senior Citizens Programs In 2004-05 Budget. According to the Pioneer Press, Pawlenty announced $100 million in proposed cuts to nursing homes and a variety of senior citizen programs. [Pioneer Press, 3/28/03] Pawlenty Recommended Reducing Reimbursements To Nursing Homes, Would Affect 38,000 Seniors. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in his 2004-05 budget Pawlenty proposed to reduce state reimbursement to nursing home care providers by 4 percent, affecting about 38,000 elderly residents in 417 facilities. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/03] Pawlenty Proposed Elimination Of State Funding For Meals On Wheels Program. According to an editorial by Deborah Locke of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty will eliminate Minnesotas share of the Meals on Wheels program. [Deborah Locke, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/6/03]

Pawlenty Nearly Tripled Nursing Home Surcharge. According to Minnesotas nonpartisan Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis, the FY 2004-05 budget signed by Pawlenty increased the nursing home surcharge for private residents from $990 to $2,815 per bed. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the biggest of the proposed fee increases, according to [Finance Commissioner Dan] McElroy, will be a $6-a-day increase in fees for so-called private pay patients who pay their own expenses in nursing homes and are not eligible for state-paid care. [Changes in Fees, Co-pays and Surcharges, Office of Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis, Revised 3/6/06; St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/16/03] Pawlenty Proposed Cutting Stipends For Senior Volunteer Programs. According to the AP, Pawlenty has defended his plan to cut stipends for senior volunteer programs, saying if theyre truly volunteers, they shouldnt need compensation. [Associated Press, 4/11/03]

Social Security And Medicare

Pawlentys Medicare Plan Had Performance Pay Mechanism. According to CNN, Im going to have my own plan, John, that will feature some differences from Congressman Ryans plan. It will feature performance pay rather than just volume pay to hospitals and clinics and providers. It will allow Medicare to continue as an option, but itll be priced against various other options that were going to offer people, as well, and some other things. [CNN, 06/13/11] Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Melissa Dribben Criticized Pawlentys Performance Pay Medicare Reform Plan. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer Dribben compares the idea to the No Child Left Behind Act and compares performance-pay to other industries. Hostage negotiation? They often dont go so well. What if experts were paid only when captives walked out happy? Bomb defusing? Another iffy enterprise. Tell the guys approaching the hurt locker that if they want a raise, those IEDs had better not explode. Parenting teenagers? Few efforts yield such pitiful results. Tell parents that

their tax deductions will be based on said offsprings exemplary behavior. Money in the bank for families producing quiet, polite, studious, sober, trustworthy, and sexually abstinent adolescents who fold their laundry and return the car with a full tank. Steven Reiss, emeritus psychology professor at Ohio State University and a national expert on motivational theory, stated, It makes sense to offer raises to business managers who reduce energy use in a factory or improve customer service, but ordering doctors to make people healthy? I dont know if thats a very good idea. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 06/02/11] Pawlenty Said Calling Social Security Unconstitutional Would Cost Republicans In The General Election. According to the Minnesota Independent, Pawlenty, who has officially backed Romney, warned that Pres. Barack Obama shouldnt be underestimated, and said Republicans shouldnt waste this opportunity by nominating a vulnerable candidate. Pawlenty also took a veiled swipe at Texas Gov. Rick Perry. While Romney has long seen that Social Security has severe, long-term financial problems, he favors saving and protecting the program by fixing those problems, Pawlenty wrote. He has not denounced the program-as some have done-and called it unconstitutional. He has not proposed that Social Security be turned over to state governments. Pawlenty said those positions on Social Security are untenable and would cost Republicans dearly in the election. [The Minnesota Independent, 9/26/11] Pawlenty, Who Criticized Rick Perry For Calling Social Security A Ponzi Scheme, Referred To The Federal Budget As A Ponzi Scheme In 2009. According to Politico, Neil King notes that Tim Pawlenty, whos been slamming Rick Perry all day for calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme, was once fairly fond of the phrase as a descriptive for the federal budget: Washington is running a Ponzi scheme. They take in 2.2 trillion a year and they got 65 trillion of unfunded liabilities, the then-governor of Minnesota said on CNBCs Neil Cavuto show in December, 2009, according to transcripts. Later in the show, Mr. Pawlenty returned to the topic: As the nation continues to wake up to the fact that we have a Ponzi scheme on the Potomac under way, they are not going to tolerate more of this-and mathematically, we cant. He doubled down on the phrase a month later, speaking to Fox News Greta Van Susteren. You cannot meet $65 trillion of unfunded liabilities total on $2.2 trillion of revenue, he said. It is a Ponzi scheme, Greta. Its going to come crashing down. Were going to have the federal government financial equivalent of the subprime mortgage crisis. [Politico, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Wrote That Refusing To Raise The Debt Ceiling Would Give The U.S. Time To Restructure Entitlement Spending And End The Ponzi Scheme Being Run By The Federal Government. According to Politico, Mr. Pawlenty came the closest to calling Social Security itself a Ponzi scheme this January, in an opinion piece he wrote for the St. Paul Pioneer Press on how the Republicans should refuse to raise the debt ceiling. And by signaling to world markets that the United States is serious about its fiscal situation, it would buy us time to restructure entitlement spending and end the Ponzi scheme being run by the federal government, he wrote. Along with Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security is at the core of the federal governments entitlement spending. [Politico, 9/12/11]

Pawlentys Iowa Campaign Co-Chair Roger Underwood Said Pawlentys Decision To Endorse Romney By Attacking Rick Perrys Position On Social Security Was Really Disappointing. According to Politico, The failed presidential candidates decision to sign on as a national co-chair for Romneys campaign surprised many former staffers and fundraisers. And to a livid Roger Underwood, Pawlentys Iowa campaign co-chair, the former Minnesota governors decision to pin his endorsement to an attack on Rick Perrys position on Social Security was really disappointing. Rick Perry brought up some interesting points about Social Security and I was saddened that Romney quickly treated those concerns as if they were not really concerns, he said, who hasnt yet picked another candidate to support. So it surprises me that Governor Pawlenty would jump on someone who so quickly disses those concerns, when the reality is Rick Perry is speaking truth. We have an absolute train wreck at our feet. [Politico, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Criticized Rick Perrys Stance On Social Security. According to Politico, Politicos David Catanese reports from the scene in Florida, where hes covering the CNN/Tea Party Ex-press debate tonight, and where he had an interview with newly-minted Mitt Romney surrogate Tim Pawlenty: While not saying it explicitly, he signaled that Rick Perrys Ponzi scheme description of Social Security would hurt him in the general election and even among conservative primary voters. Yes, Social Security needs fixing and reforming but we do need to maintain it, not throw it out. For some-body to say that its a failure or that were going to just get rid of it, or push it all back to the states. I dont think thats where a bulk of the country is, he said. Pawlenty, who hails from a purplish state, could be an effective message on the Social Security as failure line, especially if Perry doesnt start formulating his own plan for fixing the system. [Politico, 9/12/11] Pawlenty Said Romney Did Not Want To Abolish Social Security Like Gov. Rick Perry. According to The Business Insider, Pawlenty called Romney the complete package, but specifically cited his leadership on the economy as the reason for his decision. He added that Romney doesnt want to abolish or end Social Security, but made the point that front-runner Texas Gov. does. [The Business Insider, 9/12/11]

Pawlenty Pushed Social Security Cuts For The Wealthy. According to the Des Moines Register, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said at a campaign stop this morning in Urbandale that doing nothing to reform Social Security will force deep benefit cuts for all. Pawlenty was defending his proposal for the wealthiest Americans to receive fewer benefits, as a way to ensure pay outs remain steady for everyone. One man questioned the wisdom of the policy, arguing that receiving fewer benefits when not paying less is unfair. The people who say theyre going to do nothing, are for the current law. And the current law cuts Social Security benefits for everybody. So if youre for doing nothing, youre for cutting Social Security, Pawlenty said. [Des Moines Register, 07/27/11] Pawlenty: By Far, The Biggest Long-Term Driver Of The Federal Debt Is Entitlement Spending, Including Social Security And Medicare. These Programs Are Going To Have To Be Changed. According to an Op-ed by Tim Pawlenty in Politico, We should remember President Ronald Reagans advice that solutions may not be easy, but they are often simple. Obama and Congress should Reform out-of-control entitlements. By far, the biggest long-term driver of the federal debt is entitlement spending, including Social Security and Medicare. These programs are going to have to be changed. And despite Beltway rhetoric, it can be done. For example, in Minnesota, our bus drivers in the Twin Cities had benefits that were completely unsustainable. The premise of our reform was simple: The status quo must change. We kept our commitment to current employees but changed the rules for new hires. Reforming that entitlement program and others wasnt easy. The reforms for our bus drivers led to one of the longest transit strikes in recent history. But we did it. So must Washington. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Politico, 7/14/10] Pawlenty Said The State Of The Union Was Abysmal Because Obama Didnt Address Entitlement Reforms. According to an interview on Fox and Friends, Pawlenty said, Well, unfortunately, one of the things he stood at the plate for and swung the bat was government spending and as you know, he called for cutting $400 billion over ten years out of our spending pattern when last year alone, they had a 5 trillion with trillion dollars deficits as far as the eye could see. He swung and whiffed at one of the greatest challenges and didnt address entitlement reforms. I thought the state of the union in that regard was abysmal. [Fox and Friends, 1/31/11] Pawlenty Said Republicans Should Absolutely Start Working On Entitlement Reform Now, Because They Have An Obligation To Walk The Walk And Not Just Talk The Talk. According to Hot Air, in an interview with Ed Morrissey, Pawlenty was asked, Should the Republicans start working on entitlement reform right now? He responded, Absolutely. Because, first of all, the country needs it and the hour is late in terms of the math of this thing. Its getting exponentially worse as we sit here, and it gets worse every day. But number two, all of the Republicans, including me, have said, you know, its time to make these tough decisions. If you send us back to Washington well make these changes, well do the difficult things. Well, now its time to do it. And whether the Presidents on board or not, I think they have an obligation to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. [Ed Morrissey, Hot Air, 1/18/11]

PAWLENTY ON INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS

Pawlenty Was An Early Supporter Of The Bush Plan To Privatize Social Security. According to The Los Angeles Times, Several Republican governors expressed support during interviews Saturday for Bushs plan for private accounts, including Govs. Lingle of Hawaii, Robert A. Taft of Ohio, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jim Douglas of Vermont, all of whom said the idea was popular with young people in their states. [Los Angeles Times, 2/27/05] Pawlenty Supported Bushs Plan To Create Personal Savings Account In Place Of Social Security But Claimed It Wouldnt Privatize The System. According to an interview of Tim Pawlenty on MSNBCs Hardball, Chris Matthews asked Pawlenty, Would you give -- would you give people the freedom to decide whether to kick into Social Security and whether to have a program of any kind? Would you force them to have something? Pawlenty responded, I think people for the common good should contribute something. Matthews asked, Would you trust people to look out for their own retirement? Pawlenty responded, Yes, within guidelines, if the government was set so they dont get ripped off. Moments later, Matthews asked, you wouldnt be afraid that some people would end up not having saved, not having put money aside, because they cant, because theyre pressed or because theyre just not that kind person to look ahead? Arent you worried about those people ending up as wards of the state? Pawlenty said, To a point, Chris. Thats why government should step in and say theres some minimal safeguards, some minimal programming. But beyond that, if theres an opportunity for choice or enhancement. Later, Matthews asked, You really believe this president has the nerve to try

something that dramatic as to try to privatize Social Security?...Or a portion of it. Pawlenty responded, He has not talked about privatizing Social Security. Matthews said, Well, create personal accounts. Pawlenty said, Well, personal accounts. And so, within a range, a minor slice of it, let people have some discretion, some choice. I think thats a reasonable and fair thing. And for the generation that already is, let them go with it.We are not talking about privatizing Social Security. The president is only talking about personal accounts, one small slice of a much larger picture. So we have to put it in context. [Hardball, MSNBC, 8/31/04]

PAWLENTY ON MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID

Pawlenty Claimed He Would Never Reduce Or Abolish Medicare Or Medicaid As President
Pawlenty Claimed He Would Oppose Abolishing Or Reducing Medicare And Medicaid. According to an interview with Tim Pawlenty that was printed in February 2010, Esquire asked, Do you think the Medicare Act of 1965 would have been consistent with your beliefs and something you would have signed had you been president? Or how about the Social Security Act? Is Social Security a proper role of government? How are those programs materially different from the healthcare reform that has been the focus of the presidents attention? Pawlenty responded, Well, in 1965 I was only five years old. I think if you look at Medicare and Medicaid, the premise was that government needs to provide some assistance to people who arent able to take care of themselves. I think we all share that goal, Republicans and Democrats. I dont think anybodys gonna go back now and say, Lets abolish, or reduce, Medicare and Medicaid. But as we confront the challenges and the responsibilities of our time from here on how do we serve more people or different people who are in need of financial assistance? Just forever having the government expand to address all of that seems unwise. So I cant tell you what I would have thought in 1965. I can tell you I dont favor tearing down those programs, but I do think they can be reformed and improved. [Esquire, 2/12/10]

Yet Pawlenty Later Said He Wanted To Reduce Benefits For Those New To The Programs
Pawlenty Said Social Security And Medicare Benefits Would Need To Be Reduced For Those Who Are New To The System. According to an interview on Meet the Press, David Gregory asked Tim Pawlenty, So would you be prepared to cut entitlement benefits, cut Medicare, raise the, the, the age for Social Security or cut benefits for Social Security? Pawlenty responded, Heres the math. The federal government takes in $2.2 trillion a year revenues, all sources for all purposes. Their total unfunded liabilities, including entitlements, including pensions, including the whole bill, is $65 trillion. There is no way you can make that math work. So the truth of the matter is, is we are going to have to reform entitlement programsWere not going to cut people off in terms of their pensions if weve made a promise to you. But for people who are new to the system, who are coming on, where we can fairly give them notice and fairly change expectations, the systems going to change. [Meet the Press, NBC, 2/21/10] Pawlenty Said Medicare Should Be Changed From Paying For Volumes Of Procedures Performed To Paying For Better Healthcare Outcomes. According to an interview with Real Clear Politics, Tim Pawlenty was asked, You say that Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlements are going to have to be changed. How should they be changed? He responded, On Medicare, we need to switch from the current system, which is paying for volumes of procedures performed, to paying for better healthcare outcomes. We should offer incentives for healthcare providers to actually improve the health of people and turn it into a performance pay system, particularly as it relates to the chronic care conditions like cancer and diabetes and obesity and heart disease and others that account for most of the medical expenditures in the system. [Real Clear Politics interview, 7/14/10]

Pawlenty Also Proposed Means Tests For Social Security

Pawlenty Advocated For Means Testing The Cost Of Living Adjustment On Social Security. According to an interview on Fox and Friends, Tim Pawlenty said, in Social Security, nobody wants to touch it, but the fact of the matter is theyre going to have to make reasonable changes, one which could be lets means test not the whole program, but the cost of living adjustment. Means testing isnt ideal, but among the bad choices we have, if youre really wealthy, youll get a smaller increase in the future than if youre middle class or poor. Were going to have to have an index retirement age for new entrants in the future. Most American people understand we got a problem. Those are reasonable solutions. You could rally people to that cause. But he didnt even tee it up. He wont even address it. Hes got all this rhetoric, but the fact is hes chicken to address the real issues. [Fox and Friends, 1/31/11]

Pawlenty Said He Wanted To Means Test The Social Security COLA, But Adding I Dont Like Means Testing Philosophically. According to an interview on Parker Spitzer, Tim Pawlenty discussed ways to cut Social Security costs. He said, On Social Security heres one quick example amongst many. If you just say -- and I dont like means testing philosophically if you just say, as to the COLA, not the whole program, if you are really wealthy youre not going to get as big an increase in the future as if youre middle income or poor. That by itself would take care of a significant chunk of the problem. [Parker Spitzer, CNN, 1/11/11] Pawlenty Said He Would Not Means Test The Entire Social Security Program Because, I Dont Think We Need To. According to an interview on Parker Spitzer, Tim Pawlenty was asked, Would you means test all of Social Security? Pawlenty responded, I dont think we need to. There is other things we can do I would say to the new entrants into the program, were going to correlate your retirement age not for the people who are already there to life expectancy in the future in a reasonable way. And theres other things like that, you add them up and they go a long ways towards solving the problem. [Parker Spitzer, CNN, 1/11/11]

Pawlenty Said Means Testing The Social Security COLA Could Take Care Of As Much As 25 Percent Or A Third Of The Total Unfunded Liability Of The Program. According to an interview with Real Clear Politics, Tim Pawlenty was asked, You say that Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlements are going to have to be changed. How should they be changed? He responded, On Social Security, I do support giving new entrants into the system the ability to have their own investment choices, private options in their Social Security planOne of the things Ive been proposing is, lets means test the COLA going forward. We should means test the cost of living adjustment so that if you are a high wage, higher income person, you would get a smaller cost of living increase in your Social Security than those who are medium or middle income or low income. If you make a change like that, it could take care of as much as 25 percent or a third of the total unfunded liability of the program. [Real Clear Politics interview, 7/14/10]

Bock-Grating Medicaid To The States

Pawlenty Suggested Vouchers For Medicaid. According to an interview on Fox Newss Journal Editorial Report, Tim Pawlenty discussed health care and said, And lastly, for people who say, Well, how are you going to help the disadvantaged who need it? Well, lets give them the help to the extent we can afford it. But lets give it to them directly. Lets not run it through some government bureaucracy. Lets give them a voucher, a credit, a stipend. Let them be in charge, and give them incentives to make wise decisions. [Journal Editorial Report, Fox News, 1/22/11] Pawlenty On Medicaid: The Federal Government Should Cap Its Spending Commitment To That Program At A Level It Can Reasonably Afford And Then Block Grant The Program To The States. According to an interview with Real Clear Politics, Tim Pawlenty was asked, You say that Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlements are going to have to be changed. How should they be changed? He responded, In a number of ways. In the case of Medicaid, which provides healthcare for the poor, the program should be block granted to the states. I think the federal government should cap its spending commitment to that program at a level it can reasonably afford and then block grant the program to the states, ask them to use it generally to provide healthcare to the poor but allow the states great flexibility in how they want to do it in a way that works best for their states. Let them innovate, let them experiment, let them try market solutions rather than this one-size-fits-all Washington, D.C., approach. [Real Clear Politics interview, 7/14/10]

Raising the Retirement Age

Pawlenty Said Raising The Retirement Age Is An Option Hes Willing To Consider For Younger Workers Entering Social Security Programs. According to the Washington Post, Pawlenty also said raising the retirement age is an option hes willing to consider for younger workers entering Social Security programs. Your retirement age is going to be pegged to some reasonable correlation to life expectancy, he said. Pawlenty wrapped up a two-day visit to New Hampshire as part of his book tour. He said he will decide whether he will seek the White House in the coming weeks. [Washington Post, 1/25/11] Pawlenty Implied His Support For Raising The Retirement Age. According to an interview on Parker Spitzer, Tim Pawlenty was asked about means testing Social Security. He said, I dont think we need to. Theres other things that we can do that I think most Americans, Republicans and Democrats -- because look, were in a hole. And we dont have perfect options. Were going to have to do some other things too. I would say that the new entrants into the program, were going to correlate your retirement. Not for the people already there, to life expectancy in the future in some reasonable way. And

theres other things like that. You add them up and they get to go a long ways towards solving the problem. [Parker Spitzer, CNN, 1/11/11] Pawlenty: I Think Saying To The New Entrants In The Future Into The [Social Security] Program That Were Going To Index The Retirement Age To Some Correlation To Life Expectancy Is A Reasonable Thing. According to an interview on Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough asked Tim Pawlenty, Marco Rubio in Florida has already been courageous enough to say we may have to raise the retirement age to 70 for future generations. Is that something you would be willing to say? Pawlenty responded, The question isnt what to do, its just fortitude. Heres the things I think reasonable people could meet on: Were gonna means test, not the whole program, but just the cost of living increase so if youre upper-middle income or wealthy youll get a smaller increase than people who are middle income or lower middle income. I think saying to the new entrants in the future into the program that were going to index the retirement age to some correlation to life expectancy is a reasonable thing. The American people arent stupid. They need leaders to look them in the eye and say, Heres the truth. Were not going to scare you, were not going to break promises we made to you, but this isnt going to work on the pathway that were on so were gonna have to do some things differently. Those two that I just mentioned and others are not unreasonable. Theyre not scary. I think adult people can look the country in the eye and say weve gotta to do things like this. [MSNBC, Morning Joe, 11/4/10]

Senior Issues And Nursing Homes

Pawlenty Opposed Increasing Penalty For Criminal Neglect Of Vulnerable Adults. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Elderly, sick and disabled adults will get extra protection from abuse and neglect under a bill the House adopted on Tuesday. The newly revised Vulnerable Adults Act imposes criminal background checks for caretakers at all nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions. It also creates a single clearinghouse at the county level for reports of abuse. But the House refused to toughen penalties against doctors and other health workers convicted of intentionally maltreating adults considered vulnerable because they are unable to care for themselvesHouse debate focused on whether to increase the penalty for criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, which can draw up to 10 years in prison. The bill also more sharply defined harm as conscious disregard to human life. But IR Rep. Tim Pawlenty, an Eagan attorney, argued for keeping the current law, noting that a gross misdemeanor can draw a one-year prison term. Doctors will be on the edge of complete paranoia if the penalties increase, Pawlenty said, quoting medical ethicist Arthur Caplan. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/17/95]

Additional Seniors Issues

From 1988-2002, 4,000 People Died In Nursing Homes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Death is inevitable for many, if not most, people in nursing homes. But hundreds of Minnesotans perish annually from possibly avoidable conditions, a Pioneer Press analysis found. Nearly 4,000 people died over a 15-year period from pressure sores, dehydration, falls and other injuries, according to records reviewed by the newspaper. Patient advocates say avoidable deaths are a silent national scandal. They also believe many more such cases go unreported or are never detected by overstretched government regulators, who investigate only a fraction of the complaints received. Four thousand people dying of an underlying cause that could have been avoided is tragic, said Sharon Zoesch, the state ombudsman for older Minnesotans. Thats something that should rise to the level of an important discussion of what to do about it among the policymakers in this state. Kathleen Kelso, executive director of ElderCare Rights Alliance, a Bloomington-based advocacy group for Minnesota nursing home residents and their families, said the findings are consistent with calls she has received about deaths in long-term care facilities An analysis of Minnesota death certificate data shows that injuries, dehydration and pressure sores were recorded as the underlying cause in about 2 percent of deaths in Minnesota nursing homes from 1988 through 2002. The vast majority of people succumbed to natural causes such as heart disease, lung problems and the consequences of Alzheimers disease. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23/05]

PAWLENTY APPROVED A PROGRAM CHANGE THAT REQUIRED SENIORS TO PUT A LIEN ON THEIR HOME TO PAY FOR SERVICES

Pawlenty Approved Changes To Program That Provided Home-Delivered Meals, Cleaning Help, Home Health Aides And Adult Day Care For Nearly 12,200 Vulnerable Seniors, Which Required Seniors To Put A Lien On Their Home. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Minnesotas help for frail, low- to moderate-income seniors who live at home now comes with a string attached: a lien on their home. Letters mailed in June alerted seniors to the liens, as well as a handful of other changes to Minnesotas $64 million Alternative Care program, which provided home-delivered meals, cleaning help, home health aides and adult day care for nearly 12,200 vulnerable seniors in 2002. A lien guarantees that money owed will be repaid. In this case, the payment comes from proceeds generated when the house is sold. News of the move frightened and confused seniors, say St. Louis County social workers and advocates for the elderly. Frustrated or anxious seniors have dropped out of the program after learning of the liens, county social service agencies report. Legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty approved the changes last session to help reduce Minnesotas two-year, $4.2 billion budget deficit. [Duluth News-Tribune, 7/27/03]

PAWLENTY VETOED PROTECTIONS REGARDING REVERSE MORTGAGES

Pawlenty Vetoed Bill To Prevent Reverse Mortgage Lenders From Taking Advantage Of Senior Citizens. According to Finance and Commerce, Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill that was backed by Attorney General Lori Swanson and designed to prevent reverse mortgage lenders from taking advantage of senior citizens. Pawlenty opposed the legislation because he claimed that it may trigger unintended consequences and increase costs to consumers. A reverse mortgage company released a statement, according to the report, saying As an industry, we are relieved (that) Gov. Pawlenty vetoed the bill. [Finance and Commerce (Minneapolis), 5/27/09] AARP Was Disappointed That Pawlenty Vetoed Bill To Protect Seniors Seeking Reverse Mortgages. According to an op-ed written by Michele Kimball, the Minnesota state director for the AARP, in the Star Tribune, As a consumer organization representing more than 700,000 Minnesotans age 50 and older, AARP would like to respond to reverse mortgage broker Gail Wempners July 13 Business Forum column, Seniors need reverse-mortgage option, about Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of a bill to protect consumers of reverse mortgages. Unfortunately, reverse-mortgage fraud happens -- even in MinnesotaConsumers of reverse mortgages deserve protection from fraudulent tactics that could steal their home equity and destroy their financial well being. AARP supported this legislation as a common-sense way to protect consumers of reverse mortgages, while at the same time ensuring that those who truly need these products can get themAARP is disappointed that Gov. Pawlenty vetoed this bill that would help protect homeowners seeking reverse mortgages. We hope that the industry and lawmakers are willing to come to the table to protect older homeowners and we are willing to work with all parties to find a reasonable solution that protects Minnesotas consumers. [Michele Kimball, Star Tribune, 7/16/09]

PAWLENTY CUT RENTERS TAX CREDIT THAT AFFECTED SENIORS

Pawlentys Cut To Renters Tax Credit Would Affect Thousands Each Year, Many Of Them Senior Citizens And The Disabled. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlentys plan to cut the state renters credit has some tenants worried about how they will make ends meet. The credit is a refund that goes to thousands of people each year, many of them senior citizens and the disabledAbout 28 percent of the 274,000 households are seniors or disabled. More than half survive on less than $20,000 a year. The refund program was originally intended to offset renters share of state property taxes. To help balance the budget, Pawlenty has proposed cutting it by more than a quarter - or about $51 million a year. [Minnesota Public Radio, 6/22/09] Group Slammed Pawlenty For Reducing Renters Tax Credit. According to the Polinaut blog, associated with Minnesota Public Radio, The Alliance for a Better Minnesota is running web ads criticizing Governor Pawlenty and Republican Reps. Marty Seifert, Tom Emmer and Kurt Zellers for scaling back the renters credit in Minnesota. The ad banner, which is on the top of the National Reviews blog right now, says Tim Pawlenty and the GOP stole money from renters. The weblink sends you to a website that determines how much money renters may lose under the action. It also allows viewers to contact their lawmakers to fix the problem. The full website, Return My Rebate, says Pawlenty and other Republicans stole over $50 million from renters in Minnesota when they slashed the renters credit over the summer. They are forcing over 300,000 working Minnesotans to get by with a greater financial burden in a tougher economic climate than ever before. Pawlenty scaled back the size of the renters credit from 19 percent to 15 percent when he unilaterally cut the budget in July. He took the action after he failed to reach a budget deal with Democrats in control of the Legislature. [Polinaut blog, Minnesota Public Radio, 1/28/10]

Pawlenty Proposed A Reduction In The Renters Tax Credit, Which Sparked Outrage Among Seniors. According to the AP, A proposed reduction in a renters tax credit is sparking outrage among those who use it, but Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration says the change is needed to fix flaws in the formula. The credit amounts to a property-tax break for low-income renters and is based on the amount they pay in rent. Pawlenty, in his new budget, recommends reducing the allowable credit over the next two years Max Neuhaus, an issues advocate for the Minnesota Senior Federation, said the reduction would hurt a vulnerable segment of the states population. Theres some outrage out there (among federation members) and for good reason, Neuhaus said. Its about who is balancing the budget. It certainly shouldnt be those most in need. [Associated Press, 1/27/05]

PAWLENTY ADMINISTRATION DIDNT WANT TO PUBLICIZE SETTLEMENT AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANY THAT MISLED MINNESOTA SENIORS
Pawlentys Administration Promised Insurance Company Accused Of Misleading Hundreds Of Minnesota Seniors That It Wouldnt Publicize A Settlement Against The Company. According to the AP, In one of his first official acts, Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson made a written promise not to tell the press or talk to national regulators about a $100,000 settlement reached with an insurance company accused of deceiving Minnesota seniors. In a two-year investigation, the department under Gov. Jesse Ventura found that Texas-based United American Insurance Co. misled hundreds of Minnesota seniors into purchasing supplemental Medicare insurance policies. A year ago, then-Commerce Commissioner Jim Bernstein lambasted the company in a news conference as deceptive and predatory for telling seniors they could lose benefits unless they bought the policies. But days after Wilson replaced him, the new commissioner signed a consent agreement with company officials in which the state got $100,000 but agreed to not call the money a fine. Wilson also agreed to several secrecy clauses...Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff, Charlie Weaver, said the administration takes a dim view of non-disclosure agreements, but he said there is no policy banning them. [Associated Press, 7/29/03]

PAWLENTY CRITICIZED THE RECOVERY PACKAGE, WHICH PROVIDED OVER $1.5 MILLION FOR MEALS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS
Pawlenty Called Stimulus Package Misdirected, Mistargeted, Misprioritized. According to National Journal, in July 2009, Gov. Tim Pawlenty made remarks about the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. He said, This is a bill that was misdirected, mistargeted, misprioritized. It should have put money in peoples pockets through tax cuts and bread-and-butter projects like roads and bridges. It didnt do that to the extent it should have. [National Journal, 7/11/09] ARRA Provided Over $1.5 Million For Meals For Low-Income Seniors. According to the Minnesota ARRA Progress Report, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $1,554,895 to provide meals to low-income seniors in Minnesota. [Minnesota ARRA Progress Report, 4/22/09]

TAXES AND SPENDING

Business Tax Climate
Pawlenty Claimed He Got Minnesota Out Of The Top 10 Highest-Taxed States. According to the Associated Press, in a campaign announcement, Pawlenty stated For decades before I was elected, governors tried and failed to get Minnesota out of the top 10 highest-taxed states in the country. I actually did it. [Associated Press, 5/24/11] Minnesota Remained Among The 10 Worst Tax Climates In The U.S. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota remains among the 10 worst states in its overall tax climate, according to the Tax Foundation. In its 2011 State Business Tax Climate Index, the anti-tax organization ranks Minnesota 43rd, making it the eighth worst state. The ranking slipped from 41st two years earlier. The index considers corporate, individual, sales, unemployment insurance and property taxes. [Associated Press, 5/24/11]

Tax Foundation: Under Pawlenty, Minnesotas Business Tax Climate Became Worse. According Politics in Minnesota, Minnesotas tax climate is the 43rd least business-friendly in the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the Tax Foundation, a conservative Washington, D.C.-based think tank that is frequently critical of tax increases and specific kinds of taxes. Minnesota dropped from 39th in 2006 to 43rd in 2010. [Politics in Minnesota, 10/27/2010]

Broken Anti-Tax Pledge

Pawlenty Waffled On Signing Grover Norquists Taxpayer Protection Pledge. According to the Huffington Post, Tim Pawlenty signed a Norquist-style pledge when he was governor of Minnesota, but has not signed the official one yet this year. I expect that he will, Norquist said, adding I expect that they ALL will. Maybe not. We havent said either way, said Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant. [The Huffington Post, 06/21/11]

TOOK PLEDGE IN 2002

Pawlenty Took Anti-Tax Pledge During 2002 Campaign. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty signed a nonew-taxes campaign pledge in 2002 that was unequivocal, I, Tim Pawlenty, pledge to the taxpayers of the state of Minnesota that I will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes, says the document Pawlenty signed the day before a difficult state Republican convention. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/18/03] Pawlenty Said He Could See Himself Raising Taxes Depending On The Circumstances. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty Saturday said that he could imagine raising taxes if Minnesotas revenues took a massive dive. Would I never change taxes regardless of the circumstances? No. It kind of depends on how bad things would get or what the circumstances were, Pawlenty said at a state Capitol news conference. He previously had said a Taxpayers League of Minnesota anti-tax pledge he signed last summer would guide him during his entire term. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/18/03]

DECLINED TO TAKE PLEDGE IN 2006

In 2006 Pawlenty Declined To Re-Sign No New Taxes Pledge. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty in his campaign launch this week said he will not sign the Leagues pledge against tax increases again. The pledge created a lot of political headaches, especially after DFLers and conservatives blasted Pawlenty for pushing through a so-called health impact fee on cigarettes in 2005. He said he intends to stick to his principles but is not going to sign any pledge by any interest group for any reason. [Star Tribune, 6/2/06]

CLAIMED HE BALANCED BUDGET WITHOUT TAXES

Pawlenty Said He Balanced Every Budget Without Raising Taxes. In an op-ed for Politico, Pawlenty wrote, During my two terms in Minnesota, we balanced every biennial budget without raising taxes. We set priorities and cut spending. As the economy continues to struggle, more challenges lie ahead for both federal and state governments. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Politico, 7/14/10] Pawlenty Said He Rejected Tax Increases Every Year I Was Governor, And Even Cut Taxes Overall. In an op-ed for Politico, Pawlenty wrote Americans have sacrificed enough; its time for government to sacrifice for a change. When Washington Democrats talk about balancing the budget, they speak gravely about painful choices and sacrifice but what they mean is tax increases. In other words, we sacrifice so they can spend. Before we ask taxpayers to make painful choices, we need to ask the politicians and bureaucrats to make a few first. In Minnesota, we rejected tax increases every year I was governor, and even cut taxes overall, to make our state more competitive. Washington can and should do the same. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Politico, 7/14/10]

BUT TAXES INCREASED

Under Pawlenty, Property Taxes Increase By $3 Million, Fees Doubled, And Taxes Increased For 90% Of Minnesotans. According to MinnPost, During Pawlentys tenure, property taxes have increased by $3 billion, or 65 percent. Fees have doubled, reaching a total of $1.25 billion. State and local tax rates have increased for 90 percent of Minnesotans, while tax rates for the states wealthiest, those earning more than $130,000, have decreased. [MinnPost.com, 2/15/10] Pawlentys Own Chief of Staff Said 2005 Budget Included New Taxes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer, Pawlenty said his plan would not increase taxes. Thus he believes hes keeping his 2002 campaign promise to oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes. But is he? His budget calls for extending two taxes, one on rental cars and another on liquor, that were scheduled to expire this year. His K-12 proposal assumes that next year school boards would increase property taxes, subject to voter approval. And he has requested around $ 24 million in fee increases, which some legislators equate with taxes. Just last year, Pawlentys chief of staff, then-state Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy, said of the liquor and rental car tax extensions, Many would say its a new tax. And as WCCO-TV reporter Pat Kessler recounted last week, Pawlenty, while serving as Minnesota co-chairman of President Bushs campaign last year, and other Republicans accused Democratic Sen. John Kerry of casting 98 votes to increase taxes. Some of those votes were for extending expired tax provisions. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/31/05] President Of Taxpayers League Of Minnesota: With Annual Tax Increases That Amount To More Than A Billion Dollars A Year, How Can Anyone Purport That There Have Been No New Taxes? Phil Krinkie, a former Republican state representative and the president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota, wrote in an op-ed in the St. Paul Legal Ledger, As another budget shortfall looms, lets set the record straight on the issue of tax increases during the past four years. In 2005, with the state House and Senate deadlocked in an end of session budget battle, Gov. Pawlenty proposed his now infamous Health Impact Fee, more commonly known to smokers as the 75 cents-a-pack cigarette tax. This tax increase didnt avert a partial government shutdown, but it did increase revenue to the State of Minnesota by more than $200 million per yearSo, with annual tax increases that amount to more than a billion dollars a year, how can anyone purport that there have been no new taxes? Adding injury to insult, there have also been double-digit increases in property taxes over the past four years, as well as billions of dollars of increased fees charged by state and local governments. And all of this goes toward fueling double-digit spending growth at the state and local levels. [Phil Krinkie op-ed, St. Paul Legal Ledger, 9/28/09] Cato Institute: Pawlenty Increased Corporate Taxes By $109 Million Corporate In 2008 As Well As Substantial Fee Increases. According to the fiscal policy report card on Americas Governors by the Cato Institute, Tim Pawlenty pledged not to raise taxes when he ran for governor, but his tax record in office is more mixed than that. He backed a $200 million tax increase on cigarette consumers in 2005 and a $109 million corporate tax increase in 2008. He has also supported substantial increases in fees and charges. Pawlenty has provided some targeted tax relief and imposed temporary limits on local property tax increases, but he has not focused on pro-growth tax rate reductions. Nonetheless, Pawlentys veto record is impressive, including rejecting a gasoline tax increase, a hike in the top personal income tax rate, and various bloated spending bills. Pawlenty has delivered fairly restrained budgets over the years and kept spending growth to modest increases. [Fiscal Policy Report Card on Americas Governors, The Cato Institute, 10/20/08]

Nick Coleman: Pawlentys No Tax Rhetoric Was A Fraud Because Licenses And Fees Rose; Property Taxes Went Up 11% Per Year. In an op-ed for the Star Tribune, Nick Coleman wrote, For five years, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been playing a shell game and pretending taxes havent gone up. All the while, licenses and fees have shot up by $1 billion, and property taxes have been going through the roof - averaging an 11 percent increase per year. Since Pawlenty came into office, residential property taxes have increased $1.4 billion, or $866 per household, according to Wayne Cox of Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice. [Nick Coleman op-ed, Star Tribune, 4/4/07] Pawlenty Said Singular Devotion To Cutting Taxes Was An Incomplete Vision. Anybody can get up and talk about cutting taxes and reducing regulations, Pawlenty said. Give me a week with an eighth-grader and I can teach him to say and think about those things. Cutting taxes and shrinking government are important pieces, he said. But if thats all youve got, thats an incomplete vision for the state. [Star Tribune, 6/11/02]

PAWLENTY SAID HE DID NOT WANT A SMALL GOVERNMENT STATE

Pawlenty We Do Not To Become A Low-Tax, Low-Government State. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty said, We are not going to become, nor do we want to become, a low-tax, low-government state. Thats not our culture, thats not our tradition, thats not who we will become. [Star Tribune, 4/15/03] Pawlenty Said Arkansass Low Level Of Government Services Would Not Fit Minnesotas Tradition And Heritage. According to the Star Tribune, On taxes, [Pawlenty] said Minnesota must compete with adjoining states but not places such as Arkansas, whose low levels of government service would not fit Minnesotas tradition and heritage, he said. [Star Tribune, 11/8/02] Pawlenty Said He Would Not Transform Minnesota Into A Low-Service State Like Missouri Or Arkansas Or Texas. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty fights back hard on the charge that he is inflexible or cold-hearted and would dismantle state government. I am a conservative, a contemporary conservative, he said at Hobeys Restaurant, a breakfast-and-lunch nook not far from his home where, he jokes, the local apparatchiks gather to talk politics and gossip. Its not fair to say that all I have been is doctrinaire. In a pep talk to community and business leaders in Moorhead early this month, Pawlenty said he would not transform Minnesota into a low-service state like Missouri or Arkansas or Texas. But somebody has to rein in government growth and take on those [liberal] interest groups, he said. [Star Tribune, 10/24/02] Pawlenty Was Critical Of States That Were Net Receivers Of Federal Money. In an interview with Pawlenty, Greta Van Susteren asked, All right, so you caught my attention with this fact that for every dollar that Minnesota contributes that you only get 72 cents back, so it seems like its a net loss of 28 cents on the dollar to you. Is that -- I mean, how do you figure that out because thats sort of striking because there must be some states that are going to have -- for every dollars, theyre going to get $1.25 back. Pawlenty responded, Theres no question about it. I wont name names, but there are many states around the country who are net receivers of federal money on that same measurement. And theres third parties who calculate that, that statistic I gave you I think is from the Tax Foundation, and they do that annually or so I dont have that list in front of me, but if I had to take a guess, I would say California is a net recipient and Nevada Im not sure, but I suspect they may be on the recipient side, as well. But a lot of the states around the country that are, you know, less prosperous are also net recipients of federal money, and maybe for some of that, theres good reason as a -- but Ill tell you, the micromanagement thats going on from Washington not only in this bill but in so many other aspects of the state-federal relationship, makes me sad, Greta. We dont have many people left who are appreciative of states rights and why states were founded in the first place, and were getting micromanaged from Washington on everything. [Fox News, Greaa Van Susteren, 3/11/09]
2005: Minnesota Received 72 Cents For Every Dollar Send To The Federal Government. [Tax Foundation, Federal Spending Received Per Dollar of Taxes Paid by State, 2005]

Local Property Taxes Under Pawlenty

PROPERTY TAXES INCREASED UNDER PAWLENTY
From 2002-2008, Property Taxes In Minnesota Increased By An Average Of 70%. According to the Star Tribune, Property taxes in communities across the state continue to climb to unaffordable heights - an average of 70 percent since

2002, according to a study released Sunday by Minnesota 2020, a progressive think tank run by former DFL state Rep. Matt Entenza. The increase cannot be explained by inflation, swelling home values or local government spending, the study said; spending has actually fallen, when adjusted for inflation. Entenza said the reason property taxes are reaching crisis heights is primarily because of the loss of local government aid from the state, driven by Gov. Tim Pawlentys one-time pledge and continuing opposition to increasing state taxes. The loss of revenues from the state has forced school districts, cities and counties to turn to property taxpayers to pay more of the cost of services. The governor was able to claim he was holding the line on taxes, when in reality he was causing taxes to go up, Entenza said. The solution, he said, is for the state to resume its commitment to helping pay for essential services. [Star Tribune, 2/11/08] From 1999-2008, Minnesota Property Taxes Increased $102%. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, In what State Auditor Rebecca Otto termed a troubling trend, Minnesota cities over the past decade became more dependent on property taxes as funds from the state and federal governments provided a smaller share of their revenue. The auditors 2008 City Finances Report, released Thursday, showed that between 1999 and 2008, the property-tax revenue cities collected grew 102 percent, compared with a 10 percent increase in revenue from other governmental sources. During that same period, the proportion of revenue that cities derived from property taxes grew from 24 percent in 1999 to 35 percent in 2008, the report showed. Their share of funding from the state and federal governments decreased from 32 percent of total revenue to 25 percent. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/14/10] Pawlenty Said 5.3% Increase In Property Taxes Was Modest. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Property taxes are projected to increase between 8 percent and 9 percent across Minnesota this year, according to two predictions issued by state researchers Thursday. The news isnt as bad for homeowners. The state Revenue Department estimated property taxes on owner-occupied homes would rise 5.3 percent, while the nonpartisan Minnesota House Research Department forecast a 5.7 percent increase. Business property taxes will go up about 8 percent. Democratic legislative leaders said those higher-thanexpected increases show that the 2008 Legislature should buy down property tax bills for financially stressed homeowners. But Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty characterized the 5.3 percent increase on homes as modest. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/10/08] Property Taxes In Minnesota Were Largest Provider Of Road Funding, More Than Double The State Gas Tax. According to the Star Tribune, Motorists who use two interchanges on Interstate Hwy. 494 can thank a surprising group of contributors to Minnesotas freeway system: Woodbury property tax payers. In the past dozen years, Woodbury residents and businesses have forked over $34 million in taxes and special assessments to add on- and off-ramps at Lake and Tamarack Roads to serve the fast-growing suburbs traffic needs They had to pay because dedicated roads funding from state and federal road-user sources such as fuel and vehicle taxes has been relatively stagnant for years. Meanwhile, local property levies for roads and bridges in Minnesota have doubled since the mid-1990s - to an estimated $1.6 billion in 2006. The result, little noticed by most Minnesotans, is that property taxes have become the states single largest funder of roads, nearly equal to all state and federal sources combined Property taxes and assessments for roads now are four times what Minnesota gets via the federal gasoline tax, three times the states vehicle taxes and fees, and more than double the state gas tax collections. [Star Tribune, 5/13/07]

