Deadline Budget Rush Leaves Out Money For Critical Staff

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The rush to Monday's budget-setting deadline has a price.

A budget bill for jobs and energy programs left out funding for state employees who review health insurance rates. Those staff members have been paid with federal funds that expire in September, leaving the state with the tab.

It was an oversight as the House and Senate hurriedly passed the bill minutes before the midnight deadline. A Department of Commerce spokesman says they may be able to shift funds to cover the roughly $1.3 million in costs over the next two years.

Rep. Joe Atkins tells reporters they may have been able to fix the issue if they weren't rushed to finish the budget.

Gov. Mark Dayton is weighing which bills to sign or veto.