MINNESOTA STATE OF THE STATE

Governor Pawlenty said Minnesotans are concerned about the economy and that's more reason than ever to avoid tax increases. And he wouldn't hesitate to use his 'Taxpayer Protection Pen', the veto to hold down taxes and spending. House Republican Leader Marty Seifert said he thought the Governor's speech was a good road map for how the rest of the 2008 legislative session should go. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said she wanted to hear more specifics. Governor Pawlenty highlighted several proposals he had introduced earlier and asked lawmakers to pass and pay for them. Pawlenty asked lawmakers to cap property taxes, restore the relationship between patients and doctors, improve teacher training and evaluation, increase biodiesel standards to 20% by 2015, and said he wants to form the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission to take a futuristic view of how to guide the state to more economic prosperity. Pawlenty also said he expects to sign a bipartisan transportation bill during this session but he asked lawmakers not to add to the economic burden on taxpayers by raising their taxes.