Posted at: 11/05/2009 8:28 AM
Updated at: 11/05/2009 12:25 PM

Pawlenty Wants Hard Cap on Minnesota Spending

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing a constitutional amendment to cap state spending.

The Republican governor's proposal would limit spending in a given budget cycle to the revenue the state collected in the previous budget period. Exceptions could be made for public safety and national emergencies.

Pawlenty says a hard cap on spending would force state government to scale back and ease pressure on taxpayers.

He would like to see the proposed amendment on the November 2010 ballot.

Minnesota governors can propose constitutional amendments but they don't have much to do with approving them. Proposals must pass the Legislature and then win approval from a majority of voters to become part of the state constitution.

Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature.

Democrats Plan Hearing on Pawlenty Spending Cap

Democratic leaders of Minnesota's Legislature raised doubts about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to constitutionally cap state spending but said they'll hear him out.

Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and Tax Chairman Tom Bakk say Pawlenty's plan raises many unanswered questions, including whether the outgoing GOP governor has lived up to its goals himself. They plan a December hearing on the proposal.

Majority House Democrats were more critical and said similar caps have caused turmoil elsewhere.

Pawlenty says he wants voters to decide whether to limit spending in a given budget cycle to the revenue the state collected in the previous budget period.

Pawlenty leaves office after next year and is a potential 2012 presidential candidate.