Governor vetoed jobs and opportunity, labor leaders say

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3602

By Steve Share, Labor Review editor
8 April 2008

ST. PAUL - Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced line item vetoes cutting $208 million from the $925 million bonding bill passed by the state Legislature, cuts that labor leaders say also vetoed jobs and opportunity.

The bonding bill authorizes the state to borrow funds for capital improvements to public infrastructure throughout the state.

One project -- the Central Corridor light rail line linking downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul -- totaled $70 million of the $208 million in line-item vetoes.

"The Central Corridor is the major one that had labor support that had a line-item veto," said Steve Hunter, secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO.

"We're disappointed that he's vetoed projects like the Central Corridor, not just to get people back to work, but to help the Twin Cities develop as a major metropolitan area."

Dick Anfang, president of the Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council, said he was "very disappointed" in the governor's announced list of line-item vetoes. "This will negatively affect Minnesota's ability to come back from the recession," he said.

FULL story at link.