Special Session Tentatively Set for Monday

Appearing on Minnesota Public Radio on Friday afternoon, Gov. Mark Dayton said he is willing to call a special session Monday morning but first needs to read all nine of the unsigned legislative bills.

The governor gave his negotiators a deadline of 10 p.m. Friday, July 15, to have the deals in place.

While Dayton has said he’s happy with the budget deal announced Thursday, he understands that not all Democrats share his zeal.

“It may be there are some (bills) they find they can support,” Dayton said, referring to the K-12 education bill. “(And) there will be bills that have bipartisan support. The tax bill, I wouldn’t vote for, either.”

State Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina) said the budget deal was a true compromise, with legislators on both sides of the battle simultaneously pleased and saddened by the end result.

"There's lots of stuff not to like from both perspectives, but plenty of stuff to like as well," Downey said. "That's how a compromise should be."

While he is expecting resistance, Dayton was confident that the “rough edges and details” would not be enough to derail negotiations or extend the shutdown.

Dayton also said he hopes to be able to provide back pay to the 22,000 state workers laid off on July 1. But he did not confirm whether this would happen for sure.  

The governor is scheduled to appear on Almanac on Twin Cities Public Television at 7 p.m. Friday, July 15.