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Former Gov. Carlson Predicts Special Session

By Courtney King, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There's another meeting of the DFL Governor and Republican legislators this morning in the ongoing effort to reach a budget deal in time for Monday's deadline. Will they get it done this time?

According to former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, "I would think probably not."

Carlson thinks it's inevitable that we're heading for a special session and for a couple reasons.

"One, there's very little time left. Two, there's no indication of a willingness by both parties to compromise, so I think a stalemate is going to occur."

WCCO's Dave Lee Interviews Former Gov. Arne Carlson

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Carlson said there is an opportunity to see this as a real plus.

"This thing has gone on for 10 years now. Minnesota has not properly balanced its budget over the last 10 years. We have gone on from deficit to deficit so why don't we learn from the past?"

Carlson also suggested building a new business plan for Minnesota with a focus on job creation.

"Bring together some key business leaders -- current business leaders and some of the past leaders that have helped define our quality of life."

Overall Carlson said we need to learn to invest in the future.

"In this debate we hear nothing about quality of life. Nothing about what's good for children. It's only about how many people can we get off the government payroll or how many programs we can eliminate," he said.

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