Dayton Hopes To Return To Budget Talks

ST. PAUL  (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton plans to call legislative leaders Tuesday and ask that they return to negotiations on a state budget compromise as soon as possible.

Many lawmakers spent the holiday weekend in their districts listening to constituents who are frustrated with the budget stalemate that has closed many state functions.

Dayton called the government shutdown "a terrible situation" that will hopefully bring out the moderates for both parties and force everyone to a
resolution.

Republicans want to limit state spending to $34 billion, the amount the state is expected to bring in over the next two years, while Dayton wants to raise income taxes on the state's top earners to provide $1.8 billion more to keep up with growing demand for state services and prevent cuts to social programs and public colleges.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)