Dayton 'Reluctantly' Offers to End Shutdown

Gov. Mark Dayton has “reluctantly" agreed to the last Republican budget offer made on June 30 with conditions—a move that could end the state shutdown if Republicans agree.

That offer generates $700 million dollars through, and issues $700 million in “tobacco bonds” to cover the rest of the $1.4 billion gap between the governor and state Republicans.

The governor sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers on Thursday that said that while he doesn't necessarily agree with the method of resolving the budget impasse, he does think it's necessary to end the shutdown as soon as possible.

"I am willing to agree to something I do not agree with—your proposal—to spare our citizens and our state from further damage," Dayton wrote.

However, Dayton added three conditions to his agreement that will ultimately determine if the shutdown ends.

First, he said Republicans must abide by their public statements that they will take all policy issues off the table at this time. Second, they must drop a 15 percent, across-the-board reduction to employees in all agencies, regardless of their funding source. Third, that after all the budget issues have been resolved in a special session, Republicans must support and pass a bonding bill of at least $500 million next session.

If Republicans agree, a special session to pass a budget—and end the state shutdown—could begin within three days.

ead the latest developments on the government shutdown by following the Minnetonka Patch facebook page or by clicking on one of these recent stories:

July 15:  

July 14: Shutdown to End, Deal Reached

July 12:  VIDEO: Day 12 of Government Shutdown

July 7: Minnetonka's Gunyou on 'Third Way' Committee Experience, Proposal

July 7: Committee Releases ‘Third Way’ Solution: Income Taxes for Everyone

July 7: State of Shutdown: Impact on City’s ‘Most Vulnerable’

July 6: 

July 5: Minnetonka City Manager Tapped to Solve Stalemate, End Shutdown

July 5: 

July 5: 

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on City of Minnetonka

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Locals

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Nonprofits

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Schools

June 29: MnDOT to City: 'Work Must Stop for Shutdown'

June 23: State Shutdown Would Freeze DNR, Close State Parks

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Click here for Patch coverage of the Minnesota shutdown on Huffington Post.