Key Budget Report Due For Release on Friday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The budget-setting preseason at Minnesota's Capitol is about to give way to the full-blown debate, helped along by an economic forecast that guides tax-and-spending parameters.

Friday's release of the comprehensive report will determine whether Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature still have a projected $1 billion surplus at their disposal — or if it's gone up or down since the last look in December. The forecast is the final one before the Legislature adopts a new two-year budget, probably in May.

Until now, only Dayton has put a full $42 billion budget plan on the table. In coming days and weeks, the Republican-led House and Democratic-held Senate will sketch out competing plans.