Minnesota Legislature: Minnesota's Budget Crisis



Republican legislative leaders emerged from Gov. Mark Dayton's office this afternoon reporting that "nothing big" came from an hour-long meeting. State lawmakers have until midnight Monday to reach a budget agreement that erases a projected $5 billion deficit. But the two sides remain deeply divided over taxes and spending cuts. (05/22/2011)
There's little movement on the budget, with some lawmakers even suggesting making contingency plans should a stalemate cause a government shutdown at the end of June. But the House appears poised to debate a same-sex marriage ballot measure. (05/21/2011)
Republicans say the effort is needed to balance the state's budget deficit. But critics say it's a politically charged move aimed at crippling urban centers -- which are largely governed by Democrats. (05/20/2011)
The money would have renovated the dam and expand it so it could also serve as a barrier against invasive species like Asian carp. The state Department of Natural Resources said Coon Rapids is the best location for such a barrier. (05/19/2011)
They called the hearing because they didn't think the public had enough chance to weigh in on the Republican-backed budget plan. (05/19/2011)
As the clock ticks closer to Monday's deadline for the end of the legislative session, Gov. Dayton and Republican leaders are talking less about whether a budget agreement can be reached, and more about who is at fault for forcing a likely special session. The parties can't agree on a plan to close the projected $5 billion budget deficit. (05/19/2011)
With just five days left in the legislative session, Republicans are pushing through a series of budget bills that face certain vetoes from DFL Gov. Mark Dayton. (05/18/2011)
A conference committee will decide soon whether to go along with some lawmakers' plans to make more groups apply for grants and compete for the money. (05/18/2011)
The Minnesota Legislature is another day closer to the end of the legislative session and lawmakers are still no closer to a budget deal with Gov. Dayton. The optimism over reaching a compromise, which was displayed earlier in the session, is being replaced by increasingly heated rhetoric. (05/18/2011)
Gov. Mark Dayton hosted a largely unproductive breakfast meeting with GOP leaders Tuesday morning. Later in the day, House Republicans sent a message to the governor by voting down his proposal to raise income taxes on top earners. (05/17/2011)
Republicans in the Minnesota House and Senate plan to start negotiating Tuesday with Gov. Mark Dayton's commissioners on individual budget bills. (05/17/2011)
The deadlock over Minnesota's projected $5 billion budget deficit showed the smallest signs of cracking Friday, but the Republican-controlled Legislature and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton remain fundamentally opposed over the best way to erase the shortfall. (05/13/2011)
The General Assistance program is the only source of income for about 20,000 Minnesotans. Many of the program's recipients are homeless and are awaiting approval for Social Security. They depend on the program to pay for medication co-payments, bus fare, and basic items like toothpaste and soap. (05/12/2011)
With just 13 days left in the legislative session, the governor expresses a willingness to work with Republican leaders but expects the House and Senate resolve their spending bills. (05/10/2011)
Mike Parry says the governor is showing a lack of leadership when claiming GOP budget hurts vets. (05/09/2011)

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