Dayton calls Special Session for today
Governor Dayton announced just moments ago that he's calling a special session for 3pm today.
The Legislature will act quickly to take up nine budget bills and a bonding bill. The state government shutdown will end as soon as Gov. Dayton signs the bills into law.
"We worked very hard literally around the clock for the last four days and nights," Dayton said.
GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers says lawmakers will work as quickly as possible to get the budget bills passed.
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"I would say it's better to get people back to work than talk about a bill," Zellers said.
Dayton said he's hopeful some agencies can start operating by tomorrow.
"I'll sign them all as they come through," Dayton said, "Minnesota will be officially lights on."
Dayton and the Republican controlled Legislature have been at odds over the best way to craft a two year budget. They reached agreement last week to erase a $5 billion budget deficit by using a mix of spending cuts, a payment delay to schools and borrowing against future tobacco payments and spending cuts.
The budget deal would end the longest government shutdown in state history.