Listen to Gov. Ventura's budget address.

BUDGET OVERVIEW (As Proposed)

Governor's budget address (Listen)
Budget Highlights
Spending
Where the Money Comes From
Where the Money Goes

Health Care
Gov. Ventura has allocated $14 million for eliminating racial health disparities in the state and another $22 million to eliminate teenage pregnancies. But some health advocates are disappointed Ventura didn't go farther in long-term care and children's health insurance.
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Higher Education
The proposed budget has left leaders of the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Systems sorely disappointed. They say they won't even be able to keep up with inflation, let alone proceed with their plans for growth, if Ventura's budget goes through.
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K-12 Education
Gov. Ventura says he wants to hold the line on spending this year, and his plans for K-12 education are as lean as the rest his biennial budget. Overall, his proposal provides only inflationary increases in school funding. A handful of education programs would get more state money, but some legislative leaders say it's not enough.
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Public Safety
Minnesota's judiciary fared better than many other departments in Gov. Jesse Ventura's budget plan. Still, the budget doesn't fully fund the state court system's major initiative for this legislative session. CriMNet is an integrated computer system that would allow law enforcement and courts from different jurisdictions to easily share information on criminals.
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Transportation
Gov. Ventura proposes that Minnesota vehicle owners pay no more than $75 to renew their annual license fee. The money from tab renewal is constitutionally dedicated to road and bridge building. So, reducing the fee means less money for roads and bridges.
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"It's Devastating"
University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof says the governor's budget is "a step backward." He launched a statewide lobbying effort to convince legislators to appropriate more money to the U of M.
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"It's A Budget We Can Work With"
Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum gives general approval to Ventura's budget proposal. He says he a $3 billion surplus gives little reason to expand any taxes, however.
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"We'll Have Tax Relief and Tax Reform"
Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe says his major concern is balancing a sustainable tax cut with additional investments in education, transportation, and health initiatives. He also says he wants to make sure all taxpayers get a share of the relief.
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