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Republican Leaders Fuming After Gov. Dayton Vetoes Tax, Budget Bills

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed Wednesday the biggest tax and spending bills of the year.

The move leaves the 2018 Legislature with few accomplishments, and a long list of grievances.

The governor announced the dramatic vetoes at a late morning news conference, calling the last days of the 2018 session "absolute chaos."

"It was the worst managed legislative session I've ever seen," Dayton said.

The governor's veto of the massive 986-page budget bill could have far-reaching effects.

Among them:

-- Minnesota schools won't get money for safety measures against mass shooters;

-- There won't be emergency school funding for struggling districts;

-- Minnesotans could face tax hikes because the state tax code won't sync up with the federal system;

-- and programs for the disabled now face cuts, despite last minute pleas at the Capitol to sign the budget bills.

Top Republican leaders appeared genuinely angry by the vetoes of their signature accomplishments, revealing they didn't know until it was public.

"In the end, it feels impulsive. It feels vindictive," said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka. "And it didn't help anybody in Minnesota."

Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt said he was incredibly disappointed.

"I'm actually to the point that I'm embarrassed he did this," he said. "I don't know how we move forward."

The governor says he warned Republicans he'd veto the 986-page spending bill, which included hundreds of different programs, but they sent it to him anyway.

Dayton vows he won't call a special session to give lawmakers a second chance.

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