Almanac: At the Capitol

A session ending deal is nearly complete. Legislative leaders and the governor plan to announce the details at noon Sunday. The Tax Conference Committee Chair Ann Lenczewski referred to a "negotiated agreement" and they are putting the language together. She says they're trying to "close it up and get to the floor as fast as we can." The deal includes a 3 year 3.9% property tax cap. There's more local government aid and a tax credit for military service. The Mall of America gets a bit of help for its expansion, but not the way they wanted it. Gov. Pawlenty's rural economic development program JOBZ would expire in 2015 which is consistent with current law. There are still some details to be finalized, but this is a good sign for a global deal. A bonding bill is next with Central Corridor and maybe something the governor wants like a Minneapolis Veterans Home or possibly Vermillion State Park.