Speed is of the Essence

Last week, we discussed the goal of the Senate to have its work completed by the end of the day Monday. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller (DFL-59, Minneapolis) informed his colleagues of his intent to pass all Omnibus Finance Bills off of the...

Special Session Problems

The proposal by Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) for a Special Session to address agreed to items in a small Bonding Bill doesn’t seem to be gaining ground. The window of opportunity is closing rapidly and Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson (DFL-13, Willmar) and Senate...

Pawlenty’s Position on a Gas Tax Increase is Politically Advantageous

When Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) went to Willmar a couple of weeks ago to meet with Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson (DFL-13, Willmar) he expressed his support for a Constitutional Amendment to raise the Gas Tax. Now this is qualified support for the Amendment...

Revenue Forecast 2004

The State of Minnesota has a projected $495 million surplus for 2004-05 and is looking at a deficit in 2006-07 of between $700 million and $1.39 billion when factoring inflation. Current projections show the state’s burden of healthcare costs climbing significantly...

Nationally, Republicans Are Not Helping Out

President George W. Bush’s economic stimulus package is not good news for the Pawlenty Administration, since the reduction in dividend taxes.  Understanding general investment strategy we know when the incentives for investment in the stock market increase, bonds...