What impact will the impending partial government shutdown have on human services and education? Is there any chance the shutdown could be averted by an eleventh-hour budget deal? ( 06/30/2005)

Lawmakers have until midnight Thursday to hammer out a budget deal before the state's authority to spend money officially expires. Even without a deal, services deemed essential will continue, but state parks, most highway rest areas and a host of other government functions will cease unless legislators can settle their differences. ( 06/30/2005)

Campsites and parks would remain open and some 4,000 state workers facing layoffs would be safe under the agreement. But the rest of the state is heading toward a shutdown (06/30/2005)

When Minnesota legislators complete their work on a public school funding plan, they will likely include a change in statewide student testing. (06/29/2005)

The state's top lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are still negotiating a budget deal at the governor's residence. First-term legislators, who will have to vote an any budget agreement but are not invited to the negotiating table, are left to wait. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Rep. Mike Charron, R-Woodbury, who are both in their first terms. (06/29/2005)

Senate Democrats say they're willing to back off their proposal for an income tax increase on the state's wealthiest households, and House Republicans say they're ready to preserve health care for thousands who would have lost coverage under earlier budget offers. (06/29/2005)

This week Deepa DeAlwis was supposed to go on her first family vacation since her husband returned more than a year ago from active duty in Iraq. That was before the partial government shutdown, which will hit on Friday unless Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers can reach a budget deal. (06/28/2005)

State officials continue to plan for a partial government shutdown on Friday as legislative leaders continue budget negotiations. Gov. Pawlenty and legislative leaders met late into the night at the governor's residence in St. Paul with the hopes that they could hammer out a budget deal. But the two sides still remain far apart on several key budget items. (06/28/2005)

As a partial government shutdown looms closer, hospitals and other health care providers are concerned they may be forced to play a greater role in caring for the state's vulnerable. People on state-subsidized insurance will still be able to seek treatment, but the services that help them navigate the health care system will be mothballed. (06/27/2005)

As the state prepares for a possible government shutdown next week, frustration is growing among rank and file legislators. Several state lawmakers say they've heard plenty of citizen complaints, and are frustrated themselves that they aren't more involved in the budget process. (06/24/2005)

State parks might shut down if the governor and legislators don't pass a budget soon. And that has park workers and park visitors worried. (06/23/2005)

A Ramsey County judge on Thursday ordered state officials to fund essential state services if there's a partial government shutdown at the end of the month. If there's any dispute over which services are essential, they will be mediated by former Supreme Court Justice Edward Stringer. (06/23/2005)

A recent state Supreme Court ruling will cost Minnesota government $250 million to $300 million in the next two-year budget cycle, deepening a deficit that lawmakers were already struggling to overcome. (06/21/2005)

Minnesota could stop issuing new drivers licenses, lock up state parks and highway rest stops, and possibly lay off thousands of state workers if a new budget isn't complete by the end of June. Gov. Tim Pawlenty Wednesday outlined preparations for a partial government shutdown. (06/15/2005)

At least 175 major highway construction projects would be shut down on July 1 if Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers fail to agree on a budget before then, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau said Monday. (06/13/2005)