Fromstaff reports

ST.

Wednesday, April 12, 2000

ST. PAUL – If a spending request such as the restoration of Austin’s Paramount Theatre makes its way to Gov. Jesse Ventura’s desk this legislative session, you can expect that he’ll veto the matter.

Because the Legislature charged the governor last year with allowing only spending measures that have statewide impact, he’s unwilling to see local matters receive state funds.

"The Paramount Theatre may be nice to Austin, but how do I tell that to someone in Bemidji?" Ventura questioned during an interview with the Austin Daily Herald in his office on Tuesday.

The governor offered an example of the new state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension building, which would benefit the entire state.

"Your police force in Austin is going to benefit from that building," Ventura said, adding that evidence would be sent to its crime labs for analysis.

The governor said that he is against projects that should be funded on the local level.

"I’m untraditional," he said. "I’m for none of that."