The Latest: Legislature Trades Offers in Budget Battle

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Republican leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton are trading offers to avert a budget showdown.

The drama to pass a two-year budget got into full-swing Tuesday as Republicans
suggested they may back away from the negotiating table and simply send their
own budget bills to Dayton. The two sides have been meeting privately for a week
but made little headway in narrowing major differences.

GOP leaders offered Tuesday afternoon to slim down their tax cut package to $1
billion while also boosting overall government spending. Dayton had previously
made several proposals that House Speaker Kurt Daudt called ``microsteps''
toward a deal.

Dayton was expected to weigh the offer and respond later Tuesday. The
Legislature has until May 23 to wrap up its work.