Minn. Leaders Make Deal to End Government Shutdown

[Divine Discontent]

Source: AP

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and top Republicans agreed Thursday to end a budget impasse that prompted the longest state government shutdown in recent history, after the Democratic governor surrendered on raising taxes.

Dayton said the state government would be back in business "very soon," but he didn't say exactly when.

The deal to erase a $5 billion deficit came after a big sacrifice from Dayton, who made new income taxes a central campaign message last year and the centerpiece of his budget. He dropped that and said he would accept — with conditions — an offer the GOP put forward on the eve of the shutdown to bring about $1.4 billion into the budget by delaying payments to schools and selling tobacco payment bonds.

Republicans agreed to his conditions, which included relinquishing a list of policy changes such as banning state aid for stem cell research and a plan to cut the state workforce by 15 percent.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=14077130

---

more at link

[Cereal Kyller]

1. Sorry about the dupe

Recced.

[Cereal Kyller]

2. [Minnesota Governor] Dayton, GOP finally reach budget deal

Source: startribune.com

After weeks of crippling political deadlock, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders emerged in the darkened Capitol on Thursday to announce they had brokered a budget deal to end the longest state government shutdown in U.S. history.

The deal raises the revenue Dayton sought -- $1.4 billion -- but without raising taxes, which Republicans opposed. Instead, it reaches back to an earlier GOP offer to rely primarily on more borrowing from schools and from the sale of tobacco bonds. The House and Senate could return in special session to vote on a final budget as early as Monday or Tuesday.

Dayton and legislators said they plan to work "around the clock" through the weekend to fine-tune details and call a special session. State government would be able to start back up as soon as bills are passed and signed.

Dayton acknowledged the deal "certainly doesn't put us in a better situation, but the real solution for Minnesota and the nation is for the state and national economy to improve and put more people to work and, therefore, paying taxes.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/125578518.html

[truthisfreedom]

3. I don't think Mark Dayton wants to return to politics once leaving office this time.

However, in this time of crisis, he's managed to walk away from this without too much damage. The problem is this... he's heaped the future debt payoff on the backs of children who will not be educated well enough to pay for it.

Sad, but true.

[No Elephants]

4. Won't "borrowing from schools" really end up being cutting the school budget?

Not sure what tobacco revenue bonds are.

"On the DFL side, Golden Valley Rep. Ryan Winkler called it "the most irresponsible budget in our state's history." Borrowing money to balance the budget was wrong when Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty did it, he said, and that pattern is being repeated. "Minnesota has steadily marched down a path toward a fiscal crisis, like we have seen in other dysfunctional states," Winkler said.

Sen. Barb Goodwin, DFL-Columbia Heights, said that "before, it was House and Senate Democrats who caved in to Pawlenty's shifting." Now, she said, "It's Dayton caving in to Republicans shifting the debt into the future.''

(DFL = Democratic Farm Labor Party)

When Democratic Executives and/or Democratic Legislators do the same things Republican Executives and Republican Legislators do, nothing good comes of it.

Stop letting the thugs run government whether they are in the majority or the minority. Just stop.

[Yupster]

8. Remember the tobacco settlement of years ago?

The states get tobacco money each year for I don't know how many more years.

Many of them are borrowing against their future tobacco money. Shortsighted, but that's politics. Any money available is wanted now.

[Morning Dew]

5. Too many things were ruled to be critical services.

Had Minnesota actually shut down, People would have pressured the Republicans to cut a deal.

[Archae]

6. The GOP got too many gripes about beer and cigs running out.

:-)

[truthisfreedom]

9. I'm sure that drove both sides. Liquor distribution was being disrupted. Take away the booze and

cigs, and the people take the streets.

[Cereal Kyller]

7. Dupe thread. Sorry.

Please delete.