Washington, DC - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4), Minnesota’s Member on the House Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement in response to the announcement that Minnesota faces a projected $5.2 billion budget deficit over the next 2 years:

 “The announcement that the State of Minnesota is facing a massive budget disaster means Governor Pawlenty has some tough choices to make.  He can go it alone and eviscerate the safety net an ever growing number of Minnesota families depend upon for their daily needs. Or, the governor can reach out in a spirit of partnership to the Minnesota Congressional delegation to work collaboratively, along with legislative leaders, to responsibly find solutions to the state’s fiscal mess.”

Inauguration 2009

The 44th President will be sworn in on January 20th, 2009 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. Each House and Senate office will receive a limited number of tickets to the Swearing-In Ceremony, many located in the standing areas west of the Capitol Complex on the National Mall. For more information on this historic event, please visit www.inaugural.senate.gov/2009