Dayton Expects Minnesota Budget Talks To Pick Up Speed

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he expects budget talks with top Republican lawmakers to pick up in the coming days.

The Democratic governor said Tuesday that his breakfast meeting with GOP legislative leaders was "constructive." He says the leaders made suggestions that he is considering.

Dayton says he plans to get back to House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch on Wednesday.

Budget talks have been on hold for weeks as the governor and lawmakers argue about the process. Less than two weeks remain before the Legislature's mandatory May 23 adjournment deadline.

Dayton has pushed for higher top-tier income taxes, while Republicans want to erase a $5 billion deficit through spending cuts.

Dayton said Tuesday that he will consider any "legitimate, honest, legal" source of revenue.