Homeless vets
The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, which provides housing for homeless veterans in several cities including Mankato, received twice as much funding as Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed in his budget.

But the $500,000 a year in funding is half the $1 million the organization is receiving after a special appropriation in the last state budget. The good news for the program, which operates the 11-unit Paul and Dorothy Radichel Veterans Town Homes near River Hills Mall, is that Pawlenty has specifically mentioned spending for veterans as an area he believes should be protected.

IRETI
The Legislature provided a $1.5 million appropriation for a green-energy laboratory at Minnesota State University. The International Renewable Energy Technology Institute would be an MSU-based testing lab for Swedish technology, including furnaces and boilers that use pelletized wood and other biomass as fuel.

The lab would do a variety of work to make the Swedish technology compatible with American standards, including emissions tests and Underwriters Laboratories certification. Local supporters hope the lab will lead to the placement of production facilities in the region, which would bring manufacturing, marketing and sales jobs.