SLASHED LOCAL AID

Pawlenty Admitted That Cutting Local Government Aid Funding Increased Tax Burden On Minnesotans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, You know, you cant run around the state and say Im not going to increase taxes and then cut LGA in a way that drives up local property taxes. I know that,; Pawlenty told coalition leaders at a conference in Worthington in 2002. By 2003, he was cutting LGA, and that trend continued through his unallotment of $300 million of aid to local governments in June -- the largest of a long list of budget cuts he made to move the state into the black. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/12/09] Pawlenty Cut Local Government Aid Funds Every Year In Office Despite Promising Not To, Led To $3 Billion Increase In Property Taxes. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, State aid to cities, or Local Government Aid, has been cut each budget year by Rep. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, despite saying as a candidate he would preserve the aid and hold down property taxes. The Minnesota Department of Revenue shows that property taxes have increased from $4.02 billion in 2002 to $6.98 billion in 2009. [Bemidji Pioneer, 6/15/10]

Chamber Of Commerce: Pawlentys LGA Cuts May Be Part Of The Equation Of Ever Increasing Property Taxes In Minnesota. According to station KARE, St. Paul Chamber of Commerce President Matt Kramer said Wednesday this weeks report from Minnesota 2020 on the rise of property taxes in Saint Paul, and across Minnesota, shortsightedly placed the responsibility for the increase on Gov. Tim Pawlentys cuts to Local Government Aid. While these cuts may be part of the equation, cities, counties and school districts have a responsibility to find new ways of doing business that put the taxpayers interests first. [KARE, 9/2/10] Under Pawlenty Administration, Property Taxes Have Increased By Over 25 Percent For The Average Homeowner Due To Local Government Aid Cuts Pawlenty Championed. According to a report by Minnesota 20/20, Since 2002, Minnesota property taxes, in general, and homeowner property taxes, in particular, have increased rapidly. The cause of the statewide growth in property taxes is not growth in local government budgets. These property tax hikes are the result of state policies that require more public costs to be borne by property taxpayers and a larger share of total property taxes to be borne by homeowners. Of the 854 cities in Minnesota, 677 (79.3 percent) experienced an increase in per capita property taxes from 2002 to 2009, while 560 (65.6 percent) experienced an increase of ten percent or moreOn a statewide basis, the rapid growth in property taxes in Minnesota since 2002 cannot be attributed to growth in local government budgets. While the average Minnesota homestead property tax has increased by over 25 percent from 2002 to 2008, per capita county, city and township and per pupil school district revenue have all fallen. If growth in local government budgets does not explain the growth in property taxes, what does? State policies have caused property taxes, generally, and homestead property taxes, specifically, to increase rapidly since 2002. The primary cause of statewide property tax growth is reductions in state aid to local governments. From 2002 to 2008, state aid to local governments declined by $2.4 billion in 2008 dollars. In response to these aid reductions, local governments increased property taxes and cut spending. [Minnesota Property Taxes by the Numbers: 2009 Edition, Minnesota 2020, 4/09] Star Tribune: Cities Have Been Raising Property Taxes Because State Government Sent Its Money Problems Trickling Down To Them. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Its unrealistic for some state politicians to make the claim that freezing LGA wont necessarily lead to higher property taxes. Clearly it has, and it will. No city official wants to raise the unpopular, regressive property tax. Evidence abounds that Minnesota cities have economized in this decade, striving to minimize levy increases. Yet city officials attest that to preserve public safety and maintain basic infrastructure, theyve had no choice but to send property owners higher bills. Since 2003, residential property taxes in Minnesota have risen an average of 70 percent. An LGA freeze this session would continue that escalation An LGA increase isnt the Legislatures only tool for blunting the impact of rising property taxes -- and may not be its best one. Its property tax refund program helps people whose tax burden is disproportionately high relative to their income. Enlarging that program would send relief directly to homeowners who need it most. But if state government does neither of those things this session, Pawlenty and legislators shouldnt claim that they repaired the state budget without raising taxes. Minnesotans are catching on: Cities have been raising property taxes because state government sent its money problems trickling down to them. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 4/10/08] November 2005: Property Taxes Made Their Sharpest Jump In At Least A Decade To 10.2 Percent Statewide. In the sharpest jump in at least a decade, Minnesota property taxes are heading up an average of 10.2 percent statewide, the Department of Revenue reported Wednesday. The double-digit increase is a source of political concern for state lawmakers, particularly Gov. Tim Pawlenty, even though local officials are most directly involved in setting property taxes. Democrats have blamed the Republican governors no-new-tax approach at the state level for pushing up taxes down the government food chain. [Associated Press, 11/23/05]

Increase In Education Funding In 2006-2007 Budget Was Financed Through $139 Billion Increase To Property Taxes. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, The education budget for the next two years, which [Pawlenty] signed into law Thursday, included a new initiative on teacher compensation and allowed schools a 4 percent increase in each of the next two yearsThe final education budget relies in part on property tax increases to provide schools with new money and the final human services budget is built in part on a new cigarette charge, which Pawlenty calls a fee. [Duluth News-Tribune, 7/15/05] School Boards Increased Property Tax By Double Digits In Response To A New Education Funding Plan Enacted By Gov. Tim Pawlenty. According to the Associated Press, School boards across Minnesota are expected to set double digit property tax increases in response to a new education funding plan enacted by lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty this summer. By the end of this month, school districts are required to set an upper limit on the taxes they will begin collect next spring. The tax levies most districts are proposing are likely to anger some taxpayers The state Education Department estimated early this year that growing property values and the state law that was in place then

would cause a 13 percent increase in school taxes. The new estimate is 23 percent, based on new or increased property taxes proposed by Pawlenty. During the last legislative session, Democrats fought for an increase in tax for the wealthiest Minnesotans to help pay for schools. Their proposal was rejected, but the compromised state budget include $140 million in new or higher property taxes over two years, about the same level of property taxes that Pawlenty recommended throughout the session. [Associated Press, 9/18/05] Pawlentys 2003 Budget Fix Triggered Nearly $500 Million Local Tax Increases. Pawlentys budget fix trigged a host of local levy increases at the county, city and school district levelProperty taxes in Minnesota were increased nearly $500 million to compensate for cuts in state aid to cities, according to the League of Minnesota Cities. Meanwhile GOP lawmakers and the governor also agreed to add$93 million of new state fees including parking tickets and birth certificates. [Duluth News-Tribune, 1/4/04] Pawlenty Admitted Breaking Campaign Promise On Local Aid By Cutting Funding For Local Governments By One-Third. Pawlenty candidly admitted he broke one campaign promise. After telling city officials he would not cut local government aid, he reduced it by one-third. When the projected budget deficit nearly tripled after his election, he said he had no choice but to put LGA on the table. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/11/04]

2003: Minnesota Property Taxes Rose Three Times Faster Than The Inflation Rate, Largely To Offset Pawlentys LGA Cuts. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota property taxes are projected to rise 7.1 percent this year, three times the rate of inflation but still significantly below the double-digit increase that some Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers predicted last spring as a result of state cuts in aid to cities. The statewide total masks big variations between communities and among different property types within communities. Some cities, such as Alexandria and Brainerd, where city officials raised taxes to partially make up for big cuts in state aid to local governments, will see property tax increases of nearly 20 percent or higher. In the metro area, some suburbs, such as Maplewood, Stillwater and Woodbury, are expecting increases of about 4 percent. And homeowners in many neighborhoods of a few suburbs like Brooklyn Park and Edina will get tax bills in late March that will be lower than the bills they paid this year. At the Minnesota Capitol on Thursday, DFL House leaders said the property tax increases were the predictable result of Gov. Tim Pawlentys 2002 campaign promise to veto any state tax hikes -- a vow that did not extend to local property taxes. The DFLers said Pawlentys budget last year bailed the state out of a $ 4.2 billion deficit, but passed the problem on to local communities. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/12/03]

VETOED BILL THAT WOULD REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES FOR 90% OF HOMEOWNERS FUNDED BY TAX INCREASES ON THE WEALTHIEST 1%
Gov. Tim Pawlenty Vetoed... Bill That Would Have Increased Income Taxes On The Wealthiest 1 Percent Of Minnesotans [In Order] To Reduce Property Taxes For 90 Percent Of Homeowners. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, As promised, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a Democratic-Farmer-Labor tax bill that would have increased income taxes on the wealthiest 1 percent of Minnesotans to reduce property taxes for 90 percent of homeownersThe tax bill Pawlenty vetoed Tuesday was the DFL majoritys attempt to deliver on its centerpiece campaign promise to provide property tax relief. To pay for it, lawmakers would have created a new, 9 percent top income tax rate on the states highest earners. That would have given Minnesota the third-highest top income tax rate in the nation. The revenue from that tax would have provided state-paid refunds to homeowners making less than $150,000 a year if their property taxes exceeded 2 percent of their household income. The DFL property tax plan is a shell game designed to pick money from one pocket and put a little bit back in the other, Pawlenty said in a statement. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/15/07] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Vetoed Property Tax Cut Because It Asked Minnesotas Wealthiest To Pay The Same Tax Rate As The Middle Class. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, So much for fairer state and local taxes, for this session. Last years narrow brush with defeat by a campaign that decried the growing tax-and-fee load on the middle class evidently didnt persuade Gov. Tim Pawlenty to change his tax tune. With Tuesdays veto, Pawlenty said no to direct property tax relief for 90 percent of the states homeowners, in order to allow the states top 28,000 earners to keep paying an effective tax rate lower than the one borne by middle earners - and dropping by the year. The Republican governors veto was no surprise. But it is deeply disappointing. It keeps Minnesota on a road toward more regressive taxation. Thats the wrong road for this state. States with regressive tax burdens - that is, those that pile a disproportionate load on low- and middle-income earners - tend to be low-tax, low-services statesIn Minnesota, as in the rest of the nation, the rich are getting richer in this decade, while many middle incomes are flat. Those in the middle may think they are well served by politicians promising no

new taxes. But Pawlentys promise keeps on autopilot a system thats taxing an ever-smaller share of the swelling incomes of the rich, to the detriment of everybody else. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/17/07]

CIGARETTE TAX
Pawlenty Said He Regretted Agreeing To Minnesotas Cigarette Fee. According to the National Journal, on raising taxes, Pawlenty said I have got the best record of financial management, or one of them, of any governor in the country. ... I did agree to the cigarette fee. I regretted that. As it turns out the courts later held it to be a fee. But nonetheless, it was an increase in revenues. It turns out we had a new budget forecast a few months later. And we didnt even need it. [National Journal, 8/15/11] Pawlenty Said He Wouldnt Do Cigarette Tax Again, But Said Court Ruled It A Fee. According to the Miami Herald, in an interview, Pawlenty discussed the cigarette tax he imposed as Governor of Minnesota. Thats something I wouldnt have done if I had to do over again. We were in a government shutdown the first in 150 years. We were having an epic battle over taxes and funding issues. That was part of a compromise which I won overall. But it was one of the concessions that we made. Its not really a big difference, but for your information the issue of whether that was a tax or a user fee was litigated in court and it was determined by the court as a matter of law to be a fee [Miami Herald, 08/03/11] Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton Pointed To Pawlentys Cigarette Fee To Support His Plan To Propose A Similar Tax. According to Politico, Gov. Mark Dayton offered to give up his demand for an income tax hike on the rich if Republicans agree to a $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase and pointed to former Gov. Tim Pawlentys support of a similar hike as support for his plan. In his telling, Pawlenty partly inspired his call for the cigarette tax option because his support of one helped end the 2005 shutdown. Governor Pawlenty even agreed to a cigarette tax increase, Dayton told reporters in the state capitol here. So theres precedent for that as well. He mocked Pawlenty for calling it a user fee instead of a tax, noting that it was otherwise named in 2005. [Politico, 07/06/11] Pawlenty Supported 75 Cent Cigarette Tax, Called It An Impact Fee. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The $9.3 billion health and human services bill was passed in the House on an 88-40 vote and in the Senate on a 60-6 vote. The bill, which provides for a 15 percent, two-year increase in health care and welfare spending, was controversial because it contained Pawlentys new 75-cents-a-pack cigarette health impact fee. I dont believe anyone in the state of Minnesota, outside the governors office, does not believe this health impact fee is really a tax, Rep. Phil Krinkie said. Pawlenty, who signed a no-new-taxes campaign pledge in 2002, has insisted that the charge is properly labeled a fee. He demanded that lawmakers designate the charge as a fee in statute books. Krinkie, R-Lino Lakes, in the House and Sen. Michele Bachmann, RStillwater, in the Senate unsuccessfully tried to strip the tobacco charge from the health and human services bill. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/14/05] Pawlenty On Cigarette Tax: I Dont Consider This Breaking My Pledge To Not Raise Taxes. According to the Associated Press, Insisting it was a fee - not a tax - Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a 75-cent charge on every pack of cigarettes sold in Minnesota as part of a deal he hopes will balance the budget. The so-called Health Impact Fee would raise about $380 million over the next two years. Pawlenty said it would help cover the states costs for smoking-related illnesses - which top $800 million - and free up other state money for education. Democrats were lukewarm to the proposal. I believe this is a user fee. Some people are going to say its a tax, Pawlenty said. Im going to say its a compromise and a solution. The Republican governor ran on a no-new-taxes platform in 2002. I dont consider this breaking my pledge, he said. [Associated Press, 5/20/05] 2006: Pawlentys Health Impact Fee Officially A Tax. According to the Star Tribune, A question that preoccupied some Minnesota politicos for 12 months - Is it a fee, or a tax? - has been answered in statute. Henceforward, the health impact fee on cigarettes is, technically speaking, a tax. As of June 1, so are a host of other governmental charges that have traditionally been called fees. Under a new definition enacted by the 2006 Legislature, if the government charge imposed on a private transaction is not optional, its a tax. Only if government itself is selling something, such as a hunting license, is the rightful term fee. This new definition was tucked into the sessions omnibus money bill, courtesy of a rare convergence of opinion by Republican Rep. Phil Krinkie and DFL Sen. Larry Pogemiller. Both of the Legislatures tax committee chairs took umbrage at Gov. Tim Pawlentys artful nomenclature for the extra 75 cents he and the Legislature added to the price of a pack of cigarettes last summer. Pawlenty called it a health impact fee, but, as Pogemiller and Krinkie pointed out, its the near-identical twin of a cigarette tax. A legislative turf issue is also in play. The explosion of

fees during Pawlentys no-new-taxes administration has made it more difficult for the tax committees to coordinate state revenue raising. Define more fees as taxes, and they will come under tax committee jurisdiction. [Star Tribune, 6/12/06] Jason Lewis: Pawlenty Broke No New Taxes Pledge When He Supported A Cigarette Tax. According to an op-ed by Minnesota talk radio host, Jason Lewis, in the Wall Street Journal, The pressure on the governor to break his no-new-taxes pledge was unrelenting. Nonetheless, he showed resolve in dealing with Minnesotas recalcitrant liberal elite. But in 2005, signs of his progressive instincts emerged. In a quest for new revenue, Mr. Pawlenty supported a 75 cents per-pack cigarette tax. [Op-Ed, Jason Lewis, Wall Street Journal, 2/23/08]

Pawlentys Insistence On Labeling The Surcharge A Fee Instead Of A Tax Forced The Issue Into Court
Major Tobacco Companies Sued Minnesota For Imposing A Cigarette Fee Instead Of A Tax. A lawsuit filed by four major tobacco companies alleging that a fee on tobacco products in Minnesota violates a 1998 settlement between tobacco companies and the state goes to court Thursday. If the companies win, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature would have to find a way to backfill $401 million in expected collections from the tobacco charge by enacting program cuts or other revenue raisers Hatch contends that the tobacco companies case hinges on an argument that the 75-cent-per-pack health impact fee is not a tax. Since a national settlement with tobacco companies, 38 states have raised their tobacco taxes without legal challenge. But because of Pawlentys no-tax-increase pledge, the Legislature passed the fee to raise funds ostensibly for health care, although the bulk of the money actually went to schools. The tobacco companies think that was a fatal flaw. Minnesota, which settled its own case against the tobacco companies and was not part of the national settlement, agreed in 1998 that it would not impose any additional liabilities of any nature whatsoever ... whether legal, equitable or statutory ... for reimbursement for health care costs allegedly associated with use of or exposure to tobacco products. [Associated Press, 9/29/05] Pawlentys Cigarette Tax Was Ruled Illegal For Defying Previous Tobacco Settlement. According to the Duluth News Tribune, Lawyers for the state of Minnesota and tobacco companies that won a ruling striking down a 75-cents-a-pack health-impact fee on cigarettes agreed Wednesday to allow the state to continue collecting the fee during an appeal that may take a year or longer. The agreement, which was approved by Ramsey County District Judge Michael Fetsch, eliminates -- for now -- a legal cloud that has hung over the states collection of the fee since mid-December. But the agreement does not end the threat that the state might need to refund the money it is collecting at a rate of about $4 million a weekThe fee was enacted last summer by lawmakers and Pawlenty as part of a budget-balancing deal that significantly increased state spending on public schools. The stated purposes of the fee were to recover expenses the state incurs for smoking-related illnesses and to discourage smoking, especially among young people. Three big cigarette manufacturers and several wholesalers then sued, arguing the fee violated an earlier multibillion-dollar court settlement in which the state promised not to make further claims against the tobacco industry for health costs. [Duluth News-Tribune, 1/19/06] Star Tribune: Pawlentys Tax/Impact Fee Distinction Could Be A Laughably Transparent Artifice. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys insistence that the new state tobacco charge is a health impact fee, not a tax increase, could be discounted as laughably transparent artifice - until Tuesday. If a ruling by Ramsey District Judge Michael Fetsch stands, the price of Pawlentys preference will be a cool $400 million, subtracted from the revenue side of the states ledger this biennium...Still, the governor pressed for putting a fee, not a tax, into state statutes. He pressed so hard that he didnt ask for an opinion from the office of the attorney general, which led the state to its historic tobacco lawsuit settlement in 1998, and that is occupied by a potential DFL rival in 2006, Mike Hatch. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 12/22/05]

Minnesota Supreme Court Upheld Cigarette Fee. According to the Duluth News Tribune, The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a 75-cents-a-pack fee on cigarettes in a ruling that encouraged lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty to make a renewed push to enact tax relief during the final six days of this legislative session. [Duluth News Tribune, 5/17/06]

Pawlenty Was More Concerned About The Rich Than The Middle Class
Pawlenty Said The Best Thing We Can Do For The Middle Class Was To Not Raise Taxes On The Wealthiest. In an interview on Morning Joe, Pawlenty was asked how he can support the middle class while advocating for lower taxes for wealthy Americans. Pawlenty said, the best thing we can do for the middle class is do those things that are going to

encourage, not discourage job growth. And when you raise income taxes for example on upper income, middle income people, youre also increasing the tax burden on most of the small and medium-sized businesses in the country. They pay their taxes, the business proceeds on their individual returns. And so when you say were going to tax peoples tax rates or increase them, youre taxing small businesses, entrepreneurs. [Morning Joe, 1/12/11] Report: Middle Class Minnesotans Hit Hardest My State Taxes. According to MinnPost, Minnesotas current mix of state and local taxes has weighed heaviest on families in the middle of the income range earning about $40,000 to $62,000 in 2007, according to analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy which has offices in Whitewater, Wis., and Washington, D.C. When all taxes were tallied, the highest earners got off the easiest, paying 6.6 percent of their incomes, while that middle group was taxed 10 percent and the lowest earners paid 9.2 percent. [MinnPost.com, 5/12/10] Minnesota Revenue Department: Wealthy Minnesotans Are Paying A Slightly Smaller Share Of Their Incomes In State And Local Taxes, While Tax Burdens For Middle-Class Households Are Increasing. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, It was just the kind of political ammunition Democratic legislators were seeking. And Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration handed it to them. A state Revenue Department study presented to the Senate Tax Committee on Monday showed wealthy Minnesotans are paying a slightly smaller share of their incomes in state and local taxes, while tax burdens for middle-class households are increasing. The biennial tax incidence study also showed taxes are shifting away from businesses and toward individuals. Overall, the study projected Minnesotas state and local taxes will become somewhat more regressive by 2009. That means the percentage of income a person pays in taxes declines as his or her income rises. Those findings provide good reasons for increasing income taxes on high earners and boosting business property taxes, Tax Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said after a hearing on the study For instance, households with incomes between $17,000 and $23,000 in 2004 paid 10.5 percent of their earnings in state and local taxes, compared with 12.3 percent for those with incomes of $47,000 to $105,000. But those earning more than $105,000 paid 10.9 percent of their income in state and local taxes, and the top 1 percent of earners people making more than $355,000 paid 9.6 percent. The wealthiest Minnesotans have a lower effective tax rate than the other 99 percent of households because their incomes are growing faster than taxes, Paul Wilson, the Revenue Departments tax research director, told the committee. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/20/07] Star Tribune: Many Minnesotans Believed Pawlenty Was Going Easy On The Rich At A Time When State Spending Cuts Have Squeezed Schools, Raised College Tuition, Reduced Public Safety Forces And Spiked Property Taxes. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Minnesota should sparingly tax business inputs, since those taxes fall invisibly on consumers and workersBut when the businesses built with that support bring their owners seven-figure incomes, its questionable to claim that they owe a lesser share to state and local government than wage earners do. That, in effect, is what Pawlenty was claiming when he called DFL efforts last spring to raise income taxes on the states top 40,000 earners profoundly stupid. Our guess is that plenty of Minnesotans would counter that going easy on the rich, at a time when state spending cuts have squeezed schools, raised college tuition, reduced public safety forces and spiked property taxes, deserves the same epithet. The lighter tax burden Minnesota imposes on the very rich is one of several signs that state and local taxes arent as fair as many Minnesotans think they should be. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 11/20/05] Star Tribune: Pawlenty Said No To Direct Property Tax Relief For 90 Percent Of The States Homeowners, In Order To Allow The States Top 28,000 Earners To Keep Paying An Effective Tax Rate Lower Than The One Borne By Middle Earners. An editorial in the Star Tribune wrote, So much for fairer state and local taxes, for this session. Last years narrow brush with defeat by a campaign that decried the growing tax-and-fee load on the middle class evidently didnt persuade Gov. Tim Pawlenty to change his tax tune. With Tuesdays veto, Pawlenty said no to direct property tax relief for 90 percent of the states homeowners, in order to allow the states top 28,000 earners to keep paying an effective tax rate lower than the one borne by middle earners - and dropping by the year. The Republican governors veto was no surprise. But it is deeply disappointing. It keeps Minnesota on a road toward more regressive taxation. Thats the wrong road for this state. States with regressive tax burdens - that is, those that pile a disproportionate load on low- and middle-income earners - tend to be low-tax, low-services statesIn Minnesota, as in the rest of the nation, the rich are getting richer in this decade, while many middle incomes are flat. Those in the middle may think they are well served by politicians promising no new taxes. But Pawlentys promise keeps on autopilot a system thats taxing an ever-smaller share of the swelling incomes of the rich, to the detriment of everybody else. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 5/17/07] 2010: Pawlenty Gave Tax Breaks To Ford So It Would Keep Plant In St. Paul. According to the Associated Press, Lawmakers, businessmen and labor union representatives surrounded Pawlenty as he put his name to the tax plan, which supporters touted as a way to encourage employers to expand payrolls and upgrade buildings. Over the next three years, the state will offer $100 million in tax credits and refunds. Some will go to investors in start-up companies or those who

rehabilitate historic buildings. Others likely to get breaks are developers planning a major expansion at the Mall of America and Ford Motor Co. if the carmaker reverses a decision to close a St. Paul truck plant. [Associated Press, 4/1/10] Pawlenty Eliminated A Tax Refund For The Poor To Pay For A Tax Break For Wealthy Investors. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, After eliminating a tax refund for the poor to pay for a tax break for wealthy investors, the Minnesota House and Senate on Monday approved a package of tax incentives intended to create jobs The measures centerpiece is the angel income tax credit for investors who put money into small, startup businesses. It would provide up to $17 million in refunds next year to investors and about $12 million a year after that. To pay for it, Bakk proposed and House DFLers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty reluctantly agreed to scrap the states low-income fuel tax credit. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/29/10] Pawlenty Said Giving Funds To Wealthy Investors Was A Higher And Better Use Of Money Than LowIncome Fuel Credits. According to the Associated Press, Clearly, redeploying that fuels tax credit to these purposes was a higher and better use of that money, Pawlenty said. This relates to investments in the economy in ways that will be long term and sustainable. [Associated Press, 4/1/10]

Op-ed: Pawlenty Wanted To Cut $53 Million From The Renters Refund Which Expert Called A De Facto Increase In The Taxes. According to an op-ed by Jeff Van Wychen, a fellow at the non-partisan think tank Minnesota 2020, in the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Dollar for dollar, no program does more to promote tax progressivity than the renters property tax refund. Credit progressive leaders in the House and Senate for maintaining funding for this program in the face of steady pressure from Governor Pawlenty to gut it. The rental property tax is the most regressive of all property taxes, meaning that a disproportionate share of the tax falls on low and moderate-income households that have the least ability to pay. The renters refund picks up a portion of the property tax that is passed on to lower-income renters in the form of higher rent. A cut in the property tax refund is a de facto increase in the taxes passed on to these low-income Minnesotans. This is the third consecutive year that the Governor has gone after the renters refund and the third consecutive year that progressive leaders have blocked it (at least so far). The Governor is currently seeking to cut $53 million (26%) from the renters refund. The Governor argues that current law overstates the share of rent that renters pay in the form of property taxes and thereby provides refunds that are too generous. However, the Governors data does not support his conclusion. The claim that current law overstates the property tax borne by renters is based on data for all renters, including higher-income renters who do not receive the refund. No information has been submitted that indicates that current law overstates property taxes borne by those lower-income renters who actually receive the refund. Previous analysis from Minnesota 2020 has demonstrated that since 2004 funding for the renters property tax refund has not kept pace with the growth in rental property taxes, thereby making rental property taxes-which were already among the most regressive taxes in the state-even more regressive. The Governors proposed cut to the refund further accelerates the drift toward greater regressivity. [Jeff Van Wychen Op-Ed, Twin Cities Daily Planet, 4/1/10] Center On Budget And Public Policy: Cutting Renters Tax Credit Would Weaken The Economy. According to the Center On Budget and Policy Priorities, Facing large budget shortfalls, a small number of states are scaling back tax credits for low-income working families, which not only harms some of the families hardest hit by the recession but also weakens the economy by lowering overall demand. States have other budget-balancing strategies that are better for both vulnerable families and the state economies. Millions of low-income working families and individuals are relying on federal and state tax credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), to help them endure the recession. The economic crisis has increased unemployment and reduced work hours and wages. Credits offered by states help to alleviate this hardship and stabilize incomes. The benefit of such programs also extends to the economy at large. State tax credits for low-income families put money into the hands of people most likely to spend it, and most likely to spend it in their local economy Minnesota cut back a renters credit affecting 300,000 low- and moderate-income households and eliminated a gas tax credit Supporters have presented these reductions and proposed reductions in other states as budget-balancing measures. Yet raising taxes on low-income working families is not the best option for raising state revenue. In some cases, proposals and legislation to roll back low-income tax credits are being made alongside proposals to cut taxes for wealthy individuals and corporations, which likely would neither strengthen the economy nor create jobs. On balance, it would be far better for working families and for state economies if states would maintain existing refundable low-income tax credits, cancel other costly tax cuts, and raise needed new revenue from higher-income families and profitable corporations. [Center on Budget and Public Policy, 5/3/10]

2009: Pawlenty Proposed Cutting Homestead Tax Credit By $138 Million. According to an overview of Pawlentys 2010-2011 budget, he proposed cutting the Homestead Market Value Credit by $138 million over 2 years. The overview read,

The Homestead Market Value Credit program provides reimbursements to localities for property tax credits issued to owners of homestead residential property. Under this program, homeowners may receive tax credits equal to 0.4 percent of the market value of the parcel up to a maximum of $304, subject to a phase-out of the credit beginning at $76,000 in market value. The phase-out rate is equal to .09 percent of market value above $76,000 with no credit for homes valued at $414,000 and above. Approximately 1.3 million households participate in this program annually. Beginning in FY 2010, the Governor proposes to decrease the market value credit on homesteads by eliminating annual reimbursements paid to townships ($11.0 million) and by reducing annual payments to 116 cities ($21.7 million). With this reduction, approximately one-third of Minnesotas townships would experience a cut of more than 10%. [An Overview of Governor Pawlentys FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendations, February 2009] Pawlentys Proposed A Tax Credit For Citizenship Expenses And English Classes. Pawlentys 2006 supplemental budget recommended a refundable individual income tax credit for qualified citizenship expenses incurred during the naturalization process. Qualified citizenship expenses include filing and application fees associated with the N-400 Naturalization application and enrollment fees for English as a Second Language classes. Eligibility for this credit is limited to households with income less than $30,000 and the refundable credit is capped at $300 per family per year. The revenue reduction to the general fund for this proposal is expected to be $1.1 million in FY 2007. [Governor Tim Pawlentys 2006 Supplemental Budget Recommendations (no. 06.05), March 2006] St. Paul Pioneer Press: Pawlentys Tax Credit For Dairy Farmers And Resorts Add Another Ally To The Labyrinth Of The Tax Code. According to an editorial in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, There were a few tax items that caught our eye in Gov. Tim Pawlentys supplemental budget request, which legislators started discussing this week. Were not big fans of targeted tax credits, and thats what the Dairy Investment Tax Credit and the Sales Tax Exemption for Resorts look like. Indeed, while the dollar figures are pretty small $4.7 million for the dairy farmers and about $900,000 for the resort operators wed much rather see the governor focus on the overall tax environment than add another alley to the labyrinth that is the Minnesota state tax code. That was our argument with the JOBZ program, which offered tax incentives to businesses that moved here from another state or expanded factories or offices in jobs-starved rural counties. While the governor has touted the programs success, it has mainly rewarded out-of-state companies at the expense of local businesses that have been loyal taxpayers for years wed rather see the governor focus on making the tax environment conducive to all sorts of businesses, not just the lucky few who happen to get a special break from the state. Indeed, however you slice the numbers, Minnesota is one of the highest tax states in the country. And it doesnt help that nearby South Dakota has no state income tax. We wouldnt argue that Minnesota should wipe out its state tax structure to merely trump our neighbors to the west, but its clear that the state is in need of some tax reform. Doing it piecemeal, rewarding the interest groups with the best lobby, isnt the way. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/21/06]

Star Tribune: Pawlenty Bulled Local Tribal Casinos For Revenue So He Could Balance The Budget. According to a Star Tribune editorial, So much for no new taxes. Gov. Tim Pawlenty calls his demand for $350 million per year from Minnesotas Indian casinos revenue sharing, but thats just a fancy way to say the T word. Its also a way to justify a hamhanded, risky attempt by the governor to balance his next state budget with a raid on the resources of this states native population. Its ham-handed, because Pawlentys demand turns what should be respectful government-to-government negotiation into a bullying shakedown. Instead of saying lets make a deal, the governor is telling the tribes to pay up or lose their market to the Las Vegas competition hell bring to town. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 10/30/04] Pawlentys Corporate Tax Breaks Cost $300 Million, Twice As Much As Previously Estimated. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesotas budget problem got significantly worse Tuesday when the revenue commissioner put a $250 million to $300 million price tag on corporate tax breaks that a recent state Supreme Court ruling said are built into current law. That cost for the next two years was more than twice the previous estimate and caught policy-makers by surprise. The new estimate means legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who face a possible state government shutdown July 1 after failing for five months to agree on a tax-and-spending plan to fix a $466 million deficit, must decide whether to try to fill that additional hole in the budget or wait until next year The budget problem stems from so-called foreign operating corporations that have allowed some companies doing business in Minnesota to avoid state taxes on up to 80 percent of their income. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/22/04]

OPPOSED CLOSING CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

2005: Pawlenty Opposed Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes. According to the St Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty rejected the Democrats insistence on closing $80 million worth of corporate tax loopholes that allow some companies to shelter domestic income by cycling it through offshore shell corporations, reported the St. Paul Pioneer Press. According to the report, part of the dispute over the tax loophole that the Democrats want to close and the casino that Pawlenty and Sviggum want to open has as much to do with politics as it does with policyThe attack on the corporate tax breaks would hurt some Republican supporters and campaign contributors. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/7/05] 2005: Pawlenty Opposed Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty considers it a tax increase and stated flatly last week we will not be raising taxes. The bill would raise $58 million by requiring corporations to have more property and payroll outside the United States to qualify for one tax break and making it harder for corporate executives to avoid taxes by deferring compensation until they move out of state, among other tax changes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/8/04] Pawlenty Proposed A Less Sweeping Fix To A $23 Million Corporate Loophole That Allowed Companies To Reduce tax Burden By Filing As A Foreign Corporation Even If They Had No Operations Overseas. According to the Star Tribune, In 2003, the Minnesota Tax Court ruled that a subsidiary of a Minnesota manufacturer qualified for large tax breaks as a so-called Foreign Operating Corporation even though it had no property or payroll outside the United States. The special tax break that that firms lawyers took advantage of, given to some state companies with overseas subsidiaries, may be a factor in the states surprising dropoff in corporate tax receipts, according to Revenue Commisioner Dan Salomone. The law allows U.S. firms with most of their payroll and property overseas - known as Foreign Operating Corporations - to exclude from state taxes 80 percent of the income they return to parent companies in Minnesota. This one item in the tax code is worth at least $23 million a year, with the bulk of the benefit going to a couple of hundred companies, although about 1,000 make some use of it. The FOC provision is the object of intense interest from Senate DFLers, who want to tighten it significantly. They also would repeal a corporate deduction for foreign royalties. Together, the changes would bring $56 million in new tax revenue for fiscal 2005 alone - money that Senate DFLers would use to help close the states $160 million projected budget gap. Salomone says the Senate proposal goes too far and would hurt Minnesota companies. But he acknowledges problems with the tax break. We suspected the Foreign Operating Corporation provision might have something to do with it [the shortfall in corporate taxes], Salomone said. We know from our auditors that some corporations are using this provision in ways that were not intended. Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration has proposed a less sweeping fix to the tax flaw that would generate $1.3 million and mostly prevent companies from creating subsidiaries that exist solely to take advantage of special tax breaksPawlentys fix, contained in a different omnibus tax bill in the House, is a variation on the Senate proposal. In addition to the same payroll and property thresholds contained in the Senate bill, the governors plan would provide a more flexible standard for the proportion of property and payroll an FOC must have outside the United States. Analysts say that might allow a U.S. company to put its domestic income in a foreign subsidiary, then bring it back and get the state deduction. [Star Tribune, 4/24/04] Eventually Pawlenty Agreed To Close Foreign Corporation Loophole. According to the Star Tribune, In a measure long sought by DFLers, Pawlenty would close the loophole on foreign operating corporations, netting the state an additional $102 million in 2008-09. [Star Tribune, 3/8/08]

TAX BREAKS FOR CORPORATIONS

Pawlenty Helped Pass Change In Tax Code That Helped Corporations Pay Lower Rate. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota business lobbies are expected to win a significant tax victory in the state budget compromise, which is expected to be voted on today by legislators. Overall, the proposed change -- simplifying the way business income taxes are calculated by going to a so-called single sales factor system -- will trim companies tax bills significantlyIn Minnesota, companies have their corporate tax liability determined by plugging in a formula based on a combination of the property, payroll and sales they have in the state. The formula puts a 75 percent weighting on where a companys sales are, with the remaining 25 percent divided equally between property and payroll. That calculation produces a weighted apportionment factor that determines how much of the companys income is taxable. The budget compromise package left intact Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to move the sales weighting up to 78 percent in 2007 and then go up three more percentage points annually until it gets to 100 percent in 2014The Single Sales Factor Coalition, an alliance led by General Mills executives, has been advocating the change for years. Many of the states largest and most influential companies are part of the coalitionJohn Knapp, a lobbyist for the coalition, said advocates of the change would have preferred to go to 100 percent effective by 2008. Thats when Wisconsin goes to that level. Illinois and Iowa are already at 100 percent; Michigan is at 90

percent. But Knapp hails the Pawlenty plan. We couldnt have done it without the governors support, he says. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/13/05]

Fees
Pawlentys Claim Of Holding The Line On Tax Increases Was Misleading Because He Never Lowered Income Taxes And Raised Billions Of Dollars In Fees. According to station WCCO, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says the 2010 legislative session ended well for Minnesota taxpayers. The governor, who is a possible candidate for president in 2012, said hes held the line on taxes and spending since his election 8 years ago. But is it true? He also claims credit for lower taxes, too. We did, he said. We recently got Minnesota out of the top 10 in taxes. Thats MISLEADING. The credit is, at the very least, shared with a previous governor. Independent Governor Jesse Venturas income tax cuts pushed Minnesota off the Top 10 list during Pawlentys term. Pawlenty never cut income taxes, but he didnt raise them, either. However, it doesnt mean we arent paying more. Heres what you NEED TO KNOW. You are paying billions of dollars more in fees on a long list of items, including cigarettes, parking tickets, marriage licenses, building permits, court cases, college tuition and hundreds of other higher fees on Pawlentys watch. Heres more REALITY. Since 2003, state budget cuts mean Minnesotans pay significantly more in property taxes. And next year, for the first time in 15 years, property taxes in Minnesota will exceed the income tax. [WCCO, 5/18/10] Pawlenty Raised Fees While Pledging To Not Raise Taxes. According to the Minnesota Post, Gov. Pawlenty, has been raising fees, which may look like taxes but like all these other measures dont constitutionally quack like them. [Minnesota Post, 4/15/09] Pawlenty Fees Increased By Almost $900 Million Under Pawlenty. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty claims credit for sticking to a campaign pledge not to raise state taxes during his first term. But a study to be released [on January 26, 2006] shows that fees for everything from parking tickets to wild rice harvesting will be more than $893 million higher in the current two-year budget period than they were in the biennium before Pawlenty took office. The issue of increased fees is sure to be fodder in this years governors race, and the study by the nonpartisan Office of Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis, provided to the Star Tribune by DFL Party staff, is likely to fuel that debateThe no-new-tax pledge has been controversial for Pawlenty, who says he is through signing such pledges. But he has noted that he resolved a $4.5 billion deficit in his first year in office without tax increases and that his compromise last year, a health impact fee on tobacco products, is in statute as a fee, not a tax. It imposes a 75-cent fee on each pack of cigarettes sold in the state. According to the report, the health impact fee makes up nearly half of the increase in biennial fees. It will account for $401 million in revenue by the 2006-07 biennium. But the report also shows that other fees will have grown by $492 million by the end of 2007, cutting across a wide spectrum of life in Minnesota. It costs $3 more for a parking ticket, and a state surcharge on each traffic citation has increased from $35 to $60. A wild rice harvesting license has increased from $12.50 to $25. There is a 25-cent-a-month 911 fee increase on each telephone line. It costs $10 more for a marriage license. [Star Tribune, 1/26/06] Report: Fees Rose 21 Percent Faster Than Inflation From 2004-2009. According to the Star Tribune, Its getting more expensive to be born in Minnesota. Marriage costs are up, too. Thats the finding of a new report from Minnesota 2020, a nonprofit group that says state fees for birth certificates, hunting permits, marriage licenses and more rose 21 percent above inflation in the past five years Six years ago, the state collected $384 in fees per person; today its about $464 in numbers adjusted for inflation, according to the groups report, released at a news conference Sunday Some of the fees cited in the report: A marriage license now costs $110, up from $70 five years ago; A birth certificate costs $40 to replace, up from $20; And a pheasant stamp costs $7.50, up from $5. The fees add up to a $2.44 billion pool of money for the states coffers last year; state taxes, meanwhile, totaled about $17.5 billion in 2008. [Star Tribune, 1/5/09] Lower And Middle Class Paid Larger Share Of State Finances Due To Fees. According to the Star Tribune, The heavier reliance on fees has also pushed a larger burden of the states finances onto the lower and middle class, since a flat fee poses a relatively larger expense the lower a persons income. [Star Tribune, 1/5/09]

2005: Pawlenty Proposed $45 Million In New Fees. According to the Grand Forks Herald, From anglers to athletes to nursing home residents, Minnesotans are paying higher fees to the government. And the trend - raising fees to hold the line on Minnesota income taxes - is likely to continue Fees annually paid by Minnesotans have increased from $482 million in 1997 to $862 million in 2005. On average, thats about $172 in fees per year for every man, woman and child in the state. During the same period, individual income taxes paid into state coffers have increased by a third, going from $4.7 billion to $6.2 billion.

