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 How would you solve the state's budget?

Gov. Tim Pawlenty met with DFL legislative leaders Tuesday afternoon hoping to work out a deal to balance the budget as time is running short.

As legislators slowly make their way toward another messy conclusion to a budget battle, the wear and tear on their public image is starting to show.

According to an exclusive KSTP/SurveyUSA Poll, the Minnesota legislature has a 26 percent approval rating, while 64 percent disapprove. Only nine percent don't have an opinion.

"The Democrats are in charge of the legislature by almost two-thirds margins and I think people are frustrated that we've been here since January and they essentially haven't gotten anything done," Rep. House Minority Leader Marty Seifer said about the results.

When shown the same results, DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher was more diplomatic.

"It’s always true it's more difficult to like the whole group of us as the legislature. There are 201 of us and that means there's a lot to like and dislike about the legislature I would say," she explained.

The poll also questioned participants about what they hold as the most important issues.

According to 500 Minnesotans statewide, education and health and human services tie for the top spot—at 33 percent each, followed by 13 percent who cite the environment and natural resources, and eight percent identify public safety.

It turns out there's a lot to like and dislike about the governor, as well. His most recent KSTP/SurveyUSA Poll approval rating is 46 percent, with a 50 percent disapproving.

Pawlenty’s veto of a $1 billion tax increase bill also splits Minnesotans—48 percent say the legislature should override the veto and raise taxes, with 44 percent believe the veto should not be overridden.