BONDING
What's happened: The Legislature approved a $925 million measure that provided $70 million for the Central Corridor light-rail project between Minneapolis and St. Paul, $38 million to remodel the Duluth convention center, $136 million for the University of Minnesota, and much more. Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed substantial portions of the bill, including the Central Corridor.
What now: Improvement projects across the state are scheduled to begin, but Central Corridor proponents are sweating out the on-again-off-again negotiations between Pawlenty and legislative leaders. The bargaining chips from bonding proposals also include two of Pawlenty's pet projects, a proposed state park on Lake Vermilion and a nursing center at the Veterans Home in Minneapolis.
BUDGET
What's happened: Pawlenty and legislative leaders must erase a projected $936 million deficit. They've agreed to broad parameters of $355 million in cuts. Pawlenty has called for a cap on local property taxes, while DFL legislative leaders want some assurances about protecting aid to local governments.
What now: Talks stalled this weekend as Pawlenty had other pressing matters such as the fishing opener. While the governor has pared down his plan to use a fund that provides access to health care, DFLers remain adamant that none of it should be tapped. About $100 million in cuts remain sticking points between the two sides.
HEALTH CARE
What's happened: The House and Senate passed bills to improve the health of Minnesotans while cutting costs. Conferees have been trying to work out differences, with Pawlenty also weighing in. The bill likely will include a statewide effort to fight obesity and smoking; create "medical homes" with comprehensive, coordinated care; begin to pay doctors for results instead of procedures, and publish data about providers' costs and care quality.
What now: Both sides have a big stake in getting agreement -- Pawlenty in polishing his can-do image and legislators facing fall elections.
MALL OF AMERICA
What's happened: The Bloomington mall's $2 billion expansion plan, which calls for $370 million in public subsidies, is still very much in play at the Legislature. The Senate backs the plan, but the House has so far not directly debated the issue.
What's next: Top DFL and Republican legislative leaders have endorsed the plan, though the measure is certain to draw opposition should it formally move through the House and Senate. And Pawlenty, while he said he generally supports helping the mall, has not endorsed it.
MORTGAGE REFORM
What's happened: A proposal that would require lenders to defer some foreclosures for a year now includes a compromise that would allow lenders to foreclose, but only if they first tried to work out a deal with homeowners.
What now: The bill has passed the Senate but has yet to be taken up by the House. Pawlenty has said he considers the bill too restrictive.
TAXES
What's happened: The House and Senate differ broadly on property tax relief proposals. The Senate wants traditional aid to local governments while the House is pushing for a restructured property tax that would give increased relief to lower-income homeowners.
What now: Conferees have not reached agreement. Pawlenty is cool to both proposals, preferring a cap on property tax levies.
TEEN DRIVERS
What's happened: Restrictions on novice teen drivers that would limit early morning driving and multiple passengers ran aground in the House on Thursday, felled by objections to a primary seat-belt provision contained in the overall transportation policy bill.
What now: The transportation bill has gone back to be reworked by House and Senate conferees. Pawlenty has said he supports some teen restrictions but has general concerns about the bill.