Add recent hikes in state college and university tuition and the per-person fee cost climbs to more than $360. During the same period, individual income taxes paid into state coffers have increased by a third, going from $4.7 billion to $6.2 billion. Pawlentys budget proposal recommends increasing fee collections by another $20 million in 2005 and an additional $25 million in 2006, according to the Minnesota Department of Finance documents But more and even higher fees are probable as lawmakers work to craft a budget under pressure of Pawlentys promise not to increase state level taxes, he [Wayne Cox, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justic] said. This is part of the contortions the Legislature has to do to prevent a governors veto, Cox said. His no-new-tax pledge didnt mean, No new revenues. But it has meant many new fees. Pawlenty has said he will veto any bill that raises state taxes. [Grand Forks Herald, 4/10/05] Pawlenty Said There Isnt A Great Definition That Separates A Fee And A Tax. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty said, Long ago, when asked about the difference between a fee and a tax, I said there isnt a great definition that separates the two. But for lack of a better definition, I said if it is called a tax in state law, well treat it as a tax, and if its called a fee in state law, well treat it as a fee. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/4/03] The Fargo Forum: Pawlenty Has Played Fast And Loose With Semantics, Opting For Fees To Raise Revenue. But What The Governor Characterizes As A Fee Is, In Most Cases, A Disguised Tax. According to an editorial in the Forum, Pawlenty has been - in a word - stubborn. We dont mean stubborn as in defending some sort of high-minded principle. Rather, the governor backed himself into a box with his no-taxes pledge to the anti-government crowd in his party, and has been dealing with that mistake since he took office. In reality, however, he has played fast and loose with semantics, opting for fees to raise revenue. But what the governor characterizes as a fee is, in most cases, a disguised tax. [Editorial, Fargo Forum, 6/21/05] Star Tribune: Fee and Tuition Increases Under Pawlenty Were Tax Increases by Another Name. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, Almost in spite of himself, the Republican governor [Pawlenty] also proved that a tax increase is unavoidable in todays dire fiscal circumstances. His budget is loaded with fee and tuition increases - tax increases by another name, falling disproportionately on a few. At just the University of Minnesota, the Pawlenty budget would make resident undergraduate tuition climb at a $1,000-per-year clip for the next two years. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/30/03]

SPECIFIC FEES
2009 BUDGET
Pawlentys Last Budget Included $99.9 Million Increase In Fees. According a summary of 2009 legislative actions, Many of the revenue changes in FY 2010-11 were changes in fees. A list of all fee changes (general fund as well as other funds) is included in Appendix 1. Appendix 1 shows fee change information for each of the four years in the FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13 beinnia. The FY 2010-11 total fee changes are $99.9 million, $44.9 million of that is in the general fund. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased Public Defender Fees While Cutting State Court Budget. According to the St. Cloud Times, Defendants in criminal cases who cant afford to hire a private attorney must pay $75 to obtain the services of a public defender, according to a new schedule of court fees that went into effect this month. Thats $47 more than what public defender clients used to pay. The increases in fees came as Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut the state court budget by about 1 percent, signing a bill that instead raised fees. [St. Cloud Times, 7/13/09] 2009 Budget Pawlenty Added An $8 Surcharge To Parking Tickets. According to the station KIMT, Governor Tim Pawlenty is adding an eight dollar surcharge to parking tickets. [KIMT (Austin, M.N.), 6/2/09] 2009 Budget Increased The Newborn Screening Fee By $5. According to a summary of the 2009 legislature, Pawlenty included a newborn screening fee increase. The report said, Newborn Screening Fee There will be a $5 increase in this fee beginning in fiscal year 2011 to fund support services for families with children who are deaf or have hearing loss. Part of the revenue from the fees collected will be used for hospital reimbursement through the Department of Human Services for families receiving medical assistance. Base funding for this program will be $300,000 starting in fiscal year 2011. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009]

2009 Budget Changed Well Program Fee Structure To Raise $325,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, There were also a number of changes in the fee structure of several items under the Department of Healths Health Protection Program which are budgeted through the state government special revenue fund. These were all also recommended by the Governor in his budget proposal [including] Well Program Fees Revenue is expected to increase by $325,000 each year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Raised Swimming Pool Inspection Fee By $211,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, There were also a number of changes in the fee structure of several items under the Department of Healths Health Protection Program which are budgeted through the state government special revenue fund. These were all also recommended by the Governor in his budget proposal [including]Swimming Pool Inspection and Plan Review Change in fees will result in anticipated revenue of $211,000 each year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased The Food Manager Certification Application And Renewal Fees By A Total Of $61,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, Food Manager Certification Program The fee for certification application or renewal was increased from $28 to $35 and the cost for obtaining a duplicate certificate has been set at $20. These changes are expected to result in a revenue increase of $61,000 each year. The expenditure increase is $163,000 which results in $102,000 in new spending each year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased Food, Beverage, And Lodging And Sanitarian Registration And Licensing Fees By $559,000 A Year. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions There were also a number of changes in the fee structure of several items under the Department of Healths Health Protection Program which are budgeted through the state government special revenue fund. These were all also recommended by the Governor in his budget proposal [including] Food, Beverage and Lodging and Sanitarian Registration and Licensing Fee Modification Revenue increase is $559,000 each year, and expenditure increase is $823,000 for a net spending increase of $264,000 annually. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Trailer Park Fees By $234,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, Manufactured Home Parks and Recreational Camping Area Fees The increase in fees is applied only to special event camping and is expected to produce $234,000 in revenue. The increase in expenditures is $320,000 annually for a net spending of $86,000. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased The X-Ray Program Fee By $460,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, There were also a number of changes in the fee structure of several items under the Department of Healths Health Protection Program which are budgeted through the state government special revenue fund. These were all also recommended by the Governor in his budget proposal [including] X-Ray Program Fee The change in fees should result in $460,000 in new revenue. After an increase in annual spending of $250,000 there is a balance of $210,000. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased The Environmental Certification Fee By $250,000 Over 2 Years. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, There were also a number of changes in the fee structure of several items under the Department of Healths Health Protection Program which are budgeted through the state government special revenue fund. These were all also recommended by the Governor in his budget proposal [including] Environmental Certification Fee In fiscal year 2010 the increased revenue amount is $100,000 and it increases to $150,000 in fiscal year 2011. The increased spending is $150,000 each year so in 2010 the net increase is $50,000 and becomes $0 in 2011. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased Adverse Health Events Fee By $73,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, Pawlentys last budget included an increase in the adverse health events program fee. It noted, Adverse Health Events Program Fee This fee change will bring in $73,000 each year to match the $73,000 in expenditures each year for a net change of $0. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Created New $25 Duplicate Occupational Therapy License That Would Raise $1,000 Per Year. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, the budget included an Occupational Therapy Duplicate License Fee The addition of adding a fee for obtaining a duplicate license at the cost of $25 is expected to raise an additional $1,000 each year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009]

2009 Budget Included A Hearing Instrument Dispenser Certification Fee Worth $247,000 Over 2 Years. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, the budget included a Hearing Instrument Dispenser Certification Fee This fee change should increase revenue by $118,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $119,000 in fiscal year 2011. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Extended Vital Records Technology Improvement $4 Surcharge. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, the budget included a Vital Records Technology Improvement Fee The $4 surcharge for vital records was scheduled to end in fiscal year 2009, but it is made permanent which should result in continued revenue of $1.2 million per year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Increased Easement And Utility Crossing On State Land Fees By $675,000. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, the budget included an A decrease of $675,000 in each year to the appropriation for real estate management activities. To offset a portion of this reduction, the appropriation from the natural resources fund was increased by $612,000 in each year. The new funds are raised from increased fees related to easements and utility crossings on state lands. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] 2009 Budget Imposed $1.2 Million In New Fees On Mines And Mining Property Owners. According to a summary of 2009 legislative actions, the budget included an In chapter 37 the appropriation to the agency for mineral land management was reduced by $1.2 million in each year. As an offset for this reduction the appropriation to the agency from the natural resources fund was increased by $1.2 million. This new revenue is from new fees imposed on mines and fee owners of property which is permitted to mine. (A portion of the new fee was later repealed in the tax policy bill, Chapter 88). [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2009 Legislature, October 2009] Pawlenty Signed Law That Increased The Cost Of A Birth Certificated By $10. According to the Associated Press, Starting Thursday, itll cost an extra $10 to get a birth certificate in Minnesota. Thats when a new state law takes effect adding a nonrefundable surcharge to each certified birth record. Local or state officials who collect the money will send it to the states general fund, which is facing a projected deficit in the billions of dollars beginning in July 2011. The surcharge was part of a budget deal between Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Democrats who run the Legislature. It was passed during a brief special session in May. [Associated Press, 7/1/10] 2009 Budget Increased Fees For Building Permits And Plan Reviews By $900,000. According to an overview of Pawlentys 2010-2011 budget recommendations, The Governor also proposes fee increases for building permits and plan reviews. This would raise $900,000 annually in the State Government Special Revenue Fund. [An Overview of Governor Pawlentys FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendations (no. 09.02), February 2009] Pawlenty Budget Proposed Increased Fees On Background Checks For Couples Seeking To Adopt. According to an overview of Pawlentys FY 2010-2011 budget proposals, Human Services also plans to increase fees to reflect actual costs of providing services. One common service provided by the department is background checks for persons applying for adoptions, foster care parenting, nursing home workers and other functions. Fees for these background checks will be increased to meet agency cost. Fee increases are expected to bring in an additional $2.2 million for the biennium. [An Overview of Governor Pawlentys FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendations (no. 09.02), February 2009]

Budget Increased Parking Ticket Surcharge By $4 From 2003-2006. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers first began adding surcharges to parking tickets in 2003. At the time, the state was embroiled in a budget battle over how to close a $4.5 billion budget deficit, and Pawlenty had vowed not to raise taxes. Parking tickets, however, were not considered a tax, so a $3 surcharge was added to all parking tickets. Another dollar was added in 2006, officials say. [Rochester Post-Bulletin (M.N.), 5/30/09]

2007 BUDGET
2007 Budget Increased Fees On ATVs By $1.6 Million. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, The chapter increases fees on ATVs. The increased revenue of $1.6 million annually is appropriated for ATV programs. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007]

2007 Budget Increased Fishing Contest Permits Fees By $108,000 Per Year. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Pawlentys budget established a fee schedule for fishing contest permits is recommended. The increased revenue of $108,000 per year would be appropriated for program costs. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature (no. 07.05), Page 26] 2007 Budget Increased The Retail Food Handler Plan Review Fees By $13,000 Per Year. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, The retail food handler plan review fees were increased in order to bring the revenue into balance with the expenditures needed for the program. The revenue to and appropriation from the agriculture fund is increased by $13,000 in each year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Increased The Fee Charged To Use The MN Grown Logo By $25,000 Over 2 Years. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, The fee charged to use the MN Grown logo was increased. The increased revenue is estimated to be $25,000 to the agriculture fund in the biennium. These funds and an increase of $115,000 each year from the general fund is appropriated to the Department for additional promotion activities. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Increased The Workforce Enhancement Fee By Over 17%. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, The Workforce Enhancement Fee that funds the Workforce Development Fund was increased by the 2007 Legislature. The fee is permanently set at 0.1 percent, a rate that is estimated to raise $9.954 million in the 2008-09 biennium. Under prior law, the Workforce Enhancement Fee was scheduled to be reduced to 0.085 percent on January 1, 2008. The commissioner of DEED is also authorized to increase the Workforce Enhancement Fee to 0.12 percent if the commissioner determines that the Workforce Development Fund is likely to be in deficit. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Increased Electrical Inspection Fees By $2.98 Million Per Year. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, the electrical inspections fees were raised by a total of $2.98 million per year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Included $20,000 Fee Increases To Pay For Boxing Commission. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, The Legislature approved a $50,000 General Fund appropriation for the Boxing Commission. The appropriation is onetime in FY 2008 only, and is designed to provide transition resources until the Commission can become self-supporting. The Legislature also approved fee increases for the Commission which are expected to generate $20,000 per year in additional revenues. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Increased Surcharges And Business Filing Fees. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Secretary of State budget included temporary technology surcharges and increases in business filing fees will provide resources for a $3.1 million increase in special revenue funding for the SOS. The temporary surcharges on various business filing fees were approved to provide funding to move the offices major filings for business entities online. These temporary surcharges are expected to raise $2.2 million, and will expire on June 30, 2009. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Increased The Fee For Minnesota Statues Information Requests By $5. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Online filing fees in Minnesota Statutes 336.9-525 were increased to $20 (from $15). $5 of this fee collected for information requests delivered on-line will be deposited in the Uniform Commercial Code account, and will be used for remote payment transaction fees, and improvements to the online filing system. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Included Increased Surcharges On Fire Safety Insurance Premiums Worth $19 Million Over 2 Years. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Fire Marshal: Beginning in FY 2008 the activities previously funded by the general fund will now be funded by a special revenue fund. The special revenue is collected from insurance companies and is deposited into the fire safety account. An estimated $7.4 million in FY 2008 and $11.6 million in FY 2009 will be collected from surcharges on fire safety premiums. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Increased The 911 Surcharge By 10 Cents Per Month For 3 Years. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, 911 Emergency Services/ARMER: An increase of $23 million in state government special revenue to expand the statewide interoperable public safety communication system (ARMER). This will be funded by increasing the 911 fee by 10 cents per month for the second year (FY 09) and then 10 cents per month each year after that for the next two years.

The current monthly charge is 65 cents and with the three 10 cent increases the new monthly charge will be 95 cents. This is the fee charged to each customer for a telephone line. The revenue increases will go to pay off prior year obligations to telephone utility companies and to pay for the states cost in building the statewide trunked public safety radio system. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Included An Unlicensed Electrician Registration Fee. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Pawlentys budget required unlicensed electricians registration, estimated to yield $450,000 in collections per year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Included A Restricted Plumber License Fee,. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Pawlentys budget required restricted plumber license, estimated to yield $60,000 in collections per year. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] 2007 Budget Included An Independent Contractor Certificate Fee. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, Pawlentys budget required independent contractor certificate, estimated to yield $1,563,000 in collections per year beginning in FY 2009. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature, August 2007] In 2007, Pawlenty Proposed Raising State Park Fees. According to the Associated Press, Enjoying the outdoors could cost a bit more, too. Campground fees at state parks - now used by 750,000 people a year - would climb an average of $2 in 2008. [Associated Press, 1/23/07] Pawlenty Proposed A Higher Fee For Pre-Paid Funerals. According to the Associated Press, Being born and dying also comes with added expense. A fee for screening the estimated 72,000 newborns a year for health disorders would rise for the second time in four years, going from $61 to $81. Funeral homes, crematories and morticians would pay more to be licensed and reports related to pre-paid funerals would carry a higher fee. [Associated Press, 1/23/07] Pawlenty Increased The License Fee For Credit Service Organization Ten Fold, From $100 To $1000. According to an overview of Pawlentys 2008-2009 budget recommendations, the commerce department budget section read, The Governor is recommending that the license fee for credit service organizations be increased from $100 to $1,000. The increase is estimated to raise $10,000 per year in General Fund revenues. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2008-09 Budget Recommendations (no. 07.04), Page 20] Pawlenty Proposed Increasing The Lab Specimen Handling By $10. According to an overview of Pawlentys 2008-2009 budget recommendations, Pawlentys proposed Department of Health budget included Specimen Handling Fee Increase: The Governor recommends a State Government Special Revenue Fund appropriation of $51,000 each year to address the increasing costs of handling lab specimens. This expenditure would be offset by a $10 increase in the lab specimen handling fee, bringing the fee up to $25. [Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2008-09 Budget Recommendations (no. 07.04), Page 42] Pawlenty Increased Public Safety Fees By $6.9 Million. Department of Public Safety: The fees for drivers licenses, license reinstatement for gasoline theft, titles, and license plates will increase generating an additional $6.9 million dollars in revenue for the FY 2008-09 biennium. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2007 Legislature (no. 07.05), Page 77] Pawlenty Increased Transportation Fees By $7.1 Million. According to a summary of 2007 legislative actions, the budget included The fees for drivers licenses, license reinstatement for gasoline theft, titles, license plates, and partial renewals for vehicle leases will be increased generating an additional $7.1 million dollars in revenue for this biennium. [Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2008-09 Budget Recommendations (no. 07.04), Page 76]

2005 BUDGET
Pawlenty Said He Would Propose Fee Increases As Part Of His Budget Solution For FY 2006-2007 Budget. According to the Star Tribune, In a recent interview Pawlenty said he would propose fee increases as part of his budget solution and some tightening of a tax loophole for foreign operating corporations discovered last year that would yield additional revenue Pawlenty has said he is open to fee increases, so long as they are dedicated to the service on which they are imposed. While fees are regressive - they take no account of ability to pay - they are tied to use, Pawlenty said. If most

people were asked, Do you want a general tax increase to pay for X or would you rather see a fee? I think most would say theyd prefer the fee, he said. In many cases, he said, you can decline the service and avoid the fee. [Star Tribune, 1/3/05] Pawlentys Proposed 2006-2007 Budget Would Increase Tax Revenues By $159 Million. According to an overview of Pawlentys budget recommendations, For the FY 2006-07 biennium, the Governors recommendations would increase general fund tax revenues by $159 million and reduce general fund expenditures by $73 million. For FY 2008-09, the Governors proposals would increase general fund tax revenues by $154 million and reduce general fund expenditures by $82 million. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Finance Commissioner Said Pawlentys 2006-2007 Budget Proposal Included $80 Million In New Fees. According to the Associated Press, Finance Commissioner Peggy Ingison said the budget calls for about $80 million in new fees, but most will be used to fund related programs. An exception is a proposed $10 increase in a state surcharge on tickets for speeding, reckless driving and more serious crimes. The governor is counting on $24 million more from that surcharge, which is currently $60. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] License Fee And Failing Driving Test Fee Would Increase Under Pawlentys Budget. According to the Associated Press, A new license would cost $3 more, rising from $18.50 to $21.50. Failing a road test more than twice would trigger a $20 fee to take it again. [Associated Press, 1/26/05] Cross-Country Ski Pass Fee Would Increase Under Pawlentys Budget. According to the Associated Press, A daily cross-country ski pass to use a 1,003-mile groomed trail system would go from $3 to $5. The annual trail pass would cost skiers $15 instead of the current $10. [Associated Press, 1/26/05] Pawlentys Budget Increased Beekeeping Fees. According to the Associated Press, The beekeeper fee, currently $10, would go up a quarter for every one of the 120,000 colonies maintained by the approximately 500 beekeepers in Minnesota. [Associated Press, 1/26/05] Pawlentys Budget Increased Fee On Public Water. According to the Associated Press, Fees imposed on public water supplies also rise. The $5.21 fee assessed on each water connection would climb to $6.36, bringing in $1.4 million more for programs meant to ensure quality drinking water. [Associated Press, 1/26/05] Pawlenty Proposed Doubling Criminal Conviction Surcharge Over 2 Years, Included Traffic Tickets. According to the Star Tribune, Tucked in Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget plan is a proposal to increase the surcharge on traffic tickets and criminal convictions by $10. The surcharge, which is applied to everyone from speeders to a person convicted in a homicide, grew by $25 in 2004. If the new increase is approved, the surcharge will have doubled in two years. By Pawlentys calculations, the $10 increase would raise $11 million between 2006 and 2007 to support public safety and justice initiatives. [Star Tribune, 2/28/05]

Pawlenty Proposed Raising Over $6 Million By Increasing Motor Vehicle Transfer Fee By $4 And Driver License Record Fee By $2.50. According to an overview of Pawlentys budget recommendations, Fee increases for Motor Vehicle Transfer from $4 to $8 and Driver License Record fee from $2.50 to $5 will result in $6.2 million annually in revenue to the general fund. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Pawlenty Proposed Speeding Up Tax Payments On Leased Vehicles. According to an overview of Pawlentys 20062007 budget recommendations, Require up-front payment of sales tax on car and small truck leases: Under current law, a consumer who leases an automobile pays sales tax on each lease payment. The proposal would require that the tax on lease payments all be paid at the time the lease is signed. Although total tax liability would not change, the tax would be paid earlier. The Governors supplemental recommendations move the effective date forward to October 1, 2005. In addition, it is now recommended that refunds be provided if a lease is terminated early. Rental vehicles that enter the state after the start of the lease will pay a prorated tax. The up-front tax does not apply to vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds (heavy trucks) or to short-term rentals of less than 29 days. This tax shift would raise revenue by $39 million in FY 2006-07 and $6 million in FY 2008-09. There would also be a small revenue increase in future years due to the growth in lease payments. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Pawlentys Budget Proposed Repealing Cigarette Sales Tax And Levying $0.21 Per Pack Tax On Distributors. According to an overview of Pawlentys 2006-2007 budget recommendations, Under current law, cigarettes are subject to

sales tax at the retail level. The proposal would exempt cigarettes from the sales tax and levy a $0.21 per pack tax on distributors. The rate per pack would be calculated as 6.5 percent of the weighted average retail price, and would be adjusted each year (on July 1st). The new tax would be paid earlier at the time the wholesaler receives the product rather than at the time of the retail sale. This speedup in the timing of the tax would yield $5.8 million in one-time revenue in FY 2006. Collecting the tax at the distributor level is also expected to increase compliance, because tax would be collected from about 75 distributors rather than thousands of retail outlets. Increased compliance is estimated to increase tax collections by $2.25 million in FY 2006 and $2.7 million in each later year. This proposal is similar to replacing the sales tax on cigarettes by raising the excise tax by 21 cents per pack. The tax will be collected following the same rules as the existing 48 cent per pack cigarette excise tax, and the new tax is codified in the same section of law. Unlike the existing excise tax, the new 21 cent per pack tax rate will be adjusted each year for inflation in the price of cigarettes. There are currently two other states that exempt cigarettes from their sales tax and tax them with only an excise tax (Oklahoma and Colorado). [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Pawlenty Proposed Extending Sales Taxes On Rental Cars And Liquor That Were Set To Expire. According to an overview of Pawlentys budget recommendations, General fund tax revenue increases for FY 2006-07 would come primarily from repealing the December 31, 2005 sunset for two special sales tax rates the 9% sales tax rate on alcoholic beverages ($84 million) and the 12.7 percent sales tax rate on rental cars ($19 million). [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 200607 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Pawlenty Proposed Reducing The Renters Tax Credit. According to an overview of Pawlentys budget recommendations, Renters Property Tax Refund: The Governor recommends reducing the percent of rent constituting property taxes from 19 percent to 16 percent in fiscal year 2007 (refunds based on rent paid in 2005) and to 15 percent in fiscal year 2008 and after (refunds based on rent paid in 2006 and after) for the purposes of calculating the renters property tax refund also referred to as the renters credit. The proposed change results in a reduction in general fund expenditures for the renter property tax refund program of $30.4 million for the FY2006-07 biennium, or a 10 percent reduction from the current forecast base, and $82.2 million reduction for the FY2008-09 biennium. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Pawlenty Proposed Cut To Renters Tax Credit Would Reduce The Average Refund From By $91; Reduce The Number Of Eligible 274,875 to 262,241. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The renters credit is a property tax refund issued to low-income tenants for the property taxes they paid through their rent. The proposed change would reduce the average refund from $554 to $465, and reduce the number of eligible renters from 274,875 to 262,241. The measure, which would take effect in 2007, would save the state nearly $31 million in the 2006-07 biennium and $82.6 million in the 2008-09 biennium in refund payments. Current law assumes 19 percent of a tenants rental payments is for their share of the property taxes on the building in which they live. In his budget proposal, Pawlenty on Tuesday proposed reducing that to 16 percent in fiscal year 2007 and 15 percent in 2008. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/27/05] Pawlenty Proposed Allowing School Districts To Levy Great Taxes, Likely To Increase The Property Tax Burden On All Taxpayers Including Homeowners. According to an overview of Pawlentys budget recommendations, The Governor recommends increasing the amount schools districts can levy by $148 million in FY2006-07 and $445 million in FY2008-09 relative to current law. The proposed increase in school levies is likely to increase the property tax burden on all taxpayers including homeowners. The increased property tax burden on homeowners would increase state paid homeowner property tax refunds by $3.7 million in FY2006-07 and $11.1 million in FY2008-09. [An Overview of Governor Tim Pawlentys FY 2006-07 Budget Recommendations, March 2005] Pawlentys Proposal Would Increase Property Taxes By An Estimated 23 Percent In 2006. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Property taxes for schools would increase an estimated 23 percent next year under the budget that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to recommend to legislators today. In each of the two years after that, the portion of property taxes homeowners pay for schools would rise about 9 percent annually, the Education Department predicts. Changes that Pawlenty is urging in the way school districts pay for their operations would accelerate a trend -- in place since the recession of 2001 -- toward property taxes paying an increasing share of school expenses. The property tax increases have come as lawmakers and Pawlenty struggled to cope with a series of state budget deficits, the most recent of which is a $700 million shortfall predicted for the next two years. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/25/05]

Pawlentys Commerce Budget Included A One-Time $1,500 Fee On New Insurance Companies. According to a summary of 2005 legislative actions, $36,000 will be raised from establishing a one-time $1,500 fee for a certificate of

authority to sell insurance in Minnesota. Insurance companies currently doing busy in the state would not be impacted. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature, October 2005] 2005 Budget Increased Insurance Licensing Fees By A Total Of $1.4 Million. According to a summary of 2005 legislative actions $1.468 million will be raised from adjusting current fees and implementing new fees for several of the Departments insurance-related licensing activities. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature, October 2005] Final 2006-2007 Budget Signed By Pawlenty Included $559 Million In Fees. According to the Associated Press, Minnesotans will pay about $559 million worth of new fees and fee increases under the states new two-year budget, according to a draft analysis by nonpartisan Minnesota House fiscal staff. The largest portion will come from the so-called Health Impact Fee. The new 75-cent-per-pack duty on cigarettes - on top of an existing 48-cent tax - and other tobacco charges will raise more than $401 million, according to the analysis released FridayThe second-largest group of fee increases - a 25-cent increase for all telephone numbers - will generate $34 million for Minnesota to improve the states 911 emergency system. Other public safety fee increases include a $3 increase in the cost of drivers licenses, a $20 fee increase for people who fail their road tests the first two times and a $10 increase for those who fail their written test twice. They will produce about $5.5 million over the next two years. Increased fees and new surcharges on court fines and real estate recording will add more than $32 million to the states courts. The first significant hike in boat registration fee in more than two decades will generate $3.6 million for the Department of Natural Resources. Fee increases in snowmobile trail stickers and cross country ski passes will raise $5 million and $280,000 respectively. [Associated Press, 7/30/05]

Pawlentys Budget Extended A Fee For Public Access To Criminal History Data On The Internet. According to a summary for 2005 legislative actions, Pawlentys final budget included, $150,000 in revenue for continuing the $5 fee to access public criminal history data over the internet. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature, October 2005]

Pawlentys Budget Made Permanent A Previously Temporary $5 Surcharge On Boiler Licenses And Inspections Permanent. According to the summary of 2005 legislative actions, The Legislature approved a Department General Fund appropriation of $5.744 million in FY 2006-07 biennium. This represents a $756,000 increase from base. The increase will allow the Department to improve its code enforcement and inspections activities relating to boilers, pressure vessels and highpressure piping systems. To finance these activities the Legislature adopted increases in license, permit, penalty, and inspection fees amounting to $1.61 million. One major approved fee change makes permanent the $5 temporary surcharge on boiler licenses and inspections that was enacted by the 2003 Legislature. [Summary of the Fiscal Actions of 2005 Legislature, October 2005]

2003 BUDGET
Pawlentys Proposed 2003 Budget Would Increase Fees By $300 To $400 Million. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesotans wouldnt pay higher income or sales taxes under Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget-balancing proposal. But they would pay more if they want to stay on the states subsidized health insurance program or if they attend a state college. And they would pay more if they run a charitable gambling operation, or if they lobby at the State Capitol, or if they camp in a state park, screen their newborn for rare diseases or own a child-care center. Residents would pay at least $300 million to $400 million more over the next two years in about 60 such increased charges in the Pawlenty planThese are stealth taxes, said Wayne Cox, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice, a group financed by civic organizations and labor unions. Pawlenty has argued that hes just trying to protect the pocketbooks of regular families, but hundreds of thousands are going to be hit in their pocketbook by these changes. Meanwhile, people at the top 1 percent, who are still getting $5,000 a year in income tax cuts [from rate reductions in recent years] will come out winners no matter what fees are changed. Pawlenty disagrees. Theres nothing stealthy about them, he said. People will know exactly what they are paying for the services they get. Pawlenty also said he has been upfront from the beginning of his gubernatorial campaign that his no-taxincrease promise did not apply to fees, tuition and local property taxes. [Star Tribune, 3/23/03] Pawlentys 2003 Budget Included As Much As $683 Million In New Fees. According to the Associated Press, To solve a $4 billion-plus budget problem without raising taxes, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature approved dozens of new or increased fees, surcharges and co-payments. Among them: A new $3 state surcharge on all parking tickets. A $100 boost in the fee to file a lawsuit. Ten more bucks to get a marriage license. And a $3-a-head charge at the Minnesota Zoo for elementary school kids who used to get free admission on field trips. Estimates differ widely on the additional cost of fees and the like on Minnesota citizens and businesses. Pawlentys administration says its about $276 million more, if

medical co-pays providers will receive are counted. A House estimate puts the figure at $385 million. A Senate tally pegs it $683 million after accounting for anticipated college tuition hikes and bus fare increases. Pawlenty himself estimated earlier this week that the higher charges make up about one-tenth of the fix to Minnesotas $4.23 billion projected deficit. The rookie Republican governor, who carried through on a pledge to avoid state tax increases, doesnt consider the new fee revenue in conflict with his tax goal. [Associated Press, 6/6/03]

Balanced Budget By Eliminating And Delaying Tax Refunds

CUT RENTERS TAX CREDIT
Pawlentys Cut To Renters Tax Credit Would Affect Thousands Each Year, Many Of Them Senior Citizens And The Disabled. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlentys plan to cut the state renters credit has some tenants worried about how they will make ends meet. The credit is a refund that goes to thousands of people each year, many of them senior citizens and the disabledAbout 28 percent of the 274,000 households are seniors or disabled. More than half survive on less than $20,000 a year. The refund program was originally intended to offset renters share of state property taxes. To help balance the budget, Pawlenty has proposed cutting it by more than a quarter - or about $51 million a year. [Minnesota Public Radio, 6/22/09] Low Income Residents Sued Pawlenty Over Unilateral Budget Cuts To Property Refunds For Renters. According to WCCO Radio, six low income Minnesota residents are suing Governor Tim Pawlenty over budget cuts he made earlier this year without the legislatures approval. According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court names the Republican governor and three of his cabinet members. It seeks class-action status for everyone who will lose state aid for medically prescribed diets or get smaller property tax refunds for renters. The case will test Pawlentys use of an obscure executive power called unallotmentPawlenty reduced property tax refunds for renters and eliminated funding for the special diet program starting Nov. 1. The lawsuit says the governor went beyond his authority by using his powers instead of calling a special session. It also claims that his action violated the constitutional separation of powers. This lawsuit puts a human face on what the governor did, said former U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug, who has counseled clients on the states unallotment statute. [Associated Press, 10/29/09; WCCO Radio, 10/30/09] Group Slammed Pawlenty For Reducing Renters Tax Credit. According to a blog associated with Minnesota Public Radio, The Alliance for a Better Minnesota is running web ads criticizing Governor Pawlenty and Republican Reps. Marty Seifert, Tom Emmer and Kurt Zellers for scaling back the renters credit in Minnesota. The ad banner, which is on the top of the National Reviews blog right now, says Tim Pawlenty and the GOP stole money from renters. The weblink sends you to a website that determines how much money renters may lose under the action. It also allows viewers to contact their lawmakers to fix the problem. The full website, Return My Rebate, says Pawlenty and other Republicans stole over $50 million from renters in Minnesota when they slashed the renters credit over the summer. They are forcing over 300,000 working Minnesotans to get by with a greater financial burden in a tougher economic climate than ever before. Pawlenty scaled back the size of the renters credit from 19 percent to 15 percent when he unilaterally cut the budget in July. He took the action after he failed to reach a budget deal with Democrats in control of the Legislature. [Polinaut blog, Minnesota Public Radio, 1/28/10]

DELAYED REBATES
Pawlenty Delayed Tax Rebates For Businesses That He Once Touted. According to the Associated Press, Just a few months ago, Gov. Tim Pawlenty argued that manufacturers should be exempt from paying sales tax on major equipment purchases. Now, as part of his $2.7 billion deficit fix, hes going to hang on to their cash longer. The Republican governor will delay $63 million worth of sales tax refunds for capital equipment purchases starting in January 2011. Businesses will wait an extra three months for their cash, as part of Pawlentys plan to balance the state budget using executive powers. The move isnt sitting well with manufacturers who counted Pawlenty as an allyPawlenty even devoted part of his State of the State speech to the issue: Companies shouldnt have to do a bunch of paperwork so they can qualify for a bureaucratic rebate from the sales tax they pay on equipment, he said in January. Lets just give them a 100 percent exemption from the sales tax -right away when they buy the equipment. The governor also pushed for the change when he presented a budget proposal later

that month, saying it was part of a package that would spur small and medium-sized businesses to hire workers and make investments. [Associated Press, 7/6/09] Pawlentys Administration Delayed Corporate And Sales Tax Refunds For The Second Time In Six Months. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesotas precarious cash flow problem is prompting the Department of Revenue to delay corporate and sales tax refunds for the second time in six months, department officials disclosed[on November 5, 2009]. The state is currently delaying $128 million in corporate tax refunds to 461 companies and $11.9 million in sales tax refunds to about 350 to 400 businesses until late December. However, the Revenue Department is not notifying the firms unless companies specifically request a status update on their tax refundsThe reason for the delays? Minnesotas revenue collections are $200 million below forecast since July 1The state has delayed refunds in the past, as recently as the spring. That delay was so brief that state officials did not receive phone calls or complaints from corporations, officials said. This time might turn out to be just as short lived and uneventful, said Einess, noting the MMB can remove the delay at any time. But that remains to be seenThe measure is similar to the unallotment plan Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced in January as a way to ease cash flow woes and kill the states $4.5 billion deficit, Hesse said. The unallotment plan will postpone funds to schools and delay corporate tax refunds on amended returns, capital equipment and purchaser claims and corporate franchise taxes. However, that program is not expected to start until fiscal 2011, he said. [Star Tribune, 11/5/09]

ENDED REFUND FOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

2009: Pawlenty Unilaterally Ended Tax Refund For Political Contributions. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, during the 2009 unallotment process, Gov. Tim Pawlenty unilaterally cut a program in which Minnesotans who contribute up to $50 to state candidates or political parties get a dollar-for-dollar refund back from the state tax department, reported the Pioneer Press. The report noted that the refund program had been in place for 17 years, but that, under Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys plans, it will work that way no more. His budget-fixing proposal would zap all the $10.4 million that funds the program. About 90,000 refunds are made per year. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/17/09]

Watchdog Group Called On Pawlenty To Return Over $235,000 In Campaign Contributions He Received From Minnesotas Political Contribution Refund Program, Which He Unilaterally Cut From The Budget. According to KARE-11, Common Cause Minnesota is asking Governor Tim Pawlenty to return $236,000 his campaigns have accepted through the years from the states Political Contribution Refund program, or PCRIts being suspended as part of Pawlentys blueprint for balancing the state budget unilaterally through the use of unallotment powers. It will save $10 million over two years, but supporters of public financing of campaigns consider it a major blowGovernor Pawlenty, and almost every other candidate and political party, has used the political contribution refund program because it is a valuable way to engage people in the political process, Common Cause Minnesota executive director Mike Dean said in a letter to the news media. [KARE-11 (Twin Cities, M.N.), 6/22/09]

2005: Pawlenty Proposed Retaining Sales Taxes On Rental Cars And Liquor. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his two-year, $29.6 billion budget on TuesdaySales taxes on rental cars and liquor sales were scheduled to fall next January. He proposes keeping the same - 12.7 percent on short-term rentals and 9 percent on liquor. The change brings in $104 million the state wasnt anticipating for 2006-07. [Associated Press, 1/25/05] Pawlenty Accused Kerry Of Casting 98 Votes To Increase Taxes, When Some Of Those Votes Extended Expiring Tax Provisions. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, WCCO-TV reporter Pat Kessler recounted last week, Pawlenty, while serving as Minnesota co-chairman of President Bushs campaign last year, and other Republicans accused Democratic Sen. John Kerry of casting 98 votes to increase taxes. Some of those votes were for extending expired tax provisions. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/31/05] 2003: Pawlenty Deferred $50 Million In Sales Tax Reimbursements To Businesses For Capital Equipment Purchases. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday announced immediate spending cuts and budget moves to resolve a $356 million projected deficit through JuneAll told, Pawlenty cut $281 million, took the last $24 million from state reserves and deferred $50 million in sales tax reimbursements to businesses for capital equipment purchasesPawlenty cut ethanol subsidies nearly as deeply as the $26.8 million he proposed as part of a budget fix plan he sent to the Legislature last month. That proposal sparked a rally by farmers and resistance from rural lawmakers. Pawlenty maintained most ethanol plants would remain profitable without state subsidies. [Associated Press, 2/7/03]

ENDED TAX RECIPROCITY WITH WISCONSIN

Pawlentys Termination Of Tax Reciprocity Program With Wisconsin Caused Tax Increases For 8,000 Minnesotans. According to the Star Tribune, About 13,000 Minnesota residents who work in Wisconsin will have to file income tax returns in both states next year, and roughly 8,000 of those will see a tax bump estimated to average $300 a year. Thats one result of Minnesotas decision, announced by the state Revenue Department on Friday, to terminate a longstanding income-tax reciprocity program with Wisconsin. But ending the deal as of Jan. 1 also will generate an estimated $131 million for Minnesota over the next two years, a revenue stream that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is counting on to help balance the state budgetIn June, Pawlenty used his emergency authority to close a $2.7 billion gap that remained in the states 2010-11 budget after he and the Legislature failed to agree on how to pay for spending billsAs part of the plan, he called on Wisconsin to speed up payments under the reciprocity deal, paying in the same fiscal year in which Minnesotas tax loss was incurredAbout 8,000 Minnesotans will end up paying more, an average of about $300 per year, because Wisconsin has higher overall tax burdens on individuals, Einess said. But no Minnesota resident will have to pay more in Minnesota tax, he said. [Star Tribune, 9/18/09] Pawlenty Sought To Raise Funding From Wisconsin In Order To Cover Budget Shortfall. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty would raise $106 million by asking Wisconsin to speed up income tax reciprocity payments and save $63 million by delaying sales tax refunds to businesses for capital equipment purchases. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/16/09] GOP Representative Disagreed With Pawlentys Decision To End Tax Reciprocity With Wisconsin, Said It Would Mean A Tax Increase For Minnesotans. According to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, lawmakers representing both sides of the aisle are teaming up to reinstate Minnesotas tax reciprocity agreement with Wisconsin that Pawlenty terminated earlier in the month. According to the report, Pawlenty spokesman Alex Carey cites a state statute that gives the commissioner of revenue the authority to end the tax agreement. He said, This is not a tax increase. No Minnesotan is going to pay more taxes in Minnesota. While that statement is technically true, [Republican state Representative Greg] Davids said it will mean a tax increase for Minnesotans who pay Wisconsin income taxes. But the Republican avoided criticizing the governor, agreeing that it was within the administrations authority to end the agreement. Davids said he just disagrees with that decision and wants to see it changed. Davids added, I just think it should be more than one person making this decision. [Rochester Post-Bulletin, 9/30/09] Pawlenty Threatened To End Reciprocity Agreement With Wisconsin In An Effort To Pressure Wisconsin Into Paying Minnesota To Help Balance Budget. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, nearly 80,000 Minnesota and Wisconsin taxpayers who live in one state and work in the other may have to start filing two state income tax returns if Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Gov. Jim Doyle cant work out a new tax reciprocity agreement. Pawlenty told Doyle in a letter released [on June 17, 2009] that he would consider ending tax reciprocity if Wisconsin doesnt speed up its payments to Minnesota. The Minnesota governor is counting on getting $106 million from Wisconsin earlier than currently scheduled to help plug a $2.7 billion hole in his budget for the next two years. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/17/09] Lawmakers Urged Pawlenty To Work With Wisconsin To Reinstate Tax Reciprocity Agreement. According to the South Washington County Bulletin, Lawmakers from Minnesota and Wisconsin asked the states governors [on October 15, 2009] to immediately resume negotiations on a potentially doomed income tax reciprocity agreement. In a joint letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, legislators said some 80,000 people who work across state lines will be affected if no agreement is reached. Without a deal, workers with taxable income from the other state will have to file two tax returns, not one return as allowed under the decades-old agreement. The Pawlenty administration said last month it would end the agreement because it could not negotiate to receive earlier tax reimbursement payments from Wisconsin. There are more Wisconsin residents working in Minnesota than Minnesotans in Wisconsin. [South Washington County Bulletin, 10/15/09] Winona Daily News Editorial: Pawlentys Decision To End Tax Reciprocity Agreement With Wisconsin Was Absolutely Unacceptable, Remarkably Poor Leadership, A Desperate Cash Grab And Pathetic. According to an editorial in the Winona Daily News, Talk - for 22,000 Minnesotans, many of whom live in our area - is anything but cheap. Those 22,000 Minnesotans, because Minnesota cannot play nicely with Wisconsin, will pay an average of $300 more a year in taxes. Last month, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, using his statutory powers, canceled a 41-year-old agreement between Minnesota and Wisconsin regarding state income tax reciprocityIts unfortunate this agreement had to end,

especially at a time when families in both states are being squeezed by tough economic conditions. But it absolutely unacceptable and remarkably poor leadership by both governors, who have glad-handed each other during made-for-television events where both men pledged the states would find ways of trimming costs and keeping taxes affordable for residentsWhats even more shocking is that Pawlenty, whose aspirations for national office are transparent, prides himself on being a watchdog for taxes. Yet, 22,000 Minnesotans will pay more in taxes. How does dissolving the agreement match up with his rhetoric? Not at all. Alex Carey, one of Pawlentys spokesmen, told the Daily News, Those Minnesotans chose to work in Wisconsin. What Pawlenty has essentially done is create a job tax for those whose only misfortune is to find employment across state lines. So much for being business friendly, eh, Pawlenty administration?...Lets call this for what it is a desperate cash grab. And pathetic. [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 10/18/09] Winona Daily News Editorial: Pawlenty Illustrated That He Wont Even Stick His Nick Out For Those Still Employed When He Refused To Accept Tax Reciprocity Deal With Wisconsin. According to an editorial written in the Winona Daily News, In a story about a failed, last-minute income-tax reciprocity deal between Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Associated Press reported, Minnesota Revenue Department spokeswoman Kit Borgman called Wisconsins offer fair but said Minnesota faces a $1.2 billion deficit. And now we see the issue for what it really was - a blatant money grabOriginally, the Pawlenty administration said it couldnt abide the reciprocity agreement because Wisconsin took up to 18 months to pay its share of the tab. The cash-starved North Star State simply couldnt wait that long. It was a matter of timing. So leaders met and the payment cycle was pushed forward a bit, and leaders in both states and on both sides of the political spectrum seemed happy. Until the Pawlenty administration once again stepped in and squashed the dealIt was a fair deal. Not only that, but this isnt just some obscure program - nearly 100,000 folks between the two states will now have to file another tax return and be subject to a possible tax hike, depending on where they live. This should remind people the Pawlenty administration, which has also cut health care to the most needy of its citizens, has proven again it values politics over people. Let this example be a pretty strong message to those considering Tim Pawlenty for a possible presidential run. It would have been one thing for Pawlenty to have canceled the agreement because he needed the money to help solve the states budget crisis. But thats not what he originally said. His administration originally said it was about the timing. Lawmakers in both states should be rightfully insulted by Pawlenty. They worked in good faith, his administration did not. Instead, Pawlenty used a mealy-mouth trick, canceling the agreement over some bureaucratic glitch that had been endemic to the system for yearsThe $6 million that this will generate unfairly taxes folks who have committed no other sin besides finding a job just across the state line. It sure is interesting that for a governor who talks so much about the necessity of jobs and job creation, Pawlenty wont even stick his neck out for those still employed. [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 12/19/09]

Pawlenty Increased Spending

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Emmer: State Government General Fund Spending Will Have Grown By Almost 6.5 Billion Dollars. It Hasnt Gone Down Under Governor Pawlenty, Its Gone Up By Almost 6.5 billion. According to Northland Newscenter, Minnesotas gubernatorial candidates came together at University of Minnesota campus for a debate this afternoon. Republican Tom Emmer, DFLer Mark Dayton, and Independent Tom Horner answered questions on jobs, immigration and higher education among other things and two of the hottest topics included the budget and healthcare State government general fund spending will have grown by almost 6.5 billion dollars. It hasnt gone down under Governor Pawlenty, its gone up by almost 6.5 billion, so this argument about property taxes is not right and well just leave it at that, said Republican Tom Emmer. [Northland Newscenter, 10/15/10]

SPENDING INCREASED UNDER PAWLENTY

2009: Pawlenty Kicked Off His First Gubernatorial Campaign By Promising To Limit Government, But Since Then, Spending Actually Has Increased In Minnesota. According to the Star Tribune, back in 2001, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, kicked off his campaign by saying he would focus on limiting governments role in peoples lives. Since then, spending actually has increased in each two-year budget until the current cycle. As a result of Pawlentys unilateral budget slashing and an influx of federal aid, spending will drop by a little less than 8 percent in 2010-2011. [Star Tribune, 10/25/09]

Pawlenty Said His Proudest Achievement In Office Was Controlling Spending Both For Economic Stability And Limiting Government To Protect Individual Freedoms. According to the Washington Times, In naming his proudest achievement in office, Mr. Pawlenty turned to the most unifying theme for the modern conservative movement

that forms the philosophical base of the Republican party: controlling spending both for economic stability and limiting government to protect individual freedoms. Since 1960 till I became governor in 2003, the average biennial state budget increase had been 19 percent, he said. Its been 2 percent since I became governor. Also, in Minnesotas 150-year history, through the recessions and depression, there was never any two-year budget cycle in which spending went down, until he became governor, he said, adding: We actually cut spending for the two-year cycle we are in now. [Washington Times, 10/4/09] Pawlenty: In Real Terms, [The Budget] Never Really Got Cut And Minnesota Is Not A State That Has Been Miserly On Spending Money. According to an interview with the editorial board of the Duluth News-Tribune in March 2010, Pawlenty said, Theres only been one biennium, as far as we can tell in the 150-year history of the state of Minnesota, [when] the two-year budget cycle never ever went down until now in this two-year period. Even when they were saying [I] took a blow torch to the budget in 2003 and 2006, what youll see is an increase in spending. Even Gov. [Arne] Carlson was up at the 12 percent mark; Gov. [Jesse] Ventura was at the 12 percent mark; my first two-year period, when they said I slashed the budget terribly, went up 5.6 percent over two years. Now we got it down. So in real terms, it never really got cut, but programs didnt grow as fast as they had hoped. Later in the interview, Pawlenty said, This is not a state that has been miserly on spending money. [Duluth News-Tribune, 3/12/10]

2004: Pawlentys Evolution Might Be Described As A Move Toward A Less-Conservative Fiscal Profile, Because In Many Cases They Involve Increased Spending On Public Goods And Services. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota needs leadership on tough issues and governors have responsibilities beyond that of legislators, Pawlenty said last week. He has not changed his bedrock values and conservative Republican ideals, Pawlenty said, but allows that it would be fair to call him a pragmatic conservative.In general, Pawlentys evolution might be described as a move toward a less-conservative fiscal profile, because in many cases they involve increased spending on public goods and services. Pawlentys allies and foes generally agree that he has run a skillful slalom course, weaving left and right throughout his career, but always along a decidedly conservative axis. He was elected to the House 11 years ago and quickly earned a reputation as a conservative with a good ear for how to moderate his message for suburban soccer moms. In later years, as he prepared for statewide office and sought endorsement from highly conservative Republican Party activists, Pawlenty adopted a more conservative tone and voting record. During the general-election campaign, needing centrist support, Pawlenty again sounded more moderateSome conservative leaders are becoming more vocal about Pawlentys shifts. They too argue that his willingness to borrow and spend more could be unsustainable if Pawlenty is to stand firm against tax increases. Now that hes through the fiscal storm of last year, hes returning to some of his liberal tendencies, said state Rep. Phil Krinkie, RShoreview, a leader of an unofficial group he calls the fiscal conservative caucus. Hes placating environmental groups with big bonding projects, placating the Vikings and Twins, placating the transit community by proposing Northstar, and oh, by the way, hes saying maybe Ill soften my position on expansion of gambling so we can spend even more money.Meanwhile, Pawlentys open-field maneuvering on issues affecting gays has been perhaps the best example of his nimbleness. As he was running for party endorsement, he said he regretted voting to expand human-rights protections for gays and lesbians. But after taking office, he refused to do anything to advance a bill, sponsored by Rep. Arlon Lindner, that would have repealed those protections. This year, he is a moderately active proponent of a state constitutional ban on gay marriage. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/4/04] 2003: Pawlenty Proposed The Largest Budget In Minnesota History. According to the St. Cloud Times, Pawlenty proposed the largest budget in state history - $28.1 billion - that actually increases spending by 3.8 percent or $1 billion from the 2002-03 budget cycle. It would wipe out the $4.2 billion budget deficit and leave the state with a $500 million cushion. [St. Cloud Times, 2/19/03] Pawlentys Finance Commissioner: This Is The Largest Budget In State History. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, This is the largest budget in state history, said Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy. It spends significantly more than in the last biennium. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/16/03] Pawlenty: This Is The Largest Budget In State History. According to the Star Tribune, In his presentation, Pawlenty took great pains to note that as tough as parts of his budget might appear, the overall proposal actually would increase spending by $1 billion over two years - a 3.8 percent rise from the current two-year budget period to the 2004-05 fiscal years. This is the largest budget in state history, he said, noting that a number of the rollbacks are not actual cuts, but reductions in projected growth. [Star Tribune, 2/19/03]

Pawlenty Frequently Claimed That His First Budget Proposal As Governor Was The Largest Budget In State History. According to the Star Tribune, In his effort to convince Minnesotans that his proposed budget cuts arent so horrible, Gov. Tim Pawlenty frequently claims that his plan calls for spending $1 billion more than the current budget and that its the largest budget in state history. [Star Tribune, 3/2/03] Pawlenty Admitted That The Budget [Was] Still Growing Under His Leadership. According to the Associated Press, At a news conference before getting on an airplane, Pawlenty defended balancing the budget without state tax increases. The sky is not falling. ... The budget is still growing, he said. [Associated Press, 6/3/03]

As Pawlenty Prepared To Take Office, He Emphasized That Total State Spending [Would] Rise. According to the Star Tribune, Attempting to allay fears that his no-tax-increase promise will gut Minnesotas high-quality public services, Pawlenty again emphasized that total state spending will rise slightly from the current biennial budget period to the next, even if it doesnt keep pace with anticipated demand and inflation, especially for health-care costs. Minnesota perennially is among the top states in taxes and spending, Pawlenty said, and it doesnt need to match the tax and regulatory level of Arkansas in order to balance its budget. [Star Tribune, 12/11/02]

CONSERVATIVES LABELED PAWLENTY A BIG SPENDER

The Cato Institute Called Pawlenty A Big Spender. According to a blog associated with the Cato Institute, Pawlenty is an economic populist and big-spender generally. [Cato@Liberty blog, The Cato Institute, 6/24/08] Cato Institute: Pawlenty Wouldnt Draw Small Government Conservatives To McCains Ticket If He Were Chosen For The Ticket. According to Michael Tanner, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, McCain needs to reach out to Reagan/Goldwater small-government conservatives. Vice President Pawlenty would be sending a very different signal. [Cato@Liberty blog, The Cato Institute, 6/24/08] October 2009: Cato Institutes Director Of Tax Policy Studies Was Uneasy About Pawlentys Record On Fiscal Conservatism, Urged Fiscal Conservatives To Thoroughly Vet The Fellow Before He Advances Too Far. According to Chris Smith, the director of tax policy studies for the Cato Institute wrote a blog post in October 2009 in which he wrote, I am very fearful that the Republicans will nominate another Bush-style candidate for 2012. With the government running trillion-dollar deficits, the country needs a hard-line budget-cutter as the next presidentIm uneasy about [Pawlenty], so I sure hope the partys fiscal conservatives thoroughly vet the fellow before he advances too far. [Chris Smith, Cato@Liberty blog, 10/2/09] Pioneer Press Columnist And Conservative Economist: When It Comes To Budget Deficits, The Governor Always Has Preferred Borrowing Money. According to Edward Lotterman, an economist and conservative columnist for the Pioneer Press penned an op-ed in which he wrote, [Pawlentys] stances on energy mandates and borrowing to fund road improvements are particularly frustrating to Republican economists who otherwise agree with his views. This may not be a fatal flaw at the state level, but could cause problems when exposed to the harsh glare of a national campaignBut when it comes to budget deficits, the governor always has preferred borrowing money (called bonding at the state level) or kicking the fiscal can down the road with budget gimmicks or by shifting the burden to local government. This did not impede his career here, but credibility on deficits and debt will be a core issue nationally in 2012. [Edward Lotterman, Pioneer Press, 9/23/09] Minnesota GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Slammed Pawlenty For Not Doing Enough To Reduce Spending Or The Size Of Government. According to the Star Tribune, the Republican candidates [for governor] say they would go further than Pawlenty in lowering taxes and limiting government. I say to the current governor, No more! candidate Phil Herwig says on his campaign literature. He has not reduced spending or the size of government. [Star Tribune, 10/25/09]

PAWLENTY RELIED ON STIMULUS FUNDS AND BORROWED $1 BILLION IN HIS 2009 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing $1 Billion In Budget For State Operating Costs. According to the Grand Forks Herald, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed $1.6 billion in budget cuts in 2009, but proposed borrowing $1 billion for operating funds.

