Budget Bills Take Center Stage At Minn. Capitol

ST. PAUL (AP) - With the Legislature beginning its budget votes, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has warned majority Republicans that he won't accept slices of the budget until an agreement on a full plan is reached.

In a letter Monday, Dayton told legislative leaders that a deal on overall taxes and spending must be achieved before he'll sign budget bills. Dayton is also insisting that policy items not attached to spending be pulled out of the bills.

All week, the Senate and House plans votes on spending levels for various state programs as part of a budget that takes effect on July 1. An agriculture finance bill passed the Senate Monday with a few Democrats joining all Republicans in support.

The House was debating a tax bill that includes income-tax cuts in the two lowest income brackets, cuts statewide property taxes on businesses, and reduces state aid to the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth.

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