Legislative Leaders Spar Over Session Centerpieces

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders are picking up old disagreements over transportation funding and tax cuts.

Top lawmakers from both parties and the Democratic governor met in a forum to discuss the upcoming legislative session near the Capitol on Thursday. The Legislature is set to resume unfinished work from last year when it returns on March 8.

Dayton and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt clashed over how to fund a major road and bridge repair package. Republicans say the state should tap a $1.2 billion budget surplus, while Dayton and Democrats are pushing for a gas tax increase. Those disagreements kept an agreement out of reach last year.

And the Legislature won't have much time. Ongoing renovations at the Capitol have truncated the session to just 10 weeks.