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Minnesota Governor Calls for Casino Vote

MINNESOTA – As reported by the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Wednesday night for the Legislature to vote today on two tax-and-spending packages: One with, and one without, about $210 million in licensing fees and profits from a new state-operated casino at Canterbury Park racetrack.

"Pawlenty's two-budget plan was a response to an offer from Senate Democrats earlier in the day that was the first movement in budget negotiations from either side since Minnesota's partial government shutdown began on Friday. Talks were continuing early this morning.

"…House and Senate Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders did not immediately accept or reject Pawlenty's proposal. At about 10 p.m., they said they were willing to work through the night and try to reach an agreement. If negotiators settle on a firm outline of deal, the House and Senate today could approve a temporary funding plan to return about 9,000 idled state workers to their jobs.

"But Democratic leaders discounted the governor's demand for a casino vote, saying the gambling plan would not pass either the House or Senate and that, if it did, the money Pawlenty wants from gambling would be tied up in a court fight for years.

"The first of Pawlenty's two proposals would fund almost all the state's approximately $30 billion General Fund budget with taxes already in place, the new 75-cents-a-pack cigarette charge that the governor recommended in May, plus a number of enhanced tax-collection efforts.

"…The second plan, funded exclusively by revenue from the proposed casino at Canterbury, would pay for a string of special projects close to the hearts of many legislators: increased state aid to cities, a small cost-of-living pay raise for state workers, $80 million worth of income tax relief for some couples and families and $55 million to clean up lakes and rivers…"

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