Minnesota Government Shutdown Update: Talks Resume

At 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP lawmakers had just resumed budget negotiations in an effort to avoid a government shutdown and preempt layoffs of around 22,000 Minnesotans.

Thursday morning’s 10 a.m. meeting ended after and hour and 15 minutes with little to report. As has become the norm, neither the governor nor Republican leaders briefed the on-site media following the meeting.

For the first time since Monday, leadership from both the GOP and DFL offered a glimmer of hope for the seemingly stagnant budget negotiations.

(Update 6:58 p.m) Briefing the media assembled outside Gov. Mark Dayton’s office, House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) reiterated how close the two parties were to a deal, Session Daily reported.

“We’ve always maintained that a government shutdown is not only unnecessary but just bad for Minnesotans,” Zeller said. “We’re here. We’re ready to go. It’s time for the governor to call us back (for a special session). We’re too close to the end.”

Sen. Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) pleaded with the governor to not shut down the government over a tax increase.

“Please keep the state open,” Koch said. “It’s the fourth of July; it’s beautiful outside. Let’s let Minnesotans get to those campgrounds and state parks. Let’s let them enjoy the weekend.”

MinnPost reported that Reublican Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) called for Gov. Dayton to approve a “lights-on” bill that would allow for temporary funding after July 1, while the legislature figured out the most complex parts of the budget.

Put simply, if a lights-on bill were passed, the government would not shut down.

“The legislature can pass one bill tonight that would keep the state open,” Michel explained in the Star Tribune. “All we need is for the governor to sign the order to call us back. We do not want to be part of a shutdown. It is not necessary.”  

“I believe we could get to a budget framework tonight,” Koch added. “All we need is temporary funding to do that.”

Gov. Dayton has repeatedly refused to call back the legislature without a deal on the table and when the DFL got its turn to speak, Minority Leaders Sen. Bakk (D-Virginia) and Rep. Paul Thissen (District 63A) echoed that sentiment.

“Everyone is committed to working on a deal that makes sense for most Minnesotans,” Thissen said. “Minnesotans want a complete deal. They want a deal that is finished.”

According to Session Daily, DFL leaders were optimistic about the prospects of avoiding a shutdown.

“I do think a global agreement tonight that would prevent a shutdown is within reach,” Bakk said before returning to the negotiating table.