As Gov. Tim Pawlenty prepares to deliver his eighth and final
State of the State address today, he once again is likely to
outline lofty goals that will have to be tempered because a
national economic downturn has caused weak state tax
collections, high unemployment and a $1.2 billion budget
shortfall sure to require more deep spending cuts.  Nonetheless,
the tone of Pawlenty's annual speech will be "uplifting and
positive," Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said Wednesday.
"He'll talk about Minnesota facing challenging times, but
Minnesota has always overcome its challenges."  The speech will
focus on "the most important issue facing our state, jobs and
the economy," McClung said. Pawlenty will discuss the need to
cut government spending and lower taxes to provide incentives
for job providers.  Here's a look back at the highlights of
Pawlenty's previous State of the State addresses and how his
proposals fared.  2003: After inheriting one of the worst budget
crises in state history, Pawlenty, in his first spee