Minnesota Shutdown Drags On Despite Deal

Politico reports:

Now in its 18th day, Minnesota’s state government shutdown continues as Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has yet to formalize his announced deal with GOP legislative and a special session planned for Monday is likely to be delayed.

Dayton and the Republican leaders released a joint statement Sunday declaring “considerable progress has been made” but Minnesota news outlets reported passing a compromise budget will not be easy.

But the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported state GOP legislative leaders are “struggling to string together the necessary votes” and that state house Democrats are pledging to vote against the budget en masse because they have been left out of negotiations.

Dayton last week said he planned to call a special session on the budget for Monday. That schedule now appears to be pushed back by at least a day.

“A special session will be called as soon as our work is completed, and all bills have been reviewed and agreed upon,” read the Sunday evening statement from Dayton and Republican leaders.

Minnesota Public Radio reported the governor and GOP leaders have agreed on one of nine bills that make up the state budget. State officials are not revealing details of any of the legislation until it is all agreed to.