Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be at the Capitol this afternoon to officially release his budget for the upcoming biennium, which will address the state’s nearly $5 billion deficit. With the state constitution requiring a balanced budget, Pawlenty will likely not hesitate to bring many state programs onto the chopping block. Higher education, including the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, are expected to take substantial hits. Members of the Minnesota Senate higher education committee are on campus today, which included a meeting with University President Bob Bruininks at 11:40. Check back with mndaily.com for more budget coverage.