ST. PAUL - Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will take the oath of office for his second term as Minnesota governor Tuesday re-energized and recommitted.
"The overwhelming feeling I have is one of gratitude," he said in an interview.
The Republican governor said his inaugural speech will be a general overview of his second two-year term, one of several major speeches in four weeks. He also is due to deliver the annual State of the State address, an education speech and, finally, a budget address outlining his proposed two-year budget.
His second inaugural will be more modest than when he began his first term four years ago.
The governor's day begins with a 9 a.m. worship service in Eden Prairie, followed by an hourlong inauguration ceremony at downtown St. Paul's Fitzgerald Theater. The day wraps up with a $100-per-person dinner and ball at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton. Dance and dessert tickets alone are $40.
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Besides Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, three new statewide officials will be sworn in at the Fitzgerald: Attorney General Lori Swanson, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Auditor Rebecca Otto.
Swanson already will have taken the oath when she raises her right hand at the Fitzgerald. She plans her own inaugural at 8:30 a.m. in the Capitol rotunda.
The incoming attorney general said she did not get enough tickets to the overall inaugural for everyone she wants to attend.
In an interview, Pawlenty said a separate inauguration for Swanson is not a problem. The two already have discussed how to get along better than Pawlenty and current Attorney General Mike Hatch, and the governor said he expects better relations with Hatch's successor.
Swanson said she will deliver a speech during her inaugural promising to be an advocate for the people of Minnesota.
"This office can be a force for good," she added.
Ritchie plans a Capitol reception after Tuesday's inaugural. Otto plans an event later in the month.
Pawlenty's inaugural speech, and those he will deliver late this month, will be different than four years ago, when he inherited a nearly $4.6 billion budget deficit.
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"Now that we have some breathing room," Pawlenty said, the state can focus on issues such as education funding and reform, health care and energy.
The governor said improving Minnesota education is a cornerstone of boosting the state's economy. People need state aid, such as welfare and health-care payments, in part because many do not have enough education, he said.
"Education is foundational and primary," he added.
Energy is in the same category, Pawlenty said, because the country must wean itself of Middle Eastern oil to prevent an unstable situation.
Readers can reach Forum Communications reporter Don Davis at (651) 290-0707 or ddavis@forumcomm.com
