Local Lawmakers ‘Hopeful’ As Budget Talks Begin [AUDIO]
June 24, 2011 10:51 AM 
ST. CLOUD – Governor Mark Dayton and GOP Leaders have started an all-day meeting aimed at bridging their state budget differences. And that’s given local lawmakers hope that a budget shutdown can still be avoided.
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State Representative King Banaian of St. Cloud says, if an agreement is not reached, he has put together a “lights on” bill that would fund the government at 70%.
Meanwhile, Representative Steve Gottwalt of St. Cloud also believes today’s meeting is a good sign.
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Gottwalt will be participating in those meetings on Saturday, working on a compromise on the Health and Human Services bill. If a shutdown can’t be avoided state lawmakers will continue to receive their paychecks, Banaian says he will collect his money but Gottwalt says he won’t accept his.
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