Tim Pawlenty (Timothy James Pawlenty)

Religion:
- Baptist

Education:
- B.A. Political Science, University of Minnesota (1983)
- J.D. Law, University of Minnesota Law School (1986)

Professional Experience:
- Lawyer, LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, O'Brien and Drawz, Minneapolis (1986-1989)
- Lawyer, Rider, Bennett, Eagan & Arundel, Minneapolis (1989-2000)
- Vice President, Wizmo Inc. (2000-2001)

Political Experience:
- Member, Eagan Planning Commission, Minnesota (1988-1989)
- Member, Eagan City Council, Minnesota (1991-1992)
- Representative, Minnesota House of Representatives (1992-2002)
- Majority Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives (1999-2002)
- Governor, Minnesota (2002-2010)
- Chairman, National Governors Association (2007-2008)

Ethanol:
Pawlenty signs bill increasing ethanol content in gasoline (Minnesota Public Radio, May 10, 2005)
Pawlenty pumps ethanol (Minnesota Public Radio, September 26, 2005)
Gov. Pawlenty advocates combined efforts on ethanol research (Minnesota Public Radio, December 10, 2009)

Energy:
Pawlenty sets Minn. energy goal: 25 percent renewables by 2025 (Minnesota Public Radio, December 12, 2006)
Pawlenty announces clean energy plan (Star Tribune, January 17, 2008)

Global Warming:
Pawlenty, Doyle and other Midwest governors sign on to global warming pact (Minnesota Public Radio, November 15, 2007)
Pawlenty joins global-warming radio ad (Star Tribune, January 23, 2008)
Pawlenty outlines state role in warming fight (Star Tribune, February 26, 2008)

Taxes:
Fee -- 'it's not a tax' -- could hit smokers (Minnesota Public Radio, May 20, 2005)

Resources:
Pawlenty's Record (The Wall Street Journal, February 28, 2008)
How Not to Run for Vice President (The Washington Post, February 28, 2008)
A Big-Government Running Mate for McCain? (Cato Institute, June 24, 2008)
Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors: 2008 (PDF) (Cato Institute, October 20, 2008)

"Tim Pawlenty pledged not to raise taxes when he ran for governor, but his tax record in office is more mixed than that. He backed a $200 million tax increase on cigarette consumers in 2005 and a $109 million corporate tax increase in 2008. He has also supported substantial increases in fees and charges."


Quotes:
"The era of small government is over ... government has to be more proactive, more aggressive." - Tim Pawlenty, 2006

"It looks like we should have listened to President Carter" - Tim Pawlenty, 2007

"Climate change is real. Human behavior is ... responsible. Those who don't think so are simply not right. We should not spend time on voices that say it's not real." - Tim Pawlenty, 2007