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Like neighbors sharing a snowblower across the fence, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday they are looking into buying items such as software and bulldozers together. They're also interested in sharing helicopters, patrol boats on the rivers that separate them and possibly administrative services for state licenses, prisons and adjoining harbors in Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis.

The Minnesota Republican and the Wisconsin Democrat unveiled the plan in St. Paul, where both signed paperwork directing their top aides to report back on teaming up to save money by the end of February. Pawlenty, who called Doyle with the idea in early December, said working together could lead to significant savings for both states — including a bulk discount of almost $1 million on road salt alone — but neither governor said how much money might be saved.