In a sign that the Democratic governor and the Republicans who control the Legislature can get along, Gov. Mark Dayton Monday announced that he had reached an agreement on alternative teacher licensure.

"The definition of compromise is a final solution in which neither party gets everything it wants," Dayton wrote in a letter to the House and Senate education committee chairs. "It is vitally important that we continue to work together so that we continue to move forward with the important work ahead of us."

Both Republicans and Dayton saw the ability to reach agreement on the teaching program, which would allow non-traditional teachers into classrooms, as an important sign that bipartisan agreement was possible. When Democrats controlled the Legislature and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty pushed the idea of alternative licenses they could not find accord.

Although this year's politicians were able to agree on the controversial policy piece, there are few signs of agreement on the state's looming deficit.

See Dayton's full letter below:

02 28 OLSON GAROFALO SF 40 SIGNED