It's crunch time at the Minnesota State Capitol and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is optimistic that work on the state budget will be done by the end of today.
"I really do believe, we'll probably have everything by tonight maybe except the tax bill," said the governor Wednesday afternoon at a ground breaking in Jordan. "I hope they're able to get it, but I think that one may be at an impasse where it has to come back to leadership."
Walz says he's grateful for the cooperation that leaders from both parties have shown.
"This one to me was probably the most collaborative, and I've been saying this, in my 20 years of doing this in both in Congress or whatever, I think this one, we get this thing buttoned up, I don't want to get ahead of myself, is one that I might be most proud of," Walz added.
Lawmakers have to have it done before June 1 or have to send out layoff notices, but Walz says they think they can get it all figured out by tonight.
"You know, we're running up against that June 1st deadline, reassuring state employees we're going to get this budget done," the governor said. "But we're obligated by contracts come June 1st to print layoff notices. We'll get her done."
The process has been difficult as there's a divided government, with inter-party tensions adding to the slow pace. Walz says despite how long it is taking, he called the proceedings cordial and professional.
Once both sides come to an overall agreement, the governor will call a special session so that lawmakers can vote on, and approve, the two-year state budget and send it to the Senate and Governor for ratification.