With one day left before adjournment, lawmakers are back at the state capitol in St. Paul trying to wrap up as much work as they can.
That includes budget negotiators, who still have a long way to go before reaching a consensus.
If there's no budget agreement by the Monday adjournment, Gov. Walz can call a special session to get it done before the current spending plan runs out on June 30.
Senate Republicans insist
budget negotiations can still go on at the capitol in earnest, despite them passing a two-year funding plan in case there is no on-time agreement.
Nobody wants a government shutdown, but we have to be prepared and protect citizens from the worst-case scenario. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/KTXeyoKrzR
— Roger Chamberlain (@rcchamberlain1)
May 18, 2019 "This is plan B," Sen. Karin Housley said. "The people of Minnesota are expecting all of these state government agencies and the day-to-day life for this bill to keep Minnesota open."
Democrats did not appreciate the gesture.
How budget negotiations work: both sides work together, find compromise, and get things done for the people.How they don't work: Senate GOP refuses to compromise, sabotages negotiations, then demands their way on everything if those sabotaged negotiations break down. #mnleg
— Minnesota DFL Party (@MinnesotaDFL)
May 18, 2019 "What this appears to be with my experience is you're throwing the towel in on negotiations," Sen. Tom Bakk said on the floor in response.
