Dayton Eyes Monday for Special Session to End Minnesota Shutdown

Gov. Mark Dayton said he is willing to call a special session Monday morning but first needs to read all nine of the unsigned legislative bills.

Dayton appeared on Minnesota Public Radio on Friday afternoon. He gave his negotiators a deadline of 10 p.m. Friday to have the deals in place.

While Dayton has said he’s happy with , he also said he understands that not all Democrats share his zeal.

“It may be there are some (bills) they find they can support,” Dayton said, referring to the K-12 education bill. “(And) there will be bills that have bipartisan support. The tax bill, I wouldn’t vote for, either.”

The governor's giving-in wasn't what one local politico wanted to see.

"Instead of sticking the course ... he agreed to the GOP Tea Party's irresponsible Borrow-and-Spend plan," , who managed state Rep. Carolyn Laine's (DFL-50A) campaign for office. "Borrow-and-Spend does nothing but delay the problem and shift the current financial crises to our already over burdened schools."

While he is expecting resistance, Dayton was confident that the “rough edges and details” would not be enough to derail negotiations or extend the shutdown.

Dayton also said he hopes to be able to provide back pay to the 22,000 state workers laid off on July 1. But he did not confirm whether this would happen for sure.  

The governor is scheduled to appear on Almanac on Twin Cities public television at 7 p.m.