Posted at: 03/11/2010 7:55 AM
Updated at: 03/11/2010 12:24 PM

Minnesota Lawmakers Make Final Construction Bill Push

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota House has approved a $1 billion construction projects bill, sending it on to the Senate for another vote.

The House vote was 89-44 on Thursday.

The votes come a day after Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he was inclined to sign the bill and trim it using his line-item veto. The Republican governor's remarks ended a weeks-long standoff with the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

The package includes hundreds of projects, including new or renovated buildings on college campuses, civic centers, prison improvements and flood control infrastructure. The state takes on long-term debt to pay for the work.

Pawlenty hasn't said how deeply he'll cut the bill, but has said before that he wanted to borrow no more than $725 million.