Legislative leaders from all four caucuses signed a final budget agreement late Thursday, likely ending a budget stalemate that has lasted nearly four weeks and threatened the jobs of 9,400 state employees.

Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to announce the start of the special session Friday at 10 a.m., after he sought assurances from legislative leaders that their caucuses would approve three outstanding finance bills: agriculture and environmental protection, education, energy and economic development. Legislators are also set to vote on a $373-million bonding bill.

Dayton met with DFL senators Thursday evening, after it appeared that many rank-and-file legislators were unwilling to support the budget deal struck between Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and House Speaker Kurt Daudt. Dayton had earlier urged legislators to fast-track the bills to avoid further shutdown planning to continue.

State senators on Thursday, irate at the lack of transparency during budget negotiations, said they wanted to make changes to the bills.

Prior to the Thursday evening meeting, Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-Minneapolis, said she and others planned to make their case to the governor to allow for amendments.

The threat of a government shutdown, however, may cause senators to relent in their demands to modify the remaining finance bills. "It is very likely we will fulfill his request," she said. "Amendments delay the process... The Senate doesn't want a government shutdown."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.