Talks Between Gov, House Speaker Begin Tuesday To Avoid Shutdown

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Talks will begin Tuesday between Gov. Mark Dayton and House Speaker Kurt Daudt in an effort to avoid a partial state government shutdown on July 1.

To avoid a shutdown, both the governor and Daudt will have to reach a series of deals in the next few weeks – deals they couldn't achieve in the five-month regular session.

When they both appeared on WCCO Sunday Morning, they sounded optimistic.

"The key word is cooperation," the governor said. "I have good relationship with [Daudt], and I am hopeful. Of course, it requires all four caucus leader to pre-agree once I call a special session."

Daudt was also hopeful.

"We were within inches of each other at the end [of the legislative session] and frankly ran out of time," he said. "So I am very hopeful that we can come together as long as the goal posts aren't moved in special session."

The messy end to the regular session left two major bills -- the Legacy and Bonding bills -- unfinished. The governor then vetoed three more: the $17 billion education bill, the jobs bill and the agriculture and environment bill. Now, he and Daudt will have just a few weeks to reach agreement on all five bills and get legislative leaders to sign off. Only then will the governor call a special session.

What's tricky is that the goal posts seem to be in constant motion. This weekend, for example, while the Governor scaled back his pre-K plan and offered up a temporary $250 million tax cut to appeal to Republicans. He also asked for $250 million more for K-12 education.

Without an agreement, layoff notices to 10,000 non-essential state workers could go out soon. Because state law requires 30 day notices for layoffs, the notices will have to go out next week.

Also, state parks will stop taking reservations on June 15 if no deal is in place.

In the 2011 shutdown, unexpected issues surfaced: restaurants and bars were not able to renew expired liquor licenses, Canterbury Park closed because it's regulated by the state and, before the shutdown, long lines formed at DMV locations.