Balancing the Budget Efforts Continue

Meetings with Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders continue. The goal is to reduce the state budget by $935-Million by May 19th, the final day of the session. House Republican Leader Marty Seifert said the group has met until 11:30 most recent nights but so far, no final solution. Seifert said what could be done is an across-the-board cut, reducing all programs by a certain percentage but its a method he would rather not use. Seifert said Republican leaders have agreed to roughly $355-Million in cuts, Democrats approximately $215-Million. If lawmakers can't agree to reductions before the end of session, the Governor may spend down the state's reserve funds and un-allot money from agencies on his own.