Minnesota House and Senate Democrats proposed cutting more than $2 billion in programs and raising taxes between $1.5 billion and $2 billion instead of borrowing funds for operating expenses. [Grand Forks Herald, 4/8/09] Pawlenty Relied Of Stimulus Funding While He Criticized It. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was relying on federal stimulus dollars even as he criticized them. Pawlenty relied on the funds to balance his budget proposal and prevent additional budget cuts. [Associated Press, 3/18/09] Pawlentys Budget Approach Inflicts The Least Short-Term Pain But Would Leave The Largest Longer-Run Problems. According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, the DFL-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty still face a $4.6 billion hole in the 2010-11 budget and, so far, theres no agreement on how to fix it. Pawlentys approach inflicts the least short-term pain but would leave the largest longer-run problems. He would cut $1.3 billion in spending, borrow $1 billion through the sale of long-term bonds and temporarily shift $1.3 billion by delaying state payments to schools. He also would tap the states Health Care Access Fund for $700 million. That makes for $3 billion in one-time money, not counting $800 million in federal stimulus funds, another one-time solution. The report also noted that Pawlenty has pledged to veto any budget proposal that includes a tax increase. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/11/09] Pawlenty Proposed Budget Deal To Borrow $500 Million To Balance Minnesotas Budget After Original Proposal Included $1 Billion In Borrowing. According to the Associated Press, shortly after vetoing the 2010-2011 budget passed by the Minnesota legislature, Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent a letter to legislators offering to cut his borrowing plan in half and to agree to a larger amount of deferred education spending that wouldnt appear on the books during this budget period, and to, divert $250 million he wanted in a reserve account to the general budget, reported the Associated Press. Pawlentys original budget proposal included borrowing $1 billion against future state revenues in order to balance the budget. Pawlenty made the offer in what he called was the spirit of compromise. [Associated Press, 5/12/09] Minnesota DFL Gave Pawlentys Budget Compromise A Chilly Reception. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, DFL legislatures gave Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal drew a cool response from Democratic-FarmerLabor legislative leaders, reported the St. Paul Pioneer Press. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, said, The governors offer does nothing to address the job losses in hospitals, nursing homes and in the state of Minnesota that would result from Pawlentys proposed budget cuts. So I think that its a compromise in word only and not in deed. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/11/09]

Star Tribune: Pawlentys Budget Proposal Is Like Taking Out A Second Mortgage To Cover This Years Mortgage Payments. According to an editorial in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Erase the deficit primarily with one-time money, as Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes, and the built-in imbalance will only return with a vengeance in 2012-13. One of Pawlentys one-time money proposals is particularly objectionable. He would borrow $1 billion and pledge future state revenues to pay the debt service. Thats like taking out a second mortgage to cover this years mortgage payments. It pushes the problem ahead, and makes it worse when it recurs. [Editorial, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, 4/12/09] St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial: Pawlentys Budget Proposal To Borrow Over $1 Billion Was Like Putting Groceries On The Credit Card. According to an editorial in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget proposal to borrow more than $1 billion in the form of tobacco appropriations bonds in order to balance the states budget was like putting groceries on the credit card. The editorial noted that the legislature struck down Pawlentys proposal by a vote of 2-130. We dont know anyone, including the governor, who thinks this is a great idea. It plugs the hole only once and leaves a void for succeeding budgets. It encumbers the state with interest costs without producing a tangible asset. [Editorial, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/9/09] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Budget Proposal Would Borrow $1 Billion & Trigger More Than $500 Million In Property Tax Increases. According to an editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesotans keeping score shouldnt tally Pawlenty at $0, referring to the budget fight with the state legislature. The editorial noted that Pawlentys budget raises new revenue, too -- not directly, but via $1 billion in borrowing against future state taxes and deep state aid cuts to cities and counties that are projected to trigger more than $500 million in property tax increases. Pawlentys borrowing plan has been likened to taking out a second mortgage to buy groceries -- never a good idea. [Editorial, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/22/09] Grand Forks Herald: Pawlentys Budget Proposal Would Saddle Minnesota With A $2.5 Billion Deficit In 2012. According to an editorial in the Grand Forks Herald, the Democrats have declared their willingness to compromise. Pawlenty hasnt. Just the oppositePawlenty alone has assumed an all-or-nothing, take-it-or-leave it stance. The editorial noted that Pawlentys budget doesnt [balance the budget]. The governor proposes borrowing money in place of the Democrats tax

hike. That means the deficit would disappear only temporarily; and when the candidates for governor campaign in 2010, theyd do so knowing that if they get elected, theyd face a $2.5 billion deficit right off the bat. [Editorial, Grand Forks Herald, 4/27/09] Haley Barbour: Theres Strong Bipartisan Opposition To The Idea Of The States Issuing Bonds To Pay For Operational Expenses. According to the Boston Globe, in July 2009 Haley Barbour said, Theres strong bipartisan opposition to the idea of the states issuing bonds to pay for operational expenses. One governor said itd be like taking out a mortgage to pay the grocery bill. [Boston Globe, 7/20/09] Pawlentys Proposal To Borrow $1 Billion Voted Down By 2-130 Margin In Minnesota House. According to the Associated Press, the Minnesota House or Representatives voted against Gov. Tim Pawlentys proposal to raise $1 billion by borrowing against the proceeds of tobacco settlement payments for 20 years by a margin of 2-130, with just two Republicans voting yes. [Associated Press, 4/24/09] MinnPost.com: Pawlentys Claim That He Reduced Spending By The Largest Margin In The Modern History Of The StateFail[ed] To Provide Valuable Context By Omitting That A Significant Portion Of The Spending Reductions [Were] Achieved Through Payment Shifts And One-Time Money Installments From The Federal Stimulus Package. According to MinnPost.com, during a speech to social conservatives in Washington, D.C., Pawlenty said, So, in Minnesota in this budget, by way of example, were reducing spending in real terms 7.6 percent. Ive got the most vetoes of any governor I think in Minnesota history. And weve reduced spending by the largest margin in the modern history of the state, and were turning that left-of-center state into a fiscally responsible state. However, the report noted that Pawlentys statements about this years budget are true. But he fails to provide valuable context by omitting that a significant portion of the spending reductions are achieved through payment shifts and one-time money installments from the federal stimulus package. [MinnPost.com, 10/1/09]

PAWLENTY REGULARLY BORROWED AND USED FEDERAL MONEY

2010: Pawlenty Cut $319 Million From Construction Bill Through Line-Item Vetoes But Still Called For Borrowing $680 Million To Pay For Projects. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has significantly reduced a $1 billion construction projects bill the Democrat-controlled Legislature sent him last week. The Republican governor used his line-item veto to remove $319 million worth of projects, including civic centers, trails and college buildings in Rochester, St. Cloud and other cities. His office says he signed the bill into law on Sunday. It will borrow to pay for $680 million worth of projects, slightly less than Pawlenty originally proposed. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/15/10] Republicans Urged Pawlenty To Cut Construction Bill By More Than $750 Million. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Republicans in the Minnesota House are privately urging Gov. Tim Pawlenty to be extra aggressive when he cuts down a $1 billion bonding bill through line item vetoes. Theyre suggesting Pawlenty eliminate about 80 percent of the public construction projects in the bill so that more bonding negotiations can take place later in the session. They say that will help put pressure on Democrats to work on a broader budget fix. Of the 47 members in the House Republican caucus, 44 signed a letter to Governor Pawlenty recommending a severe response to the bonding bill. They want him to cut it from about $1 billion to less than $250 million. The letter, obtained by MPR News, said the bloated bill needs fiscal liposuction. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/12/10] Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing Almost $700 Million To Pay For Building Projects. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday that the state should borrow $685 million this year to pay for building projects on college campuses, repairing bridges and other road maintenance, flood preparation and other state construction needs. The bonding bill is a fixture of even-year legislative sessions, as political leaders capitalize on the states borrowing power to preserve state-owned assets and boost local economies. The Republican governors proposal is modest compared to his own previous standards he proposed $1 billion in bonding in 2008 and he said Minnesotans shouldnt expect it to work miracles on a still-struggling state economyStill, this years bill will be assembled in the shadow of a $1.2 billion state deficit that lawmakers must erase only months after Pawlenty trimmed $2.7 billion to get rid of last years deficit. In addition, his administration is asking lawmakers for the authority to borrow money for fear that the states cash balance could dip below zero by April. As in earlier proposals, Pawlenty has concentrated on projects with statewide or regional impact and steered away from projects requested by cities and counties, leaving out funding for projects such as an expansion project at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede vowed to keep pressing lawmakers

for the funding a strategy likely to be repeated by dozens of community leaders hoping for a piece of the bonding capacity. [Associated Press, 1/15/10] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Bonding Proposal May Be Penny-Wise And Pound-Foolish. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, With the states economy in the dumps and Gov. Tim Pawlenty in lame-duck status, one might think that this would be the year for quick agreement on which building projects state government should fund. That prospect dimmed Friday. Pawlentys recommendation for a skimpy $685 million bill disappointed DFLers who control the Legislature. Theyve been angling for a bill closer to $1 billionThe smaller bonding bill Pawlenty recommended would take a nick out of that deficit -- but only a tiny one. The debt service difference between his plan and the forecasts assumption amounts to less than $1 million in this biennium. And that small saving may be penny-wise and pound-foolish. Low interest rates and low construction bids now make bonding dollars stretch farther than they have in years. To the extent those dollars are spent on economy-improving infrastructure, they would spur private investment and create jobs. Pawlenty warned legislators that if their bonding bill is much larger than he recommends, he may not bother to shrink it with line-item vetoes. He may chuck the whole bill. That would be a shame -- and a missed opportunity. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 1/15/10] Bi-Partisan Disappointment Over Pawlentys Borrowing Proposal. According to the West Central Tribune, There appears to be bi-partisan disappointment in Gov. Tim Pawlentys bonding bill. Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar, said Monday it doesnt sound like theres going to be much for Greater Minnesota in the governors $685 billion bonding bill. Gimse said hes a little disappointed that Pawlenty didnt include more funding for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and that Ridgewaters request for $14,300,000 was zeroed out. Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, said there was no rhyme or reason to what projects Pawlenty said included in the bill. Because projects all across the state were left out of the governors bill, Juhnke said the governors current bill couldnt get four votes in the House. [West Central Tribune (Wilmar, M.N.), 1/19/10]

2009: Pawlentys Budget Advisers Informed Legislators That The State Might Have To Borrow Money Next Year To Cover Its Bills. According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys budget advisers informed legislators Thursday that the state might have to borrow money next year to cover its bills. It would mark the first time the state has had to borrow money for bills in 25 years, when it took out $1.6 billion short-term loans over a four-year stretch and had to pay almost $125 million more to service them. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson raised the prospect to a legislative panel and one of his deputies laid out several options, ranging from a bond sale to a negotiated credit line with a bank. [Associated Press, 11/12/09]

Pawlenty Traveled The Country Criticizing Obama And Democrats For Increased Government Spending And Borrowing While His Own Finance Official In Minnesota Announced Plans To Borrow To Pay The States Bills. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota finance officials say theyre making plans to borrow money next year to pay the states bills That could put Gov. Pawlenty in a difficult spot, given some of the things hes been saying about the federal budget. For the past few months, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been traveling the country campaigning for Republican candidates, and raising money for his national political action committee. In most of his speeches, Pawlenty has criticized President Obama and congressional Democrats for increased government spending and borrowing. Heres what he said last Saturday in Iowa. Are you embarrassed when the Secretary of State of the United States is over in communist China on rhetorical bended knee, pleading with the Chinese to buy our debt because if they dont, the United States of America cant pay its bills? But now, Pawlenty is the one who may be forced to borrow to pay the bills. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson told state lawmakers hes making plans for the state to borrow early next year, but wont know if its necessary until next month. [Minnesota Public Radio, 11/12/09] Short-Term Borrowing Being Considered By Pawlenty Administration Could Harm Minnesotas Credit Rating And Continue Into 2011. According to the Star Tribune, The last time Minnesota had to borrow money to pay its bills, taxpayers forked over millions in extra interest payments as the state sank into the financial doghouse for more than a decade. Minnesotas envied credit rating -- and cheap borrowing rates -- could be in jeopardy again as state finance officials consider borrowing money, this time to pay bills next spring and possibly through the 2011 fiscal yearStill left unanswered is whether this would be a one-time cash infusion for a few months this spring or whether it will continue into 2011, a year in which the state forecasts even bigger cash-flow problems. The state must balance its budget by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Its still scary, state Budget Director Jim Schowalter said last month. Im not underestimating that. The need for short-term borrowing indicates the state needs to get better control of the lumpy budget cycle, said Ingison, the former finance commissioner. Governments totally control in-flow and out-flow of money, she said. Its a

big deal to be doing short-term borrowing. Its certainly not a good thing.Gov. Tim Pawlentys administration is doing everything possible to avoid short-term borrowing, said Brian McClung, one of Pawlentys deputy chiefs of staff. Could the need to borrow tarnish the governors legacy as a fiscal conservative? McClung doesnt think so. [Star Tribune, 12/28/09] 2008: Pawlenty Proposed More Borrowing To Meet States Basic Transportation Needs. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing a nearly $1 billion bonding bill for the 2008 Legislative session that includes a record amount of state borrowing for bridge repair and replacement. But DFL legislators want to fix bridges through a separate transportation funding bill. Transportation projects make up more than a third of Pawlentys total bonding proposal. Theres money included for local roads, a new MnDOT building in Mankato and about half of what supporters want to advance the Central Corridor light rail project. But the biggest slice of the bonding pie goes toward local bridges. Pawlenty said the $225 million is a record amount, and will accelerate work on a priority issuePawlenty said his proposal for $965 million in general obligation bonding meets the state guideline of keeping new debt at 3 percent of expected state revenues. In a message directed to DFL leaders in the House and Senate, Pawlenty said he wont sign a bonding bill that exceeds his total. [Minnesota Public Radio, 1/14/08] 2007: Minnesota Made Its Largest General Obligation Bond Sale Ever At $656 Million. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The state of Minnesota made its largest general obligation bond sale ever, the states finance department said Tuesday. The state sold $670 million of state general obligation bonds, which are backed by the taxing power of the state rather than revenue from a project, to Merrill Lynch & CoMost of the bond sales proceeds - $656 million - will be used to finance the cost of capital projects across the state, including higher-education classrooms, pollution control, environmental improvements, new prisons and transportation projects. The rest of the proceeds will finance some costs associated with the state trunk highway system. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/25/07] 2005: Pawlenty Signed Bonding Bill That Required Minnesota To Borrow $886 Million. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty and legislators reached an agreement that is expected to launch a $945 million state construction program this spring. The deal would authorize the state to borrow money for everything from college classrooms and prison cells to a new biotechnology research lab in Rochester and Minnesotas first commuter rail line through the northwestern metro suburbsThe $945 million price tag is a compromise between the $1 billion construction bill passed by the Senate and the Houses $817 million version. Pawlenty had requested $816 million for construction. The state would borrow $886 million for the projects, with an additional $59 million coming primarily from user fees. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/31/05] 2004: Pawlenty Wanted To Borrow $740 Million To Pay For Building Projects. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, The legislative breakdown came amid differences over how much the state should borrow for a host of building projects, most of which had broad support, although one prominent legislator wondered whether the state could afford any new debt at all. Senate majority DFLers wanted to put $949 million on the states credit card. The Republican-controlled House overwhelmingly approved bonds totaling $674 million. Gov. Tim Pawlenty was in the middle at $740 million. [Duluth NewsTribune, 6/1/04] 2004: Pawlentys Transportation Plan Relied Heavily On Borrowing. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, last fall, he proposed a 10-year, $7 billion transportation plan that relied heavily on borrowing. Legislative critics have berated that idea as credit card spending. [Pioneer Press, 5/20/05] Pawlentys 2004 Capital Investment Proposal Was Criticized By Republicans For Its Large Price Tag And Reliance On Borrowing. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, When Gov. Tim Pawlenty makes public his entire capital investment proposal today, the total is expected to top $700 million and include a gamut of projects not seen in recent lean years. Already hes proposed millions of dollars for commuter rail, a grizzly bear exhibit and various improvements at the Minnesota Zoo, a new school on the Red Lake Indian reservation and upgrades at several college campuses. Theres funding for low-interest loans for outstate farmers and a youth leadership center for inner-city Minneapolis. Prisons would be expanded, and so would parks. So far, the governors bonding proposals have totaled about $475 million. Unlike former Gov. Jesse Ventura, Pawlenty appears to have no intention of limiting bonding to projects of statewide significance.DFLers are expressing cautious support for the governors new spendy streak, while some Republicans - most notably House Capital Investment Committee Chairman Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview - are voicing disapprovalKrinkie on Tuesday said he was disappointed at Pawlentys expansiveness and said he will work on winnowing down the governors list. I think he really needs to be on Atkins and slim that down a bit, Krinkie quipped. Krinkie said that if the state borrows more than $530 million, it will have to shell out more money than is budgeted for

debt service. Since the state already faces a projected operating deficit of $185 million, he said, this is no time to be whipping out the credit card. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/14/04] 2004: Pawlenty Used $110 Million In Federal Funds To Fix Budget Deficit. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty planned to use about $110 million in federal funds to close a 2005 budget gap. The Star Tribune reported that Pawlenty planned to use $30 million left in federal health-care money that had been destined for a state health-care fund for lowincome workers. According to the report, the projected deficit had originally been $160 million, but last week Pawlenty cut $97 million by tapping the same pot of federal health care money and cutting his agencies spending by 3 percent. [Associated Press, 5/20/04; Star Tribune, 5/18/04] Pawlentys 2004 Budget Fix Pushed The Deficit Higher For The Following Year. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlentys unilateral action to balance the states budget on his own earlier this week has had an unexpected outcome: It creates an even bigger headache for the state next year. According to a nonpartisan Senate analysis, Pawlentys use of more than $100 million in federal funds to close a 2005 budget gap will blow a $44 million hole in the 2006-07 biennium. On Monday, Pawlenty had said that the move would create a $12 million shortfall in 2007, which he called manageable. On Wednesday, his press secretary, Leslie Kupchella, confirmed the higher figure of $44 million, saying the initial estimate was a miscalculation. A shortfall of $44 million - with nearly $8 million of that coming in 2006 - would supersize the projected budget gap by 10 percent. The states last economic forecast projected a $441 million gap in 200607, not counting inflation, which is no longer factored into the forecast. Adding inflation would bring that figure to about $1 billion. Legislators would have to deal with that problem when they reconvene in January to begin the arduous task of crafting a 2006-07 budget. [Star Tribune, 5/20/04]

2003: Pawlenty Signed Bill Authorizing Minnesota To Borrow $237 Million In Projects Without Vetoing A Single Project. According to the Associated Press, In contrast to his predecessor, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bill that authorizes borrowing for state construction without vetoing a single project. Pawlenty went to Southwest Minnesota State University on Thursday to formally approve the $237 million in projects around the state. About a quarter of the money is earmarked for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, with $9.2 million for a library project at the college in MarshallThe main purpose of the bonding bill was not as an economic stimulus package for the economy, although Pawlenty said it would help. The governor said the reason rural Minnesota got so many projects was that most of Gov. Jesse Venturas vetoes last year were for projects in greater Minnesota. [Associated Press, 6/12/03] 2003: Pawlenty Borrowed $400 Million For 2004-05 Transportation Spending Plan. According to the Associated Press, The deal includes a tax plan that wont raise state taxes, a transportation plan that would borrow money for a four-year building spurt and a robust list of other building projects that is heavily weighted to help state colleges and the University of Minnesota. It also includes $25 million for a new Guthrie Theater. We finally have a state government thats going to live within its means in some very challenging times, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in announcing the deal. I think the end result is good for Minnesota.Under the transportation plan, the state would borrow $400 million and speed up the payment of federal money to spend between $700 and $900 million on road, bridge and transit projects over the next four years. [Associated Press, 5/26/03] Pawlenty Originally Proposed Borrowing $550 Million To Fund Transportation Package. According to the Duluth News-Tribute, Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a $1.2 billion transportation package Friday that would accelerate major highway and bridge construction projects but finance the work through borrowing, cuts and reliance on anticipated funding rather than raising new revenue. The five-year plan would build more roads and do it faster, advancing projects by as much as nine years and saving the state millions in inflationary increases, Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau said in announcing the planThe administration has not selected the projects that will start between 2004 and 2008, but the plan calls for focusing money on removing bottlenecks and improving corridors that connect the states top regional trade centers. Pawlenty assembles up to $1.2 billion by: Borrowing $550 million to be repaid over 20 years with $42 million annual savings achieved through cuts to snow removal and other areas at MnDOT. Pawlenty said the department can afford the cuts because it has been immune to the financial tribulations facing other state departments. [Duluth NewsTribune, 3/15/03].

2003: Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing $130 Million, Rather Than Pay Cash, For Some Road Construction Projects As Part Of His 2003 Budget Fix. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Ethanol producers would lose most of their subsidy, some state workers might lose their jobs or be forced to take unpaid time off and the state would borrow, rather than pay cash, for some road construction projects under a short-term budget fix proposed Tuesday by Gov. Tim PawlentyThe

biggest component of the short-term budget cure, and one that is opposed by many House Republicans, amounts to borrowing to fix part of the deficit. It is a plan to borrow, instead of paying $ 130 million in cash, for road and bridge projects. Last year, the Republicans refused to accept a Senate plan to borrow the money. The Republicans argued the change would reduce total construction. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/15/03] 2002: Pawlenty Led Legislature That Passed Budget Based On Borrowing And Delaying State Payments. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, While Pawlenty served as the majority leader for the House of Representatives in 2002, the Minnesota Legislature sent Gov. Jesse Ventura a bill Wednesday bailing that state out of its budget mess by borrowing money and delaying state payments to schools. Is it perfect? House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, asked during House floor debate. No. But we are selecting from imperfect options. Pawlenty is a candidate for governor this year, as is Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL-Erskine, noted the report. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/16/02] During 2002 Gubernatorial Campaign, Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing $2 Billion To Fund Minnesotas Transportation Needs. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty, the only candidate who has signed a no-taxincrease pledge, said a deficit is not a sure thing, and he derided the nickel-a-gallon gasoline tax that the Senate passed this year as wildly inadequate to meet Minnesotas transportation needs. That would yield $130 million a year, he said. Instead, he called for an immediate building plan funded by borrowing $2 billion that the state would pay off over 20 years through existing tax revenues. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/2/02] Cornerstone Of Republican Tim Pawlentys Transportation Plan [Was] To Borrow Up To $2 Billion. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The cornerstone of Republican Tim Pawlentys transportation plan is to borrow up to $2 billion to get rid of a 20-year backlog of highway and bridge projects. To pay off the loan, he would rely on the economy to rebound and increase tax revenues, rather than raising the gas tax. The debt service could be paid from a robust general fund or from future payments of the tobacco lawsuit settlement, about $200 million a year, Pawlenty said. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/26/02]

2002: Pawlenty Proposed Borrowing $19 Million To Pay For Housing For Homeless Veterans. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty, in turn, accused Senate DFLers of playing politics by refusing to approve $19 million worth of borrowing for a proposal he sponsored to provide housing in St. Cloud and Minneapolis for homeless veterans. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/14/02] 1999: Pawlenty Said Santa Claus Is Coming To Town When Minnesota Had A $1.6 Billion Surplus. According to the Associated Press, as House Majority Leader in 1999, Tim Pawlenty said, Santa Claus is coming to town when asked about Minnesotas $1.6 billion surplus that was unexpectedly robust. [Associated Press, 12/3/99]

UNDER PAWLENTY, THE BUDGET DEFICIT GREW

2002: Budget Deficit Was Projected To Be A Record $4.56 Billion When Pawlenty Took Office. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty and the 2003 Minnesota Legislature will have to plug a state budget gap as big as the Grand Canyon. State officials on Wednesday forecast a record $4.56 billion deficit for the 2004-05 budget. Thats 14 percent of the states spending for basic services. In addition, Pawlenty will inherit a $356 million shortfall in the final six months of the current budget, which ends June 30. The state constitution requires a balanced budget by that date, so state leaders will almost certainly have to cut some programs soon. The projected deficit would be more than $5.6 billion if it had been calculated in the same way as previous forecasts. In the past, state officials included the cost of inflation in their calculations, but the last Legislature passed a law barring the use of inflation in spending forecasts. This big budget deficit is now my problem... and we intend to fix it, Pawlenty told reporters. [Duluth News-Tribune, 12/5/02] 2009: After Pawlenty Leaves Office, Minnesotas Deficit Could Be As High As $7 Billion. According to the St. Paul Legal Ledger, Things at the state Capitol seem peaceful enough at the moment. Most of the focus this summer has been on the $2.7 billion in unallotments that GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty made in a very unusual move to bring the historically unbalanced 2010-2011 budget into balance. And the state is writing lots of checks that are paid for by temporary federal stimulus money that the state has received. The peace that has followed the contentious 2009 legislative session, however, is illusory. In the near future, as in 2012-2013, Minnesotas deficit could be as high as $7 billion - which would almost represent 20 percent of the general fund...I think we havent got anybody paying close attention to the problems weve got ... Weve really just pushed this problem off to the 2011 session, says Ingison, who served under Pawlenty until she left to become the

chief financial officer for the Minneapolis Public Schools. The state officially estimates a $4.4 billion general fund deficit for 2012-2013. But that number becomes much larger when three important things are taken into account: inflation for expenditures, the property tax recognition shift that was one of the tricks used to fix the 2010-2011 budget and restoring general assistance medical care (GAMC). Adding inflation boosts the deficit by $1.3 billion for 2012-2013. Paying back the property tax recognition shift is estimated to cost $600 million. Restoring GAMC, the low-income health insurance program that Pawlenty unalloted, would cost $889 million. If those three things come about, add them in and without any further loss of revenue, the state would be short $7.2 billion for 2012-2013. [St. Paul Legal Ledger, 9/8/09]

PAWLENTY MADE INAPPROPRIATE OFFICE EXPENDITURES

Pawlentys Official Portrait Will Be Painted By Ross Rossin And Will Cost The Taxpayers $26,200. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty announced that Ross Rossin will paint his official portrait. Rossin, of Atlanta, painted the portraits of both Bush presidents. Pawlentys spokesman says the portrait will cost the state $26,200 in taxpayer money. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/21/10] Pawlenty Is One Of Only Four Governors To Choose A Non-Minnesotan Artist To Paint His Official Portrait. According to Minnesota Public Radio, As soon as I posted the news late yesterday that Governor Pawlenty had chosen Rossin to paint his official gubernatorial portrait, I started getting comments - via Facebook, MPR e-mail, and in person questioning the decision. There are plenty of Minnesota artists who do portraits - so why not keep the tax dollars funding the painting (which is costing $25-30,000) in the state by hiring a Minnesotan? Now I knew that Governor Ventura had also gone beyond the state borders to find the artist who painted his portrait (Arizona native and California resident Stephen Cepello), but I wondered, how many other governors had made this same choice? Not many, according to the Minnesota Historical Societys art curator Brian Szott out of 39 governors, three (possibly four) chose to go outside the state of Minnesota to find a portrait artist. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/22/10] Post-Bulletins Greg Sellnow: It Seems Odd That Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Who Earned A Reputation As A Penny Pincher During His Eight Years In Office, Would Agree To Fork Over $25,000 To A Non-Minnesotan Artist For His Official Portrait. According to an op-ed by Greg Sellnow in the Post-Bulletin in Rochester, I realize $25,000 is probably a bargain as portrait paintings by famous artists go. But it seems odd that Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who earned a reputation as a penny pincher during his eight years in office, would agree to fork over that kind of money for his official portrait. Couldnt he find an up-and-coming Minnesota artist to do it for, say, half that. (The artist Pawlenty chose, Ross R. Rossin, is based in Atlanta.) Or maybe an accomplished Minnesota artist would donate his or her services, just for the opportunity to get a little exposure I cant for the life of me figure out why our states governor, presumably Minnesotas No. 1 Booster, wouldnt choose a Minnesota artist for his official portrait. [Greg Sellnow op-ed, PostBulletin, 12/30/10]

2009: Report Found That State Hiring Continued Despite Pawlentys Executive Order Instituting A Hiring Freeze, Pawlentys Office Did Little To Monitor Or Enforce The Freeze. According to the Star Tribune, about a year after Gov. Tim Pawlenty imposed a hiring freeze on state government to help combat budget problems, the state government work force has actually grown, according to a report on Minnesota Public Radio. The report noted that there were nearly 5,100 hires compared with roughly 4,800 positions that were vacated in the past 15 months Pawlenty issued his executive order to restrict hiring on Feb. 19, 2008. The executive order said that positions that become vacant from now until this directive is rescinded should be left unfilled in every possible case. The report said no one within Pawlentys office or the budget agency is policing the hires to see if they should be prevented under the executive order, according to the report. [Star Tribune, 5/14/09] Pawlenty Ordered Review Of Hiring Procedures After Failing To Enforce Own Hiring Freeze, Said There Would Be Significant Layoffs. According to Minnesota Public Radio, As a result of the Minnesota Public Radio News story, Gov. Pawlenty ordered finance officials to review and improve the process used to monitor new hires, reported Minnesota Public Radio. Pawlenty said, Its pretty clear that some of the paperwork and some of the review of the decisions was not as aggressive as we would like. Were moving towards a harder freeze with different procedures and because of that and also because of these budget decisions, there will be significant layoffs. [Minnesota Public Radio, 5/14/09]

2009: At Least Five Employees From Pawlentys Office Have Their Salaries Partly Paid By State Agencies. According to the Star Tribune, Uniquely in state government, Pawlentys office can transfer the costs of some of his staff to other areas of the state budget. At least five employees from Pawlentys office have their salaries partly paid by state agencies, reducing his office budget. Some legislators of both parties question the arrangement, saying it hides actual expenses. Pawlentys spokesman says its a standard practice that properly allocates costs to departments receiving support from the governors office. In response to the states budget crisis, Pawlenty has urged a hiring freeze in state government and has ordered state agencies to cut their budgets by 5 percent. He has said he will reduce his office budget by $360,000 a year, or 5.1 percent, and he points out that his office is planning for 38 full-time equivalent positions for the next two budget years while previous administrations had 55 positions at their peak. [Star Tribune, 3/9/09] Since Pawlenty Took Office In 2003, More Than $1 Million In His Senior Advisors Salaries Has Been Paid By Other State Departments. According to the Star Tribune, Since Pawlenty took office in 2003, more than $1 million has been absorbed by other state departments for Pawlentys senior policy advisers, none of whom has a desk, a chair or even a nameplate in the buildings of the agencies paying their salaries. In addition, more than $1 million has been charged to state agencies budgets for federal lobbying in Washington. Another $500,000 has been charged to agencies for other governors office staff Republican Gov. Arne Carlson also funded staff through interagency agreements. But Pawlenty has made an increased use of them, particularly in funding senior policy advisers in his office. [Star Tribune, 3/9/09] State Government Budget Division Committee Chair Planned To Hold Hearings About The Interagency Agreements. According to the Star Tribune, Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, chairman of the State Government Budget Division Committee, said he plans to hold hearings on interagency agreements when the governors office budget is before his committee. Hes building up his staff at times when not only is he telling the agencies to take a 5 percent cut, but hes also pulling away money out of their budgets to fund his own office, Betzold said. That doesnt sound like much of a cut to me. [Star Tribune, 3/9/09] Sen. Berglin Has Tried To Eliminate Governors Staff Positions From The Agency Budgets Under Her Scrutiny But Has Been Told Pawlenty Would Veto Any Bill That Cuts The Staff. According to the Star Tribune, At least one legislator said she has tried to eliminate the practice. Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis, longtime chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Budget Division, said she has tried to eliminate governors staff positions from the agency budgets under her scrutiny but has been told Pawlenty would veto any bill that cuts the staff. Im sure they wouldnt be cutting that (governors staff) person. It means somebody else loses a job whos actually directly serving the public, she said. Some of these people actually have their desks and actually work in the governors office. They are never seen at the department thats paying their salary. I just feel that thats not being honest with the public about how much tax dollars are going to support your office. [Star Tribune, 3/9/09] 2010: Pawlenty Used Funding From Other State Agencies Instead Of His Own Office Budget For Salaries For His Political Appointees Far More Aggressively Than Any Other Governor. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlentys use of funding from other agencies for his own office budget -- even as he cut funds to other agencies -- has drawn legislative ire before. While the use of so-called interagency agreements (in which staff members in the governors office are paid by other departments) had occurred in Gov. Arne Carlsons administration, Pawlenty has utilized the process far more aggressively than any other governor. Since Pawlenty took office in 2003, more than $1 million has gone to other state departments to pay for his senior policy advisers, none of whom have a desk, a chair or even a nameplate in the buildings that house the agencies paying their salaries. [Star Tribune, 3/12/10]

2009: Pawlenty Opposed Legislation To Eliminate Jobs For His Political Appointees. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation on April 24, 2009 to eliminate the jobs of many Pawlenty political appointees across state agencies, which would save $16.5 million. Brian McClung, Pawlentys spokesman criticized the bill because, he said, it should treat staff in the executive branch and the Legislature fairly and not single out a certain group of employees. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/24/09] 2009: Pawlenty Used His Executive Authority To Spread Out Staffing Costs, Making His Budget Look Slimmer. According to the Associated Press, State agencies kicked in $676,000 to support policy advisers and other staff working for Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the most recent budget year. Pawlenty uses his executive authority to spread out staffing costs, making his budget look slimmer. A new law requires the administration to report the staffing arrangement to legislators. Twenty-one state agencies and offices paid $290,585 for senior policy advisers, while 14 agencies kicked in $240,784 for Minnesota

personnel in Washington. Four agencies contributed $82,912 for an adviser on faith and community services. The Department of Administration paid $61,801 for a groundskeeper at the Governors Residence. [Associated Press, 9/1/09] Pawlenty Spread Out The Cost Of His Employees Over State Agencies To Reduce Gubernatorial Budget. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty now uses his executive authority to spread out the cost of some of his employeesa practice that has made the governors budget look leaner. According to the report, roughly $500,000 would reappear as gubernatorial spending in the budget if Pawlentys staff at various departments were counted as part of the Governors budget. [Associated Press, 4/8/09]

2009: Pawlenty Complained That The Legislatures Budget Plan Cut His Staff And The Use Of A State Car By The Lieutenant Governor. According to a letter to legislators negotiating Minnesotas 2011-2012 budget, Gov. Tim Pawlenty complained that the budget includes provisions that impede the executive branches ability to manage its internal affairs and carry out its responsibilities. According to Pawlenty, these provisions include significant reductions in policy-level agency positions, as well as a provision prohibiting the use of a state car by the lieutenant governor. Pawlenty complained that the provisions represent an excessive infringement by the legislative branch upon the executive branchs ability to manage and operate the executive branch. [Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Albert Lea Tribune, 5/5/09] 2003: Pawlenty Opposed Bill That Would Bar The Administration From Leasing Motor Vehicles For The Governors Staff. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlentys appointees would lose their free wheels under a bill introduced Monday in the state Senate. The measure, proposed by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, would bar the administration from leasing motor vehicles for the governors staff, Cabinet members and all other state employees except the governor. When we provide pretty good salaries to the governors appointees, we dont also need to provide free cars, Cohen said. Pawlenty opposes Cohens bill. Leasing vehicles, we firmly believe, saves taxpayer dollars, said Pawlenty press secretary Leslie Kupchella. Theres greater flexibility if we have the ability to lease vehicles versus renting or buying. Quite frankly, he should probably spend a little bit more time, we believe, focused on the budget at hand, Kupchella said. The issue surfaced last month when state officials signed a $6,036-a-year lease to provide a sport utility vehicle for Charlie Weaver, Pawlentys chief of staff. Weaver slammed the brakes on the lease after Cohen and other Democratic lawmakers criticized the free vehicle as extravagant at a time when Pawlenty wants to cut funding for many programs. But Weaver has continued to use a Dodge Intrepid that the state leased for him when he was Gov. Jesse Venturas public safety commissioner. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/18/03] 2003: Pawlentys Chief Of Staff Received SUV Leased By The State Of Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, First Charlie Weaver got a raise when he left his post as Jesse Venturas Commissioner of Public Safety to become Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff. Now hes getting a better ride. State officials recently signed a $6,036 per-year lease to provide Weaver a four-wheel-drive Toyota Highlander for the next four years. Its a step up from the Dodge Intrepid that Weaver, of Anoka, was provided as commissioner, but Weaver has volunteered to pay $100 per month of the Highlanders cost. If youre on duty 24-7, you need to be able to get there when they call you, said Weaver, noting that Venturas top aide had a Jeep leased for him. Lets say theres a terrorist act this weekend. I need to get there, so I needed a four-wheel drive. Weavers pay is $120,000, up from the $108,383 he made as commissioner and nearly as much as Pawlentys $120,311. Weaver and Pawlenty are longtime friends, but each described Weavers move from commissioner as a sacrifice of sorts because the former lawmaker liked his job. [Associated Press, 2/14/03] Weaver Decided Not To Accept State-Leased SUV After The Issue Became Statewide News And Several Lawmakers Criticized The Vehicle During Times When The State Faces A Projected $4.2 Billion Budget Deficit. Charlie Weaver is sticking with his Dodge Intrepid after all. Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff put the brakes on plans for a state-approved Toyota Highlander, deciding to stick with the Intrepid (and its 60,000 miles plus) that he was provided as commissioner of Public Safety under former Gov. Jesse Ventura. State officials had signed a $6,036 peryear lease to provide Weaver a four-wheel-drive Highlander for the next four years. Weaver had agreed to pay $1,200 of the cost. But the Highlander became statewide news, and several lawmakers criticized the vehicle during times when the state faces a projected $4.2 billion budget deficit. I dont want this thing to distract from what were doing. So if it becomes a distraction from solving the budget crisis. I dont care. Im much more interested in solving the budget crisis than worrying about a car, Weaver said Thursday. [Associated Press, 2/20/03] Minnesota Could Be Out Several Thousand Dollars For The SUV Originally Leased For Pawlentys Chief Of Staff. According to the Associated Press, The state could be out several thousand dollars for a lease for a Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle that Gov. Tim Pawlentys chief of staff never got to drive. Saying it had become a

distraction from the budget crisis, Charlie Weaver declined to take delivery of the vehicle last month after Democrats criticized the propriety of the lease and its $6,036 yearly cost. But the lease with Coon Rapids Chrysler Plymouth Jeep held that the state would have to pay a substantial charge for terminating the lease early. Based on the lease, the state could owe up to seven monthly payments, which would amount to $3,521. The lease also may hold the state liable for license and registration fees as well as taxes on the $30,200 vehicle. Pawlenty spokeswoman Leslie Kupchella said the state is now negotiating over the potential penalty. A call to Robert Banse, president of the dealership, was not returned Thursday. [Associated Press, 3/13/03]

