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Pawlenty trims and signs borrow-to-build plan
ST. PAUL (AP)
iISSUE: 78/26
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks about his use of the
line-item veto in giving final approval to a
bonding bill on Monday.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a borrow-to-build plan after cutting out projects to reduce the price tag. Pawlenty decided Monday to use his line-item veto authority rather than taking down an entire $925 million bonding bill. The trimmed bill contains $717 million of general state debt.
Among the 52 rejected projects are the Central Corridor light-rail line linking Minneapolis and St. Paul, a Como Zoo gorilla exhibit and the proposed new Bell Museum of Natural History.
“Somebody has to be fiscally responsible,” Pawlenty said.
The Republican governor said he wouldn’t accept a bill that adds more than $825 million to the state’s general debt load.
He said legislators overspent because they were unwilling to say no to projects. He wouldn’t say whether he would allow for a second-bonding bill this year.
The total value of all of the construction projects could be higher because state contributions are often used to match federal or local dollars. The bill pays for renovations and new construction at colleges, prisons, waste water treatment facilities, regional civic centers and the like.
