budget talks

Governor Mark Dayton says Wednesday is the day for "final breakthroughs" in budget negotiations with Republican legislative leaders, with a government shutdown two days away. The Democratic governor and lawmakers wrapped up talks on health and welfare programs Tuesday afternoon with a plan to continue negotiating on Wednesday.

Governor Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders met briefly but did not reach a budget deal with a government shutdown now only four days away. Dayton, House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch met privately for less than an hour Monday. Afterward the three appeared before the press together and say they're still hopeful of a deal that could head off a July 1 shutdown.

Republican legislative leaders are renewing their demand that Gov. Mark Dayton call a special session to pass budget bills that would prevent - or at least soften the pain of - a government shutdown in four days.

Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders will spend a summer Saturday behind closed doors trying to head off a state government shutdown that would hit in less than a week if they can't agree on a budget.