While Gov. Tim Pawlenty reveals his plans today to battle Minnesota's nearly $5 billion projected deficit, it's interesting to note that our neighbor to the west is looking for ways to deal with a $1 billion surplus.

There's even a proposal to send some of it back to the taxpayers, says the Fargo Forum.

Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, wants to return $100 million with tax rebates based on taxpayers’ 2008 state income tax returns, or a person’s 2007 income. Gov. John Hoeven has already proposed a plan to cut $100 million in taxes over the next two years.

But rebates would be the surest, fairest way to give the state’s surplus back to the taxpayers who overpaid their taxes, Berg said.

Other legislators, though, said at a hearing Monday that the voters sent a message in November that they don’t want an income tax cut.