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Lawmakers Working Around The Clock To Reach Budget Deal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Just a little more than 24 hours before state lawmakers are supposed to finish their business -- it looks like they may need overtime.

Gov. Mark Dayton said Sunday he'll veto a major education spending bill because it does not include his No. 1 priority. If it's possible, after 124 days and a $2 billion dollar surplus, the 2015 session could still not be over.

Tonight: State lawmakers are pulling an all-nighter to pass some of the biggest bills of the year. But for Governor Dayton, one bill is more important than all the others.

Lawmakers are working around the clock -- literally -- to end the 2015 session. But the landing will be rocky: if they finish at all.

"I will veto. Let me repeat again. I will veto," Dayton said.

Governor Dayton says he won't accept a budget that does not include money for his No. 1 priority: Voluntary, Pre-kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds.

"Not acceptable. It's not acceptable to the people of Minnesota and the 4-year-olds who depend on this," Dayton said.

The Senate Democratic leader, Tom Bakk, did not comment after meeting with Governor Dayton to map out the last hours of the session. And Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt said legislators will send Dayton the school bill he doesn't want because it includes $400 million new dollars in classroom spending.

"I would certainly ask the governor again very respectfully, please consider if he does plan to veto it because I think this would do a lot of good for school kids in Minnesota," Daudt said.

If Governor Dayton forces a special session to get what he wants, he said he'll travel the state first, denouncing Republicans. And with the State Capitol shut down for renovation, Dayton said lawmakers can meet on the front lawn under a tent.

"And they can have it any time with a day's notice. Set it up, and get it done. Yeah, I am serious. At minimal cost to the taxpayers of Minnesota," Dayton said.

If Governor Dayton vetoes the education bill as he has promised to do, the State Education Department would be forced to close its doors and lay off all its employees. Meanwhile, the House and Senate are passing out some very important spending bills Sunday night, including higher education funding, and human services.

At this point, trying to do only what's necessary to get out of town by midnight tomorrow.

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