GOP's Pawlenty to outline economic plan on Tuesday

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty is planning next week to detail how he would balance the federal budget and reshape the nation's tax code.

An aide to the former Minnesota governor says Pawlenty will outline his proposal Tuesday in Chicago. It is being billed as a major policy address that will include a "specific plan for boosting the economy and creating jobs."

The economy tops voters' concerns. Pawlenty has readily criticized President Barack Obama's handling of fiscal matters but has yet to say how he would do things differently.

Pawlenty has previously called for a federal balanced budget amendment and a restructured tax code without going into much detail. He also plans to discuss proposals to reduce government regulations and encourage innovation.