Reality Check: Minnesota's Historic Shutdown
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- Minnesota is about to enter the record books: the longest state government shutdown in modern history.
Only five states have had government shutdowns since 2002. Out of seven state shutdowns in the United States, Minnesota has had two.
None of the others lasted as long as the shutdown is in Minnesota.
Here's a list:
Tennessee: 3 days in 2002.
New Jersey: 7 days in 2006.
Michigan twice: for 2 hours in 2007 and 4 hours in 2009.
Minnesota: shut down for 9 days in 2005 and so far this year: 8 days and counting.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton calls it "frustrating" and adds it's never good for a state's reputation.
"I think it says we have two very divided political perspectives," said Dayton, who was sworn into office in January. "It's not unlike the rest of the country and what's happening in Washington, DC."
On Sunday, Minnesota's shutdown will have lasted for an unprecedented 10 days, breaking its own previous 9-day record for a government shutdown set in 2005, under Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
As of late Friday afternoon, there are no new negotiations scheduled between Dayton and Republican leaders.
