AM.MN: ‘Go ahead and laugh’ — Pawlenty’s doing his job, in Texas

“The governor is a very compassionate man, trying to do the best job he can. He’s doing his job,” insisted state Sen. Paul Koering at a hearing Wednesday into Tim Pawlenty’s health-care cuts to the poor. “Yeah, go ahead and laugh. He’s trying to do the best job he can to manage the state’s business.” Pawlenty, meanwhile, was in Texas, along with Norm Coleman, raising money for his political action committee, Freedom First, and tweeting about Haiti.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

ST. PAUL: State needs to scrape up a half-billion dollars. The cash crunch will be worst in April, says Minnesota’s budget commissioner. [ECM Publishers]

METRO AREA: There goes the cudgel. The feds ease up on light-rail funding rules and deadlines, taking away the Met Council’s favorite weapon. [Star Tribune]

STATEWIDE: Al Franken leaves Afghanistan. And he’s feeling much better about the war there. [St. Cloud Times]

LAKEVILLE: Schools can’t afford old police station. An interrogation room for tardy students would have come in handy. [St. Paul Pioneer Press]

LITCHFIELD: Teachers opt for “hard freeze.” Their contract allows no steps up in pay or insurance. [West Central Tribune]

ALBERT LEA: Walking on water gains popularity. Frozen water that is: Cabela’s can’t keep snowshoes in stock. [Albert Lea Tribune]