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Governor Tim Pawlenty - Minnesota

Minnesota is where Tim Pawlenty grew up, went to school, got a job, and has been serving the State for the past 20 years. On January 7, 2003 he was sworn in as the State’s 39th Governor.

The son of a truck driver and a stay-at-home mom, 41-year-old Tim Pawlenty learned early the values of hard work and a strong family. Growing up in South St. Paul, his family stuck together as they watched the city, neighborhoods and other families nearly destroyed by a severe job crisis that also touched their family.

Mr. Pawlenty worked his way through the University of Minnesota. He is the only one of five children in his family who attended college.

In 1989, he was elected as a member of the Eagan City Council. His State political career really took off in 1992 when he won a suburban legislative seat with 49 percent of the vote. He was re-elected five times and ascended to the post of House Majority Leader when Republicans took control in 1998.

Under Tim Pawlenty’s leadership, hard-working taxpayers received the largest tax cut in Minnesota’s history – $12 billion over six years. Those tax cuts include across-the-board income tax cuts and the elimination of the State marriage penalty. This revolutionary step was highlighted in newspapers across the country: “Minnesota, long a place of heavy tax burdens, is the national leader in new tax cuts…,” The Washington Post, August 20, 1999, page A26. “Minnesota has led the way in tax cuts…,” USA Today, July 27, 1999, page 1A.

Pawlenty has outlined several initiatives for his term as Governor; his agenda includes repealing the State's Profile of Learning graduation standards, creating a tax credit for charities, building more roads and spurring job creation.

As a former criminal prosecutor, Tim understands that safety is important for all families. That is why he has supported longer sentences for repeat and violent criminals.

Education reform is another Pawlenty priority. He was instrumental in the passage of education reforms that will ensure Minnesota schools are fiscally responsible. School districts must now prepare three-year budgets that are balanced and provide alternative teacher compensation. Also, Mr. Pawlenty was the chief author of a bill that became law that will allow private companies like Standard & Poors to audit school districts for “return on investment” of taxpayer dollars.

He and his wife, Mary, have two children, Anna and Mara, and currently live in Eagan.