Earmarks
OPPOSED EARMARKS
Pawlenty Spokesperson: Of Course Governor Pawlenty Supports The Republicans Ban On Congressional Earmarks. According to the blog The Hill, The bulk of the Republican candidates for president have expressed support for the ban on earmarks thats making its way through Congress. The proposed moratorium on earmarking, the practice of directing spending in legislation to particular projects, hasnt divided the presidential candidates the way its split GOP lawmakers A spokesman for Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) said Monday that the governor supports the ban. Of course Governor Pawlenty supports the Republicans ban on Congressional earmarks, said Alex Conant. Its important that the Republicans we send to Washington govern as they campaigned, and fight wasteful spending. [The Hill, Blog Briefing Room, 11/15/10] December 2009: Pawlenty Called For Ending Earmarks. According to the Associated Press, Excessive federal spending amounts to a Ponzi scheme on the Potomac and should be stopped with a constitutional amendment requiring balanced budgets, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told New Hampshire Republicans on Wednesday...In addition to the constitutional amendment, Pawlenty also called for ending earmarks, giving the president line item veto power and impounding any unspent money from the governments Troubled Assets Relief Program or stimulus funds. [Associated Press, 12/17/09] Pawlenty Criticized Obama For Not Forcing Congress To Cut Back Earmarks. According to the NY Times, Gov. Pawlenty said that Mr. Obama had failed to take advantage of his political capital to force Congress, for example, to cut back on earmarks, reported the New York Times. He can get almost anything he wants out of this Congress, Pawlenty said. [NY Times, 4/15/09]

REQUESTED $160 MILLION IN FEDERAL EARMARKS

Pawlentys Administration Had Nearly $160 Million In Earmark Requests Before Congress. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota alone has nearly $160 million in earmark requests before Congress, including $25 million for the Central Corridor Light Rail project connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul. Backers of the rail project, including Pawlenty, say it hardly qualifies as pork Meanwhile, two Minnesota Democrats -- McCollum and Rep. Keith Ellison -- have begun requiring all those who seek earmarks in their districts, including the governor, to submit letters supporting the congressional prerogative to secure the funding. McCollum, in a letter to Pawlenty on Tuesday, called it an accountability measure, given the political heat congressional appropriators have taken in recent weeks. These earmarks are often referred to as pork, derided as wasteful spending by my Republican colleagues in Congress, she said. [Star Tribune, 3/12/08]

Pawlentys Earmarks Included:

Central Corridor light rail, $25 million: Proposed rail line connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08] Metropolitan bus transit, $10 million: 150 hybrid electrical buses for the Twin Cities. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08] Asian carp barrier, $4 million: Barriers to limit the inflow of invasive Asian carp species in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08]

Mankato Field maintenance shop, $17.6 million: National Guard maintenance facility. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08] Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, $2 million: National Guard reintegration program for soldiers returning from overseas deployments. [Star Tribune, 3/13/08] Northstar commuter rail project, $72 million: Remaining federal funds for commuter rail line between Minneapolis and Big Lake. (By some definitions, this funding request is not an earmark because it is in the presidents budget and was recently approved for full funding by the Federal Transit Administration. Nevertheless, it must compete for funding in Congress this year.) [Star Tribune, 3/13/08]

National Fiscal Policy

WANTED TO REDUCE SPENDING
Pawlenty Said That Government Spending Was Stirring The Passions Of Voters. According to an interview he did on FOX, Pawlenty was asked, As you travel the country, does there seem to be one issue thats really got people hacked off across the board? He responded, Well, clearly, the issue of biggest concerns is the economy and jobs. But one thing that really is making people mad and stirring the passions is government spending and excessive government spending and the sense that government is out of control. Ten years ago if you asked people about the debt or the deficit, or even five years ago, they might say yeah, yeah, you know, its a problem. But it really wasnt motivating their voting behavior. This year in grocery stores and down at the hardware store, the gas station, average people, not even people involved in politics are coming up and saying, Governor, weve had enough. Weve got to get the government spending under control. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/29/10] Pawlenty Likened The Federal Government To A Financial Drug Dealer, Handing Out Tastes Or Free Samples And Trying To Get Everyone Addicted. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, In a Fox News interview Wednesday the Republican governor struck a more aggressive tone to describe his executive order limiting Minnesotas take from the federal health overhaul act. (The) federal governments acting increasingly like a financial drug dealer, handing out tastes or free samples, trying to get people addicted, further addicted. And weve just had it and were not taking the bait anymore. Were not taking the free samples anymore. This is an executive order that says were sending them a strong message, the governor said in an interview with Foxs Greta Van Susteren. Pawlenty on Fox News Wednesday In the Fox interview, he also suggested direct hand-outs to the disadvantaged. If disadvantaged people need a little assistance, Greta, to the extent we can afford it, we should give it to them. But it should go to them directly. We shouldnt have it flow through big bureaucracies, Pawlenty said. He did not explain how that would work for health care cash but has been a backer of health savings accounts and tax credits for health care in the past. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 9/2/10]

RYAN PLAN
Pawlenty Said He Would Sign Rep. Paul Ryans Budget Plan If He Was President. According to ABC News, during an interview, Pawlenty said if Rep. Paul Ryans budget came to my desk and I had to choose between signing or not Congressman Ryans plan, of course I would sign it. Heres the problem: presidents dont sign the budget. Its an agreement between both houses of Congress. [Politico, 06/01/11] Pawlenty Said He Supported The Direction Of Ryan Plan. According to the Miami Herald, Pawlenty said I support the courage, I support the leadership, I support the general direction of it, Pawlenty said of the Ryan proposal. But Im going to have my own plan shortly. [Miami Herald, 05/24/11] Pawlenty Said Paul Ryans Roadmap Was A Good Guide. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty was interviewed and was asked, On the budget, are you 100 percent with the Paul Ryan Roadmap? Pawlenty answered, I havent taken a position on all the details of it, but I think directionally its a good guide. Anybody who tells you we can tackle the spending issue and get it under control without reforming entitlements is either ill-informed or lying. You just cant do it. So youre going to have to look the American people in the eye and tell them the truth about the need to reform and

restructure entitlements. I respect and appreciate what Paul has done, I agree with much of what Ive read, but I havent gone through all of it. [National Review Online, 1/7/11]

BUDGET CUTS
Pawlenty: We Had An IT Bubble In The 1990s, Weve Had The Housing Bubble And The Wall Street Bubble, We Had The Auto Industry Bubble And Now You Have A Government Bubble And The Bubble Needs To Be Popped. According to an interview with CNBCs Lori Ann LaRocco, Pawlenty said, The suggestion we need more spending right now is preposterous. I believe we have a government bubble. We had an IT bubble in the 1990s, weve had the housing bubble and the Wall Street bubble, we had the auto industry bubble and now you have a government bubble. Its at the federal level, some states as well as local governments. You have management and labor running up costs so far and so fast for so long. There was no reasonable assumption about revenues possible keeping up with that and the bubble needs to be popped. We dont want to do that in a way that is harmful or destructive, but we need to let the air out of the bubble and restructure government just like businesses who have gotten into trouble by promising too much and not being able pay their bills. [CNBC, 1/18/11] Pawlenty Said The Second Thing He Would Do As President Is Look For Any Immediately Tool Or Lever That The President Of The United States Has To Immediately Cap, Reduce, Or Cut Spending. According to an interview with Politico, Pawlenty said, The second thing I would do [as President] is look for any immediately tool or lever that the President of the United States has to immediately cap, reduce, or cut spending. [Politico, 1/24/11, video] Pawlenty: We Cannot Dig Ourselves Out Of The Enormous Fiscal Hole Were In Only By Making Easy Cuts To Waste, Fraud And Abuse. According to an op-ed Pawlenty wrote in the Union Leader, One of the key lessons from this years historic elections is that Americans understand that nothing is truly free. Its a basic, common-sense principle. The broad message was that as a nation, we cannot endlessly spend money we dont have, pretending that somehow the bill will magically disappear The current mess were in is not someone elses fault. The solution is in our hands. It starts by cutting spending and limiting government. There should be no illusion: we cannot dig ourselves out of the enormous fiscal hole were in only by making easy cuts to waste, fraud and abuse. We must set priorities and make the tough choices necessary to restore balance. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Union Leader, 11/14/10] Pawlenty: Anybody Who Comes In Here And Tells You That, First Of All, Theyre Not Going To Cut Anything Other Than Waste, Fraud, And Abuse, Theyre Not Going To Touch Entitlements, Theyre Lying To You Youve Got To Deal With Interest On The National Debt, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. According to an interview on Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski asked Pawlenty, I have a question, because you have great things to say about creating jobs and a message for the Republicans who now have a degree a power. What the heck are you going to cut to stay on message? Pawlenty responded, If you look at a pie chart of federal outlays -- discretionary spending being the red, nondiscretionary being the blue the blues already over the halfway mark and its growing in double digits. Anybody who comes in here and tells you that, first of all, theyre not going to cut anything other than waste, fraud, and abuse, theyre not going to touch entitlements, theyre lying to you. If you want to deal with the spending issue in terms of total federal outlays, youve got to deal with interest on the national debt, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid but thats the truth, youve got to do entitlement reform. [MSNBC, Morning Joe, 11/4/10]

BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

Pawlenty Specified Balanced Budget Amendment As A Necessary Structural Change To The Federal Budget. According to the Huffington Post, Tim Pawlenty on Friday joined the Jim DeMint wing of the Republican Party in the debt ceiling debate. Sort of. Pawlenty argued in multiple TV interviews against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells plan to hand over primary responsibility of raising the debt ceiling to the president in exchange for no tax increases, saying there has to be structural change to change the federal governments spending patterns. Pawlenty mentioned the balanced budget amendment as a long term goal that should be sought, but did not mention what kind of reforms should be sought in the short term. Many Republicans are still pushing for a cut, cap and balance plan that includes immediate spending cuts, spending caps for the future and the balanced budget amendment in the long term. [Huffington Post, 07/15/11]

Pawlenty Said He Could Not Promise A Balanced Budget In His First Few Years As President. According to the Des Moines Register, A Des Moines resident concerned about national debt expressed his frustration Wednesday after Tim Pawlenty said he couldnt promise a balanced budget his first few years in office. Other presidential candidates have also said a balanced budget specifically in the first year of office is impractical. Pawlenty echoed those statements in his answer to Bird, saying that progress would be made under his administration but a truly balanced budget may take years to accomplish. Pawlenty later said he would submit a balanced budget proposal to Congress in his first year but that ultimate approval of a nondeficit spending plan would likely take more time. I think presidents should submit balanced budgets and I would but I think we also need to realize how difficult some of these issues are, Pawlenty said. Pawlentys statements Wednesday were consistent with those he and two other Republican candidates made last month in Des Moines during an event sponsored by Strong America Now, a group that wants to eliminate the nations nearly $1.4 trillion deficit by 2017. [Des Moines Register, 07/20/11] Pawlenty Supported Balanced Budget Amendment If The Debt Ceiling Was Raised. According to the Des Moines Register, On the debt ceiling, I dont think they should raise the debt ceiling, but if they do, they should get something really good for it, like a constitutional amendment to balance the budget, like 49 of the 50 states have. Pawlenty also criticized Obamas broken campaign promise regarding the deficit. According to Pawlenty, President Obama stated he would cut the deficit in half. [Des Moines Register, 06/02/11] Pawlenty: I Would Support Any Sort Of Cap Or Limit On Federal Spending And The Requirements On Getting The Budget In Balance. According to an interview Tim Pawlenty did with Glenn Reynolds on InstaVision, In the past I have called for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget I think we need something to impose discipline on politicians from both parties. Hopefully republicans wont need that in the future I would support any sort of cap or limit on federal spending and the requirements on getting the budget in balance. [InstaVision with Glenn Reynolds, 10/22/10] Pawlenty Supported Constitutional Amendment That Would Require A Balanced Federal Budget. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Pawlenty appeared on New Hampshire radio station WGIR this morning, and called for greater limits on federal spending. During his interview, Pawlenty said federal spending has gotten out of control. One of the things that I think we should do is ask for a federal constitutional amendment for a balanced budget with the exception for war, natural disasters and emergencies, we have to give the president line-item veto authority and we need to reward politicians who are willing to say no instead of rewarding politicians who are willing to say yes, he said. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/16/09] Pawlenty Said He Was Open To Compromise On His Proposed Constitutional Amendment To Require A Balanced Federal Budget That Would Allow Government To Run A Little Bit Of A Deficit For A Little While. According to FOX News, during an appearance on the show Governor Tim Pawlenty discussed his proposed constitutional amendment that would require a balanced federal budget. Pawlenty said, I think you could make exceptions for certain things, like war, like natural disasters, like declared emergencies. And I would go so far as even to compromise to say, okay, if you need to run a little bit of a deficit for a little while -- it cant be more than a certain percentage of GDP. But what we have now is out of control. Its reckless. Its irresponsible. Sending more politicians to Washington and doing more of the same isnt going to work. So we need a mechanism like this. [Americas Newsroom, FOX News, 12/29/09] 2003: Pawlenty Said He Was More Concerned With Passing The Bush Tax Cuts Than Making Sure Congress Had To Pass A Balanced Budget. According to the Star Tribune, As Congress prepares to raise the $6.4 trillion ceiling on the national debt, its members are sparring over President Bushs plan to spend billions more to cut taxes. On Wednesday, the House and Senate budget committees will take up the presidents plan to spend $726 billion on a tax cut, including his cornerstone proposal to eliminate taxes on stock dividendsWhen he visited the nations capital last month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty pointed out one big difference between lawmakers in St. Paul and those in Washington as they grapple with big budget deficits. Unlike the federal government, we cant just go in the basement and print money, he said. You know, weve got to balance our books.Pawlenty, who came to Washington to meet with the nations governors, said it would be great if Congress was required to balance its budget, as the Legislature is forced to do. But he wants members of Congress to pass a tax cut, too, hoping it would help improve the economy. Im less concerned about the details than I am about making sure that they do something, said Pawlenty. [Star Tribune, 3/11/03] Former Bush And Reagan Advisor Bruce Bartlett: Pawlentys Proposed Balanced Budget Amendment Was IllInformed, Irresponsible, And Showed That Pawlenty Is Not Ready For Prime Time. According to a blog post titled Tim Pawlenty: Not Ready for Prime Time, on Capital Gains and Games, former Reagan and Bush administration advisor Bruce Bartlett wrote, In The Politico this morning, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who apparently aspires to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, has a grossly ill-informed article in which he rants about the deficit without

proposing any spending cuts and insisting on still more tax cuts. Like all Republicans these days, Pawlenty wants to have it every possible way: complain about the deficit while ignoring everything his party did to create it (Medicare Part D, two unfunded wars, TARP, earmarks galore, tax cuts up the wazoo, irresponsible regulatory and monetary policies that created the recession that created the deficit, etc.), illogically insisting that tax cuts are a necessary part of deficit reduction, and never proposing any specific spending cuts. The only specific thing Mr. Pawlenty is capable of proposing is a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Its hard to know where to begin in explaining why this is such an irresponsible idea...Its doubtful that Mr. Pawlenty has any clue as to the composition of federal spending. In FY 2009 we would have had to abolish every discretionary spending program, including national defense, to balance the budget and that still wouldnt have been enough without a penny of higher revenues, as he insists. We would have had to cut more than $300 billion out of Medicare and Social Security as wellIn conclusion, Tim Pawlenty is not ready for prime time. He may think he has found a clever way of appealing to the right wing tea party/Fox News crowd without having to propose any actual cuts in spending, but it isnt going to work. Its too transparently phony even for them. [Bruce Bartlett, Capital Gains and Games, 2/1/10]

PAY AND SPENDING FREEZE

Pawlenty Said Obamas Federal Pay Freeze Was A Step In The Right Direction But Falls Well Short Of Shrinking Government And Eliminating The Pay Premium Enjoyed By Federal Employees. According to an op-ed Pawlenty wrote in the Wall Street Journal, we need to bring public employee compensation back in line with the private sector and reduce the overall size of the federal civilian work force. Mr. Obamas proposal to freeze federal pay is a step in the right direction, but it falls well short of shrinking government and eliminating the pay premium enjoyed by federal employees. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Wall Street Journal, 12/13/10] Pawlenty Said Obamas Spending Freeze Proposal Was A Gimmick, But Called It A Small Step In The Right Direction. According to Fox News, Pawlenty appeared to discuss the three year freeze on discretionary spending that President Obama had announced. Pawlenty said, Well, Greta, the freeze that the president announced a day or so ago, or earlier today -- leaked out, I guess -- is kind of like somebody eating three Big Macs and then deciding theyre going to control their weight by ordering a Diet Coke. Its an acknowledgement of the problem. Its at least a small step in the right direction. But for all the reasons youve been talking about, its really not a freeze. Later in the interview, Pawlenty said, if [Obamas] been on the wrong course and hes willing to take a step back to the right course, thats at least one small step, Greta. So I dont want to rain all over his parade, but it clearly is mostly a gimmick. Its not going to fundamentally change the outlook. [On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, FOX News, 1/27/10]

TAX CUT COMPROMISE

Pawlenty Criticized Obamas Tax Compromise For Adding To The Debt, But Still Said He Would Support It Because Of The Bush Tax Cut Extensions. According to an interview with Neil Cavuto, Pawlenty was asked about Obamas tax compromise and said, Theres two principles that we have to enforce and enforce like I have done in Minnesota, drawing a line in the Sanders. One is we simply cannot raise taxes in this economy. But, number two, on the other spending side, we can`t do anything anymore, Neil, that is going to worsen the debt and we have to start making progress on the debt. And on that second criteria, this bill doesnt pass that test I would support it because of the tax extensions, but, again, each side got what they want. And those tax extensions are really important.But the bottom line is for all of the people who get on your show and all these other shows and talk about the debt and how they are going to have to make tough decisions, they never actually do make the tough decisions. And thats the disappointing part. [Fox News, Your World with Neil Cavuto, 12/10/10] Pawlenty Called The Tax Deal A Mixed Bag. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Pawlenty says a federal tax bill that would extend the Bush era tax cuts for another two years is a mixed bag. He was asked about the deal, which President Obama and Republicans in Congress negotiated, after his speech in Rochester today. Its a mixed bag. I think in the middle of a recession we dont want to be raising taxes so continuing the current tax structure is an important step but unfortunately they loaded it up with a bunch of other stuff thats spending that will add to the debt in profound ways. Thats not helpful especially when you have a country thats going broke. [Minnesota Public Radio, 12/14/10] Pawlenty Said The Tax Deal Was An Important Thing To Accomplish But That All That Spending Detracts From The Main Purpose Of The Bill. According to an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty was asked about the

tax extension package. He said, Couldnt they have done this a few months ago? I mean, why does it have to come down to the last few days when they actually expire? But more importantly, or as importantly, we just cant let taxes go up in the middle of one of the worst recessions since World War II. And so this is an important thing to accomplish. I wish they wouldnt have put all that spending in there. It sort of detracts from the main purpose of the bill, and of course, loads it up. Its not the package I would have negotiated. But overall, we need to make sure those taxes dont go up. [Fox News, Greta Van Susteren, 12/14/10]

BUSH TAX CUTS

Pawlenty Claimed That In Order To Fulfill The Promises That They Made On That Campaign Trail The New Republicans In Congress Need To Pass Permanent Extensions Of The Bush Tax Cuts. According to a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, Pawlenty was asked, Paul Ryan was on Sean Hannity earlier this week, and he said look, well get a two to a three year extension of the Bush tax cuts. And I kind of said what? Whats your position on the length of extension or permanence of the Bush tax cuts? Pawlenty responded, Well, a couple of things. Its really important that people campaign like theyre going to govern, and govern like they campaigned. I believe and hope and trust that this new crop of Republicans that are going to take over Washington, D.C. will now do what they said. And that means weve got to extend those tax cuts permanently, Hugh. But President Obama is going to have to, you know, weigh in on that. But I think its really important that our team fulfill the promises that they made on that campaign trail and try their very best. And if he vetoes it, he vetoes it. But I think theyve got to put it on his desk, permanent extensions. [Hugh Hewitt radio interview, 11/19/10] Pawlenty: If You Dont Extend The Bush Tax Cuts, All Of Them, Its Going To Send A Very Negative Signal To The Economy. According to the Star Tribune, Pawlenty, a potential 2012 GOP challenger to President Obama, argued for an across-the-board extension of the tax cuts, which expire at the end of December. History shows, and good economic theory shows, if you reduce taxes youll have more economic activity, he said, If you dont extend the Bush tax cuts, all of them, its going to send a very negative signal to the economy. Its going to be very counterproductive. Star Tribune, 10/31/10] Pawlenty Said Some Democrats Supporting An Extension Of The Bush Tax Cuts Reflected What The People Want. According to an interview on FOX, Pawlenty was asked, When it comes to the Bush tax cuts a lot of Democrats are seeing the wisdom in extending them. 46 -- 40 plus in the House, at least five over in the Senate. What does that say to you about the climate in Washington? He responded, Well, I think it says that the country and the Congress are reflecting what the people want, which is dont raise taxes for anybody in a recession. Dont do it at all, by the way. But to have Steny Hoyer, for example, come out and say this is the Republicans fault that theres a stalemate on this issue is preposterous. Last time I checked the Democrats controlled the whole Congress and a big chunk of Democrats saying we agree with the Republicans on this should tell Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer something, which is theyre wrong and they should continue all the tax cuts, not just some of them. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/29/10] Pawlenty Claimed It Was Within [The Democrats] Power To Extend The Bush Tax Cuts And Theyre Letting Politics Get In The Way Of What Would Be Good For The Economy. According to an interview on FOX, Pawlenty was asked, Governor, what will the ramifications be if they actually go home on Friday and they dont vote on this? He responded, Well, I think the Democrats will pay a further price for that stalemate. Again, theyre in charge of all the Congress. Theyre in charge of the White House. Its within their power to make this happen and theyre refusing to do it and theyre letting politics get in the way of what I think most of the country, even most of the Congress and a good chunk of the Democrats, agree would be good for the economy. Extend the tax cuts across the board for everybody. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/29/10] If Nancy Pelosi And Steny Hoyer Cant Get The Votes For What They Think Is The Right Thing To Do, Then Thats Failed Leadership And They Should Look In The Mirror And Say They Failed. According to an interview on FOX, Pawlenty was asked, Did you hear, he wants to rename the Bush tax cuts. He wants to rename them the republican tax increases because they were set to expire at the end of this year. What do you think of that? He responded, Well, I think it just makes no sense. I mean, its irrational. Its illogical. The Democrats control the entire Congress. If Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer cant get the votes for what they think is the right thing to do, then thats failed leadership and they should look in the mirror and say they failed I think we got to get Steny Hoyer maybe a little graph or chart so he can connect the dots. He clearly had a bad day yesterday when he was trying to think through this. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/29/10]

Minnesota Stands To Gain Revenue If Some Or All Of The [Bush] Tax Cuts Expire. According to Stateline, As Congress debates whether to let tax cuts passed during the Bush administration expire, theres a lot of talk about how the decision would impact the federal budget deficit. But there are fiscal implications for many states riding on the decision, as well. In more than a dozen states, tax codes are intertwined with federal laws in complex ways that could force state revenues up or down, depending on the state. The precise outcome depends on whether Congress decides to extend all of the tax cuts, just some of them, or none at all One set of calculations has to do with the estate tax, which was phased out by the Bush tax cuts. Early last decade, states that wanted to keep their own estate taxes took action to decouple them from the federal tax. If the federal provision expires, states would see additional revenue; they may also look at recoupling to the federal code. Other direct fiscal impacts put states into two groups. The first group stands to gain revenue if some or all of the tax cuts expire. This group includes nine states: Idaho, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah and Vermont. These states collect state taxes based on federal taxable income, as opposed to adjusted gross income. If the tax cuts expire, some increased deductions would go away and taxpayers would see their federal taxable incomes go up and in these nine states, people would pay more in state taxes, as well. Were that to happen, these states would have to decide if they want to keep the windfall. They could make adjustments that would give the extra revenue back to taxpayers. But most of these states are running big budget deficits, and keeping things put would allow them to raise revenues without legislators having to vote on a tax increase. [Stateline, 9/15/10] Pawlenty Expressed Support For Extending The Bush Tax Cuts, And Would Pay For Them With Recovery Act Funding Or By Cutting Entitlement Spending. According to Bloomberg Television, Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Minnesota Republican, said in an interview on Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt airing this weekend that Congress should extend tax cuts for upper-income Americans set to expire at the end of this year and cut government spending to cover the costs. Hunt asked, another sluggish jobs report in July. What would you do? Pawlenty responded, Well, Al, its another indication that this market and our entrepreneurs and the people who keep our private-sector economy going dont have confidence and arent inclined to invest and move forward in the private sector. And so what we need to do is have a pro-growth agenda, and I would start by doing those things that would immediately send the signal to our entrepreneurs and people who are sitting on the sidelines that first of all, were not going to be making it worse anymore. Were going to renew the tax cuts that were scheduled to expire come December. Hunt then said, What I want to know is would you pay for those tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? and Pawlenty responded, Yes, you have to get the budget balanced. And so whether its any impact on the budget, its got to be paid for, and so weve got to have a pay-as-you-go approach unless theres an emergency or a crisis. So the answer to your question is yes. Hunt asked, All right. $40 billion is what those cost in one year. Where would you take the $40 billion from? Pawlenty responded, Thats easy. You can start by going back and looking at the stimulus package, which is still half unspent, which is not a good package. That could be redesigned and redeployed. And number two, if you look at the growth in federal spending, whether its in the entitlement side or the mandatory outlay side or on the discretionary side, you could easily find $40 billion. [Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, 8/6/10] Pawlenty Was Not Real Specific About How He Would Pay For The Bush Tax Cuts, And Wasnt Real Clear About How Deeply He Wanted To Cut All Those Other Taxes, Nor Whether The Cuts Would Be Permanent Or Temporary. According to MinnPost.com, Gov. Pawlenty was interviewed last week on the Bloomberg network by Washington Journo Bigfoot Al Hunt. The interview aired Saturday Like most Republicans, TPaw advocates maintaining all of the Bush tax cuts, including those for Americans with incomes above $250,000 (thats the level above which Pres. Obama and most Dems want to let the tax cuts expire). But unlike most Republicans, who want to keep the tax cuts without paying for them (thats Washington-speak for making offsetting spending cuts so the renewal of the tax cuts doesnt add to the deficit) Pawlenty says he wants to pay for the renewal of the tax cuts for the wealthy. Hes not real specific about how, except to start with the remaining stimulus money that hasnt been spent yet. Over the course of this fairly brief interview, Pawlenty mentioned other taxes he would like to cut, and he certainly included most of the major taxes the federal government collects. TPaw wasnt real clear about how deeply he wanted to cut all those other taxes, nor whether the cuts would be permanent or temporary, nor how he would make up for the impact on Social Security and Medicares long-term solvency problems if he cut the payroll tax. But he implied that it wouldnt be hard to find spending cuts to offset the tax cuts. If he is serious about those tax cuts, and if he is taken seriously as a presidential candidate, he will have to specify hundreds of billions, if not trillions of dollars in cuts (depending on how long a time frame). He did mention that cuts in entitlements could be part of the picture. [MinnPost.com, Eric Black Ink blog, 8/9/10]

Pawlenty: We Should Renew The Bush Tax Cuts. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty courted Iowa fiscal conservatives Saturday, lambasting the Obama administration for burying the nation in debt and calling for an economic bill of rights to roll back the governmentThis administration has got it exactly wrong, said Pawlenty. What

we should be doing is we should renew the Bush tax cuts, not let them expire. We should not be adding burdens to our economy, we should be reducing them. [Associated Press, 4/17/10] Pawlenty Said Making The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent Would Help Revive The Economy. According to an interview on FOX News in January 2010, Pawlenty said, Theres a lot of great ideas, but we got to be focused on jobs. Ill give you one. Dont discontinue the Bush tax cuts. In other words, allow the tax cuts to stay in place permanently. And if you want to put money into peoples pockets, you can do quick, simple things, like cutting the payroll tax for employers and employees. [On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, FOX News, 1/27/10] Pawlenty Supported Making The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent. According to a CNN Late Edition episode, Wolf Blitzer asked Governor Pawlenty if he didnt have a problem with allowing the Bush tax cuts that were implemented in 2001 and 2003 to made permanent, all of the Bush tax cuts, the estate tax plus the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, including billionaires? Pawlenty called the debate silly and said they should have been permanent in the first place. [CNN Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, 6/22/08] Pawlenty Said That Letting The Bush Tax Cuts Expire Would Make The Economic Situation Worse. According to CNBC Pawlenty said, And we have a tax code now thats heading in the wrong direction. We have a president whos going to let the Bush tax cuts expire. Hes not only going to not make the situation better, hes going to make it worse, and its going to be counterproductive for all the reasons your question suggests. [Kudlow Report, CNBC, 10/20/09]

TAX HOLIDAY
Instead Of The Recovery Act And TARP, Pawlenty Said They Should Have Given All Americans A One-Year Tax Holiday From All Taxes. According to an interview on FOX News in January 2010, Pawlenty said, Look, Greta, for all the moneys that theyve spent -- the federal government, all sources, all revenues, takes in $2.2 trillion. If you add up the stimulus, the TARP, all the stuff they did through the Federal Reserve and monetary policy and the bail-outs, they could have given all taxpayers from all taxes a one-year tax holiday. They could have ignited the economy with a complete holiday on taxes. [On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, FOX News, 1/27/10]

FY2011 BUDGET
President Obamas FY2011 Budget Proposal Would Pump Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars Into Minnesotas Budget While Pawlenty Said Obama Should Be Cutting Spending. According to the Star Tribune, A $3.8 trillion budget proposed by President Obama on Monday could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Minnesotas budget, including $45 million for the Central Corridor light-rail line, making that the biggest public works project in state history. The rail money is part of a sweeping federal budget that freezes some domestic spending, but also would extend tax cuts for 2 million Minnesota families while offering the biggest increase ever for K-12 education -- 32 percent -- a near doubling of Pell Grants for college students and increases for local health careU.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann termed the three-year budget freeze a publicity stunt, but it was Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who had penned a piece in Politico on Monday criticizing Obamas fiscal policies, who was most visibly in the partisan fray. President Obamas budget leaves unsustainable deficits and higher taxes at a time when we should be cutting spending and keeping taxes low, said Alex Conant, a spokesman for Pawlentys Freedom First PAC, widely seen as a vehicle for a potential presidential run in 2012. [Star Tribune, 2/1/10]

Pawlentys Criticism of Obamas Spending Policies were Wildly Out Of Context

Minnesota Public Radios PoliGraph: Pawlentys Claim That Obama Has Overseen The First Two Budgets With Trillion-Dollar Deficits In American History And Racked Up More Debt Than Every President From Washington To Reagan Combined Is Misleading Because Obama Also Inherited Big Spending Increases And Massive Revenue Shortfalls From His Predecessor. According to a blog associated with Minnesota Public Radio, This is the third in a series of fact checks this week reviewing former Gov. Tim Pawlentys book - Courage to Stand - as he tours the nation promoting it and exploring the possibility of a run for president. In the book Pawlenty bemoans big spending on President Barack Obamas watch. President Obama has overseen the first two budgets with trillion-dollar deficits in American history, he wrote on page 266. He has racked up more debt than every President from Washington to Reagan combined. On the surface, Pawlentys claim is correct. But it implies that Obama is solely responsible for runaway spending. In fact, the

deficit had already exceeded $1 trillion before the president took office This PoliGraph test is misleading. Its true that Obamas first two years in office were marked by trillion dollar deficits and debt. However, its misleading for Pawlenty to pin blame on Obama when, in fact, Obama inherited big spending increases and massive revenue shortfalls from his predecessor. [PoliGraph, Minnesota Public Radio, 1/26/11] Pawlenty Correctly Points Out That The Deficit Was $1.4 Trillion In FY 2009 And $1.3 Trillion In FY 2010, But Left Out That Before Obama Took Office On Jan. 20, 2009, CBO Had Already Estimated That The 2009 Deficit Would Be At Least $1.2 Trillion. According to a blog associated with Minnesota Public Radio, According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the deficit was $1.4 trillion in fiscal year 2009 and $1.3 trillion fiscal year 2010 the first trillion dollar deficits in history, as Pawlenty correctly points out But as is often the case with the federal budget, this story is more complicated than it seems. Budget crunchers think in terms of fiscal years, which begin on Oct. 1 and end on Sept. 30. So a sizeable chunk of new spending in Obamas first year was the result of big-ticket items passed by a Democratic-controlled Congress and signed by President George W. Bush. Almost half the spending increase - about $245 billion - stemmed from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and payments to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Further, revenue declined 17 percent between fiscal years 2008 and 2009 as a result of the recession. That added to the deficit-- defined as the difference between the money the federal government takes in and the amount of money it spends each year. In fact, before Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009, CBO had already estimated that the 2009 deficit would be at least $1.2 trillion. [PoliGraph, Minnesota Public Radio, 1/26/11]

WCCO Fact-Check: Pawlentys Criticisms Of Spending Increases Under President Obama Were Wildly Out Of Context. According to WCCO, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty criticized President Barack Obama and Democratic health care and spending plans during several national appearances in Washington, D.C. this weekend. During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Pawlenty may have picked up support for a possible presidential bid, but some of what he said wasnt factualPawlenty also needled the president about spending increases. If government spending were an Olympic sport, the president would be a repeat gold medal winner, said the governor. If Pawlentys talking about the deficit, its true. But its wildly out of context. When Obama took office, he inherited a deficit from President George W. Bush of $1.2 trillion dollars. Under Obama, the deficit rose to $1.5 trillion. [WCCO (Twin Cities, MN), 2/22/10]

2010 BUDGET
Pawlenty Applauded President Obamas Proposals On Taxes But Blasted Obamas 2010 Budget. According to the Associated Press, while giving the GOPs weekly radio response address on April 11, 2009, Minnesota Governor and possible 2012 presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty said, I thought President Obamas proposal to eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses was a pretty good idea. And his pledge to lower taxes for middle-class Americans was something Republicans wholeheartedly supported. But the budget that Congress is considering doesnt provide that tax reliefLet hardworking American families keep more of what they earn by cutting taxes and reining in spending. Its just common sense. In addition, Pawlenty said, The federal government should keep a lid on taxes, control government spending and borrow less rather than increase the size and scope of the federal government so much that Washington is guaranteeing future tax increases. [Associated Press, 4/12/09] Pawlenty Criticized President Obamas Budget, Said It Should Borrow Less. According to the Associated Press, Giving the GOPs weekly radio response address on April 11, 2009, Minnesota Governor and possible 2012 presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty said, The federal government should keep a lid on taxes, control government spending and borrow less rather than increase the size and scope of the federal government so much that Washington is guaranteeing future tax increases. [Associated Press, 4/12/09]

SPECIFIC TAXES
Payroll Tax
Pawlenty Said He Would Cut The Payroll Tax, The Capital Gains Tax, And The Marginal Income Tax Rates In Order To Create Jobs. According to Bloomberg Television, Pawlenty had an interview on Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt and was asked, another sluggish jobs report in July. What would you do? Pawlenty responded, I would do things to put cash in the hands of both employers and employees immediately, like cut the payroll tax, and I would

send the signal that were also going to be lowering capital gains taxes and lowering those taxes that relate to the deployment of capital, for example, marginal income tax rates. [Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, 8/6/10] Pawlenty Claimed The Obama Administration Didnt Believe In Cutting The Payroll Tax, But Acknowledged In The Same Interview That Obama Wanted To Cut The Payroll Tax [And] Thats A Good Thing. According to an appearance on Sean Hannitys show on FOX News Pawlenty said, Well, I dont think [the Obama administration] believe in the theory that would actually work and that is broad based tax cuts, one of the fastest ways, for example, to put money in the pockets of companies, particularly small and medium sized companies, as well as taxpayers, is just cut the payroll tax for employers and employees across the board immediately. They can flip the switch on it and have the money flowing quickly. That would provide tax relief, it would help businesses, it would help employees. Thats the kind of reform we really need. But Sean, they dont believe in that. A few moments later, however, Pawlenty admitted that they want to cut the payroll tax, thats a good thing. [Hannity, FOX News, 2/11/10]

Estate Tax
Pawlenty Questioned Why The Government Has An Estate Tax. According to an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, Pawlenty was asked, How about the estate tax? Would you go and would you right now the Democrats have a proposal to, as you know, it went out of business this year, but it comes back with a very high rate next year. They say, Lets have a $3.5 million exemption for individuals, $7 million for couples, 45% rate. Does that sound reasonable to you? Pawlenty responded, No, I think the estate tax should be lower than that. I dont think thats reasonable enough or low enoughBut theres an argument to be saying, Lets just eliminate the estate tax. Why do we even have it? The notion that people are going to have - the governments going to reach into your pocket at the time of your death, particularly when some of that has already been taxed? [Bloomberg Televisions Political Capital with Al Hunt, 8/6/10]

Value Added Tax

Pawlenty Said Adding A Value Added Tax Would Be A Bad Idea. According to an interview with Jan Mickelson, Pawlenty was asked about the United States trade disadvantage due to absorbing other countries valued added taxes. Pawlenty said, Theres some people in our country who have been arguing to add a VAT tax I think thats a bad idea, to offset that. But I think the way Europe deals, or manages, their VAT taxes once you put those taxes all incrementally on socalled business transactions in the chain of development or the chain of manufacturing or production, its really easy to raise that. And, what theyve seen in Europe and other places that have it is they escalate Im a free trader, but we want to make sure were not chumps about it, either. And, you look at countries around the world, they dont play by the same rules we do, and I think for those countries in those circumstances, we need to turn up the heat. [WHO 1040, Jan Mickelson, 12/13/10 (audio)]

Tax Code Generally

Pawlenty Praised The Kemp-Roth Tax Cuts From 1981, And Said The Direction Should Be Lower Rates And Clean Out The Earmarking In The Tax Code As Best We Can. According to an interview on Fox Newss Journal Editorial Report, Pawlenty discussed taxes and said, I go back to Kemp-Roth. You and I are both old enough to remember the early 1980s theres a lot of details associated with it. But in general, the direction should be lower rates and clean out the earmarking--not just the new appropriations, but clean out the earmarking in the tax code as best we can. Well have to keep some, like charitable contributions and home mortgage interest deduction, but we it want flatter, simpler, clearer, more transparent, less cronyism reflected by earmarking in the tax code. [Journal Editorial Report, Fox News, 1/22/11] Pawlenty Said He Opposed Doing Away With The Home Mortgage Interest Deduction And Charitable Contributions. According to an interview with Michael Shear with the New York Times Pawlenty was asked about reforming the tax code, and said, Im a strong supporter of simplifying the tax system [but] As it relates to home mortgage interest deduction and charitable contributions and a few others I would keep those as deductions. [New York Times, 1/11/11, video] Pawlenty Referred To Deductions In The Tax Code As Earmarking Which Is Crony Capitalism. According to an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty discussed the tax code. Van Susteren said, Well, the tax code, according to Erskine Bowles and Senator Simpson in the debt commission report, is so porked up they called them earmarks in the tax code where special interests came into town and said, Look, I need a deduction for something, and if you got enough money,

you managed to bet your lobbyist to get in there to get you a special deduction put into the tax code for whatever it is that you want it for. Pawlenty responded, Yes, theres earmarking on the spending side. And then theres the equivalent of earmarking in the tax code. If you got the right lobbyist and enough power, you get your special little deal in the tax code. And that has to be reformed, as well, Greta. There is no question about it. All of this is going to have to be cleaned up. It is a mess. And its crony capitalism. [Fox News, Greta Van Susteren, 12/14/10]

DEBT
NBCs David Gregory: Pawlentys Claim That The United States Is Going Bankrupt Is Disingenuous. According to KARE 11, Gov. Tim Pawlenty Thursday sharpened his verbal attacks on President Barack Obamas performance, during an interview with NBCs David Gregory Earlier Pawlenty had said the United States is in jeopardy of becoming another Greece, economically. He said that was an observation his 13-year-old daughter made at the breakfast table without any prompting. Gregory stopped Pawlenty mid-sentence, something that doesnt happen with the Capitol press corps that attend his frequent news conferences. But Governor, its disingenuous to say the countrys going to go bankrupt, Gregory interjected, First of all, unlike Greece, the United States can print its own currency! That elicited rolling laughter in the audience at the Tedd Mann Concert Hall on the Universitys West Bank campus. Pawlenty, who isnt amused at the thought of the U.S. Treasury printing more money, made dismal predictions about the long-term viability of the federal governments intervention in the private economy. The federal government takes in about $2.2 trillion dollars a year in revenue. They just raised the debt ceiling to $14 trillion, Pawlenty remarked. It is a house of cards. It cannot be sustained. It is reckless. It is mathematically impossible to sustain the path that theyre on, and we are going to have to have the federal government equivalent of the subprime mortgage meltdown within 20 years. [KARE 11, 5/28/10] Pawlenty Said He Was Not Necessarily Optimistic About The [Debt] Commission But The Day Of Reckoning Will Come With Government Spending. According to MinnPost.com, Pawlenty spoke at an Undoing ObamaCare event on April 28, 2010. Pawlenty was asked about the deficit and debt crisis and the bipartisan commission that is working on it. Pawlenty: Im not necessarily optimistic about the commission but I am optimistic about the country addressing this, not because I believe in the politicians but because this is becoming a matter of junior high mathematics. If youll just indulge me for one minute, the math is this: The federal government takes in, from all revenues, all sources, $2.2 trillion a year. Last year they spent $3.7 trillion. If you add up all the bad years theyve had, from annual deficits, and combine them into the total national debt, theyve just pushed the ceiling for that up to $14 trillion. So $2.2 in revenues, $14 trillion in debt. And then you have to count all the stuff thats off books that they dont count. So you have to get into the entitlements and pensions. If you do that, the total long-term unfunded liabilities of the federal government is at least $70 trillion. So $2.2 trillion in revenue, $70 trillion in unfunded liabilities. If they were a bank, under their own rules in terms of leverage ratios, they would have to shut themselves down. That math does not work. This is no longer going to be about conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, it is going to be a matter of junior high mathematics. You have a spending graph that looks like this [hes drawing it in the air with his hands and its rising very fast], mostly entitlement spending, you have a revenue graph that looks like this, even if the economy is recovering, and those lines never catch up in fact they worsen. So, the good news is this day of reckoning will come. [MinnPost.com, 4/29/10] Pawlenty Criticized Federal Spending And Debt, Though Most Of His Own Budgets Showed Deficits. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty spoke to about 600 people at an Iowans for Tax Relief event in Urbandale on Saturday Like the Iowa candidates for governor who spoke after him at the event, Pawlenty warned of stratospheric spending. Last year, the federal government took in $2.2 trillion, and spent $3.7 trillion. So they overshot by a mere $1.5 trillion, he said. Take into account unfunded liabilities like pensions and entitlement programs, and the government is on the hook for at least $70 trillion, he said. [Des Moines Register, 4/18/10] Ten Of The 14 Twice-Yearly [Budget] Forecasts During [Pawlentys] Tenure Have Shown Deficits. According to the Associated Press, Pawlenty entered office in 2003 battling a mammoth budget deficit, and will spend his final year coping with one, too. Ten of the 14 twice-yearly forecasts during his tenure have shown deficits. Lawmakers have been in deficit mode since 2007. [Associated Press, 12/2/09]

