By Mike Kaszuba
House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said DFLers were ready Saturday to pass a "balanced budget" and end the legislative session with or without the help of Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republicans.
"If the governor's not here, if the governor's not willing to compromise, we still will finish our job and leave," said Sertich, speaking to reporters with three days left in the legislative session.
He also said few legislators wanted a special session. "Minnesotans certainly don't want a special session. I don't think we need one," said Sertich, in a sign emotions appeared to be increasing at the State Capitol.
He added: "We're going to leave, and we told the governor flat out, 'If the Republican minorities continue to vote no on our proposals, continue to vote no on the governor's proposals and it sounds like even continue to vote no on their own proposals. . .we're willing to leave.'
"I think we are going above and beyond by offering their own proposals as a solution to end the session," said Sertich. "I don't know much else we can do besides bake them cookies and give them milk."
