Shutdown Showdown: A Roundup of Local News on the State Government Stalemate

Here are some links and 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 by July 1.

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, and you can download the documents for yourself here.

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

Local Showdown
Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R, Buffalo) visited the St. Cloud Times newsroom Monday and criticized Dayton’s approach to the shutdown. She took particular issue with Dayton’s comment that the shutdown was the “lesser of two evils” – the other “evil” being the adoption of the proposed GOP budget.
Koch also said she would not accept her salary during the shutdown, matching a move by Dayton. She said, however, she would not call on other GOP legislators to do the some (though most have said, already, they would not).
“He was trying to grab a headline,” Koch said of Dayton’s press release on compensation.

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In a spot of bright news, the Minnesota State Colleges and University system (MnSCU) rescinded about 6,000 layoff notices, as the system found out it is included on Dayton’s essential services list.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.

Wright County and St. Michael-Albertville

City Administrator Bob Derus said St. Michael is in decent shape if the government suspends activity by July 1, a sentiment echoed by Larry Kruse, his colleague in Albertville. 

However, any joint projects, such as a new trail in the works between Hanover and St. Michael, would screech to a halt, as most of those have state money involved, Derus said. 

"The biggest issue with these is our staffing for the projects," Derus said. "Otherwise, we do not get state aid, and don’t depend too much on the state for anything." 

In Albertville, a shutdown would have a huge impact on any work expected in the Interstate 94 intecrhange, a project that involves two county roads, as well. More on that can be found here.