Continued from Thursday

Health care

Pawlenty’s biggest line-item veto eliminated the General Assistance Medical Care program for about 30,000 childless adults with very low incomes starting in July 2010. An override attempt failed. Lawmakers also cut $500 million from anticipated health and welfare spending. Expect more reductions in this area, even though federal stimulus money is coming in.

Social issues

Mostly quiet this year on gay marriage and abortion issues. Medical marijuana made it to the governor’s desk for the first time, but the veto pen awaits. Pawlenty has yet to act on a bill that would strengthen schools’ anti-bullying policies.

Stimulus

Money from the federal government blunted the pain of one of the worst-ever state deficits, with about $2.1 billion easing the state’s checking account for the coming two years and smaller sums earmarked for projects ranging from unemployment benefits to updated sewer lines and road work.

Taxes

Democrats got nowhere with the $1 billion they wanted to collect from couples earning more than $250,000 a year, alcohol drinkers and credit card companies charging high interest rates. The bill got a swift veto and the override came up five votes short in the House. Pawlenty promised to veto a second version that passed in the session’s final minutes.

Transportation

Starting July 1, booster seats are required for children up to age 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall. Pawlenty plans to sign a measure that allows law enforcement to stop drivers and passengers who don’t wear seat belts. Both measures come with cash incentives from Washington.

Vikings Stadium

Lawmakers ignored the clock counting down the Minnesota Vikings’ remaining three seasons in the Metrodome. The issue came up only when Metrodome officials talked up the potential economic benefits of a new stadium. Many lawmakers balked at investing state money in such a project.

— Compiled by Associated Press writers Martiga Lohn and Elizabeth Dunbar.