Minnesota Government Shutdown Day 17: Considerable Progress Made

Gov. Mark Dayton, House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) report reaching “considerable progress” during weekend budget negotiations. The parties struck a positive tone with their joint statement, released at in the early evening Sunday.  

MPR News reported on Sunday evening that a handshake deal has been reached on an $11 billion Health and Human Services bill. But despite any supposed progress—and contrary to Dayton’s intent, the governor won’t call a special session on Monday morning.  

“Work on the detailed budget bills continues to move in a positive direction, with an urgent focus on getting Minnesotans back to work,” the joint statement read. “A special session will be called as soon as our work is completed, and all bills have been reviewed and agreed upon.”

Here is a list of other articles from Day 17 of the shutdown:

Business Week: With abrupt deal, Minn. shutdown still upsets many
Christian Post: Will Obama, Like Mark Dayton, Cede to Republican Pressure?
Duluth News Tribune (Opinion): Lawmaker's view: Once again, a budget based on gimmicks
Minnesota Public Radio: Dayton, GOP continue hammering out budget details
Pioneer Press: When will the state be open for business?
St. Cloud Times: State workers hesitant over tentative budget deal
Star Tribune: Painful deal delays day of reckoning
Star Tribune: Budget deal still not a done deal