Governor Pawlenty blindsides Legislative Leaders

With a Democrat controlled legislature, Governor Pawlenty made the boldest political move of his career angering democrats. Pawlenty at a press conference surrounded by fellow republicans stated that he would sign the spending bills approved by the legislature including the tax increases except that he would use line item vetoe and unallotments at his descretion to balance the states budget. He stated that the time for politics as usual is over and that the regular session would end on time. He also stated that he would be willling to work with legislators but that he would not budge on tax increases.