The problem: $4.56 billion deficit (for the 2010-11 budget period -- July 2009 through June 2011)

HOUSE DFL PLAN:

Tax increase: $1.5 billion for 2010-11

• Unspecified taxes, but income tax increase likely

Cuts: $843 million

• No reductions to K-12, early education or higher ed

• Health care, local government aid, public safety and environment funding reduced

One-time money: $1.7 billion

• Accounting shifts

PAWLENTY PLAN:

Tax increase: None.

Cuts: $2.4 billion for 2010-11

• Health care, local government aid take sharp reductions

• K-12 schools increased, higher education spared

One-time money: $2.2 billion

• $1.2 billion in accounting shifts

• $1 billion in tobacco settlement bonds

SENATE DFL PLAN:

Tax increase: $2 billion

• No firm details, but income, sales tax boosts possible

Cuts: $1.6 billion in 2010-11

• No exemption for education, most spending areas take a 7 percent, across-the-board cut

One-time money: None

Sources: House and Senate staffs, Minnesota Management & Budget