Budget Pact Among Top Legislators Puts Dayton on Spot

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers are sprinting to formalize a $41,500,000,000 two-year state budget that has drawn the ire of Governor Mark Dayton.

House-Senate committees are meeting throughout the weekend to prepare the bills that make up the budget for final votes. One of them, an education plan, drew a veto threat from Dayton.

The Democratic governor says the $400,000,000 in new school spending isn't sufficient and he's holding out for $550,000,000 that includes funding for a prized preschool initiative.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt say they'll press ahead and would be disappointed if Dayton scuttles the bill. Doing so could force a special session sometime after Monday's required adjournment.

The pact leaves major decisions on tax cuts and transportation until next year.