Gov. Dayton Signs Bills, Avoiding Government Shutdown
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton today signed into law the budget bills passed overnight by a special session of the Legislature, avoiding a partial state government shutdown.
Lawmakers ended their extra session at 2:00 in the morning Saturday, after a marathon 16 hour meeting in which they passed major funding for classrooms, agriculture and out door programs, and emergency aid to fight the Avian flu outbreak.
"I am relieved that we are done. The session's over," said Dayton, a Democrat. "I'm relieved that state employees don't have to worry any longer about their jobs come July 1st. And there are good features in these bills which need to be put to work for the benefit of Minnesota."
Minnesota lawmakers won't come back to St. Paul until next year.