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Dayton Expects Minn. Budget Talks To Pick Up Speed

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton says he expects budget talks with top Republican lawmakers to pick up in the coming days.

The Democratic governor said Tuesday that his breakfast meeting with GOP legislative leaders was "constructive."

Dayton says he is considering their suggestions and plans to get back to House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (kohk) Wednesday.

Zellers says lawmakers want to move budget bills forward but don't want to send them to Dayton while they're still negotiating.

Talks have been on hold for weeks. Less than two weeks remain before the Legislature's mandatory May 23 adjournment deadline.

Dayton has pushed for higher top-tier income taxes, while Republicans want to erase a $5 billion deficit through spending cuts.

Dayton said Tuesday that he will consider any "legitimate, honest, legal" source of revenue.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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