Dayton Looks To Call Special Session on Monday

Appearing on Minnesota Public Radio on Friday afternoon, Gov. Mark Dayton said he is willing to call a special session Monday morning but first needs to read all nine of the unsigned legislative bills.

The governor gave his negotiators a deadline of 10 p.m. Friday to have the deals in place.

While Dayton has said he’s happy with  he understands that not all Democrats share his zeal.

“It may be there are some (bills) they find they can support,” Dayton said, referring to the K12 education bill. “(And) there will be bills that have bipartisan support. The tax bill, I wouldn’t vote for, either.”

Roseville’s three DFL state legislators weren’t happy with the budget breakthrough but understood why Dayton felt compelled to give in to Republican demands for ending the state government shutdown.

District 54 Sen. John Marty said he supported Dayton previously rebuffing Republican demands; then added he intends to vote against the budget settlement. Still, Marty said he won’t second guess Dayton now for changing course.  

“Dayton was put in an impossible situation,” he said.

House 54A Rep. Mindy Greiling, a 10th term lawmaker, contended, “The public is focusing on the shutdown instead of on the long-term ramifications of the Republican policy."

House District 54B Rep. Bev Scalze called the budget settlement “unfortunate because we are not solving the budget problem.” Instead, the delay in fully paying Minnesota’s school districts is putting the problem off into the future,she said. 

Whatever the case, Roseville City Manager Bill Malinen was pleased to see the state government at an apparent end. 

"Although Roseville was not greatly affected by the shutdown, we are pleased that state officials were able to reach a budget agreement," Malinen said.

"We look forward to the road work on Rice Street to start up soon, and for the entire state to get back to business," he said,referring to a state road improvement project in Roseville that has been idled since the shutdown began. "We also appreciate that our state workers can get to work, providing support for all Minnesotans."

While he is expecting resistance, Dayton was confident that the “rough edges and details” would not be enough to derail negotiations or extend the shutdown.

Dayton also said he hopes to be able to provide back pay to the 22,000 state workers laid off on July 1. But he did not confirm whether this would happen for sure.