Talking Points: Daudt Calls Dayton's Demands 'Not Reasonable'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Through a spokesperson, Gov. Mark Dayton said again Sunday that he will veto a major tax cut bill this week unless Republicans agree to his conditions for a special season.

The bill would provide $800 million in tax relief over the next three years. Republicans want the tax cut bill badly. With the entire Minnesota Legislature up for reelection in November, Republicans want to point to this bill as a signature accomplishment.

The bill provides tax breaks for everyone -- including farmers, parents with child care costs and students with college loan debt.

But a one-word mistake in the bill means it will lead to $101 million less in funding for the Vikings Stadium. So, Dayton is going to veto it.

The one-word fix could happen in a special session, but the governor says he won't call one unless Republicans agree to his demands, including funding for the controversial Southwest Light Rail project and higher education.

With only the governor having the power to call a special session, Republicans are in a tough spot. Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt was a guest on WCCO Sunday Morning.

"What the governor is saying is: You need to agree to everything that I want or I am not going to call a special session," Daudt said. "We want him to call a special session. Unfortunately, the things he is asking for are not reasonable."

Another demand Dayton is making is for the restoration of an $800,000 tax break for high school athletes. The governor believes the measure was left out by the Legislature in retaliation for the State High School League's policy allowing transgender athletes to play girls sports.