Pawlenty: Government Has Put This Nation At Risk With Debt. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed the Manchester Republican Committees Lincoln-Reagan Dinner saying U.S. government spends much more than it takes in and that all of the debt poses a serious threat to the nations future. Now we, a United States Federal Government who is so far in debt, that has put this nation so at risk, has put this nation at such peril, that they not only

endanger our economic security and our prosperity, but its gotten so bad that they are now putting at risk our national security over these issues, Pawlenty said. Pawlenty cited the health care bill as the latest example of the federal government overreaching and over spending. As he almost always does when making political speeches outside of Minnesota, Pawlenty talked about his record of cutting spending back home. [Minnesota Public Radio, 3/26/10] Pawlenty: America Goes Around The World, Tin Cup In Hand And Asks Places Like Communist China And Middle East Sovereign Wealth Funds To Buy Our Debt. According to a blog associated with Fox News, during his keynote speech to the Manchester Republican Committee in New Hampshire, Pawlenty said, Our nation, our beloved United States of America goes around the world, tin cup in hand and asks places like communist China, asks places like Middle East sovereign wealth funds to buy our debt because if they dont we cant pay our bills. The United States of America is not a beggar nation. [Fox News, Live Shots Blog, 3/25/10]

DEBT LIMIT
Pawlenty Criticized The Debt Ceiling Agreement As Disappointing And For Pushing Decisions Into Future. According to the Miami Herald, in an interview, Pawlenty discussed the debt ceiling. The debt ceiling agreement was really disappointing. This is an agreement that doesnt really fix the problem.But they didnt really fix the underlying structural problem of the country. I dont think underwhelming or disappointing or mediocre or below average or flat-out pathetic is good enough for America anymore. We are in deep trouble. And the standard shouldnt be: What are those things that we can do that are mediocre, disappointing, underwhelming, uninspiring or lacking in courage? The standard should be: What can we do to continue this country to be the greatest country on the face of the earth. We should have a president whose leading the debate on these issues? And instead hes hiding, hes ducking, hes bobbing, hes weaving. You cant even find him on the major financial issues of our day. How he would reform Social Security. How he would reform Medicare. How he would reform Medicaid and so on. Most of the things that theyve now promised are in the future. Theyre contingent upon future action. And guess what? A future president and a future Congress could undo or duck all of those as well [Miami Herald, 08/03/11] Pawlenty Labeled The Debt Agreement As Fiscal Aspirin, Which Didnt Fix The Problem. According to the Associated Press, Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty says the debt ceiling increase President Barack Obama signed into law is akin to taking an aspirin to treat a serious illness. Pawlenty told supporters in a packed coffee shop Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., that he was disappointed in the deal because lawmakers didnt use the opportunity to address the countrys spending problem. The former Minnesota governor said, They didnt fix the problem, they just popped a fiscal aspirin and pretended the problems gonna go away. Pawlenty says cutting the defense budget is a misguided priority and criticized the last-minute deal because a future Congress can overturn it. [Associated Press, 08/02/11] Pawlenty Questioned Whether Spending Cuts In Boehners Debt Plan Were In Real Dollars And Whether The Cuts Were Permanent. According to Politico, After speaking to about 50 people at a coffee house in Ottumwa, Pawlenty told reporters he would like to know whether Boehners spending cuts are in real dollars and if theyre permanent. Boehner has proposed a plan that calls for immediately cutting spending by about $1.2 billion, and extending the debt ceiling for about six months. Pawlenty said he supports a three-pronged plan to balance the budget: Push through immediate spending reforms, while working on a long-term goal to pass a constitutional amendment requiring the Congress to balance the nations budget. He said he also would cap spending as a percentage of the gross domestic product. Its time for all of us to stand up and yell as loud as we can; were going to propose and pass and sign into law a constitutional amendment to force these politicians in Washington, DC, to balance the budget, he told the crowd to cheers and applause. [Politico, 07/26/11] Pawlenty Rejected Boehners Debt Plan, Which He Said Did Not Cut And Cap Spending And Pass A Balanced Budget Amendment. According to TimPawlenty.Com, President Obama has run up a dangerous amount of debt since taking office, and I greatly appreciate Speaker Boehner for courageously leading the fight to stop him from running up even more. Speaker Boehner has now put forth two plans; that would be exactly two plans more than what the President has offered. The debt limit is a line in the sand where Republicans can force the tough decisions to fix our nations finances, and taxpayers cannot afford for us to back down now. I am for the plan that will cut spending, cap it, and pass a balanced budget amendment, but unfortunately this latest bill does not accomplish that. [TimPawlenty.Com, 07/26/11] Pawlenty Said Threat Of Default Was A False Premise. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota, said Republicans in Congress better get something good in return for agreeing to raise the $14.3

trillion debt ceiling. This is one of those line-in-the-sand moments for Republicans, Pawlenty said. Now its time for our team to walk the walk. We need to get something, some real meaningful structural reform. Pawlenty said that Obama offered a false premise by saying the government had no choice but to raise the debt ceiling or default on its payments. He said the government has the cash flow for a while to pay its bills in priority order, which would buy time to make actual spending cuts. Eventually you run out of money, but what you do is you buy yourself a bunch of time to have the debate about real reform, he said. Pawlenty told reporters after the town hall meeting at the Coralville library that theres still time for such a debate to take place, but not much. He also said that the budget has to be balanced by cutting spending, not by raising revenue. [Des Moines Register, 07/18/11] Pawlenty Urged Congressional Republicans To Draw Lines In The Sand In Debt Debate. According to The Hill, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) urged congressional Republicans to draw lines in the sand in their showdown with President Obama over raising the nations debt limit. I urge our Republicans in Washington, D.C., to stand strong, Pawlenty said at a town hall in Iowa, which was broadcast on his Facebook page. The only way to get real change in Washington, D.C., is to draw lines in the sand. Pawlenty said that he wouldnt be amenable to a short-term deal that included spending cuts to raise the debt ceiling if he were president. I think its really important to have the showdown now, he said. So lets call the question now. These dramatic moments are important and powerful. [The Hill, 07/07/11] Pawlenty Was Against Raising The Debt Ceiling Despite Effects Of Default. According to Business Insider, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the latest GOP presidential candidate to oppose raising the debt ceiling, The New York Times reports. I hope and pray and believe they should not raise the debt ceiling, Pawlenty told Iowa voters last week. These historic, dramatic moments where you can draw a line in the sand and force politicians to actually do something bold and courageous are important moments. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner repeated Sunday that without an increase in the debt ceiling by August 2, there would be a disruption, in the governments ability to pay its bills, which would undoubtedly shake up the markets. [Business Insider, 07/01/11] Sen. Reids Office Called Pawlenty Clueless About The Debt Ceiling. According to the Huffington Post, Senator Reids office dubbed Tim Pawlenty as clueless regarding the debt ceiling following this exchange with Joe Scarborough: Scarborough: Whats the impact if its not raised? Pawlenty: Well, we dont know that. Scarborough: Well, I dont know whats going to happen to me if I jump off a cliff. But I think Ill go splat. [The Huffington Post, 06/29/11] Pawlenty Opposed The Debt-Ceiling Being Raised. According to Newsmax, On Morning Joe, Pawlenty said: My view is the Republicans shouldnt raise it, but if they do raise it, they need to get something permanent, and structural, and meaningful, like a constitutional amendment, real spending caps, and some changes in the spending in the near term. [Newsmax, 06/28/11] Pawlenty Criticized Obama For Voting Against Raising The Debt Limit In 2006 But Supporting Raising The Debt Limit Now. According to an op-ed Pawlenty wrote in the Washington Post, Five years ago, a freshman senator made a case against allowing the federal government to go deeper into debt. The fact that we are here today to debate raising Americas debt limit is a sign of leadership failure, he said. It is a sign that the U.S. government cant pay its own bills. That was Sen. Barack Obama in 2006, when he stridently voted against raising the federal debt limit. Things have changed a lot since then for starters, our debt has increased by almost $6 trillion - but as the saying goes, sometimes where you stand depends on where you sit. As president, Obama now embodies the leadership failure he once decried. After growing the debt by $3.4 trillion since moving into the Oval Office, his administration now says we absolutely must raise the debt ceiling or risk catastrophic economic consequences. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Washington Post, 1/21/11] Pawlenty: When The Federal Government Hits The Debt Limit, It Does Not Mean That The Federal Government Suddenly Wont Be Able To Pay Its Bills The Government Has Enough Projected Cash Flow And Other Resources To Pay Its Outside Debt Obligations For Several Months. According to an op-ed Pawlenty wrote in the Washington Post, Contrary to what many people are saying, when the national debt approaches the limit set by Congress, as soon as March, it does not mean that the federal government suddenly wont be able to pay its bills. In fact, the government has enough projected cash flow and other resources to pay its outside debt obligations on time and in full for much longer - at least several more months - than the administration has been letting on. Default on such debt need not occur if Congress passes and the president signs a law directing the Treasury to sequence our spending and prioritize the payment of interest and principal on the debt, as well as other critical budget items such as the military. [Tim Pawlenty op-ed, Washington Post, 1/21/11]

Pawlenty, Discussing Cutting Government Spending: The Only Way It Will Be Done Is To Force This Kind Of Showdown By Not Raising The Debt Limit. According to an interview on Fox News, Pawlenty discussed the debt ceiling debate, and claimed Congress should not raise the ceiling and simply cut discretionary funding. He explained, Then you have the debate as to the rest of the money. The intergovernmental accounts which owe each other money. Then you are the debate with more time on how youre going restructure and fix and reduce that spending and it can be done. And the only way it will be done is to force this kind of showdown. [Bill Hemmer, Fox News, 1/18/11] Pawlenty Claimed The Debt Limit Debate Is An Opportunity, Not A Crisis And A Chance To Get To The Heart Of The Matter Which Is Finally Breaking Up And Fixing The Ponzi Scheme Which Is The United States Federal Governments Spending. According to an interview on Fox News, Pawlenty said, this debt question, thats going to be posed to the country and to the congress in the coming weeks, is an opportunity, not a crisis. Thats what I mean by saying lets not raise it. Lets send the president a bill that takes away his false choice saying you either raise the debt ceiling or were going to default. You can direct that the treasury pay the bills in priority order, first of all getting the debt obligations paid, then the military and down the line. And then force the debate to be on those things that are within the discretion of the federal government. And if you signed a bill like that there would be no default, there would be ample time for the debate. And then we could get to the heart of the matter which is finally breaking up and fixing the Ponzi scheme which is the United States federal governments spending. [Bill Hemmer, Fox News, 1/18/11] Pawlenty Claimed Not Raising The Debt Ceiling Would Be Good For The Economy. According to an interview on The Daily Rundown, Pawlenty was asked, related to his opposition to raising the debt ceiling, So, do you really think this is good for the American economy? Forget the politics for the moment. It may be good politics. But is it good for the economy? Pawlenty responded, Well, I think it is. Later, he went on to explain, the premise that not raising the debt ceiling is first of all going to cause the united states federal government is wrong, if you do it as I just suggested, make sure its taken care of by sequencing the cash payments and how and when we pay the bills and that first and then the military and have the debate about the rest. If we actually succeeded in having even a partial solution on entitlements and using this as the moment of pressure to this get it done, I would suggest to you the intermediate and long-term outlook for the economy would be better, not worse. In fact, one of the things people worry about in the intermediate term is inflation and the fact that the government has pumped so much money into the economy you would have an inflationary effect, I think this type of approach would be a positive signal to the economy and the country. [MSNBC, Daily Rundown, 1/18/11] Pawlenty Claimed Obama Is Offering A False Choice Between more Debt And Defaulting On Our Obligations, And His Solution Would Be To Pay Creditors First And Then Reduce Discretionary Spending. According to an interview on The Daily Rundown, Pawlenty was said, I am against raising the debt ceiling, but Im offering a reasonable third way, another idea that I think would help the debate, and its this. President Obama is offering a false choice between more debt and defaulting on our obligations to the federal governments outside creditors. I think what we could do is send a bill to the president saying well eliminate the false choice at least for the time being and sequence the cash flow which we do have which is substantial and pay the outside creditors first on our debt payments and the interest and then put the backside pressure on the debate on the discretionary spending that the federal government has. So, the credit standing of the United States federal government would be met completely. And the time would be extended for the debate, and the backside pressure on the debate, then, would all focus on the discretionary spending. At a minimum this would buy substantial amounts of time to really tackle the tough spending decisions that should be made and keep getting delayed in the federal governments debate and the congress debate. [MSNBC, Daily Rundown, 1/18/11] Pawlenty Said Congressional Republicans Should Not Raise The Debt Ceiling, And Send The President A Piece Of Legislation That Authorizes The Federal Government To Sequence The Pain Of Its Bills So That We Dont Default On The Debt Obligation And Then Have The Debate About How We Reduce The Other Spending. According to an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, Pawlenty was asked, Back in 2005, you allowed the government of Minnesota to shut down for nine days because of a disagreement with the Democratic legislature about taxes and spending. Should congressional Republicans take the same tough stance when it comes to raising the debt limit and federal spending? Pawlenty responded, as to the federal government, they should not raise the debt ceiling. I believe they should pass legislation, allow them to sequence the spending as the revenues come in to make sure they dont default, and then have the debate about what other spending can be reduced in fact, to avoid the default, I would take it one step further, send the president a piece of legislation that authorizes the federal government to sequence the pain of its bills so that we dont default on the debt obligation and then have the debate about how we reduce the other spending. [Fox News Sunday, 1/16/11]

White House Economists Said It Would Court Economic Disaster To Use The Debt Ceiling As A Negotiating Tool. According to the Wall Street Journal, White House economists have said it would court economic disaster to use the debt ceiling, which is likely to be reached this spring, as a negotiating tool. Long-term interest rates remain at historically low levels, indicating no urgent need for dramatic austerity measures, they say, adding that such cuts in the short run would jeopardize the economic recovery. Lawrence Summers, President Barack Obamas former National Economic Council director, said Sunday the government needed more spending right now in key areas like infrastructure, not cuts. If at a time when we have unemployment approaching 20% in construction, and a 10-year-bond rate in the neighborhood of 3%, if thats not a time to invest in repairing our infrastructure, I cant imagine when there would be a better time, Mr. Summers said on CNN. [Wall Street Journal, 1/17/11] Pawlenty Claimed If Theres Any Way To Avoid It, Republicans Should Not Raise The Debt Ceiling. According to the National Review Online, Pawlenty was interviewed and asked, Should congressional Republicans raise the debt ceiling? Pawlenty answered, Im not for more debt, and if theres any way to avoid that, they should not raise the ceiling. We have to get spending under control, but we also have to make sure they dont wound the economy in the process. Youve got a bunch of people holding our debt and the signal that it sends if you cant actually back it upI think its fine to say that were not going to raise the debt ceiling, but you had better make sure you can live on that amount of money. If they can, they should. I think they should exhaust the possibility of cuts before raising the debt ceiling again. [National Review Online, 1/7/11]

Pawlenty Called For A Federal Economic Bill Of Rights That Would Require A Balanced Budget And Force A Super-Majority In Congress To Increase Taxes Or Raise The Debt Level. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty courted Iowa fiscal conservatives Saturday, lambasting the Obama administration for burying the nation in debt and calling for an economic bill of rights to roll back the government Pawlentys economic bill of rights would require a balanced budget and force a super-majority in Congress to either increase taxes or raise the nations debt level. [Associated Press, 4/17/10]

DEBT COMPROMISE
Pawlenty Criticized Debt Compromise For Lack Of Structural Reform. According to Central Florida News, In regards to the debt ceiling debate, Pawlenty doesnt think Washington got it right. He says the solution doesnt address the underlying concerns about federal spending. Only in Washington, D.C. could an eleventh hour deal that really doesnt address the structural problems the nation is facing could be hailed as a victory. I think its disappointing, Pawlenty said. Pawlenty heralds his fiscally conservative record and record for success in politically tough Minnesota. [Central Florida News 13, 08/01/11] Pawlenty Yet To Comment On Debt Compromise; Staffer Said Nothing To Celebrate. According to the Associated Press, Republican Tim Pawlentys presidential campaign isnt impressed with the debt limit deal in Washington but has stopped short of calling for its defeat. Alex Conant, a spokesman to the former Minnesota governor, released a statement Monday calling the accord nothing to celebrate because it pushes the nation deeper into debt. He says it doesnt do enough to change the course of federal spending. Pawlenty himself has yet to make a comment on the deal aimed at avoiding an unprecedented default. [Associated Press, 08/01/11] Pawlenty Was Silent On What Would Be Acceptable Debt Deal. According to TIME, On CNN this past weekend, Tim Pawlentyapparently in his new, unplugged let-Tim-be-Tim modemore or less taunted the President, saying that Obamas been hiding in the basement and being chicken in the debt limit debate, and needs to act more courageously. (Any similarity here to Michele Bachmanns recent television ad denouncing any debt-limit increase and entitled Courage, is surely coincidental.) Then, after Obama emerged from his subterranean lair last night with a prime-time national address, Pawlenty had a different beef: That Obama was lecturing the country instead of leading it. In neither case did Pawlenty express a clear and detailed preference for how the debt standoff should be resolved. On CNN, Pawlenty dodged questions about what kind of deal he would accept as President. He also seemed to reverse his prior insistence that the debt limit not be raised. Theyre going to have to fix it, Pawlenty said. We dont want to default. It tells you something about the role of the Republican candidates in the Washington debate that no one seemed to notice, or care. [TIME, 07/26/11] Pawlenty Said President Obama Was Lecturing, Not Leading On Debt Ceiling Talks. According to TimPawlenty.Com, President Obama is lecturing the country instead of leading it. He has presided over the largest and most irresponsible run up of debt in our nations history, and he now threatens to preside over the first default in U.S. history. Once

again, President Obama did not have the courage to offer real solutions to fix runaway debt. Where is his plan to fix Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid? Tonights speech was all rhetoric and no results, and is another reason why President Obama needs to be removed from office. [Campaign Website, 07/26/11]

SUPER COMMITTEE
Pawlenty Said Gang Of Six Bipartisan Deficit Proposal Relied On Tax Increases And Was Not A Plan He Would Support. According to the Des Moines Register, A bipartisan plan put forward by the so-called Gang of Six senators to cut almost $4 trillion from the deficit is a nonstarter for at least six Republican presidential candidates because it would increase tax revenue. Minnesotans Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty, both campaigning in central Iowa Wednesday, said an agreement should focus on spending cuts and should not increase tax revenues. Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, said the plan consists mostly of generalities so far. There may be some elements in there like reducing the corporate tax that I support, Pawlenty told The Des Moines Register, but overall it looks like it relies on tax increases and not enough other reform. It doesnt look like a plan I could support. Pawlenty said he wouldnt have a problem with tax reform that is revenueneutral or decreases revenue. Thats a tax cut, he said. Im not against reform, but the net result cant be bring in more money. [Des Moines Register, 07/20/11]

LEGISLATING TAXES
Pawlenty Said All Regulations On Big Stuff Should Get Up-Or-Down-Votes In Congress So Its A Democratic Process. According to an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box, Pawlenty said, I think for some regulations we should have, not the bureaucracy running it I think when they come up with the final rule making there should be an up or down in Congress on those regulations. The notion that the EPA for example when the American people dont support, when the congress doesnt support, cap and tax, that they might try to back door that through regulation is offensive. Its offensive politically, its offensive philosophically. And thats one example of why, at least on the big stuff, they should have an up or down vote in congress so its a democratic process. [CNBC, Squawk Box, 1/12/11] Pawlenty Claimed Members Of Congress Should Certify That They Have To Do Their Own Taxes Without The Help Of An Accountant Or A Legal Assistant Or A Lawyer, If They Cant Do It Because The Tax Codes Too Complicated They Can Sign A Hardship Exemption Saying The Things Too Ridiculous, I Cant Do It. According to an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty proposed forcing members of Congress to do their own taxes. He said, And by the way, while were at it, why dont we have each member of Congress certify that they have to do their own taxes without the help of an accountant or a legal assistant or a lawyer, if they cant do it because the tax codes too complicated -- and of course, it is -- they can sign a hardship exemption saying the things too ridiculous, I cant do it. That, I think, would drive people to actually get the tax code changed. Members of Congress should be forced to do their own taxes and see how they like this 9,000-page ridiculous tax code. [Fox News, Greta Van Susteren, 12/14/10] Pawlenty Proposed Performance Pay For Congress Based On Meeting Basic Deadlines. According to an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Pawlenty proposed performance pay for legislators. in Minnesota, I proposed a couple of things that I think would be well for Congress. Now, they werent passed here, but we want performance pay for teachers and we want performance pay for bureaucrats. How about performance pay for Congress? And the minimum standard for whether you get your next months or weeks pay is this. You have to meet the basic deadlines. And if you dont, your pay gets docked. [Fox News, Greta Van Susteren, 12/14/10]

Additional Tax and Spending Issues

Pawlenty Referred To The Proposal To Raise Income Taxes In Illinois As Dark-Of-Night Actions By A Dysfunctional State. According to an interview on Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough asked Pawlenty, What do you think about a Midwest governor agreeing to sign a bill that raises income tax by 66% in this economy? What does that do to those people that go to Sams Club? Pawlenty responded, It hurts them a lot. I think youre referring to Illinois, obviously, the dark-of-night actions in Illinois. Thats a state that is really dysfunctional in a lot of ways. [Morning Joe, 1/12/11]

Pawlenty Created A Tax Reform Commission To Look At Modernizing The Tax Code. According to the Associated Press, Governor Tim Pawlenty has created a tax reform commission to look at modernizing Minnesotas tax code. Pawlenty says the states current system of taxation is stuck in the 1960s. He wants his new 21st Century Tax Reform Commission to come up with changes to encourage job creation, investment and entrepreneurial activity. The executive order he issued Friday also calls for a simpler and more predictable tax code. [Associated Press, 2/29/08] Pawlentys Tax Reform Group Is Made Up Mostly Of Business Executives. According to the Associated Press, A 15-member panel created to study the competitiveness of Minnesotas tax code is made up mostly of business executives. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, said Wednesday he purposely chose the tax commissions members from the business community because they have direct experience in dealing with a tax structure he thinks is outdated and burdensome to the private sector Accounting firm owner Mike Vekich will lead the group, which will report its findings and recommendations to Pawlenty by December. The governor said he will look to the report when drafting his next twoyear budget. Besides Vekich, the panel includes members from Medtronic, Target, U.S. Bank, General Mills and several smaller companies. There is also one college professor, a think tank leader, a high-tech trade group executive and a former state senator in the mix... One third of the commission is comprised of past Pawlenty campaign contributors. According to state campaign records, five of the members gave a combined $6,750 to Pawlentys gubernatorial campaigns since 2002. Theyve also given generously to the state Chamber of Commerce political fund. [Associated Press, 4/23/08] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Tax Study Group Is Loaded With Corporate, Investment And Entrepreneurial Experience And Is The Kind Of Group A Republican Governor Would Ask For Advice. According to an editorial in the Star Tribune, The tax study group that Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in February he would initiate for the sake of more job growth was finally launched last week, with a lineup true to his promise. Its loaded with corporate, investment and entrepreneurial experience. Four of the 15 members of the group the governor is calling the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission work for Minnesota Business Partnership companies, the states largest. There are two CPAs, a tax policy professional, a pair of business association representatives, a professor, a venture capitalist and a former GOP state senator. They add up to the kind of group a Republican governor would ask for advice, if he had already concluded that the states job lag in recent years is mainly the result of a defect in state tax policy. That, clearly, is Pawlentys view. In his State of the State address, he said, Minnesotas tax policies, job climate and large government discourage economic growth. We need to reduce taxes and regulations that discourage job growth, income generation, investment, entrepreneurial activity, research and exports. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 2/49/08]

Pawlenty Quickly Rejected One Of The Main Proposals Of His Tax Reform Commission. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, A blue-ribbon panel on business tax reform wants to repeal Minnesotas corporate income tax while expanding the sales tax to more consumer goods and services, including increasing cigarette taxes by $1 a pack. Gov. Tim Pawlentys 21st Century Tax Reform Commission said in a report issued Friday that scrapping the corporate tax and providing a series of other business tax breaks would help employers create jobs and make Minnesota more competitive in a rapidly changing global economy Although Pawlenty wants to cut business taxes, he quickly rejected expanding the sales tax. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/13/09] St. Cloud Times Randy Krebs: Is Pawlenty Serious About Tax Reform? According to an op-ed that Randy Krebs wrote for the St. Cloud Times, What exactly does Gov. Tim Pawlenty want when he calls for reforming the states tax laws? Does he truly want a tax structure that hones the state for global competition? Or is his focus really no deeper than that tired no new taxes mantra? Those are fair questions to which Minnesotans deserve clear answers, especially after Pawlentys cool response to some key recommendations last week from a blue-ribbon committee he formed to address this issue While Pawlenty embraced many of the tax-reduction strategies offered for business, he balked at expanding the sales tax. Said Pawlenty spokesman Alex Carey, the governor does not like the idea of raising sales taxes on consumers and is not embracing that portion of the commissions proposal. To which Vekich adroitly noted in a St. Paul Pioneer Press report: Youve got to pay for reform. And thats exactly why its important for Pawlenty, now in his seventh year in office, to offer a clear definition of tax reform in Minnesota. As much as the governor wants to trumpet changing the states tax structure to improve its business climate, he remains reluctant to acknowledge that doing so means one of two fundamental choices: Other segments pay more or state government substantially reduce its services. Really, though, by immediately rejecting his own commissions suggestion of the former, he leaves only the latter option. Yet in six years, he has yet to propose any fiscal plan that comes even close to cutting the $1 billion a year this report requires. So what is it governor? Are you serious about fair tax reform statewide? If so, please define it. If not, then this becomes just another blue-ribbon report bound to collect dust on some state offices shelf. [Randy Krebs op-ed, St. Cloud Times, 2/19/09]

STATE SPENDING CAP

2004: Pawlenty Floated Taxpayers Bill Of Rights. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, Pawlenty floated the idea of the so-called Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which would cap state and local government taxes and spending as an idea for further fixing the deficit, but stopped short of endorsing it. Pawlenty said, Its time to explore ways to prevent runaway spending by state government, such as limiting the growth of state spending to something around inflation plus population growth. [Duluth News-Tribune, 2/6/04] Taxpayers League Called TABOR Its No. 1 Priority, But Business Groups Opposed It. According to the Star Tribune, The Minnesota Taxpayers League has named as its No. 1 priority the adoption of a state constitutional amendment that would limit state and local spending growth to no more than the amount needed to serve population increases and inflation. Tax increases would require voter approvalEssentially, Strom said, Pawlenty already is governing as though a TABOR-like restriction were in place. The amendment simply would codify it, he saidOne potentially potent source of opposition comes from a perhaps unexpected corner - Charlie Weaver, head of the Minnesota Business Partnership and Pawlentys friend and former chief of staff. Many of the tax reforms of the last five years would not have been possible under TABOR, Weaver said. The Business Partnership, an advocacy group made up of the states largest corporations, has not taken a stand on TABOR. But Weaver said he personally opposes it. To incorporate such stringent restrictions into the Constitution, he said, is unwise. It ties the hands of future reform. [Star Tribune, 1/31/04] TABOR Laws Were Criticized In Colorado. According to the Star Tribune, The version favored by the League and sponsored by House Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, is patterned after Colorados Taxpayer Bill of Rights amendment, dubbed TABOR. Adopted by Colorado voters in 1992, it is widely viewed as the strictest tax-and-spending limitation among the 50 states and continues to enjoy popular supportOpponents counter that TABORs legacy has been one of severe program cuts, a backlog of unfunded highway projects, rankings well below the national average in school spending, immunization rates and prenatal care and a downgraded bond rating - in part because surplus revenue must be rebated and cannot be used to build reserves. [Star Tribune, 1/31/04]

Pawlenty Proposed a Constitutional Amendment to Force A Balanced State Budget, Which Has Handcuffed Spending Both In Good And Bad Times In Other States. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty tried to seize the political high ground Thursday in his budget battle with DFLers by proposing a state constitutional amendment that would cap the states general fund budget at the level of revenues from the latest two-year budget period While Pawlentys proposal would limit spending, Colorado voters adopted similar budget handcuffs in 1992, with a measure that restricted state and local tax collections. Colorados amendment was adopted as the state entered a decade of dramatic growth, but its effect proved severe when the state plunged into recession in 2001. Once the states economy rebounded in 2003, the laws limit on tax collections meant that government leaders could not restore money to programs that had been cut. State leaders have since approved a budget compromise that called for a five-year break from the taxing restrictions to retool the program. [Minnesota Star-Tribune, 11/5/09] Pawlenty Proposed Constitutional Amendment To Cap Spending After He Had Not State Budgets Left To Craft Himself. According to the Associated Press, With no state budgets left to craft himself, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on [November 5, 2009] proposed asking voters to amend the Minnesota Constitution to cap future government spending. The outgoing two-term Republican governor, seen as a probable 2012 presidential candidate, said he wants lawmakers to authorize a 2010 ballot measure that would limit spending in a given budget cycle to the revenue the state collected in the previous budget period. Currently, budgets are based on future revenue projections made by state finance officialsHe downplayed the timing of the proposed amendment. Pawlenty, who leaves office at the end of next year, said the goal of his Spending Accountability Amendment is wholly consistent with my record, my philosophy and my results as governor. [Associated Press, 11/5/09] All Of Pawlentys Budget Proposals Exceeded The Spending Cap That He Proposed Through Constitutional Amendment. According to the Associated Press, A comparison of the four, two-year budget plans Pawlenty has presented as governor showed that all exceeded the revenue collected during the prior budget period by $1 billion in a couple instances and almost $3 billion in one case. Because of a budget negotiation breakdown in 2009, Pawlenty resorted to using executive powers to cut spending on his own. That left the state with a smaller budget for 2010-11 than it had for the previous two years, in part because he delayed some payments to schools. [Associated Press, 11/5/09]

REQUIRED A CITY TO RAISE TAXES TO PAY FOR CONVENTION CENTER

Pawlenty Touted Completion Of Convention Center That State Government Funded Only After The City Bowed To Pawlentys Demand That It Raise Taxes. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, A tour of the nearly completed Duluth Entertainment Convention Center arena expansion Monday brought Gov. Tim Pawlenty together for a walk-through of the facility with his political rivals. The Republican governor and possible presidential contender acknowledged years of delay on the project due to bonding-bill sparring with DFL legislators, but said the final outcome was worth itA tour of the nearly completed Duluth Entertainment Convention Center arena expansion Monday brought Gov. Tim Pawlenty together for a walk-through of the facility with his political rivals. The Republican governor and possible presidential contender acknowledged years of delay on the project due to bonding-bill sparring with DFL legislators, but said the final outcome was worth itThe arena was first included in a bonding bill in 2006, after Pawlenty conditioned his support on Duluths passage of a restaurant food and beverage tax. It passed, but the DECC expansion failed to make the bonding bill, as it did two more years before finally prevailing in 2008. By then the states share of the price tag had risen from $33.5 million to $40 million. In the walk-through, both Pawlenty and local DFL leaders said the expansion would be an economic boon for Duluth, which now has to turn away conventions and events that are too large for its current facilities. [Duluth News-Tribune, 2/2/10]

TAX INCREASES ON MEDICAL SERVICES AND HEALTH INSURANCE

Under Pawlenty, Taxes On Medical Services And Health Insurance Increased But Pawlenty Claimed He Didnt Break His Tax Pledge Because That Was Passed Before [He] Became Governor. According to the Associated Press, The cost of health care in Minnesota will rise a bit higher Jan. 1 because of increases in two state taxes on medical services and health insurance. The expense of visiting a doctor, spending a night in the hospital, buying a new pair of eyeglasses or getting a cavity filled by a dentist will increase because a current 1.5 percent health tax is scheduled to increase to 2 percent. Almost everybody will pay the tax, either directly or indirectly. The second tax, which covers about one-third of all Minnesota individuals and families who pay for their health insurance themselves or work for companies too small to have self-insurance funds, is not currently being levied. After Jan. 1, the insurance tax, known as a gross-premium tax, will go into effect at 1 percent. The two tax increases are coming on top of an overall rise in health care costs that state planners expect to be about 10 percent a year over the next three yearsPawlenty, who campaigned in 2002 on a promise to oppose and veto any state tax increase, said he had no obligation to prevent the already-scheduled tax increases from occurring. My reaction to the tax increase, Pawlenty said, referring specifically to the change in the provider tax rate, is that, as I recall, that was passed before I became governor. And I said I wasnt going to raise any tax while I was governor, and I didnt. [Associated Press, 12/26/03]

WISCONSIN COST SHARING

Pawlentys Cost Sharing Plan With Wisconsin Was Ineffective, Saved Minnesota Little To Nothing. According to the Associated Press, Four months after Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty released a plan outlining areas where the border states could work together, many of the ideas have been scrapped as unworkable, delayed or are still being worked out. The governors originally put the savings at $10 million apiece, but Doyles office estimated Wisconsins savings to date at just $74,313, mainly from getting a better price on software from a Minnesota contract and piggybacking on a Minnesota transportation study. Pawlentys office refused to offer a comparable estimate, but of 17 Minnesota agencies surveyed by the AP, only the Revenue Department quantified a benefit from the collaboration: $2,565.88 in outstanding debt collected from Wisconsin tax refunds. Most others said they anticipated savings but couldnt say how muchThe collaboration idea was hatched by Pawlenty in January as both states were dealing with massive budget shortfalls. It was quickly dubbed Minnesconsin, and Pawlenty joked that the states mascots the gopher and badger would lie down together. [Associated Press, 8/3/09] Nearly Give Months After Pawlenty Announced His Plan To Save Taxpayer Money Through Partnership With Wisconsin, Many Of The Ideas Have Been Scrapped As Unworkable, Delayed Or Are Still Being Worked Out. According to the Associated Press, As it turns out, mating gophers and badgers isnt so easy. Just ask the bureaucrats in Wisconsin and Minnesota, who are trying to find efficiencies and save money on everything from sharing amusement ride inspectors to buying ammunition and tires. Nearly five months after Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced an ambitious plan to share some state contracts and operations, many of the ideas have been scrapped as unworkable, delayed or are still being worked out. The governors originally put the one-time savings at

$10 million apiece, but Doyles office estimated Wisconsins savings to date at just $74,313, mainly from a better price on software from a Minnesota contract and piggybacking on a Minnesota transportation study. In Minnesota, the savings are even more paltry: About $21,822 in deferred tax collections, and $5,000 in savings on sharing the cost of a radio ad about treekilling bugsIt was Pawlenty who hatched the collaboration idea in January as both states were dealing with massive budget shortfalls. It was quickly dubbed Minnesconsin, and Pawlenty joked that the states mascots the gopher and badger would lie down together. The AP requested updates from the state agencies and governors offices in both states detailing the status of projects and how much money had been saved to date. That survey showed the states have agreed to join together in a number of ways, but havent captured much cash. [Associated Press, 8/22/09] St. Cloud Times Editorial: Pawlentys Refusal To Release Cost-Saving Estimates Of Joint Minnesota-Wisconsin Cost-Saving Plan Was Troubling, Especially Considering The Plan Showed Savings Of Not Even Six Figures After Four Months When Pawlenty Claimed The Plan Would Save A Combined $20 Million. According to an editorial in the St. Cloud Times, When Wisconsin and Minnesota governors this spring announced a plan to have their governments join forces and save money through efficiencies and purchasing power, they put the potential savings at a combined $20 million. Sure, that seemed optimistic, but even if it netted half that amount, taxpayers would still be saving $10 million. What Viking and Packer couldnt get along at the price?The APs analysis shows savings of not even six figures at four months. More depressing is that the government employees assigned to turn gubernatorial promises into fiscal actions report a variety of hurdles, many of which likely cannot be overcome. And if all that was not bad enough, there is our own Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Quick to bask in this fiscal spotlight his idea spurred earlier this year, Pawlentys office refused the APs request to provide an estimate of savings for this report. Why? Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle provided oneAs we said, Pawlentys office refused an estimate, which forced the AP to determine savings by surveying 17 state agencies. That effort found only the Revenue Department collected about $2,600 from outstanding debt from Wisconsin tax returns. Why Pawlenty wont provide a specific estimate is troubling, especially given his penchant for making big politics out of even a little government savings. [Editorial, St. Cloud Times, 8/4/09] Winona Daily News Editorial: Shame On Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty For Failing To Achieve The Results That He Promised With Minnesconsin. According to an editorial written in the Winona Daily News, Minnesconsin is a good idea with terrible results. Whats even more disgusting than the paltry $77,000 Minnesota and Wisconsin have saved is the mealy-mouthed leadership that pays lip service to the idea that the two states can save money together and then turns around and does virtually nothing. Shame on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and shame on Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. In made-for-media press conferences that probably cost more than the $77,000 that was saved, the two glad-handed each other and set out a modest proposal for the states to save $10 million by teaming up to buy in bulk and share resources. Several months later, we have $77,000 to show for the anemic efforts that have mostly been an exercise in bureaucracy in which bureaucrats give many reasons why the two states cant work together, all the while forgetting the one important reason to partner: It saves money. But in this case, the bureaucrats arent solely to blame. The governors formulated this plan; now they should find the backbone it takes to get it done. [Editorial, Winona Daily News, 8/13/09]

STATE LEGISLATOR
Pawlenty Voted To Cut Taxes
Pawlenty Introduced Child Income Tax Credit For Middle-Income Families. According to the Star Tribune, A $ 250per-child income tax credit for middle-income Minnesota families was proposed Monday by a group of Republican legislators. They acknowledged that the measure has only a slim chance of passing in the current session. The bill, which will be introduced by Reps. Tim Pawlenty, of Eagan, and Sen. Barb Sykora, of Excelsior, would transfer about $ 250 million annually to families earning $ 75,000 or less. Those that do not pay state income taxes would receive no benefit. [Star Tribune, 2/20/96] Pawlenty Proposed Extending Charitable Contribution Deduction To Taxpayers Who Dont Itemize. According to the Star Tribune, in 1999 Pawlenty co-sponsored a bill to allow people who dont itemize on their income tax returns to deduct charitable contributions, reported the Star Tribune. According to the report, the bill would allow those taxpayers to deduct 50 percent of their contributions above $500. [Star Tribune, 3/27/99]

Supported A Super-Majority Requirement For Any Tax Increase

Pawlenty Supported Ballot Question That Would Require Future State Tax Increases To Be Approved By A SuperMajority. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota voters would get to decide whether future state tax increases must be approved by a super-majority, or 60 percent of the members of the House and Senate each, under a ballot question approved by the Minnesota House Thursday. The Houses action fulfills one of the promises on the new Republican majoritys agenda, but prospects for the question appearing on the ballot in 2000 seem dim. Thats because the leaders of the DFL Senate majority generally oppose itMajority Leader Tim Pawlenty said the idea was simple. Minnesotas tax burden has risen steadily over the past few decades, and the super-majority rule says: No more, unless theres an extraordinary level of support. One DFL critic of the proposal, Rep. Myron Orfield, of Minneapolis, argued that inflexible antitax barriers have damaged public services in California. He urged legislators not to Californicate Minnesotas government. Pawlenty said 14 other states have some form of super-majority law, including Washington and Oregon, which are often categorized with Minnesota as progressive states. [Star Tribune, 2/26/99]

OFFICIAL OFFICE SPENDING

Auditor Fund Pawlenty Office Had Weaknesses With Tracking Receipts And Assets Reimbursed Employees Without Receipts, Booked Airline Miles To A Personal Account, And Did Not Record Computer Inventory Items. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, A new audit finds a few weaknesses in Gov. Tim Pawlentys offices tracking of expense receipts, travel spending and assets. Legislative Auditor James Nobles says the governors office has generally adequate oversight of its finances. But his report says the office paid out $3,094 in expenses without original receipts and one employee booked 8,300 airline miles to a personal account. Also, a $5,000 computer server and a $8,500 automatic signature machine werent recorded in internal inventory records. [The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 6/12/09] While Demanding Budget Cuts, Pawlenty Used State Money To Improve The Governors Residence, Including Installing A Top Shelf-Gas Grill, Silver Polishing, Lamp Shade Refurbishing And Brass Candlestick Repair. According to the Associated Press, While Gov. Tim Pawlenty demanded that budget-setting lawmakers focus on government necessities rather than niceties, state money paid for a top-shelf gas grill, silver polishing and other things to spruce up the governors official residence. Invoices and other records covering Pawlentys first six months in the residence detail more than $17,000 spent on furnishings at the state-owned Summit Avenue mansion. To be sure, the expenses are a flyspeck in the context of a state budget that now exceeds $14 billion a year. But they come as many state-funded programs have taken hits to wipe out a projected deficit of $4.23 billion through 2005 without raising taxes, an approach championed by the first-year Republican governor. The records include: a $1,100 Weber Summit Gold Series Grill with six stainless steel burners; $2,400 for family room furniture; $300 to polish silver; $430 to repair brass candlesticks and $970 to refurbish lamp shades. [Associated Press, 8/21/03]

MISC. TAX ISSUES

Pawlenty Opposed Digital Sales Tax Bill. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty opposed a bill to tax digital products sold online including music, movies, books, video games, greeting cards and ring tones. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that Gov. Tim Pawlenty opposes any tax increases, including what his spokesman, Brian McClung, calls iTunes taxes. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/19/09] Pawlenty Signed Legislation To Buy More Public Lands Through An Increase In The Sales Tax That Was Approved By Voters. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesotans will see an additional 6,200 acres of new public lands for hunting, hiking, wildlife watching and other activities under the Clean Water, Land and Legacy bill recently signed by Gov. Tim PawlentyThe prairie, wetland and forest land acquisitions are scattered among the 19 projects that will be funded, beginning this summer under the $70 million Outdoor Heritage Fund, which represents one-third of the added sales taxes revenue approved last fall by voters. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/30/09] The Minnesota State Legislature Failed To Override Pawlentys Veto Of A Plan To Raise Taxes On Credit Card Companies, Alcohol, And The Wealthy To Pay For Health Care, Education, And Nursing Homes. According to the Associated Press, Majority Democrats have failed to override Gov. Tim Pawlentys veto of a $1 billion tax plan. The Minnesota House lacked the needed 90 votes to reverse the veto. Sundays vote was 85 to 49. The bill would have raised taxes on alcohol, some credit card companies and families making more than $250,000. That tax money would have been earmarked for education, health care and nursing homes. It was the second failure of an override attempt by Democrats. Earlier Sunday,

they couldnt undo Pawlentys veto of funding for a state-subsidized health program. Pawlenty and Democrats could still strike a budget deal before the Legislature adjourns at midnight Monday. But if they dont, the GOP governor says hell balance it on his own. [Associated Press, 5/18/09] Pawlenty Opposed Allowing Counties To Add Sales Tax To Make Up For Losses In State Aid. According to the Woodbury Bulletin, Gov. Tim Pawlenty opposed legislation that would allow counties to add an extra half-cent to the sales tax to make up for losses in state aid, according to the Woodbury Bulletin. The report noted that Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republican leaders in the House have said they oppose the legislation as another way to raise taxes. [Woodbury Bulletin, 4/15/09]

