![UPDATE: Talks Resume to Avoid Minnesota Government Shutdown](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2010/12/minnesota_capitol-300x225.jpg?w=980&q=75)
UPDATE: Talks Resume to Avoid Minnesota Government Shutdown
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Most of state government will close at midnight if Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders fail to agree on a budget or at least a temporary spending measure.
Top GOP lawmakers left Dayton's office through a side door late Thursday morning after a meeting that lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. They resumed talks around midday.
The two sides are split on whether tax increases should be used to resolve a $5 billion deficit.
The shutdown threatens to shutter state parks on the brink of a holiday weekend and furlough thousands of state workers.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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