Governor Mark Dayton told Republicans today 100-plus million dollars in what he calls emergency assistance to Minnesota school districts is a “must have” this legislative session. The governor says, “My position is that I will not engage in any negotiations on the tax bill or sign any tax bill until we have an agreement to provide emergency school aid.” House Speaker Kurt Daudt (DOWT) responds the governor asked too late in the legislative session to have the proper hearings. Daudt says, “He’s calling it emergency funding, and in Minnesota we deal with emergency funding by having emergency special sessions. So he certainly can call a special session.”
Republicans say the governor is endangering a tax cut bill that will benefit low- and middle-income families. Dayton fires back Republicans’ bill would give bigger benefits to businesses.