Politics & Government

Dayton 'Reluctantly' Offers to End Shutdown

Offer closes $1.4 billion budget difference through school aid shifts, tobacco bonds.

Gov. Mark Dayton has “reluctantly" agreed to the last Republican budget offer made on June 30 with conditions—a move that could end the state shutdown if Republicans agree.

That offer generates $700 million dollars through further school aid shifts, and issues $700 million in “tobacco bonds” to cover the rest of the $1.4 billion gap between the governor and state Republicans.

The governor sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers on Thursday that said that while he doesn't necessarily agree with the method of resolving the budget impasse, he does think it's necessary to end the shutdown as soon as possible.

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"I am willing to agree to something I do not agree with—your proposal—to spare our citizens and our state from further damage," Dayton wrote.

However, Dayton added three conditions to his agreement that will ultimately determine if the shutdown ends.

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First, he said Republicans must abide by their public statements that they will take all policy issues off the table at this time. Second, they must drop a 15 percent, across-the-board reduction to employees in all agencies, regardless of their funding source. Third, that after all the budget issues have been resolved in a special session, Republicans must support and pass a bonding bill of at least $500 million next session.

If Republicans agree, a special session to pass a budget—and end the state shutdown—could begin within three days.

Hopkins Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) said he couldn’t evaluate the merits of the proposal until he’d seen all the details and that he plans to review Dayton’s offer further.

Hopkins Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A) could not immediately be reached for comment.

Check back with Patch for further updates as they become available. 


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