![Transportation Debate in Focus as Budget Negotiations Begin](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/12/capitol_during_shutdown_getty.jpg?w=300&h=200&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Transportation Debate in Focus as Budget Negotiations Begin
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - It's deal-making time at the Minnesota Legislature.
Legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton met Monday start negotiations over how to handle the state's $900 million budget surplus. They'll need to find a compromise between vastly different tax and transportation funding proposals in the House and Senate.
The top politicians agreed to tackle a transportation package first. House Speaker Kurt Daudt says that will help determine how much money lawmakers have left over to dole out between tax cuts and other spending priorities.
And time is ticking. They have just two weeks to find a deal or call it dead.
Pressure isn't as high as last year, when budget talks spilled into an overtime session. The Legislature could leave the money unspent as no bills need to be passed this year.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![What Gives! Why Can’t Minnesotans Buy A Vehicle On Sunday?](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/04/attachment-Jim-Witkowski.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Special Election Set to Replace Central Minnesota Representative](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/02/Vote.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![State Bonding Money Allocated for Zimmerman Intersection](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/05/attachment-CSAH-4-Hwy-169.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Bill Would Ban Sale of Plastic Water Bottles](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/03/attachment-5.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ever Had A “Snikies”? Minnesota Weatherman “Makes Up” A Candy On Air](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/10/attachment-Image-Credit-%252540devinmartinTV-via-Twitter.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Free Vet! Minnesota Veterinarian Looking To ‘Give Away’ His Practice](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/07/attachment-Blue-Earth-Vet.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Senate Pushes Formula Gouging Bill](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/06/Minnesota-State-Capital.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN House Passes Tax Cut Bill](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/06/State-Capitol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Candidates Announce Bid for Minnesota House Seat 14A](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/03/attachment-House-14A-Candidates.jpg?w=980&q=75)