Minnesota lawmakers plot 3-part budget fix
by The Associated Press

ST. PAUL -- Part one of a three-phase Minnesota budget fix is on the verge of votes in the Legislature.

The House and Senate planned to act on proposals to erase about one-third of the state's $1 billion deficit. Phases two and three won't arrive until April or May.

The first wave of cuts covers colleges, prisons, courts and local government allowances. The chambers' plans differ slightly, but Democratic legislative leaders hope to get a common bill to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty within a week.

Pawlenty hasn't said whether he'll accept the legislative approach but he has made clear he'd rather see a comprehensive solution than a piecemeal fix.