Text: Dear Members of the Minnesota Legislature:As you are aware, I have called a Special Session for 12:01 a.m., Monday, May 17, 2010 in order to pass legislation to balance the budget.Minnesota Statutes 4.03 provides that when the Legislature is assembled in a special session the governor will inform the legislature of the purposes for which they are convened. As set forth in my proclamation calling the Legislature into special session, important work remains to be done to balance the state's budget for the current fiscal biennium.While a negotiated agreement was reached, there was not sufficient time to process a bill during the regular session. The people of Minnesota are best served by a prompt conclusion of legislative business.In order to ensure a timely conclusion to the special session, I respectfully ask the legislature to limit your work to balancing the budget and resolving the immediate issues before us by enacting legislation reflecting the negotiated agreement.Thank you for your work during the regular session and for your service to the people of Minnesota.Sincerely,Tim PawlentyGovernor