government shutdown

Governor Mark Dayton has plans to travel around Minnesota this week as the state's government shutdown continues, even as he says he's ready to return to budget talks with legislative Republicans.

Gov. Mark Dayton and top Republicans met again Wednesday without meaningful progress toward resolving the budget dispute that has shut down state government. House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch say the negotiations went backwards when Dayton made an offer for either an income tax increase for top earners or a cigarette tax increase.

The state government shutdown has put a construction project at St. Cloud's Madison Elementary on hold. The plan to add three new classrooms requires a review from the State Department of Labor and Industry.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders plan to resume budget negotiations on the fifth day of Minnesota's state government shutdown. The two sides return to the bargaining table at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday after budget talks fell apart late Thursday, prompting the state's second closure in six years.

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.

A state hotline that helps seniors is one of many casualties in Minnesota's state government shutdown. The Senior Linkage Line is a resource for older people and their caregivers on things like finding housing options and untangling health insurance and drug plans. But callers now get a recording that invites them to leave a message but warns there's no telling when it will be returned.

The Minnesota government shutdown is threatening delivery of some 700,000 pounds of food due at the state food shelves in the next two months. Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota, says the food comes from a federal program. Moriarty says its delivery depends on a single state employee who can work in a certain data management program.

DFL State Representative Larry Hosch of St. Joseph was on WJON this (Friday) morning. He says Governor Mark Dayton offered to take a tax increase off the table, but then Republicans started making demands on policy issues.

Hours into Minnesota's government shutdown, a fight is brewing about who's to blame for the budget impasse. Democratic Governor Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders blame each other for the shutdown. Talks fell apart late last night.

Don't plan on buying a Powerball, Gopher 5, scratchoff, or any other lottery ticket today (Friday). The state's lottery department is considered not an essential service and is part of the shutdown.