VETERANS
Pawlenty Proposed Benefits For Minnesota National Guard Members, Including Full College Tuition And State Tax Benefits. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota National Guard members would get full college tuition reimbursement, re-enlistment bonuses and state tax benefits under a package of programs presented Friday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The $18 million package also included benefits for active duty troops and veterans, including bonding money to improve and maintain state-run nursing and boarding homes. [] Other highlights of the package: Increased funding for tuition reimbursement for Guard members that will allow the state to reimburse 100 percent of the costs of tuition; Tax revisions that will exempt Guard members state active duty salaries from taxation, provide a tax deduction for travel expenses and make other changes so Minnesota tax law recognizes certain federal tax benefits for National Guard members; Reenlistment bonuses for Guard members in the middle of their careers; $6 million in bonding for maintenance and improvement of veterans homes; Bonding for a World War II Memorial on the state Capitol mall; and, a new Support Our Troops license plate to provide funding for programs that support our military members and veterans. [Associated Press, 12/3/04]

Pawlentys Budget Cuts Hurt Homeless Veterans

As A Result Of Pawlentys Elimination Of Two Programs For The Homeless, Officials Prepared For An Increase In Homelessness. According to the Star Tribune, Emergency General Assistance and the states Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA) program are on their last legs, prompting county officials and homeless advocates to forecast an uptick in the number of the destitute -- especially single adults -- living on the streets. Starting next Monday, the $8.6 million programs will be gone. They were eliminated through unallotment by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to close the states yawning budget gap. The cuts will remain in effect through June 2011. Hennepin County, the states most populous, is the biggest recipient of EGA and EMSA funding, receiving $4.3 million last yearBy cutting back on housing funds, said Marcia Fink, basic needs director for the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Were not really saving the community money over time. Theres going to be a cost, long-term. Cathy ten Broeke, who manages Minneapolis and Hennepin Countys joint effort to end homelessness, said Emergency General Assistance funds have been used to help homeless veterans pay the damage deposit on homes they secured with Section 8 vouchers. Ten Broeke called Pawlentys 2004 initiative to end homelessness in Minnesota, which committed nearly $200 million to the cause in new money, tax credits and bonding, one of the best tools Ive seen during my time working. But eliminating EGA and EMSA, she said, shows that the governor is not paying attention to the big picture. [Star Tribune, 10/26/09] As Need Increased, Pawlenty Proposed Cutting 75% Of Funding For Program Serving Homeless Veterans. According to the Mankato Free Press, The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans is receiving $1 million from the state for the fiscal year ending July 1, but that will drop to $250,000 for each of the next two years under budget proposals from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The falling funding comes at a time when the number of veterans being served including a growing number who served in Iraq and Afghanistan is surging. [Mankato Free Press, 4/23/09]

Under Pawlentys Watch The Minneapolis Veterans Home Suffered

After Three Pawlenty Ordered Day-To-Day Monitoring For The Minneapolis Veterans Home After Three Men Died In January 2007 After Neglect Or Medication Errors. According to the Star Tribune, State inspectors said Tuesday that three men died at the Minneapolis Veterans Home after neglect or medication errors last month, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty promptly ordered the Minnesota Department of Health to begin monitoring day-to-day operations of the stateowned nursing home. The governors action was prompted by the deaths, two years of not so good inspections that found scores of infractions, and the threat by federal officials on Friday to cut off about $7 million in payments for the care of veterans at the Minneapolis facility, said Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach. Two of the men who died were in hospice care; one was given penicillin and the other morphine sulfate when they were allergic to the drugs. Investigators said they did not determine whether the medication errors caused the deaths. The third man was a diabetic who died after five nurses improperly monitored his plunging blood sugar. One nurse gave him a medication that lowered his blood sugar further. None of the men who died was identified in the two investigation reports by the departments Office of Health Facility Complaints, dated Monday and given to the Minneapolis home Tuesday morning. The home was cited for three rules

violations in connection with the deaths. Were very concerned about the care of the veterans at the home, Mandernach said. The governor ordered this action, and I fully agree.[Star Tribune, 2/28/07] From 2001-2005 Spending On Nursing At The Veterans Home Didnt Keep Pace With Inflation And Increased Sharply After Violations Were Reported From 2006. According to the Star Tribune, Nurses and aides at the troubled Minneapolis Veterans Home complained for years that their pay was too low and their hours too long, and that those conditions have contributed to repeated health and safety violations. Budget figures and an arbitrators opinion lend support to their arguments. Spending on nursing at the Veterans Home didnt keep pace with inflation from 2001 to 2005, then increased sharply last year in response to a series of violations at the facility. During years when a shortage of nurses boosted their value in the Twin Cities job market, nurses at the Veterans Home earned substantially less than they would at metro hospitals. Today, a top-scale registered nurse at a Twin Cities hospital can make $14,600 more in a year than one working at the Veterans Home. The pay gap, high turnover and mandatory overtime led to a scheduling problem that probably does contribute to heightened health and safety risks for patients and nurses, wrote arbitrator Mario Bognanno in reviewing a pay dispute in 2004. At the time, however, because of the states financial troubles, Bognanno ruled against nurses who were seeking more money through arbitration. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature had opted for budget cuts and freezes, rather than tax increases. [Star Tribune, 3/20/07] Editorial: The Inadequate Care At Care At The Veterans Home Was A Result From A Reduced Staff, Longer Shifts, And Lower Wages. According to a Star Tribune Editorial, Imagine, for the sake of argument, that you control a home for aging veterans and, being a mean sort, you want to ensure that the quality of care they receive is substandard and the environment they inhabit is not enjoyable. How would you go about ensuring that in ways that arent so obvious? Well, first, you might skimp on upkeep and maintenance. If the place is a bit seedy, it will be less attractive for residents and the people who work there. Then youd go after those workers, especially the nurses, without whom the place would fall apart. First, youd reduce staffing so that the nurses need to run faster. Youd also arrange that those with weekends off would occasionally work the late night Friday shift, thus foiling their Saturday plans. And youd pay them, say, $4 or so an hour less than they could make in nearby hospitals. Oh, and you would require that they work mandatory overtime whenever demanded. Theyd be expected to work 16 hours straight without complaint and to be on call whenever a supervisor requires it. Although no one had the intent stipulated in this example, that scenario, in a nutshell, is how the state of Minnesota has treated nurses at the Minneapolis Veterans Home (and state-employed nurses everywhere else) [Editorial, Star Tribune, 3/23/07] Editorial: Pawlenty Supported A No New Taxes Pledge Which Created The Inability To Fully Fund The Veterans Home. According to the Star Tribune, But that inability to pay was artificial, created by legislators and the governor, Tim Pawlenty, whod signed a no new taxes pledge. When Pawlenty took office in 2003, the revenue stream had gone south, leaving Minnesota in an acute financial pickle. Reason dictated that the taxes which had gone down in flush times should now go up so the state could continue to provide the excellent services that Minnesotans, including those living in the Minneapolis Veterans Home and those caring for residents there, expected. No deal, Pawlenty said. The budget will be brought back into balance strictly by cutting spending (plus more than a few gimmicks, such as draining the tobacco settlement trust fund). Now, four years later, the Pawlenty administration is shocked, shocked to learn that patient care at the Minneapolis Veterans Home has been less than sterling. The Pawlenty administration had to know that spending less meant getting less, at the veterans homes and a whole lot of other places Pawlenty took office in 2003 determined to starve the state beast. What has happened since at the Minneapolis Veterans Home is one inevitable result. [Editorial, Star Tribune, , 3/23/07] Many Blamed The Problems Associated With The Minneapolis Veterans Home With Due To Its shortage Of Funding And Staffing, Pawlentys Administration Would Be Responsible For. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, others blame a chronic shortage of funding and staffing. Nurses at the Minneapolis home support the transfer of leadership, said Linda Lange, a labor-relations specialist with the Minnesota Nurses Association. However, that wont resolve some of the existing problems, she said. The Minneapolis home saw a 27 percent turnover rate of its nursing staff and other caregivers last year, Lange said. Many nurses were burned out by required overtime to cover open shifts. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/17/07] Pawlenty Disbanded The Veterans Home Board, Which Was Charged With Overseeing The States Five Veterans Homes. According to the Star Tribune, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday dissolved the board he appointed to run the states five veterans homes and transferred that authority to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. He followed to the letter advice from a commission that said governance and leadership ... has failed under the Veterans

Homes Board, which has operated the system since 1988. He will appoint an advisory council in its place. Pawlenty signed an executive order minutes after he was given a 112-page report by the commission, which proposed those and other changes, including a much broader mission for the veterans homes. [Star Tribune, 11/20/07] A 2006 Veterans Homes Report To Pawlenty Stated There Was Lax Oversight And Confusion About Leadership Roles, As Well As Regulatory Issues. According to the Star Tribune, The quality of care and level of services at Minnesotas five veterans homes are very high ... and most facilities exceed expectations, a consultants report to Gov. Tim Pawlenty has concluded. But there is frustration at every level within the system, lax oversight and confusion about leadership roles, the report said. And regulatory problems at the Minneapolis home could erupt again without focused attention, the consultant warned. Many of the problems have been caused by poor communication, lack of confidence in home administrators by the systems Board of Directors, and confusion within the board over whether it should advise or govern the homes, the report said. In addition, many employees distrust their managers, it said. The system cares for about 1,380 veterans in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Pawlenty ordered a review of the Minnesota Veterans Homes after the states Health Department last July found 27 infractions of state rules governing patient care, food and building upkeep. [Star Tribune, 2/14/06]

WELFARE
Job Search Program
Pawlenty Sought To Replace Welfare With Job Search Program. According to the Star Tribune, Quietly, Minnesota has undertaken a major transformation in its welfare system. Minnesotans applying for welfare now dont automatically get welfare checks. Most must wait four months for that - four months during which theyre expected to conduct a job search blitz. In the meantime, parents get their rent paid, and sometimes their utilities, out of the amount they would have received as a cash grant under the old system. And they can get up to $70 per person - if there is any money left. The Diversionary Work Program - or DWP - was a priority for Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and it marks its first anniversary this summer. Nearly every person applying for welfare now is sent to it, with a few exceptions such as mothers of newborns and teenage mothers without a high school degree welfare rights activists say it railroads people into job searches without dealing with the reasons theyve landed on welfare, and can leave parents without cash to pay for such critical needs as car payments, clothing and insurance. Minnesotas DWP program is unusual, national welfare experts say. About half of the states run welfare diversion programs. But they typically either divert the most job-ready welfare applicants into an intensive job search, or they make it harder to get welfare by requiring applicants to do certain things - such as cranking up their job search - before letting them apply for welfare. Minnesotas approach is unique because it involves virtually all families and delays receipt of a basic grant for four months, said Mark Greenberg, policy director for the Center for Law and Social Policy in Washington, D.C. [Star Tribune, 8/15/05] Star Tribune Editorial: Pawlentys Program Merely Creates More Hardships. According to a Star Tribune editorial, Some 15 years ago Minnesota embarked on an experiment in welfare reform that would earn it a national reputation in social science circles. Its strategy was exemplary: scrupulous empirical research and bipartisan accord in the Legislature. The product was exemplary, too: Outside evaluators found that the Minnesota Family Investment Program was among the best in the country at moving welfare recipients into jobs and achieved unparalleled results in reducing poverty and improving family well-beingThis would be a source of pride in Minnesota, except that two years ago the state quietly but abruptly began retreating from its ambitious antipoverty strategy. In 2003, at the urging of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the Legislature remodeled the system by adding a diversionary work program that requires virtually all new applicants to spend four months in a full-time job search before formally entering the welfare system The premise of diversionary work is fine. Some share of welfare applicants dont need long-term aid But 10 years of careful research by scholars at the University of Michigan and the Urban Institute shows that a large number of welfare applicants - perhaps a third or a half - dont fall into that camp. They suffer from mental illness, borderline retardation, traumatizing domestic violence, drug dependency or some combination of the above. Theyve washed out of the job market time and again, and four months of filling out job applications will be pointless, or worse. [] the new diversionary program might simply create more hardships and hassles for the states most vulnerable families. [Editorial, Star Tribune, 8/28/05]

Funding For The Women, Infants, And Children Food Program For Pregnant Women
Pawlenty Cut Funding For Women, Infants, And Children Program By $3.5 Million. According to the Star Tribune, more than $20 million in health and human services - including money for HIV prevention, the WIC food program and immunization services - was tapped to help balance the state budgetSome of the deepest cuts to the social safety net came from the Department of Children, Families and Learning. Thats where funding for some of Minnesotas largest anti-poverty agencies was cut. Its also where nearly all funding for after-school programs was eliminated. The two areas lost $5 million each[Sen. Becky] Lourey still criticized the $3.5 million cut to the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) food programThis is ironic, she said. Last week the governor was talking about not allowing food stamps to be used for junk food. Now hes cutting a program that provides nutritious food and does nutrition counseling to people who receive food stamps. [Star Tribune, 2/8/03] Pawlenty Proposed Cutting More Funding For WIC Program. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the governor also plans to cut $7.4 million from the Women, Infants and Children program. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/6/03] Pawlentys 2003 Budget Cut Forced Pregnant Women And Mothers Of Young Children To Travel Farther For Nutritional Advice And Food Vouchers. According to the St. Cloud Times, Pregnant women and mothers of young

children in Cold Spring, Albany and Belgrade-Brooten will have to drive farther to get nutritional advice and food vouchers in the future. Stearns County is closing the Women, Infants and Children clinics in those cities. Its one of several cuts the county is making because of Gov. Tim Pawlentys unallotting or canceling of spending to balance the 2003 budget. The county lost $50,000 for the WIC program, plus $77,000 of a $350,000 block grant that pays for a variety of human services programs. The countys environmental services department will absorb a $109,000 loss of funding through a combination of cuts and fee increases for services such as wetland permits and plat reviews, director Don Adams said. [St. Cloud Times, 3/22/03]

Welfare Benefits For Mothers

Pawlenty Proposed A Family Cap That Ensure For Mothers Have Young Children Welfare Would Not Automatically Get Extra Benefits. According to the Star Tribune, mothers who have babies while receiving welfare would not automatically get extra benefits, under a family cap rule tried in other states. [Star Tribune, 2/19/03] Op-Ed: Pawlenty Proposed A TANF Family Cap When Data Was Showing TANFs Effectiveness Was Questioned. According to Womens E-News, When Tim Pawlenty was elected governor of Minnesota in 2002 he inherited a $4.5 billion deficit. In order to reduce the gap, he introduced a budget that included significant reductions to Minnesotas welfare program. Among the decisions he made was to stop making the birth of another child a criterion for increasing the payments to parents receiving cash aid under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Such family cap policies are not unusual; nearly half the states have them. But what surprised critics was Minnesotas implementation of such a measure in 2003, at a time when doubts about the policy were growing and a few states were repealing it. With little proof that the policy--implemented to reduce birth rates among the poor female heads of household who represent 90 percent of those receiving welfare--was having its intended effect, critics had begun to protest its deleterious effects. Some, such as Dr. Deborah Frank, said the caps were causing higher rates of hospitalization for infants and toddlers. [Jennifer Friedlin, Womens E-News, 10/1/04] While In The Minnesota House, Pawlenty Opposed A Proposal That Exempted Welfare Mothers From Work Requirements For A Year After Their Babies Were Born.Republicans criticized a proposal by DFLers to exempt welfare mothers from work requirements for 12 months after their babies are born. The Senate bill does this. One of the things that makes my constituents angry is when they perceive a difference between what they get and what people on assistance get, said Rep. Tom Pawlenty, an Eagan Republican. Jennings bill originally allowed a 12-week exemption, but he supported the longer exemption after learning that providing child care for so many infants would cost the state an extra $13 million a year. I think this policy is wrong, he said. But we have to look at the economics, too. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/2/97]

Welfare Fraud Investigators

Pawlenty Proposed Reducing The In Number Of Welfare Fraud Investigators From 31 To 25. According to the Star Tribune, Under the governors earlier proposal, the number of investigators statewide would be reduced from 31 to 25, even as they would be asked to cover all of the states 87 counties, instead of the 55 counties they currently do. The governors change would save an estimated $15,000 next year, but officials have said the main goal is to place the program under state control rather than having it run by individual counties. In the Senate, DFLers on Monday recommended hiring eight investigators to try to extend the programs reach to counties not now served. DFLers in both houses, in addition, moved to remedy the use of personal care assistants, a state program that the legislative auditor said earlier this year was unacceptably vulnerable to fraud and abuse. [Star Tribune, 4/28/09]

POLITICS
51 Percent Of Minnesota Voters Said They Would Definitely Not Back Pawlenty In A Statewide Election. According to The Legal Ledger, In a poll out Tuesday from Public Policy Polling, Pawlenty and Bachmann both have slipped in popularity from previous surveys. Bachmann has just 34 percent statewide favorability, compared with 57 percent of voters viewing her negatively. A similar proportion (57 percent) think she should not run for office again this November. Pawlentys numbers are also upside down: His favorability sits at 39 percent, while 50 percent view him negatively. Just 39 percent say they would back him in a statewide election, while 51 percent say they would definitely not. [The Legal Ledger, 1/24/12] Portrait Of Pawlenty Was Unveiled At Minnesota Capitol. According to the Associated Press, Former Gov. Tim Pawlentys eight years as Minnesotas leader will be memorialized forever when his official portrait is unveiled next month at the Capitol. The Minnesota Historical Society says Friday the portrait will be revealed the evening of October 10 at an event attended by Pawlenty along with invited guests. It will be hung the next morning on the ground floor of the Capitol, in succession with portraits of his 38 predecessors. [The Associated Press, 9/23/11]

2012 Campaign
VIDEO: Pawlenty Displayed Potential Conflict Of Interest In Ad. According to the Des Moines Register, The latest TV ad for Tim Pawlenty does a product placement type flash to the name of a big oil trade group with close ties to his campaign. And three of the smiling faces in the advertisement also have connections to the campaigns consultants or the trade group. The ad does a short close-up of blue T-shirts emblazoned with the name of the Iowa Energy Forum. The Iowa Energy Forum, a program of the American Petroleum Institute oil industry trade group, has caught attention lately because it hired Iowa GOP operatives Karen Slifka and Chuck Larson to promote its agenda here and both Slifka and Larson are on board with Pawlenty campaign. Some rival campaigns consider those relationships a conflict of interest. TheIowaRepublican.com today identifies the women wearing the Iowa Energy Forum T-shirts as summer interns hired to work for Larson and Slifkas firm... Editor Craig Robinson also notes that another one of the people in the Pawlenty in the ad is to Becky Ervin, an Iowa activist who is helping both the Iowa Energy Forum and Strong America Now. Strong America Now is a special interest group that advocates for federal debt reduction and paid Pawlenty consultant Nicole Schlinger is one of the paid organizers. [Des Moines Register, 08/02/11] Pawlenty Backed By Florida Republicans Despite Slow Progress. According to the St. Petersburg Times, The vast majority of Floridians couldnt pick Tim Pawlenty out of a lineup. He barely registers in the polls. And theres a decent chance hell have to quit the presidential race soon if he continues to show little momentum in Iowa. And yet something curious is happening in Florida: Influential Republican leaders continue to line up behind the former Minnesota governor, even with little evidence hes a viable contender. I dont know or care if hes got a 5 percent chance or a 50 percent chance or an 80 percent chance, what matters right now is we need people who stand up for what they believe in, said state Rep. Richard Corcoran of New Port Richey, a Pawlenty supporter in line to be speaker of the Florida House. Another future House speaker, former Mitt Romney supporter Chris Dorworth of Lake Mary, likened it to PC users who are satisfied with their computers and Apple users who are ardent about them. Other people support their candidate, but Tim Pawlenty people are passionate about him, Dorworth said before a Pawlenty fundraising lunch that drew about 40 people to Tampas InterContinental hotel Tuesday. [St. Petersburg Times, 08/02/11] Pawlenty Campaign Staffers And Volunteers Held Dual Roles With Advocacy Groups. According to the Des Moines Register, The Republican Party of Iowa has received $100,000 from [the Iowa Energy Forum], which is financed by the countrys largest oil industry trade group. The Iowa Energy Forums agenda? Energy security, and no new taxes on the oil or natural gas industries. Its website mentions renewable energy, but stresses that the country will require oil, natural gas and coal as energy sources for decades. Small print reveals the American Petroleum Institute is the sponsor. Another big group paying for buses to truck people to the Aug. 13 straw poll is Strong America Now, a nonprofit financed by a Texas businessman pushing for federal debt reduction. It paid $60,000 for tent space and the names of previous caucusgoers and straw poll voters. The groups are part of the campaign within the campaign at the straw poll advocacy organizations seeking to draw the attention of candidates, the media and Iowans to their policy issues. But the efforts of these two groups are drawing scrutiny. One wrinkle is that the paid Iowa organizers for both Strong America Now and the Iowa Energy Forum wear two hats: They also are or have been paid consultants for the Tim Pawlenty presidential campaign. That raises suspicions from rival campaign operatives, who worry Pawlenty could see a straw poll advantage. Heres one reason why: Candidate success at the straw poll is

all about getting bodies to Ames. The Pawlenty consultants are arranging for buses for the advocacy groups. Knowing the Pawlenty campaign is tight on cash, will they target known Pawlenty supporters for free $30 tickets and seats on their advocacy group buses? Working for Strong America Now is A-list consultant Nicole Schlinger. Shes also a paid senior adviser to Pawlenty, a Minnesota Republican whose campaign is hoping to make a big splash at the straw poll. The American Petroleum Institute hired political consultants Chuck Larson and Karen Slifka to promote the Iowa Energy Forum message. Larson and Slifka have been paid consultants for Pawlenty and remain volunteer advisers. [Des Moines Register, 07/27/11] Public Campaign: Pawlenty Consultants Had Significant Opportunities To Break The Law. According to the Des Moines Register, Nick Nyhart, president of Public Campaign, a nonpartisan Washington, D.C., organization that aims to reduce the role of special-interest money in politics, said the consultants dual roles with the campaign and advocacy groups could be problematic. The consultants most likely have access to the special-interest groups supporter lists, direct mail plans and other strategies and it would be illegal to share them with the campaign for free, he said. The opportunities to break the law are significant, he said. You have to be very careful. Nyhart added: The bigger thing that bothers me is API finding ways to have impact on process. That industry has a huge ability to reward candidates and bring candidates to their side in a way that consumers dont have. [Des Moines Register, 07/27/11] Pawlenty Lost Support Of New Hampshire State Representative To Romney. According to Union Leader, State Rep. Shaun Doherty, R-Pelham, says he still likes and respects GOP presidential candidate and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, but hes frustrated with the lack of New Hampshire activity by his campaign. As a result, Doherty told the Granite Status, hes resigned from Pawlentys New Hampshire steering committee and has decided to back former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Doherty was one of the original eight Granite Staters named to the Pawlenty steering committee in April. He said today that since then, hes shown up at some events and has called friends and his own supporters on Pawlentys behalf, but has not been asked to do anything specific by the campaign. I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for Tim Pawlenty, said the 23-year-old second-term lawmaker, who four years ago was the state youth chairman for John McCains New Hampshire campaign. The campaign hasnt really developed into what I thought it would develop into, Doherty said. Theyre doing a lot of really good things but it doesnt seem to be working. And theyre not quite capitalizing on the momentum that they had with their launch. They havent capitalized on their opportunities. It just hasnt developed. Doherty said Romney is running a very strong campaign in New Hampshire and I feel Id like to participate in that campaign. [Union Leader, 07/26/11] ABC Sports Objected To Pawlentys Use of Miracle On Ice Footage In TV Ad. According to the Des Moines Register, ABC Sports was considering sending Pawlentys campaign a cease-and-desist letter for improperly using its footage in a political advertisement. ABCs Louise Argiana called the commercial a violation of our copyright and exclusive proprietary rights. [Des Moines Register, 07/21/11] Pawlenty Campaign Defended Using Footage As Fair Use. According to the Des Moines Register, Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant defended the use of the footage, part of a much-revered piece of sports history. The campaigns Miracle on Ice advertisement was carefully reviewed for legal compliance, and we believe fully complies with the fair use doctrine, Conant said. We respect ABCs concern and look forward to responding to their inquiry. [Des Moines Register, 07/21/11]

Pawlenty Endorsed By Florida State Legislators. According to the Miami Herald, the Pawlenty campaign announced endorsements from 11 additional members of the Florida House of Representatives joining previous endorsers Rep. Will Weatherford and Reps. Chris Dorworth and Richard Corcoran. Named included were Janet Adkins, Ben Albritton, Frank Artiles, Jason Brodeur, James Grant, Ana Rivas Logan, Jeanette Nunez, Jose Oliva, Scott Plakon, John Tobia, and Carlos Trujillo. [Naked Politics, Miami Herald, 07/21/11] Pawlenty To Address Jobs Conference On Twitter. According to Business Wire, TweetMyJOBS will present the firstever American Jobs Conference on Twitter on Tuesday, July 19, 2011... [T]he American Jobs Conference brings together leaders in government, technology, business and recruiting to engage in real-time, nationwide conversations about employment with Americans of all ages on Twitter. Gov. Pawlentys Tweetnote will be followed by a Tweet Panel and a series of Career Chats focusing on ways to use social media to enhance and expedite job searching. We cannot stand idly by while millions of Americans remain unemployed. Im proud to participate in TweetMyJOBS ground-breaking American Jobs Conference to help those looking for work find it using the most cutting edge social media tools available today said Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota and 2012 Republican Candidate for the President of the United States. [BusinessWire, 07/12/11]

In Wake of Lagging Polls, Pawlenty Downplayed Importance Of Iowa. Talking Points Memo, Tim Pawlenty and his top staff are increasingly downplaying the importance of Iowa in interviews, a strange turn given its central importance to his campaign so far. Pawlenty told reporters that this week is the first time that Ive campaigned in earnest in Iowa, according to the Des Moines Register despite the fact that hes been pouring huge amounts of time and resources into the state for months. I dont know that we need to win Iowa, but I think we need to do well there, he said. This sudden string of rhetoric minimizing Iowa is odd given that Pawlentys path to the nomination goes directly through the caucus. The hope has always been that a big win in Iowa would propel him into the next round of primaries with enough momentum to go toe-to-toe with Mitt Romney in a state in a two-man race. And everything Pawlentys done to this point has reinforced this idea: hes spent a ton of time in the state, he went up with the first TV ads, and activists on the ground say his staffers have paid more early attention to the grassroots there than anyone else. There really isnt another plausible route absent some huge unexpected event that knocks out of one of the top-tier players, especially given that Pawlenty is having trouble enough already distinguishing himself from the crowd in terms of fundraising and poll numbers. [Talking Points Memo, 07/09/11] Pawlenty Blamed Lagging Poll Numbers On Fact Campaign Just Beginning In Earnest. According to the Des Moines Register, The reason hes lagging in the polls, Pawlenty told editors and reporters in a wide-ranging discussion with The Des Moines Registers editorial board today, is that this week is the first time that Ive campaigned in earnest in Iowa. Pawlenty has made more campaign appearances here than any other candidate except former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. [Des Moines Register, 07/07/11] Pawlentys Co-Chair/Foreign Policy Advisor Represented UAE As Lobbyist, Among Others. According to Think Progress, .discussion of [Pawlentys] foreign policy stance would not be complete without a close examination of the lucrative lobbying, for both domestic and foreign clients, undertaken by his campaign co-chair and senior foreign policy adviser Vin Weber. But Vin Webers lobbying expertise isnt limited to private companies. Clark & Weinstock also represented the interests of Morocco, Greece, the Iraqi Governing Council, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates. In his January 18, 2005 Proposal For Representation of United Arab Emirates, Weber promised to: Enhance the reputation and understanding of the UAE as a U.S. strategic ally through major media and other opinion-makers, based mainly in New York and Washington. Weber advocated portraying the UAE as a U.S. ally in combating terrorism and an observer of human rights, and boasts of his close relationship with DC think tanks. Webers understanding of Washingtons foreign policy circles and the importance of influencing editorial boards is a reflection of his Washington insider status, which, no doubt, played no small role in arranging Pawlentys recent speech at the Council on Foreign Relations (Weber sits on the Councils board). [Think Progress, 07/07/11] [UAE Proposal] Big Name CEOs Endorsed Pawlenty. According to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Pawlentys campaign released the list Wednesday, the Business Journal reported. You can see the full list here, but it includes Dave Frauenshuh, of Frauenshuh Cos ., Greg Page, CEO of Cargill Inc., Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries Inc. , and Stanley Hubbard, CEO of Hubbard Broadcasting. There are also several ex-CEOs on the list, including Bob Ulrich, the retired CEO of Target Corp. , and Bill Hawkins, the retired CEO of Medtronic Inc. [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 06/30/11] Swift Boat Veterans For Truth Financial Backer Bob Perry Donated $60,000 to Pawlenty. According to the Huffington Post, On Sept. 23, 2010 Perry and his wife gave $60,000 to Freedom First, Pawlentys state-based political action committees in New Hampshire and Iowa. Perry has given nearly $38 million to candidates and political groups outside Texas since 2000, according to records analyzed by The Texas Tribune. In that same time frame, Perry has contributed $28 million to more than 400 candidates and political committees in his home state. Perry also has a reputation for financing negative ads. He made national headlines in 2004 with his mega contributions to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which ran a controversial ad campaign that questioned Democratic presidential candidate John Kerrys service in Vietnam. Perry contributed $4.45 million to underwrite the attack ads that helped sink Kerrys presidential bid. [Huffington Post, 06/30/11] Daily Beast: Pawlenty Placed The Iowa Straw Poll At A High Premium. According to the Daily Beast, Pawlenty has budgeted $1.75 million for the straw poll, according to a Republican consultant familiar with the Pawlenty campaign. Thats a major commitment, comparable to what George W. Bush and Steve Forbes spent in 1999 to place first and second ($1.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in todays dollars) Despite the tide of uncertainties, Pawlenty has little choice at this point but to compete hard and try to make the straw poll his comeback-kid moment. They say you can tell a lot about candidates by how they deal with setbacks. There will be plenty of those on which to judge Pawlenty by the arrival of that fateful Saturday in Ames. [The Daily Beast, 06/28/11] Longtime Acquaintance Shawn Lawrence Otto Said Pawlenty Was The Ultimate Panderer, Hes Wanted To Be President For As Long As Ive Known Him. According to the Minnesota Post, Shawn Lawrence Otto, who has known

Pawlenty since the early 1990s, claims that Pawlenty is a panderer. Otto cites what Pawlenty told him regarding abortion: Well personally, so am I [pro-choice], but heres the thing. Youve got to find a way to get your mind around the language of saying pro-life. Its in how you phrase it. Otto also claims that Pawlenty speaks with a southern accent in front of Republican crowds in Iowa. Cynical pandering is the stuff of political clich. But some Pawlenty observers think he is overeager to abandon principles, positions, allies and identity to curry favor. This is mystifying since he has talent if he would just be himself. Since he is marketing himself for president as a truth teller who has the courage to stand, the question becomes important. Which version of Pawlenty is the real one: the one he projects, or that of his critics, old and new? [Minn Post, 06/28/11] Des Moines Register Poll Showed Iowans Liked Pawlenty, Not For President Though. According to Politico, Iowans like Tim Pawlenty. They just dont want him to be president, at least so farTheres an upbeat way to read this, for Pawlenty: The fundamentals of his candidacy are solid. Voters like him. As Iowans focus in on the contest, candidates start dropping out and upstarts like Bachmann and Herman Cain start to take real scrutiny, Pawlentys camp would be a natural place for uncertain caucus-goers to landThe bleaker interpretation is that while Iowans have nothing against Tim Pawlenty, he also hasnt come across to voters as a potential president. The Register suggests he may be struggling because his record has faced more scrutiny than Bachmanns, but if thats true, its not reflected in his favorability numbers. Theres just a gigantic gap between the percentage of people who say he seems like a good guy and the percentage of people who think hes worth supporting for national office. [Politico, 06/26/11] Pawlenty Unveiled First Iowa Ad Titled Results, Not Rhetoric. According to the Des Moines register, Pawlentys ad buy, which cost just under $50,000, is for Fox News programs in media markets in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Rochester, Minn. The ads run through July 3. Transcript: A lot of candidates will come to Iowa and say the same things. The question is: Have they done it? In a liberal state, I reduced spending in real terms for the first time, took on the government unions and won, appointed a conservative supreme court, and passed health care reform the right way no mandates, no takeovers. If I can do it in Minnesota, we can do it in Washington. Im Tim Pawlenty, and I approved this message. [Des Moines Register, 06/22/11] Wall Street Journal: Pawlentys Strategy Of To Know Him, Would Be To Like Him, Failed. According to the Wall Street Journal, Here are the numbers: In February, the WSJ/NBC poll found that 61% of those polled either werent sure about Mr. Pawlenty or didnt know who he was. Of the remainder, 10% were positive toward him, 9% were negative, and 20% were neutral. Fast forward to the latest poll. Now, the number of those who have no opinion about him has dropped to 46%. His positive tick up a bit, with 14% viewing him in a good light. But his negatives jump even more, to 15%. And now, 25% have a neutral opinion of Mr. Pawlenty. [Wall Street Journal, 06/16/11] Pawlenty Touted Accomplishments in Iowa Mailer, Cut Real-Term Spending, Appointed Conservative Judges. According to Politico, Touting his gubernatorial record, Pawlenty highlights that he appointed the first ever conservative majority on the Minnesota Supreme Court, held firm and ultimately won one of the longest government union strikes in American history, set a record for vetoes, passed a budget that actually reduced spending in real terms for the first time in the history of Minnesota and created jobs. [Politico, 06/15/11] VIDEO: Pawlenty: I Think Bills [OReilly] Playing The Race Card On Me. According to Fox News, Bill OReilly believes that Pawlenty was too vanilla. On Fox and Friends, Pawlenty responded I think Bills [OReilly] playing the race card on meand Ive told him that. [Fox and Friends 3:28 Mark, 06/14/11] Washington Examiner: Pawlenty Flubbed Romney Attack At Debate Fueled Perry Bid. According to the Washington Examiners Susan Ferrechio, Pawlentys whiff at the debate has created an opportunity for Rick Perry to become the antiRomney. The issue is that Pawlenty threw down the gauntlet last week when he was aggressive with Romney in the press, but when he was asked the question in front of Romney, he backed off, said Ryan Hacker, a member of the Houston Tea Party Society and author of the Tea Party manifesto, Contract from America. If Perry had taken a stance against Romney, he would have stood up to him in person because it would have been the smart thing to do. Perry is a very smart political actor. [Washington Examiner Op-Ed, 06/14/11] Mike Huckabee Advised Pawlenty To Get Rid Of His Consultants After Poor Debate Performance. According to Politico, Regarding Pawlentys debate performance, Huckabee gave the following the advice: I would say that the number one thing, and I am going to go back to my friend Tim Pawlenty, is that he needs to get rid of some of his consultants. I saw this with Romney four years ago and I am seeing it with Pawlenty now. Overcoached. Overconsulted. Get rid of them. [Politico, 06/14/11]

VIDEO: Pawlenty: Is Bill OReilly Playing The Race Card On Me? According to Fox News, During his interview on Fox News Sunday, Pawlenty responded to a criticism from Bill OReilly, who said Haagen-Dazs can put his picture on vanilla, do we get that? Pawlenty reacted by saying, Did Bill OReilly use the word vanillais he playing the race card on me. After a laugh, Pawlenty continues look Im not running for comedian-in-chief or entertainer-in-chief. [Fox News Sunday 21:35-22:20, 06/12/11] Former General Electric Chairman Jack Welch Likes Pawlenty According to Politico, Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch said everything I see Tim Pawlenty say in the last month appeals to me. Hes not the jazziest guy in town. Hes not the most exciting. But if you look at what he says and his vision for America and that plan he put out in the last 48 hours. Every time I see him on an interview, etc, the guy makes sense [Politico, 06/09/11] Producer Aaron Sorkin Was Upset With Pawlentys Use Of A Few Good Men in Economic Speech. According to The Daily Beast, Sorkin said I appreciate the shout out from Governor Pawlently but Im concerned because Isabel V. Sawhilll, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, said that economic growth under the plan the Governor just proposed was highly unlikely and Michael Linden, the director of tax and budget policy for the Center for American Progress called Mr. Pawlentys plan sheer fantasy. I dont know whos right but were going to need the truth whether we can handle it or not, and to arrive at the truth were going to need a full-throated, high-minded debate among people considerably smarter than Colonel Jessep and me. [The Daily Beast, 06/09/11] Politico: Pawlenty Followed In Ronald Reagans Footsteps With Chicago Economic Speech. According to Politico, as part of his primary challenge against President Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan gave his economic policy speech in 1975, and the location was Chicago. Reagan, like Pawlenty, also discussed an anti-spending less government plan. [Politico, 06/07/11] Pawlenty Held A Facebook Town Hall In Coral Gables, Florida. According to The Star Tribune, Pawlenty held a 25minute Facebook town hall in Coral Gables, Fla., Tuesday, answering questions from online commenters who could watch a live streaming video. [The Star Tribune, 05/24/11] Pawlenty Launched His Time For Truth Presidential Campaign, Using The Word Truth 16 Times. According to U.S. News Pawlenty is now making a play for the straight talk that Republicans hoped Daniels would bring to the field. In an Iowa speech Monday launching his A Time for Truth presidential campaign, the former two-term governor used the word truth 16 times, blasting Obama for not being clear with the American people about what its really going to take to get out of the mess were in. Pawlenty said he will tell seniors and young people that entitlement programs are no longer sustainable and Wall Street that the era of bailouts, handouts, and carve outs will be over. [U.S. News, 05/23/11] Tim Pawlentys Home Town Newspaper Printed His Presidential Announcement On The Obituary Page. According to Minnesota City Pages, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, from Tim Pawlentys home state of Minnesota, ran Tim Pawlentys presidential announcement story in the obituary page. [City Pages Blog, 05/23/11]

DEBATE PERFORMANCE
Pawlenty Said He Regretted Not Confronting Romney On Massachusetts Health Care Reform During New Hampshire Debate. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pawlenty said: I should have addressed it squarelyI thought, in that moment, it was better to focus on the president, the former Minnesota governor said of his decision not to engageThat fact is that I got asked a direct questions, and I shouldnt answered it directlyRest assured, we will not let that opportunity pass again. [Wall Street Journal, 06/20/11] Pawlenty Aides Believed Debate Performance Was An Aberration. According to the New York Times, Campaign strategists for Mr. Pawlenty said they believe the debate was an aberration in a campaign that had been building momentum since his formal announcement several weeks ago. They said they expect Mr. Pawlenty to spend nearly half of July in Iowa as the campaign prepares for the Republican straw poll in Ames the following month. And they said Mr. Pawlenty will not shy away from criticizing Mr. Romney, especially on his health care plan, as the campaign moves forward. [New York Times, 06/16/11]

Campaign Manager Nick Ayers Compounded Pawlentys Debate Error. According to Politico, Pawlenty campaign manager, Nick Ayers said what was the lesson people are supposed to take from the blueprint message? Ayers: I think the point is and whats the governors point yesterday (was) everybodys got a few clunkers on their record adding that Romney continues to defend it. [Politico, 06/13/11] Washington Times: Pawlenty Wimped Out At Debate By Not Using Obamaneycare Charge Against Romney. According to the Washington Times, columnist Ron Klein wrote: This made for an especially weak showing by Tim Pawlenty, who talked tough in a television appearance on Fox News Sunday when he used the term Obamneycare to describe the Obama/Romney approach to health care. But when given a chance, repeatedly, to elaborate, Pawlenty wimped out. [Washington Times, 06/13/11]

EDITED CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Des Moines Register Objected To Pawlenty Campaigns Profile Edited Of Criticism And Less Than Flattering: Paragraphs. According to the Des Moines Register, The Des Moines Register objected Friday to the Tim Pawlenty campaign sending an email blast with a portion of a front-page profile about the candidate that left out less-thanflattering paragraphs and an anecdote about a de-pantsing incident. Register Managing Editor Randy Brubaker said the campaign distorted and excessively used the Registers content without permission. Brubaker said the version of the article republished by the campaign more than 20 paragraphs, highly edited went beyond fair use and infringed on the news organizations copyright. The newspaper typically allows campaigns to reprint or reproduce three or four paragraphs, or about 200 words, of an article, Brubaker said. But it doesnt allow selective editing within the excerpt. The Pawlenty campaigns in case you missed it media blast had the subject line: Des Moines Register Candidate profile: You can be both nice and strong, says Tim Pawlenty. [Des Moines Register, 08/05/11] Pawlenty Campaign Removed All Criticisms And Unflattering Coverage From A Des Moines Register Candidate Profile. According to the Des Moines Register, the campaign left out the first two paragraphs of the article, which quoted a friend describing how Pawlenty, then a Minnesota state legislator, sneaked up and yanked down the fellow lawmakers pants as he stood at home plate during a baseball game a decade ago. The campaign also deleted all references to how the former Minnesota governor raised the cigarette tax, allegedly ousted Republicans from the party for overriding one of his vetoes and used his executive powers in a way the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. The edited version removed all criticisms from fellow Republicans that raised questions about how he balanced the states budget and a classmates comment that his fantasy football teams were terrible. We promoted the full link and encouraged people to read the entire article, Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant said. We simply provided excerpts. Friday evening the campaign sent a new email saying it was simply linking to the story not excerpting at the Registers request. [Des Moines Register, 08/05/11]

