Governor Mark Dayton and Republican leaders begin closed-door negotiations on the state budget this afternoon, and they’ll try for agreement first on an agriculture programs bill and a higher education funding bill. Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says, “Why not take the low-hanging fruit first? I think that’s what we’re trying to say. The governor’s in agreement that we should at least try to do that.”
Governor Dayton says when they start negotiating the environment and jobs bills, which have a number of controversial provisions both sides disagree on, “that’ll be the acid test. If we could clear one of those or both those away in a reasonable amount of time, then we’ll know we’re on track… that… [this] can be resolved in a timely conclusion.” But he adds, “If we get bogged down in one of those as we got bogged down in 2015… then I will conclude that this is not a practical way of resolving our differences. But we want to give it a try.”
Dayton and Republicans must agree on a number of controversial measures, including E-12 education funding, a human services budget and tax cuts before the May 22nd deadline or a special session will be needed. House Speaker Kurt Daudt says, “We have to find budget bills that the governor will sign. That’s how this works. He also has to get us to send him bills. He can’t pass his own bills. So we have to work together.”