Libraries’ lessons for T-Paw: Regional savings won’t work with Wisconsin

If Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants greater regional cooperation, he can look to the state’s half-century of success with regional library systems, writes the Minnesota Library Association’s legislative chair. But as for combining or coordinating operations with Wisconsin, the lesson from libraries is less rosy. Economies-of-scale savings have been miniscule since Minneapolis merged its library system with Hennepin County’s, says one of the last Minneapolis library trustees.

Ambinder: T-Paw’s tax-cut budget plan suggests national political ambitions

Tim Pawlenty’s lead anecdote in today’s State of the State address featured a Minnesota governor who sought national office only to be sent home empty-handed. The tale wasn’t autobiographical (good thing, because the man, Gov. John Johnson,…

Pawlenty: ‘The State of our State is challenged’

Gov. Tim Pawlenty began his seventh State of the State address by invoking the fate of Minnesota’s 16th governor, John A. Johnson. Like Pawlenty, Johnson harbored national political ambitions. But after unsuccessfully seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 1908, Johnson returned to the more humble task of running the State of Minnesota. “He dropped dead a few months later,” Pawlenty noted to laughter. “To my friends in the legislature, you might not be so lucky. My health is pretty good.”

While the Governor may be in prime physical shape, the financial health of Minnesota is not so robust.

Live video: The State of the State

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…

Governor’s speech streams live at noon; state of the state is cold

It was 18 degrees below zero in the Twin Cities on Thursday as people left their homes for school or work on the coldest morning in five years. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will give his State of the State address…