Minn. Budget Debate Hits Lull Until Big Deal Made
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota lawmakers have entered the waiting phase of the debate over a new two-year state budget.
Now that the House and Senate have approved several budget bills, they will start working out a common set to send to Gov. Mark Dayton. But those negotiations will get off to a slow start while the Democratic governor and top legislators work out how much money to raise in taxes and how to broadly divvy up those dollars.
Dayton met Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and House Speaker Paul Thissen. The trio didn't arrive at any immediate agreements.
House-Senate conference committees have begun meeting, but mainly to walk through their differing bills.
The constitutional deadline for adjournment this year is May 20.
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