DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP legislative leaders announced Thursday evening they have reached a budget deal to end a two week government shutdown.
Dayton, GOP reach a budget deal to end the two-week government shutdown
After a three-hour meeting with GOP leaders, Dayton said the shutdown will be done "very soon, within days." House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said he will have the votes in the House to pass the agreement. | Deal comes after a three-hour negotiating session. | Complete coverage of the shutdown. |
July 15, 2011 at 1:59AM
After a three-hour meeting with GOP leaders, Dayton said the shutdown will be done "very soon, within days."
Dayton agreed to drop his insistence on a tax hike and accept the Republican offer to borrow money to balance the budget.
But the governor said the deal must include a $500 million bonding package for new building projects around the state, withdrawal of the divisive social issue proposals now threaded through Republican spending bills, and elimination of the GOP proposal to reduce the state workforce by 15 percent.
House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said he will have the votes in the House to pass the agreement.
Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, agreed. "We believe the caucus will ultimately support this."
