KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsPawlenty's constitutional amendment: Hard cap on state spending

Pawlenty's constitutional amendment: Hard cap on state spending

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing a constitutional amendment to cap state spending.

The Republican governor's proposal would limit spending in a given budget cycle to the revenue the state collected in the previous budget period. Exceptions could be made for public safety and national emergencies.

Pawlenty says a hard cap on spending would force state government to scale back and ease pressure on taxpayers.

He would like to see the proposed amendment on the November 2010 ballot.

Minnesota governors can propose constitutional amendments but they don't have much to do with approving them. Proposals must pass the Legislature and then win approval from a majority of voters to become part of the state constitution.

Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature.