Go to Minnesota's budget

Minnesota's budget

Minnesota Public Radio coverage of the Minnesota budget negotiations.
  • What's the budget fight about? $1.4 billion and much more
    Policy differences are making the task of solving the state's projected $5 billion budget deficit over the next two years so difficult.July 11, 2011
  • Idled Minn. public employees holding on -- for now
    Many of the 22,000 public employees out of work in Minnesota's budget impasse say they will manage to get through the extended layoff. But others are looking for new jobs, creating the potential for a brain drain.July 10, 2011
  • Little urgency to end Minn. government shutdown
    Instead of sending Minnesota's elected leaders into a frenzy of activity, the nation's only state government shutdown has deepened the political paralysis that led them to their budget standoff. Top Democrats and Republicans have given no sign when they will talk again about how to resolve the stalemate.July 9, 2011
  • National debate over budget is as intense as in Minnesota
    Minnesota native and nationally-renowned congressional analyst Norm Ornstein compares the sharp divide in Washington to the sharp divide in Minnesota. Will Democrats and Republicans find common ground either place? What prevents this from being accomplished more smoothly?Midday, July 8, 2011
  • Republicans critical of Dayton keeping chef, housekeeper
    While Minnesota state government remains shut down for an eighth day Friday, some Republicans are criticizing DFL Gov. Mark Dayton for keeping his chef and housekeeper on the job at the governor's residence.July 8, 2011
  • Food inspectors will be shorthanded at fairs
    With fewer than 20 percent of its inspectors on duty because of the shutdown, the Minnesota Department of Health say it won't have enough staff to thoroughly inspect the food served at festivals in the state.July 8, 2011
  • If it lasts, shutdown could make history
    State government has been shut down now for a full week, and a budget agreement between Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP legislative leaders is nowhere in sight.July 8, 2011
  • Shutdown's effects on business only to get worse
    Economists warn that even if the shutdown ends soon, some negative effects could endure, including a hit to Minnesota's reputation.July 8, 2011
  • Parallels between budget impasse in Minn., Washington DC
    St. Paul and Washington DC are more than 1,000 miles apart. But the budget debates going on in both cities right now are very similar. Republicans want to balance the books without raising taxes, while Democrats call for a combination of spending cuts and tax increases.July 7, 2011
  • Minn.'s bond rating downgraded
    The budget impasse at the Capitol has resulted in a lower bond rating for Minnesota. Fitch Rating has downgraded the state's bond rating from the highest rating of AAA to AA+.July 7, 2011
  • Human Services: A complex, costly agency at the heart of budget impasse
    A closer look at the the Department of Human Services, the state agency that oversees health care and welfare programs for more than a million Minnesotans, and the sharp partisan disagreement over its funding.July 7, 2011
  • No budget talks; commission weighs in with recommendations
    There were no negotiations Thursday between Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders aimed at ending the state government shutdown, but an independent commission weighed in with its proposed framework for a budget deal.July 7, 2011
  • With government shut down, workers' comp claims in limbo
    Without a working state government, disputes over workers' compensation benefits are on hold, leaving thousands of medical insurance claims in limbo.July 7, 2011
  • The shutdown stalemate enters day 7
    Midmorning gets the latest on the political stalemate at the Capitol, as Minnesota's state government shutdown drags in to its seventh day.Midmorning, July 7, 2011
  • Parents await ruling on child care assistance subsidy
    Affording child care continues to be a concern for the 26,000 subsidized families who are cut off during the state government shutdown, now in its seventh day. A judge could rule to continue distributing funds toward child care.July 7, 2011
Photo by AFP/Getty Images

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