Republican transportation committee chairs were to appear Thursday afternoon before the shutdown special master Kathleen Blatz Thursday. But now that's off.

"The scheduled 1:00 pm hearing in front of Special Master Blatz for the Senate and House Transportation Committee chairs has been canceled; Special Master Blatz has referred their petition to Chief Judge Gearin," court spokesman John Kostouros said in an email.

Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin is handling all shutdown litigation. Blatz has been charged with hearing pleas to keep some services open despite the shutdown and make recommendations to Gearin.