Pawlenty on budget on MPR
Gov. Tim Pawlenty was on Minnesota Public Radio today (Jan. 26), on the eve of the release of his state budget.
In taking questions, Pawlenty, who has already said his budget will contain no tax increases, defended his position by arguing that even increasing the state income tax on the upper bracket by a percent will only capture about $300 million extra.
“It wouldn’t solve the budget challenge,” he said.
Pawlenty proposes to increase the health and human services budget by four percent, flatly saying that some people will have to be removed from programs under the scenario.
He spoke of growth in health and human services as suffocating the state budget.
Pawlenty defended his Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy — the commissioner has been getting some heat from some leaders on account of the state’s job situation — by saying it was unfair to blame him for a global market slowdown.
They’re “missing the target with their rhetoric,” said Pawlenty.
Asked about his decision whether to seek a third term, the governor said he was giving it “serious consideration.”
