Shutdown Roundup: Latest and Local News on State Government

Right now, a stalemate over Minnesota's looming $5 billion deficit means the state is headed towards a government shutdown. Because the regular legislative session ended without a budget deal, Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) and Republican leaders now have until July 1 to reach a compromise.

Here is some of the latest, local information on the state budget battle and the impending state government shutdown, which would occur if the two sides involved don’t come to an agreement in the next eight days. 

The Basics

The state is inching closer to a government shutdown, as the Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton struggle to find common ground. Republicans made concessions last week to various tax cuts, but Dayton called the moves “posturing,” and let a 5 p.m. deadline pass on June 20. More on the Whys and What-ifs here at Minnesota Public Radio.

The Latest

The battle over the budget is already moving to the courts, according the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Several lawsuits, including a high-profile suit filed by four GOP state senators, are asking the state not to spend any money that’s not authorized by the state Legislature during the shutdown. That would make void Dayton’s proposed list of essential services, which he released earlier this week, and he has filed a motion to dismiss the Republicans' effort.

A complete list of court filings can be found here. Also, you can download the documents for yourself here.

The Details

The two sides did, actually, come together earlier today, according to several media outlets, including KARE 11. It’s the first time this week the two sides have gotten together. 

Local Impact

According to Minnetonka City Manager John Gunyou, city services will be very minimally affected by a state government shutdown. Because Minnetonka receives little, if any, local government aid money from the state, residents will see very little change in the services that that city provides, he said.

County services may be an entirely different story, however. On Tuesday, the Hennepin County Commissioners released a statement, which said a shutdown would have a “profound impact on the people of Hennepin County.”

“Any state shutdown will have a significant, widespread and painful impact on many residents and businesses of Hennepin County,” County Board Chair Mike Opat said, specifically referencing county services like homeless shelters, mental health crisis centers, emergency case management, and the county’s call center, which triages calls for assistance and offers information-and-referral services.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman will represent the county in court. According to his office, Freeman will argue for continuing services, which county commissioners believe are critical to the safety of county residents but are not included in current state proposals of core services.

 Layoffs

In a spot of bright news, the Minnesota State Colleges and University system (MnSCU) rescinded about 6,000 layoff notices, as the system found out it is included on Dayton’s essential services list. MnSCU was shut down for a short period during the last stalemate, in 2005.