Minn. leaders slog to finish budget, end shutdown

Published 12:24 pm Monday, July 18, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A special session to end Minnesota’s state government shutdown is still expected this week as Republican lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton continue slogging away at a two-year budget.

Dayton isn’t expected to call a special session until he and legislative leaders agree on the fine points of nine budget bills and a package of construction projects.

Spokeswoman Katie Tinucci (tin-UCH’-ee) says Dayton hopes to wrap up that process as soon as possible, after it became clear Sunday the bills wouldn’t be ready for a Monday special session.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers says not all the work was finished Monday morning but he expects to end the shutdown this week.

Both Zellers and a spokesman for GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch say they have enough Republican votes to pass the bills.