Dayton targets Monday for Special Session

Governor Dayton says he's inclined to call lawmakers back into a special session on Monday, but he says he wants to make sure every budget bill is wrapped up first. Dayton said his commissioners are working with committee chairs to finish up their budget work by tonight. He says he intends to read the budget bills this weekend and hopes to bring lawmakers back into special session on Monday.

"The law doesn't require any lead time so I could do it Monday morning at 9 o'clock," Dayton said. "And I won't do it until I reviewed all of the bills and believe they all fit the parameters of our agreement and also until we've agreed in writing to what's going to be involved and not in a special session. Because as you know if I call them back they leave at their discretion not mine."

Dayton and GOP legislative leaders reached a budget deal yesterday that spends an additional 35.4 billion over the two year cycle. The plan relies on an expanded payment delay to schools and borrowing against future tobacco payments. Minnesota is in the 15th day of a state government shutdown.

Dayton also appeared on MPR's Midday program today. You can listen to that here:

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