DFL Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt gave no sign Sunday that Gov. Mark Dayton had backed down from a threat to veto an education spending bill that the legislative leaders negotiated.

"I put it a little bit at the feet of the governor," Daudt said after leaving a meeting with Dayton that lasted about 30 minutes.

Dayton's insistence on a big spending boost so public schools can offer prekindergarten courses is at the heart of the dispute between the governor and the two legislative leaders.

"It's his responsibility to build a groundswell of support for his issues in the Legislature," Daudt said. " And the fact that that particular issue didn't make it into the conference committee, it didn't pass the House or the Senate, makes it a difficult position. I certainly ask the governor to reconsider and not veto the education bill."

Bakk met separately with Dayton prior to Daudt, but refused afterward to comment on what transpired.

Dayton is planning a 4:45 p.m. press conference.

Daudt said he believed lawmakers would finish passing a budget by midnight Monday, which would avoid a special session.

"We're going to make it. We're going to make it," Daudt said.