Talks, But No Deal, as Legislature Adjournment Looms

ST. PAUL - Call it a stalemate, holding pattern or something else, but Minnesota's Legislature is making little headway on major budget decisions.

Legislative leaders shared few details Thursday after on-and-off private meetings to discuss tax cuts and transportation funding.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and Republican Speaker Kurt Daudt say they're closing in on how much of a $900 million budget surplus to put toward tax relief. But they wouldn't say what that may look like.

Even Gov. Mark Dayton is hungry for more information. He said Thursday he has no information on the progress in private negotiations and jokingly asked reporters for information.

Time is ticking away for the leaders to strike deals. The Legislature adjourns May 23.