Talks between Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) and Republican lawmakers Tuesday failed to reopen the state government, shut down five days ago because of wrangling over how to close a $5 billion budget gap.
In bargaining sessions that closely mirror the political altercations in Washington, Dayton continued to press to raise income taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents, a plan Republican have repeatedly rejected in favor of spending cuts and delaying some payments.
The government shutdown has thrown thousands of state employees out of work with no idea when they might return. Construction projects have been stalled. And millions of dollars in state revenues will likely be lost: Minnesota is losing an estimated $200,000 a day from the closure of state parks alone.
The crisis is gaining attention beyond Minnesota’s borders.
Former Democratic U.S. senator Walter Mondale and former Republican governor Arne Carlson convened a bipartisan group of former legislators and budget officials Tuesday to come up with a budget proposal.
“Our fear is large national interest groups will cause a freezing of attitudes, with both sides digging in, making it difficult to compromise,” Carlson said during a news conference at the State Capitol. “We need a plan that is slightly distasteful to both sides.”
The group has Dayton’s support.
Republicans are skeptical of the outside commission, arguing that only current lawmakers can get themselves out of this mess.
“This looks to be a group that was put together by the governor, so I expect it’s going to have that kind of flavor when it comes to balancing the budget,” said state Sen. Geoff Michel (R), the deputy majority leader. “We’ve got a job to do, and I don’t believe we’ll be able to outsource it.”
Read more at The Washington Post.