As reported by MSNBC, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has announced a budget cuts package--including $20 million in state aid to the University of Minnesota--to address the state budget deficit.

The budget deficit is at $426 million for the rest of the current biennium, then projected to be at $4.8 billion for the 2010-2011 biennium. The state constitution requires a balanced buget, making Pawlenty's cuts all the more crucial and challenging.

There will be a "near final" total of counted ballots by the end of the day Tuesday in the elongated Minnesota U.S. Senate race between Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said on WCCO-TV Sunday morning.

Franken currently has a 260-vote lead according to a Pioneer Press story found here: www.twincities.com/ci_11280046. It's not clear if that margin will stand or what or how much will change by Tuesday's end, Ritchie said.

The Star Tribune is reporting that Al Franken has turned a slight deficit in the Senate recount into a triple-digit lead over incumbent Norm Coleman.

The lead stands at 277 votes as the state Canvassing Board has been reviewing challenged ballots and determining "voter intent."

If the recount couldn't get any closer, the margin is only at 12 votes with 912 ballots reviewed, according to the Star Tribune. With Republican Norm Coleman leading most of the recount, Democrat Al Franken now has the slim margin for the first time.

The State of Minnesota will face a $5.2 billion budget deficit, which is 13.4 percent of the state's overall budget, according to a Star Tribune report via "Capitol sources."

The news came about two hours before a press conference is scheduled at the Capitol where Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to discuss the projection. It will be held at 1 p.m. and Filed Under Politics will be there to confirm the number and get reaction from officials.

It might sound a bit boring, but redrawing Congressional and legislative districts is a vital task for state legislatures every 10 years.

Maybe you've thought that you want to give it a shot? Well, here's your chance.

Reporter Karlee Weinmann and I were both struggling last night with how to report on the second day of the recount. To clear up any confusion on how we determined that Franken got 86 votes closer, I'd like to show you what we did below :

The defecit between Sen. Norm Coleman and Al Franken is at 168 votes, according to the Star Tribune.

So, if you're in a lecture hall today, take a look around: The number of people in your class may be the same number seperating this extremely close race. Check mndaily.com for more.

Mike Rose
Managing editor
 

Having a little bit of election fatigue? Need some fun to lighten up the mood in the current U.S. Senate Recount? Well, MPR has just the remedy.

Play the "You be the judge" game to decide which candidate gets the vote on challenged ballots... using these real challenged ballots! 

Al Franken was granted access today to information regarding voters whose absentee ballots were rejected, according to the Pioneer Press.

Ramsey County District Judge Dale Lindman ruled in Franken's favor in a lawsuit filed last week.
This is another development in a Senate race that could very well feature numerous other lawsuits and heated arguments before all is said and done. The recount, which should last well into December, started today. Sen. Norm Coleman's lead going in was 215 votes.