Minn. Budget Deal Elusive As Dayton Deadline Comes
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton's deadline for lawmakers to pass a budget is here, but lawmakers have yet to send him their budget bills.
The Democratic governor last month urged the Republican-controlled Legislature to act on a budget by Friday. He has said he would be less optimistic for an on-time finish if legislators missed his deadline.
Minnesota faces a $5 billion deficit over the coming two years.
Lawmakers are working against a constitutional May 23 deadline for adjournment, with only one small budget bill for agriculture signed into law. House-Senate negotiating committees have the other bills.
Dayton and lawmakers are hung up on the process for negotiations.
They disagree on taxes and spending -- Republicans want to balance the budget through spending cuts while Dayton seeks to raise top income taxes.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
