~ Speech at St. Cloud Civic Center highlights opportunities for 2008 session ~

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St. Cloud – Saying “our state is strong, even as we are challenged by circumstances,” Governor Tim Pawlenty highlighted the strength, character and resolve of Minnesotans in his 2008 State of the State address delivered today at the St. Cloud Civic Center.

In the speech, the Governor said that “Minnesotans are understandably concerned about a fragile economy, rising health care and energy costs, making ends meet and government’s never-ending claims on their pocketbooks. But Minnesota is up to the challenge.”

Governor Pawlenty emphasized that as state leaders work to resolve a projected budget deficit, the last thing Minnesota families and businesses need “is government rummaging around in their pockets for more.”

Among the priorities Governor Pawlenty outlined in his speech:

• Support our military and veterans by passing the package he proposed in November that includes initiatives to enhance veterans services, address tax issues, provide additional educational benefits, and support businesses that employ veterans.

• Keep government living within its means and do not increase the burden on Minnesotans by raising their taxes. The Governor reminded legislators that he will not hesitate to use his veto pen to restrain taxes and spending.

• Create the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission to recommend tax reforms for our 21st century economy that will encourage job growth, income generation, investment, entrepreneurial activity, research and exports.

• Support entrepreneurs and small businesses in Greater Minnesota by passing the Governor’s Strategic Entrepreneurial Economic Development (SEED) initiative.

• Work together to pass health care reform that is market-driven, restores the relationship between doctors and patients, and uses savings from the system to hold down the cost of health care premiums.

• Continue to lead efforts to “Americanize” energy production by continuing to reduce dependence on foreign oil and producing cleaner energy, including increasing the biodiesel standard from 2% to 20% by 2015.

• Help our farmers by supporting bio-fuels and other value-added opportunities and keeping input costs such as energy, fuel, regulations, and taxes, as low as possible.

• Maintain the historic level of funding for transportation proposed by the Governor in the Capital Investments bill.

• Pass education reforms that will expand opportunities for mid-career professionals to become teachers, attract more young teachers, better train teachers in math and science and provide a world-class, digitally stored teaching toolbox to all students and teachers.

• Take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to create the first new major state park in 40 years by purchasing 3,000 acres of land along the shores of Lake Vermilion.

Governor Pawlenty also highlighted some extraordinary Minnesotans in his speech, including former St. Cloud Mayor Al Loehr, a World War II veteran who also served as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Lieutenant Colonel John Morris, Chaplain of the Minnesota National Guard who has led Minnesota’s reintegration effort, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, which is now serves as the national model for assisting returning soldiers.