Dayton Vetoes Republican Budget

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed the entire Republican budget, ensuring a special legislative session.

The Democratic governor struck down the nine bills on Tuesday, about 12 hours after the Legislature adjourned as required by the constitution.

Dayton is expected to call a special session to finish the two-year budget that begins in July. Without a new budget in place, most of state government would shut down starting in July.

Dayton repeatedly vowed to reject the GOP budget bills without an overall budget deal.

Republican legislative leaders are flying around the state Tuesday to promote their budget and speak out against Dayton's proposal to raise income taxes for the top 2 percent.

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