How'd They Get Here? A Shutdown Timeline

(UPDATE 12:01 a.m.) With a $1.4 billion-dollar difference between budgets proposed from Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP lawmakers, the State of Minnesota cannot fund its state programs and services. Shutdown is official.


(Update 10:50 p.m.) Gov. Dayton breaks a legislative agreement to continue budget negotiations with the GOP leadership.

“I deeply regret that after two days of intense negotiations we have failed to reach an agreement,” Dayton says during a 10:30 p.m. press conference in his office. “This causes deep sorrow for me because I do not want a shutdown to occur.”

Dayton continues: “I offered a plan to raise the taxes of only those Minnesotans who make more than $1 million per year. That is less than 0.3 percent of the state population. Despite many hours of negotiations, the Republican caucus remains adamantly opposed to new taxes.”

When asked about the 10-day temporary funding bill he received from Republican leadership at around 9:45 p.m., Dayton calls it “a publicity stunt.”


(UPDATE 9:45 p.m.) Sen. Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) and House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) deliver to Gov. Dayton a 2-page document calling for a 10-day temporary funding measure.

"There are a lot of people on the steps of the Capitol right now asking us to not shut down the government,” Koch tells. “This document is their answer.”


(UPDATE 9 p.m.) Minority Leaders Sen. Bakk (D-Virginia) and Rep. Paul Thissen (District 63A) address the media and plead with Republican lawmakers to return to the negotiating table instead of sitting in their seats playing “mock legislature.”

“We are running out of time,” Bakk tells reporters. “It is time for a deal.”

Thissen calls the move “grandstanding theatrics” and says an agreement was in reach as recently as today.  


(UPDATE 8:00 p.m.) In an odd display of political showmanship, GOP leaders fill the House and Senate with their members in order to demonstrate their willingness to go to work. The gesture is not received well in the DFL camp.


(Update 6:58 p.m.) A glimmer of hope as both sides reiterate how close they are to a deal. “I do think a global agreement tonight that would prevent a shutdown is within reach,” Minority Leader Bakk says before allowing GOP leaders to speak.

“We’ve always maintained that a government shutdown is not only unnecessary but just bad for Minnesotans,” Zellers says.

“Please keep the state open,” Koch adds. “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.”

“The legislature can pass one bill tonight that would keep the state open,” Geoff Michel (R-Edina) adds. “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.”  


(Update 4:35 p.m.) The state of Minnesota is poised to shut down as Senate majority caucus spokesperson Michael Brodkorb emerged from the latest round of talks with nothing new to share.

"Respecting the cone of silence, I cannot comment on whether or not they're close to a deal," Brodkorb said. "There is no deal right now and there are no more meetings scheduled for today."


(UPDATE 3 p.m.) Gov. Dayton and GOP lawmakers resume budget negotiations.


(UPDATE 1:20 p.m.) Talks between GOP leaders and Gov. Dayton finish after just 30 minutes. According to Brodkorb, nearly every state senator is at the Capitol. “They will be here the balance of the day, working towards solutions and compromises and other discussions,” he said.


(UPDATE 12:45 p.m.) Gov. Dayton and GOP lawmakers resume budget negotiations.


(UPDATE 11:30 a.m.) Today’s 10 a.m. meeting ends 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. While things move slowly inside the State Capitol, community organizations begin protesting on the grounds of the State Capitol.


(UPDATE 10 a.m.) Gov. Dayton and GOP lawmakers resume budget negotiations on the last possible day to strike a deal and avoid a government shutdown.