Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tom Scheck
St. Paul, Minn.

Pawlenty says he may veto public works bill

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Gov. Pawlenty is suggesting that he may veto a public works bill moving through the Legislature.

During a morning news conference, Pawlenty called the House and Senate bonding bills "unaffordable, irresponsible, and filled with local projects." He said he usually would line-item veto projects from the bill but suggested he won't do that this year.

"It really just lets them off of the hook in terms of their obligations and responsibilities to present a bill that is reasonable, focused and prioritized and the bills they have now don't meet that definition," Pawlenty said. "If they were close and it was a matter of cleaning up a few things, I would do that but if they're that far off the mark both in terms of size and priorities, I would give them a chance to have a do over."

The House and Senate have proposed $1 billion in borrowing for new college buildings, transportation projects and civic centers. The plans are $300 million more than what Pawlenty proposed. Democrats argue that the legislation will help put people to work.