Lt. Governor Quietly Prepares State Workers For Layoff Notices

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On Monday, Minnesota is required by law to send out layoff notices. Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith is privately making the rounds of state agencies, giving workers updates on the negotiations.

On Friday, Lt. Gov. Smith went to the state Agriculture Department. This week, she's also visited the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Labor and Industry.

"This has a real impact on state employees," Lt. Gov. Smith said. "They're trying to figure out whether they'll get a paycheck in July, they're trying to figure out whether their health insurance is going to continue, and it just really helps to talk to them and give them an idea of what's happening behind closed doors."

Layoff notices must be sent out on June 1 -- one month before the state runs out of money, possibly shutting down the government.