(Minnesota Historical Society)

(Minnesota Historical Society)

During the 2007 State of the State address (pdf), Gov. Tim Pawlenty referenced the quadriga, a gold statue on the capitol exterior called “The Progress of the State.” The sculpture’s “golden guy in the chariot is not [Twins catcher] Joe Mauer,” Pawlenty said, “he’s called ‘Prosperity.’” At this year’s address, to be held at noon today, Pawlenty will again address prosperity — or, facing a nearly $5 billion budget deficit, something well short of it. He’s expected to call for statewide spending cuts coupled with corporate tax cuts to boost the sagging economy.

After the jump: Watch Pawlenty’s seventh State of the State address at noon via The UpTake’s feed.
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