Both houses pass revised version of vetoed bill

A day after Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed an economic development package that would have forgiven nearly $33 million of the state loan made to St. Paul for the Xcel Energy Center, the Senate and House gave the measure another try.

Both chambers passed it by large margins on Friday, this time without a proposed downtown St. Paul hockey rink that would have been financed with money saved from the forgiven loan.

In his veto message Thursday, Pawlenty had criticized St. Paul officials for planning to build the ice sheet across the street from the Xcel Center even as they complained about shrinking state aid payments.

The bill would appropriate funds for an array of economic development projects, ranging from youth employment programs to Iron Range projects.

Cocoa bean mulch bill vetoed

Legislation requiring retailers who sell cocoa bean mulch to post notices saying it is potentially dangerous to pets has run into a veto.

Pawlenty struck down the bill late Friday. He said it's legislative overreach.

Pawlenty said that there are few animal deaths each year and that it would be unreasonable to subject retailers to the requirement. He added that it could expose sellers to liability.