Ended Presidential Bid

Pawlenty Joked That Kris Humphries Marriage Lasted Longer Than His Presidential Campaign. According to The Daily Progress, The two-term former governor of Minnesota quipped that the real most-famous person from his state is not him, not Michele Bachmann, but the soon-to-be-former Mr. Kim KardashianHis 72-day marriage lasted longer than my presidential campaign, he joked. [The Daily Progress, 3/28/12] Pawlenty Did Not Rule Out Running For Governor Or Challenging Sen. Al Franken In 2014. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty did not rule out running for governor or challenging Democratic Sen. Al Franken in 2014. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/10/11] Pawlenty Said It Was Highly Unlikely He Would Run For President Again. According to the Associated Press, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (puh-LEN-tee) says its highly unlikely that hell run for the White House again or that hed accept a high-level post in a Republican administration. He discussed his abbreviated campaign for the 2012 GOP nomination and his future on Minnesota Public Radio and later with reporters. He wouldnt completely shut the presidential door, but says his party will have a deep bench of promising candidates to choose from. [The Associated Press, 10/11/11] Pawlenty Said He Regretted Not Making Different Decisions During Presidential Campaign. According to CNN, Former GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty praised the gift of hindsight, saying hes realized some mistakes he made in

his bid for the Oval Office. If we would have known then what we know now, would we have made some different decisions? Sure we would have, and I regret not making different decisions, Pawlenty said Tuesday in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio. []But while he had misgivings about his campaign, Pawlenty denied that he regretted ending his presidential bid when he did. In terms of the timing of dropping out of the race, we took it as far as we could with the resources we had and we just couldnt take it any further, Pawlenty said, adding that his campaign spent too much money, too early. You have to raise a lot of money to be successful, and at that point at Ames, our finances had basically run dry, Pawlenty said. Pawlenty also said he regrets trying to morph into a candidate that met the expectations of the political universe. You get all these people telling you what to do, and in the end, I think youre just better served as a candi-date and I think the campaign is better served if you just be yourself, Pawlenty said. [CNN, 10/12/11] Former Florida Pawlenty Supporters Endorsed Romney. According to Politico, Morning Score confirms that three Florida legislators - Will Weatherford, Chris Dorworth and Richard Corco-ran - have signed on with Mitt Romney after previously endorsing Tim Pawlentys unsuccessful White House bid. All three are future speakers of the state House in Florida, where legislative leadership is voted on several years in advance. Their movement toward Romney adds to the impression that neutral establishment types are drifting in the same direction. [Politico, 10/5/11] Former Pawlenty Spokesperson Alex Conant Became Sen. Marco Rubios Press Secretary After Pawlenty Campaign Ended. According to the National Journal, Ex-MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) ex-spokesperson Alex Conant will become Sen. Marco Rubios (R-FL) press sec. starting Oct. 3. Rubio, in a statement: He is a skilled and experienced communicator who will be a great asset to me in the Senate as we work to create jobs, tackle the debt and keep America safe. Before Pawlenty, Conant worked for Sen. John Thune (R-SD). Conant will work with Rubio comm. dir. Alex Burgos []. [National Journal, 9/22/11] Former Adviser Vin Weber Said He Was Surprised And Not A Part Of Pawlentys Decision To Exit The Presidential Race. According to Minnesota Progressive Project, Tim Pawlentys early exit from the race for the Republican presidential nomination was as much of a surprise to the Minnesota governors former adviser, Vin Weber, as it was to outside observers. I was surprised how quickly he left, Weber said during a talk at the University of Minnesotas Humphrey School of Public Affairs. I was not part of that decision. [MN Progressive Project, 9/16/11] Pawlenty Said, In Hindsight, He Could Have Skipped The Ames Straw Poll, Which He Didnt Believe Determined The Iowa Caucuses. According to The National Journal, Pawlenty Of his own failed presidential bid, Pawlenty said, literally, I ran out of money. He said that he regrets investing so much money in the early days of the race, rather than thinking long-term and managing his finances accordingly. Pawlenty said that, with hindsight, he probably could have skipped the Ames straw poll. His poor showing at the poll spurred his decision to drop out of the race. Still, Pawlenty defended the polls influence on the election calendar. Its relevant as a news event and a sorting-out filter for candidates like me, Pawlenty said. Is it ultimately going to determine the Iowa caucuses? No. Is it a step that gets you momentum? Yes. [The National Journal, 9/7/11] Pawlenty Said He Believed Just Knowledge And Policy Grasp Was Not Enough In A Presidential Campaign. According to MSNBC, in an interview with Joe Scarborough, Pawlenty said you know, the right and the left has a selection processing, a gate-keeping process that is largely controlled by the most committed of their activists, which doesn`t necessarily reflect the broader Republican Party or the broader discussion PAWLENTY: But there`s something else going on, too, that I think is true. And that is there`s a fusion of news and politics and entertainment now in a way where just experience, just knowledge, just policy grasp and presentation isn`t enough. There has to be an entertainment or stick or novelty component to it to capture and sustain the public`s interest and to lead them. And that`s part of leadership and have part of that dynamic quality, all right, because I like to say jokingly, it`s the Kardashians world. You know, we`re just living in it. [MSNBC, 9/7/11] Pawlenty Blamed His Failure To Gain Traction In The Republican Race On His Lack Of An Entertainment Component. According to CNN, during an interview with Stephen Colbert [Pawlenty] said his strategy of discussing policy did not jive with the voters interest in an entertaining election. This is taking on more and more of a reality TV show component, Pawlenty said. Youve got to have an entertainment component to it and so I brought forward a record of serious policy ... at least in that moment of time the electorates looking for something else. Pawlenty, who declared his run in May, said he was the only candidate in the race with a jobs plan but no-body cared. [CNN, 9/7/11] Pawlenty Said Trailing Rep. Michele Bachmann And Rep. Ron Paul Was Enough For Any One Person To Endure. According to CNN, The former two-term Minnesota governor was the first candidate to drop out of the 2012 race for the

White House after a disappointing finish in the high stakes Ames Straw Poll in August. During an appearance on Comedy Centrals The Colbert Report, Pawlenty attributed the decision to money, and a little humiliation. I was out of money. I came in third place behind Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul, Pawlenty said referencing his finish behind his former rivals in the straw poll. I think thats enough for any one person to endure. [CNN, 9/7/11] Pawlenty Said He Would Not Challenge Amy Klobuchar For Her U.S. Senate Seat. According to the Boston Globe, Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty yesterday definitively ruled out a 2012 campaign for the US Senate after ending his bid for the White House a few days ago. Some Republicans, including state GOP chairman Tony Sutton, were hoping Pawlenty would get right back into the ring and take on the freshman Democratic senator, Amy Klobuchar, next year. I dont know what I will be doing next, Pawlenty said. However, I will not be running against Amy in 2012. [Boston Globe, 8/18/11] Pawlenty Said He Was Prayerfully Considering His Next Step After Ending His Presidential Campaign. According to CNN, One day after dropping out of the race for the White House, Tim Pawlenty said he and his family are thinking about the next step. We will be taking time to prayerfully consider what is next, the former Minnesota governor said in an email to supporters Monday. Pawlenty said and he is wife, Mary, were driving their daughter, Anna, to start her freshman year at college this week. And while he didnt give any indication as to his upcoming plans, it doesnt appear Pawlenty will be leaving the world of presidential politics any time soon. One thing is for sure, I remain committed to turning this country around, getting a Republican elected to the White House and advancing the values we share in common and hold so dear. Pawlenty said. [CNN, 8/15/11]

CAMPAIGN DEBT
Pawlenty Retired His Campaign Debt With The Help Of Romney Supporters And Minnesota Lawmakers. According to The Legal Ledger, Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is finally out from under the shadow of his failed presidential bid - at least financially. On Tuesday, the remnants of his campaign committee were dis-banded as it announced that all of its outstanding debt - nearly $500,000 at one point - had been repaid. All told, Pawlenty raised about $5.67 million during the campaign, and spent just short of $5.2 million. But the significant news of the day was the debt repayment, and while those with ties to Mitt Romney reportedly helped significantly earlier, it seems the last few dollars came from closer to home. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmanns Michele PAC gave $2,000 last month, its first contribution to her onetime rival. And the Minnesota Business Partnerships Charlie Weaver made a $100 contribution last month as well. Even state Rep. Connie Doepke and Pawlenty aide Brian McClung chipped in at the end, donating $200 and $500, respectively. [The Legal Ledger, 4/11/12] January 31, 2012: Pawlenty Had Just $44,670 Left In Campaign Debt. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Just $44,670 in debt remained for Pawlentys campaign through Jan. 31, down from almost $103,000 at the end of last year and a reported high of more than $450,000. The former Minnesota governor, who endorsed Mitt Romney after dropping out of the GOP race in August, was buoyed in January by more than $40,300 in contributions to his presidential committee, which also reported more than $21,173 cash on hand. [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/19/12] Pawlenty Said Ron Paul Was The Last Person To Cut A Back Room Deal In American Politics. According to Mediaite, Pawlenty paid a visit to Morning Joe and discussed everything from third-party candidates to the supposed back room deal between Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. A bromance that, according to him, definitely doesnt exist. Pawlenty essentially said that Paul, of all people, would not be one to engage in such deals: I know Mitt and I know Ron Paul, I really dont believe theres any deal ... Think about Ron Paul cutting a deal as an insider to get some political favors ... Probably the last person to cut a back room deal in American politics would be Ron Paul. [Mediaite, 2/25/12] Romney Supporters And Staff Donated A Total Of $66,000 To Help Retire Pawlentys Campaign Debt. According to Politico, Mitt Romney, his family, staff and supporters donated a combined $66,000 to help Tim Pawlenty retire the debt left over from his presidential campaign. Romney, his wife, five sons and brother, as well as his associates from Bain Capital were among those cut-ting maximum checks to Pawlenty, according to a POLITICO analysis of campaign filings released Tuesday. While theres no evidence that Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, has held any fundraisers or sent any fundraising solicitations for Pawlenty - the traditional avenues for debt retirement help - Pawlenty nonetheless managed to reduce his campaign debt from $435,000 at the end of September to a much more reasonable $103,000 at the end of the year. The largest debts listed were to an Urbandale, Iowa, company, which was owed $37,500 for rent, and a Florida computer company, which was owed $23,000 for computer support and equipment. Romneys political director Richard Beeson, campaign manager

Matthew Rhoades, assistant Jacqueline Rooney and staffer Virginia Simmons were among the campaign staff who spent on Pawlenty after he ended his campaign in September. Spencer Zwick, a top Romney fundraiser who started a venture capital fund with Tagg Romney, gave the maximum $2,500 donation. Robert White and Steven Barnes - executives at Bain & Company and Bain Capital, the consulting and private equity firms Romney ran - each gave maximum $2,500 donations. [Politico, 1/31/12] Pawlenty Was Over $450,000 In Debt After Ending Campaign. According to Politico, Two months after pulling out of the race, Tim Pawlentys failed presidential campaign is still nearly half a million dollars in debt. The campaign debt was unanticipated, but we have been doing what we can to address it, Pawlenty adviser Brian McClung said in a statement late Friday, after Pawlenty for President reported a $453,842 debt as of Sept. 30 with $20,173 cash on hand to the Federal Election Commission late Friday. [Politico, 10/14/11] Pawlenty Wanted A $25,000 Primary Fee Refund From South Carolina. According to the Associated Press, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants a $25,000 primary filing fee refund from South Carolina as he pays off bills from a cash-strapped and defunct presidential bid. Were trying to get that South Carolina filing fee back. Were working on that, Pawlenty said this week. We have got a little debt. A report he filed Friday showed $453,000 in debts. Matt Moore, executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party, said its not an unusual request, but Pawlenty shouldnt expect it. It is our current policy not to refund filing fees, Moore said. []Pawlenty says he also wants his name off the South Carolina ballot. Moore said that would be done if Pawlenty sends a formal request. [Associated Press, 10/14/11] The Campaign Owed More Than 50 Debts For Rent, Staff Travel And Consulting. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The campaign still needs to pay back more than 50 debts on everything from staff travel to consulting and rent. The largest debt is to Strategic Fundraising Inc., a Chicago-based company the campaign still owes $69,000 for fundraising calls. The campaign also owes more than $50,000 in rent in Urbandale, Iowa. Money is also owed to 15 aides, ranging from videographer Lucas Baiano, whos due more than $10,000, to Kathleen McBreen, who still needs to be reimbursed $339 for travel costs. The campaign also owes money to top consultants, such as Phil Musser, whose New Frontier Strategy in the D.C. area is due $2,200. Musser and a half-dozen other top aides were said to be working for little or no money during the campaign, an early sign of money troubles. But Mussers firm collected at least $131,000 between November 2009 and March 2011 from Freedom First PAC, Pawlentys political organization, and from Pawlentys presidential exploratory committee. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/15/11]

Former Campaign Staff Claimed Pawlenty Did Not Know His CampaignWas In Debt When He Chose To Drop Out Of The Race. According to The National Journal, Senior staffer: The governor and Mary were very clear early on in the campaign that they did not, under any circumstances, want to go into debt. The governor laid out three criteria when announcing to his staff that he was running for president: 1) Run an ethical campaign. 2) Stay out of debt. 3) Win. In that order. Pawlenty did not know his campaign was in debt when he chose to drop out of the race, according to another senior member of his campaign team. [National Journal, 9/14/11] Former Staff Blamed Campaign Manager Nick Ayers For Driving Pawlentys Campaign In Debt. According to The National Journal, As the team on MN Gov. Tim Pawlentys (R) now concluded presidential campaign works to recoup a campaign debt of some half-million dollars, their fingers have begun pointing toward Pawlenty mgr. Nick Ayers as the person to blame for the decisions that put the campaign into debt and, by many accounts, as simply an unpleasant human being to work with. One senior Pawlenty campaign staffer: I would blame him 100 percent for racking up the debt. Ayers, in an emailed statement: I believe a campaign manager before, during, and after a campaign should accept responsibility and keep their mouth closed. So while there are always two sides to a story, mine wont be one of them. [National Journal, 9/14/11] Pawlenty Hosted Retire The Debt Part In Washington, D.C. According to The National Journal, Pawlenty was in DC on Sept. 13 for a Retire the Debt party: $500 to $5K per individual or PAC. Co-hosts (eight senators and three House members) each gave $5K from leadership PACs. The amount raised wasnt disclosed, but finance folks were clearly pleased. Joining Pawlenty and his wife were Speaker John Boehner; Sens. John Thune (SD), John McCain (AZ), Richard Burr (NC), Roy Blunt (MO), Lindsey Graham and Jon Hoeven (ND). Ex-Pawlenty staff and advisers included Brian Haley, Caitlin Dunn, Mark Kennedy, Sara Fagen, Phil Musser, Alex Conant, Patrick Ruffini, Joey Smith, Rob Noel, Jon Seaton, Michael Toner and Elise Stefanik, who hosted the party at her Hill townhouse (Allen, Politico, 6/14). [National Journal, 9/14/11]

Pawlenty Thanked Guests By Quoting The Beatles. According to Politico, Pawlenty thanked guests by quoting the Beatles/Joe Cocker, I get by with a little help with my friends. Jokingly added next line: I get high with a little help from my friends. [Politico, 9/14/11]

Pawlenty Campaign Had About $400,000 In Debt After Ending Presidential Bid. According to the Washington Post, Tim Pawlentys decision to bow out of the presidential race three weeks ago appears to have been motivated by more than his poor showing in the Ames straw poll - his campaign also had run out of money. His campaign debt is in the ballpark of $400,000 and could rise as more invoices come in the door before the close of the quarter, when financial numbers must be reported to the Federal Election Commission, according to a former Pawlenty official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal campaign matters. Pawlenty raised $4.5 million for his campaign, including $600,000 for the general election, which he must return to donors now that hes out of the running. [Washington Post, 9/1/11]

SOUGHT POSITION ON FOX NEWS AFTER CAMPAIGN

Pawlenty Asked For A Position With Fox News After Leaving Presidential Race. According to Politico, Tim Pawlenty, the candidate without a personal source of major income heading into this race, sought a Fox News gig when he left it, according to Roger Ailes: Three weeks after dropping out of the race, Tim Pawlenty showed up to ask for a gig at Fox. But there was a complication: Pawlenty was on the verge of endorsing Romney. Im not sure I want to sign you as a paid spokesman for Romney, Ailes said. [Politico, 9/26/11]

BECAME ROMNEY SURROGATE

Pawlenty Joined Romneys Bus Tour. According to Yahoo News, Pawlentys name has been frequently mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate for Romney this fall. Its a position that Pawlenty has repeatedly said he doesnt want, but his presence here on day one of Romneys five-day bus tour, which hits six key battleground states, is unlikely to quiet that buzz. The ex-governor introduced Romney on stop two of his tour, an ice cream social that drew several hundred supporters to a quaint town square in this southern New Hampshire town. Pawlenty, his voice a touch ragged, took the stage to introduce Romney and immediately tore into President Obama, saying his teleprompter speeches dont do anything to help the economy. He said Obamas election slogan could be summed up as it could be worse. Weve had enough of him flapping his jaw, Pawlenty said of Obama. We need somebody whos actually going to do the job and get results, and thats Mitt Romney. [Yahoo News, 6/15/12] Pawlenty Was Considered Romneys Best Supporter. According to the National Review, Around Romneys Boston headquarters, Pawlentys willingness to go anywhere attending any event, however tedious has won him the trust and admiration of Romney loyalists. Romney, for his part, appreciates Pawlentys disciplined, low-key style. He has encouraged his aides to use Pawlenty, employing him as a senior surrogate and, behind the scenes, as a political lieutenant. In the terms of Pawlentys favorite sport hockey hes a defenseman. He rarely touches the puck, but when it comes his way, hes a savvy shot-blocker. Pawlenty basically does whatever the campaign requests, no questions asked. Thats pretty rare in presidential politics, especially among politicians of his standing, says one Romney adviser. A member of Romneys inner circle echoes that sentiment: Out of all of Romneys primary competitors, he has emerged and theres really no argument as the best supporter. Hes tireless. [National Review, 6/18/12]

Former Supporters Backed Rick Perry, Not Romney

Despite Pawlentys Endorsement Of Romney, Former Donors Supported Rick Perry. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Tim Pawlenty is stumping for Mitt Romney, but his former donors have been flocking to Rick Perry since the Minnesota governor dropped his presidential bid. A Star Tribune analysis of campaign finance data shows that Pawlentys contributors gave cash to Perry rather than Romney by a 2-1 margin after Pawlenty exited the race on Aug. 14. Perry received $217,200 from Pawlentys donors since then, while Romney collected $108,600, according to campaign finance re-ports filed last week. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/18/11]

Rick Perry Snagged Pawlenty Supporters, Despite Pawlentys Endorsement Of Romney. According to The Minnesota Independent, Texas Gov. Rick Perry snagged a handful of Pawlenty supporters despite Pawlentys endorsement of Romney. [The Minnesota Independent, 9/17/11] Pawlenty Lost Former Bush Supporters To Rick Perry. According to Politico, A key New Hampshire fundraiser is taking his money and his network away from Tim Pawlenty and into Rick Perrys new campaign. Former Ambassador Gregory Slayton, a Bush ranger who raised for McCain in 2008, told POLITICO Thursday that he plans to back Perry and that hes taking about 100 friends and allies across the country with him to support the Texas governor. The group includes several other Bush rangers, Slayton said. We were looking very carefully at Tim Pawlenty, and we loved him, Slayton said, but Rick Perry comes with so much experience. Slayton said that he was also wooed by Perrys pitch of job creation record in Texas that will be at the center of his presidential pitch indicating the extent of the outreach Perry has already done to donors ahead of announcing his candidacy, which is set for Saturday. [Politico, 08/11/11]

RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPECIFIC PEOPLE

Bachmann, Michele
Pawlenty Endorsed Rep. Michele Bachmanns Congressional Re-Election Bid. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty had little good to say about U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann when they were both vying for the GOP presidential nomination. In their famous clash in the Iowa straw poll debate in August, Pawlenty assailed his fellow Republicans record in Congress as nonexistent. After Bachmann won the straw poll, forcing Pawlenty out of the presidential contest, he gave his support not to Bachmann but to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. But on Friday, the Bachmann campaign announced she had snagged Pawlentys endorsement in her bid for a fourth term in the U.S. House. Bachmann termed herself thrilled to accept Pawlentys support. But a press release announcing the endorsement did not carry the usual words of praise from the endorsing politician. [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/25/12] Pawlenty Donor Stanley Hubbard Backed Michele Bachmann After Pawlenty Dropped Out Of The Race. According to Politico, A major bankroller of Tim Pawlentys political career is taking his money to Michele Bachmanns presidential campaign. Billionaire media mogul Stanley Hubbard, a longtime friend and donor of the Minnesota governor, told POLITICO on Tuesday that hes now backing the Minnesota congresswoman. Weve know Michele for a long time, said Hubbard, who lives in Bachmanns district. Shes a very decent person who is full of integrity. She means what she says. Hubbard said he was disappointed by the sniping between the two Minnesotans during the governors last few days on the campaign trail. I was sorry to see that, he said. [Politico, 8/16/11] PolitiFact: Pawlentys Claims That Bachmanns Congressional Record Was Non Existent Was Rated Mostly True. According to PolitiFact, Tim Pawlenty attacked Rep. Michele Bachmanns record of accomplishments in Congress. Look, she has done wonderful things in her life, absolutely wonderful things, but it is an undisputable fact that in congress her record of accomplishment and results is nonexistent, he said. We fact-checked a very similar claim when Pawlenty said her record was offering failed amendments. We rated that Mostly True. [PolitiFact] Pawlenty Clashed With Bachmann Over Respective Records At GOP Debate. According to ABC News, The fierce battle between Republican presidential candidates Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann that has been waged at separate campaign stops across Iowa this week came to a head on Thursday when the two met for the first time on a debate stage here. [T]he sparring between the two Minnesotans was so intense that, at times, it seemed like two-hour exchange was a one-onone exchange between them. Bachmann and Pawlenty, who are both competing in Saturdays Ames Straw Poll, a crucial test of organizational support, have the most at stake in this state. And, they wasted little time in attacking each other in an effort to gain the upper hand heading into this weekend. Pawlenty did not back off the frequent criticism of Bachmann he deploys in his campaign stump speeches, saying that she does not have enough executive experience to be president and no record of accomplishment in Congress. For her part, Bachmann said that Pawlentys record as governor of Minnesota sounds a lot more like Barack Obama, if you ask me. At one point, she turned toward Pawlenty, accusing him on implementing a cap-andtrade energy policy, a government-mandated health insurance plan and of falling short of his promise to shrink the size of government. Pawlenty shook his head as she spoke. Im really surprised that Congresswoman Bachmann would say those things, he fired back. She has a record of misstating and making false statements. Turning Bachmanns frequently-used line -that she has a titanium spine -- against her, Pawlenty said, Its not her spine were worried about. Its her record of results. In defending her vote for a Pawlenty-backed cigarette tax hike, Bachmann argued that the then-Governor cut a deal with special interest groups, that threatened pro-life policies. [ABC News, 08/11/11] Pawlenty Received Apology From Iowa Radio Host After Being Accused Of Digging Up Dirt On Bachmann. According to Politico, Iowa radio talker Simon Conway, who asked Tim Pawlenty Wednesday to address whether his campaign had sought to dig up dirt on Michele Bachmann by contacting her former interns, walked back the charge in a statement on his Friday broadcast: Earlier this week, we had Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the studio. We dealt with a number of election issues, including the debt and the Second Amendment. I then moved on to ask the governor about phone calls that people connected with his campaign had made to former interns of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. The governor denied knowledge and said he did not find the action appropriate, and if he found it to be true, he would take action. Today, I was contacted by the Pawlenty campaign and asked to provide the name of the person who made the phone calls to the intern. On being contacted again, and perhaps because our interview made headlines outside of Iowa, the intern backed away from the original story I had been given. That being the case, I find myself no longer able to substantiate the story and I sincerely and unreservedly apologize to Gov. Pawlenty. The original story did not originate with the Bachmann campaign. In fact, whenever

I am given a story from one campaign about another, I immediately contact the target campaign. That has, in fact, happened this week with a different campaign. I have no problem apologizing to Gov. Pawlenty, but I want to make the point that I only asked the question because I had been given the story direct from the source. [Politico, 07/29/11] VIDEO: Pawlenty Was Accused Of Digging Dirt On Bachmann By Radio Host. According to Politico, WHO radio host Simon Conway confronted Tim Pawlenty Wednesday with the charge that the former governors campaign has been asking former Michele Bachmann interns to come forward with damaging information about the congresswoman, a charge Pawlenty denies. Conway, who interviewed Pawlenty in his studio during the Minnesotans latest trip to Iowa, claimed that people associated with your campaign have been called kids who interned for Michele Bachmann, asking them to go on the record with inside information. Pawlenty responded by saying thats the first hes heard of such activities. He initially resisted saying hed fire anyone involved in that work, but appeared to relent as the interview went on. I would want to know more about it, but absolutely, yes, Pawlenty said on the firing question. Thats not something anybody should be doing. But, again, you always have part of the story when you ask me these questions, you dont always have the whole story. [Politico, 07/28/11] Pawlenty Campaign Denied Allegations That They Sought To Dig Up Dirt On Rep. Bachmann And Said They Expected An Apology. According to Politico, Tim Pawlentys presidential campaign is flatly denying an Iowa radio hosts claim that Pawlentys team has contacted former Michele Bachmann interns in search of damaging information. Pawlenty press secretary Alex Conant said the campaign has asked WHO host Simon Conway to back up his charge, leveled at the former governor in a Wednesday interview. Conway has been unwilling or unable to provide evidence supporting the accusation. Weve asked Simon repeatedly since that exchange for more information about whatever he was talking about, and hes unwilling or unable to provide it, Conant said. It appears he was misled or at a minimum had bad information. Conant continued: We expect that he will apologize. Asked if he could say definitively that the Pawlenty campaign wasnt engaged the activities Conway described, Conant answered: We have no idea what hes talking about. So, yes. [Politico, 07/28/11] Pawlenty And Double-Duty Staffers Blasted By Bachmann Campaign. According to the Des Moines Register, Presidential candidate Michele Bachmanns Iowa campaign chairman, Kent Sorenson, said he thinks it would be difficult for the Pawlenty consultants to separate what theyre doing for one group from the other. He blasted the arrangement and blamed Pawlenty. Since 2009, Tim Pawlentys been trying to sell himself to Iowa Republicans, said Sorenson, a state senator from Indianola. Now, hes attempting to hijack nonprofit organizations for his own political gain. Publicly, Tim wants to play the low-expectations game, but privately it looks as if hes sunk to desperate and unethical attempts to win the Ames straw poll. Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant responded: Congresswoman Bachmann has a history of being loose with the facts or downright inaccurate, and that malicious accusation is another unfortunate example of her campaign of distorting the truth. [Des Moines Register, 07/27/11] Bachmann Compared Pawlentys Record To President Obamas, After Pawlenty Supported Cap-And Trade And TARP. According to the Washington Post, After weeks of ignoring attempts by Tim Pawlenty to draw her into a back-andforth over their respective records, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann unloaded on her home states former governor Sunday comparing his record to that of President Obama. Actions speak louder than words, said Bachmann in a statement released by her campaign, taking Pawlenty to task over health care, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and cap-andtrade legislation. Governor Pawlenty said in 2006, The era of small government is over ... The government has to be more proactive and more aggressive, said Bachmann. Thats the same philosophy that, under President Obama, has brought us record deficits, massive unemployment, and an unconstitutional health care plan. Bachmanns decision to engage Pawlenty marks a major change in strategy for the Minnesota congresswoman. [Washington Post, 07/25/11] Pawlentys Campaign Rebutted Bachmanns Attempt To Distinguish Records. According to the Washington Post, in response to Bachmanns attack on Pawlentys record, his campaign made clear they wont be backing down. The truth is that there is very little difference between Governor Pawlenty and Congresswoman Bachmann on their issue positions, said Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant. The difference is that when governor Pawlenty was scoring conservative victories ... Congresswoman Bachmann was giving speeches and offering failed amendments all while struggling mightily to hold onto the most Republican house seat in the state. [Washington Post, 07/25/11] Pawlenty Endorser Called His Attacks On Bachmann Gutter Politics. According to WMUR, New Hampshire State Rep. Win Hutchison initially dropped his endorsement of Pawlenty over Pawlentys statements on Michele Bachmanns migraines, but decided he was with Pawlenty, for now after being talked down by a campaign staffer. Hutchisons initial email said Pawlentys recent attack on Michelle Bachman is the (sic) lowest form of gutter politics and certainly does not reflect my type of campaign. [WMUR Political Scoop, 07/21/11]

Pawlenty Backed Off On Addressing Whether Bachmanns Severe Migraines Were Disqualifying. According to Politico, Earlier in the day while on the trail in Iowa, Pawlenty seemed to move closer to raising concerns about whether his fellow Minnesotan is fit for the job in the wake of the migraine reports. All of the candidates I think are going to have to be able to demonstrate they can do all of the job all of the time, he said at an event in Indianola, referring broadly to the life of a president and adding, Theres no real time off in that job. But when Van Susteren asked tonight on her show whether he considered her migraines disqualifying, he replied, I think its mostly a sideshow, Greta. He added: Ive observed Congresswoman Bachmann, Ive never seen her have a medical condition or impairment that would seem to be a concern. What I said today generally applied to all candidates, not her. [Politico, 07/20/11] Pawlenty Implied Attack On Bachmanns Experience By Attacking Obama. According to Politico, In remarks that lasted about 15 minutes, Pawlenty didnt mention Michele Bachmann by name, though there was little doubt he was alluding to the new Iowa frontrunner. He repeatedly cited his mantra of having a proven, conservative record in a blue state and noted that he wasnt one of those candidates who only flapped their jaws, a phrase he used twice. He also reprised his implicit comparison between Obama and Bachmann, claiming that the former had no executive experience and had never done anything of consequence. They learned the lesson of big speeches and no experience with Barack Obama and it didnt work, he said, repeating his new line of attack that Bachmanns record is non-existent. He added: I dont think the country wants to make the mistake again of putting somebody in the Oval Office who hasnt had executive leadership experience running a large enterprise under difficult and challenging circumstances with a public component to it and driving it to results. I think thats a necessary prerequisite to being president of the United States and she doesnt have it. [Politico, 07/19/11] Pawlenty Would Not Address Rep. Bachmanns Migraine Problem. According to Politico, Tim Pawlenty demurred Tuesday when asked whether voters should take into account Michele Bachmanns debilitating migraines when making their decision on who to nominate, saying hed leave an assessment up doctors. I would need to know more about the situation before I could comment on it but thats really something that health professionals should address, Pawlenty said after an appearance in Pella, Iowa. Its not something that people that dont have that kind of background or expertise could address. [Politico, 07/19/11] Pawlenty Called Bachmanns Record Nonexistent. According to the Star Tribune, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told a national television audience Sunday that 2012 presidential rival Michele Bachmann has a nonexistent record of accomplishment in Congress. Echoing a contrast he has begun making against his fellow Minnesota Republican, who has jumped up in the polls in recent weeks, Pawlenty told NBCs Meet the Press that Bachmann has little to show in her three terms in the U.S. House. I like Congresswoman Bachmann. Ive campaigned for her, I respect her, Pawlenty said. But her record of accomplishment in Congress is nonexistent. Its nonexistent. And so were not looking for folks who, you know, just have speech capabilities, were looking for people who can lead a large enterprise in a public setting and drive it to conclusion. Ive done that, she hasnt. [Star Tribune, 07/10/11] Pawlenty Aide Vin Weber Apologized For Sex Appeal Comment. According to the New York Times, I made a mistake that was disrespectful to my friend Congresswoman Bachmann, he said. Ive been a Bachmann supporter in her Congressional bids and I apologize. I was not speaking on behalf of Governor Pawlentys campaign but nevertheless, it was inappropriate and Im sorry. The comments underscored the political tensions and Minnesota rivalries that have deepened in the Republican presidential race. I dont believe that he or anyone else should be using as a reference somebodys sex appeal to judge their fitness for office or the strength of their campaign, Mr. Pawlenty told reporters Wednesday evening. It was a wrong statement. He should not have been making that reference. [New York Times, 07/06/11] Pawlenty Co-Chair Vin Weber Said Bachmann Had Sex Appeal And Would Be Very Hard To Beat In Iowa. According to The Hill, Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) is going to be very hard to beat in Iowas Republican caucuses, a co-chairman of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys campaign said Wednesday. Vin Weber, a former GOP congressman from Minnesota who serves as co-chairman of Pawlentys presidential campaign, said he expected Pawlenty to begin to perform better, but said that Bachmann would be a tough candidate to top in Iowa. Its going to be very hard to beat Michele in Iowa. Period, Weber said of both the Iowa caucuses and Augusts influential straw poll in Ames. Shes got hometown appeal, shes got ideological appeal, and, I hate to say it, but shes got a little sex appeal too, he said in a phone interview. [The Hill, 07/06/11] Politico: Bachmanns Support For Pawlenty Gubernatorial Opponent Jump Started Below The Radar Conflict. According to Politico, In 2002, as a first-term state senator serving in the minority, Bachmann backed a more conservative candidate against Pawlenty, who was then the state House majority leader seeking a promotion to the governorship. Pawlenty

ultimately won, setting the stage for years of mostly below-the-radar conflict between the two Republicans on issues ranging from tax breaks for rural counties to education policy and cigarette taxes. She bucked him repeatedly during his first term, rained on his parade in January by unexpectedly releasing her presidential trial balloon on the eve of his much-ballyhooed book tour, and is at present poised to take him on directly in Iowa, an early presidential state that will be key to both their fortunes. [Politico, 06/02/11]

Bush, George
Pawlenty Sought To Separate Himself From George W. Bush. According to The Hill, Pawlenty said: So as people look back to the historical examples, theres been other chapters where tax cuts have been enacted, and almost always they raise revenues if you just isolate the effect of the tax cutsBut I think they didnt fully serve their intended purposes, because at the same time, past Congresses and administrations also raised spending. [The Hill, 06/13/11]

Bush, Jeb
Jeb Bush Tweeted Support For Tim Pawlenty. According to ABC News, Jeb Bush Tweeting, I admire truth telling and tpaw sure did it to open his campaign. [ABC News, 05/24/11]

Christie, Chris
Chris Christie Believed Pawlenty Was A Serious Candidate. According to Politico, Christie said: I think anybody who knows Tim Pawlenty [knows] hes a very serious guy and I think hes got real life experience, both as a politician and as a person, Christie said. Hes got a great wife. And I think when people focus theyre gonna see that Tim is a serious candidate. But, like, why does it take so long for people to catch on? Who knows. I think its a product of personality, its a product of where you come from. So I dont think theres any one particular thing with Tim but I can tell you, knowing him personally, this is a serious guy whos got serious ideas for the country and really wants to be president. So hes gonna have his opportunity to have that come through. [Politico, 06/25/11] Pawlenty Praised Chris Christie, Derided Unions. According to the Daily Caller, My hat is off to my good friend, Governor Christie, Pawlenty said. He has done a remarkable job and this is the right direction for this issue, and this stateAnd they are out of control. They are part of the reason we are going overboard The truth is the unions are getting a better deal than the taxpayers, and they are part of the reason why government is going bankrupt, and we have to fix them and that takes strength, courage and truth. And I delivered it in Minnesota and I am glad Governor Christie is delivering it in New Jersey. [The Daily Caller, 06/21/11]

Gingrich, Newt
Pawlenty Said Newt Gingrich Crossed The Line By Questioning Mitt Romneys Character. According to Romney For President, Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today made the following statement on Newt Gingrichs comments about Mitt Romneys character: I thought I had heard it all from Newt Gingrich, but for him to question the character of Mitt Romney is over the line. I have spent a lot of time with Mitt Romney, and I can tell you with zero hesitation that he is a man of flawless character. Mitt ran the state of Massachusetts and the Salt Lake City Olympic games with integrity beyond reproach. As President, he will govern with the same leadership guided by the morals and values that Americans hold dear. Newt Gingrichs attacks on his character are way out of bounds. [States News Service, 1/29/12] Pawlenty Said Newt Gingrich Becoming The Republican Would Mean Handing The Election Over To Obama. According to MN Progressive Project, The possibility of Newt Gingrich being our nominee against Barack Obama I think is essentially handing the election over to Obama, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty told reporters on a Jan. 23 conference call. I think thats shared by a lot of folks in the Republican Party. Pawlentys comments echoed those being uttered publicly and behind the scenes by elected Republicans, party activists, fundraisers and pundits, who represent a portion

of the party establishment -- a stop-Newt caucus -- populated largely by people who have known the former U.S. House speaker for decades. [MN Progressive Project, 1/26/12] Pawlenty Called Gingrich A Lobbyist And Influence Peddler. According to the Washington Post, For Republicans and conservatives all across this country, a question is going to have to be as they consider Newt Gingrich as a potential nominee for president: Really? I mean, really? Pawlenty went on to dub Gingrich a lobbyist and influence peddler and demanded that he release his client list and contract with the mortgage provider Freddie Mac. The notion that he was paid $1.7 million as a historian for Freddie Mac is just B.S., he added. I mean, its just nonsense. Gingrich, Pawlenty informed the reporters, has spent almost his entire adult life either as a member of the Congress or as somebody who has been an influence peddler. . . . To suggest that hes the outsider simply defies the facts. [Washington Post, 1/24/12] Pawlenty Said Newt Gingrich Needed To Be More Transparent And Called Gingrichs Claim He Was Paid As A Historian By Freddie Mac Nonsense And BS.. According to the National Journal, Romneys allies in the Republican establishment signaled that they would join him in attacking Gingrich on trustworthiness and transparency. Hes called upon Governor Romney to be transparent, said former GOP hopeful and Romney supporter Tim Pawlenty in a conference call with reporters. Well, Speaker Gingrich needs to be transparent. []Pawlenty rejected the notion that Gingrich served as a historian. The notion that he was paid $1.7 million as a historian for Freddie Mac is just BS, Pawlenty said. Its just nonsense. But he added that he had nothing against lobbyists -- just ones who obscure their jobs. One of the issues in this campaign is who represents Washington, D.C. -- and all of the dysfunction and incredible disappointment and frustration that the United States of America and its people have towards Washington, D.C. -- and who doesnt. Newt Gingrich has spent almost his entire adult life either as a member of the Congress or as somebody whos been an influence-peddler, postspeakership, in the way that Ive described. And to suggest that hes the outsider simply defies the facts, Pawlenty said. Theres only one outsider in this race ... and thats Mitt Romney. [National Journal, 1/23/12]

Huntsman, Jon
Pawlenty Sent Letter To Huntsman Complimented His Tremendous Skill, Knowledge, And Ability. According to the Daily Caller, A letter obtained by The Daily Caller reveals Pawlenty thought Huntsman was an outstanding choice to be the U.S. Ambassador to China when President Barack Obama appointed the then-Utah governor to the position in August 2009. In other words, amid conservative criticism that Huntsman was a member of the Obama administration, Pawlenty at least thought it was a good call at the time. Mary and I extend our congratulations to you and Mary Kaye on your nomination by President Obama to be the next Ambassador of the United States to the Peoples Republic of China, Pawlentys letter opens. It was a brilliant choice by the President and a fitting recognition, of your tremendous skill, knowledge, and ability to tackle this important and demanding job. Pawlentys letter stresses the importance of the U.S.China relationship, and of the role Minnesota has played in pioneering the trade relationship between the two countries. The economies of the United States and China will become increasingly interdependent in the years ahead, Pawlenty wrote. As China is becoming a more responsible global partner, the United States and China will hopefully work together to tackle global issues such as energy scarcity, environmental degradation, infectious diseases, nuclear weapons proliferation, terrorism, and others. [Daily Caller, 08/05/11]

Limbaugh, Rush
Pawlenty Quoted Rush Limbaugh In An Iowa Mailer. According to Politico, One of the things that frustrates Republicans is that there seems to be this reluctance on the part of everybody in this party to take President Obama on. Governor Pawlenty is qualified and he has the guts, too, reads the quote from Limbaugh, which, according to the mailer, was made on May 23. [Politico, 07/05/11]

Palin, Sarah
Pawlenty Believed Sarah Palin is Qualified To Be President Of The United States. According to CNN, during a GOP primary debate, Pawlenty said If Vice President Biden would have had his way, we would have had a partitioned Iraq and

probably more mayhem in the Middle East. I think Governor Palin is a remarkable leader. I think shes qualified to be president of the United States. [CNN, 06/13/11]

Paul, Ron
Pawlenty Said Ron Paul Would Not Be The Republican Presidential Nominee. According to CEO Wire, in an interview with Fox News Neil Cavuto, Pawlenty said [Ron Paul]s not likely going to be the Republican nominee. But hes got a very committed following and hes got a lot of resources. Hes got a soft and an ability to raise a lot of money in quiet ways that people underestimate. Ron Paul has got finances, and that helps. [CEO Wire, 9/7/11]

Perry, Rick
Pawlenty Praised Gov. Rick Perrys Work In Texas As Great Job. According to Central Florida News, [Pawlenty] wouldnt bite when given the opportunity to take a swipe at another Republican whos considering entering the race. News 13 asked if he thought Texas Governor Rick Perry was conservative enough to compete with the right-leaning front runners. Governor Perry is someone who has done a great job in Texas, he said. But we have our own strengths in our own areas and so if he gets in Im sure itll be a wonderful debate about the future direction of the country. [Central Florida News 13, 08/01/11]

Reagan, Ronald
Pawlenty Named Ronald Reagan As An Example Of A Businessman Who Was Also A Great President. According to MSNBC, during an interview, Lawrence ODonnell asked Pawlenty to name a great businessman who turned out to be a great president of the U.S. Pawlenty replied: Well, I think there has been a number of people who have been in business in one way. Ronald Reagan was a businessman, also an actor, obviously primarily. ODonnell called Pawlentys example a Stretch, saying Reagan was president of a Union, the Screen Actors Guild. [MSNBC, 1/25/12]

Santorum, Rick
Pawlenty Said Rick Santorum Was Fundamentally Wrong In Saying There Was Little Difference Between Romney And President Obama. According to Politico, Pawlenty told CNNs Wolf Blitzer that Santorum was fundamentally wrong in saying there are just little differences between Romney and President Barack Obama. Obviously hes lashing out here in the final stages of his campaign, Pawlenty said. This race for the nomination as a practical matter is over. Its not quite numerically over. Theres going to be some more psycho-logical and emotional processing amongst certain parts of the discussion here politically, Wolf, but lets face it - Mitt Romney is going to be the nominee. Thats a great thing. Hes going to be a great nominee and a great president. [Politico, 4/3/12] Pawlenty Said Rick Santorum Was A Part Of The Big Spending Establishment And Influence Peddling In Congress. According to CNN, Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, one of the states set to vote Tuesday, was dispatched by Team Romney to criticize the former Pennsylvania senators legislative record and poke holes in his selfdescribed conservative platform. Votes and his behavior in Congress reflected that drift away from fiscal discipline, Pawlenty said on a conference call with reporters. He has been party of the big spending establishment in Congress and in the influence peddling. Santorum has defended his use of earmarks as a mechanism to funnel resources to his state, but Pawlenty said support for such spending and votes to increase the debt ceiling prove he is not a perfect conservative by a long shot. [CNN, 2/6/12] Pawlenty Said Rick Santorum Was A Leading Earmarker And Pork Barrel Spender. According to News Press, Romney for President Campaign Co-Chair, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty released the following statement today on Rick Santorums record as an ardent defender of pork-barrel spending: Rick Santorum is a nice guy, but he is simply not ready to be President. Plus, he wants Minnesota conservatives to believe hes as conservative as they are, but hes not. As a

U.S. Senator, he was a leading earmarker and pork-barrel spender. He described himself as very proud of the billions of dollars in pork-barrel projects he championed, and promised to defend the wasteful spending. Even in the face of crushing federal debt, Rick Santorum voted for the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. That type of leadership will not help us rein in government and slash the unprecedented federal debt. [News Press, 2/6/12]

Stanley, Morgan
Pawlentys Hypocritical Situation With Morgan Stanley: Friend or Foe? According to Fox 9, A Local Fox affiliate in Minnesota, So far, the securities and investment industry has given Pawlenty $272,000 even though the GOP candidates goto sound bite blasts the industry and recent bailoutssome are wondering if oval office hopeful is all bark and no bite -especially considering that long-time Morgan Stanley executive Bill Strong is the vice-chair of Pawlentys campaign. Morgan Stanley received nearly $2 trillion in low-interest loans from the federal government and a $10 billion bailout -- but despite Pawlentys vocal opposition to those moves, the firm seems to love him. [Fox 9 Twin Cities, 06/08/11] Op-ed: Pawlentys Ties to Morgan Stanley Could Present Trouble. According to the Huffington Post, Peter Stone, of iWatchNews believed that Pawlentys ties to Morgan Stanley could damage his message. In the last election cycle, Morgan Stanley executives donated $79,500 to Pawlentys Freedom First PAC, more than any other companys executives except for Federated Insurance, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Morgan Stanley executives also donated $1,600 to Pawlentys two gubernatorial campaigns. Morgan Stanley executive Bill Strong, co-chair of Pawlentys GOP presidential campaign, has been spearheading much of the fundraising. Strong, who also co-chaired the Minnesotans PAC, is a veteran GOP fundraiser from Chicago who started raising money for Pawlenty in 2009. Last month, Strong hosted a fundraiser for Pawlenty in Chicago which, together with one in Texas, raised $800,000. Stone also notes that In 2008, Pawlenty vetoed a bill that was widely opposed by Wall Street interests which would have imposed a one-year ban on certain foreclosures. The bill, which passed in both Minnesota chambers with bipartisan support, would have benefitted some 12,000 homeowners, many of whom had subprime loans. [The Huffington Post, 06/06/11]

Trump, Donald
Pawlenty Defended Donald Trumps Right To Express His Birther Beliefs. According to MSNBC, during an interview with Rachel Maddow on Romneys consideration of Donald Trumps GOP debate, Pawlenty said Well, I mean, Al Sharpton has a show on your network. He has said all kinds of things in the past that some people might think are off the mark or unusual we`ve all done and said things, made comments, taken positions with the passage of time, better information or the like, you might look back and say, you know, that probably wasn`t the best move. But as to the birther issue, my personal view is that should be put to rest. I believe President Obama was born in the United States. It`s a nonissue as far as I`m concerned. Donald Trump has a different view of that, but that`s why we have a democracy. People can express their views. They have free speech. It doesn`t mean they`re right. It just means they have the ability to express it. So I understand that`s in my view and your view that issue doesn`t have credibility. But I don`t think we should forever chastise him because he feels he has the right to express it. [MSNBC, 12/5/11]