Gov. Tim Pawlenty writes some more letters
Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday wrote letters to a couple of conference committees grinding away in the latter days of the legislative session.
Pawlenty, in a letter to the tax conference committee leaders, said he remained “hopeful” that compromise could be found to lead the state forward. He appreciated that several of his policy intiatives were included in the House and Senate tax bills, but went on to say that it was “exceedingly disappointing” that House and Senate Democrats raised taxes in their bills.
Pawlenty has indicated many times he would veto a tax bill that raised taxes.
In a letter to the K-12 funding conference committee, Pawlenty expressed concerns that while his funding proposal would increase public school funding by $198 million over the next two years, the House budget proposal essentially held funding flat while the Senate cut public school funding by $453 million.
Pawlenty was critical that the House included the “New Minnesota Miracle” in its bill, which would be costly in future years, he said.
Pawlenty complained how House and Senate Democrats treated his Q Comp or alternative teacher pay proposal. He opined that both House and Senate bills limited school choice.
But the governor, though critical, also found a number of items he liked — he appreciated that the Senate in its bill included such Pawlenty reform items as the “Summer of Success,” or intensive student education, math and science teacher academies, others reform items.
He urged the conference committee to focus on reform in putting together its bill.
