Gov. Pawlenty vetoed a minimum wage bill passed by the Minnesota State Legislature. The author of the bill, DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina, suspects Pawlenty's veto has something to do with the governor's national aspirations:

Rukavina said Pawlenty vetoed the measure to put him in the good graces of conservatives as he is a top contender to be presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate.

“Maybe this helps with the conservative wing of the party, which he seems to be courting,” Rukavina said.

In 2005, Pawlenty signed a minimum wage increase even though he didn't like the bill.