Budget talks will continue tonight

The governor and state lawmakers met behind closed doors for about three and a half hours today. They broke off their talks but are expected to meet at 8 pm tonight. Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders are trying to reconcile their differences on a $935 million projected budget deficit. The amount of spending cuts, the use of a health fund and the best way to reign in rising property taxes are some of the sticking points. DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said talks are going well but said the governor needs to make some decisions.

"It's a question of him being decisive now. If he's decisive in the area of getting business done, this is easily doable. If he's either indecisive or doesn't want to do business, we will obviously be like last summer chatting about special sessions."

Governor Pawlenty was not available to comment. His spokesman said progress was made but there's still more work to do.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem said it was a "great meeting."

"For now, it's how can we mold this thing to the satisfaction of everybody? and again I think we approached that with good spirit and good intentions and the desire we come back tonight and keep going."

The Legislature has about two weeks left before the constitutional deadline to adjourn.