Fuller Minn. budget picture to emerge this week

Published 9:51 am Monday, March 14, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Last week, brought high-altitude budget numbers from Republicans in charge of the Legislature. This week brings the nitty-gritty details at Minnesota’s Capitol.

Several committees charged with writing the budget bills plan to roll out their ideas for meeting spending targets. Republicans in the House and Senate are trying to come up with a $34 billion two-year budget.

That requires them to cut projected spending commitments by about $5 billion.

The budget bills will show which programs face reductions or elimination. Social service programs are most at risk.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget plan includes tax increases that enable him to blunt spending reductions. But Republicans oppose his plan.