Shutdown Roundup: Gearing Up for a Hearing

Here is an update for Wednesday on the state budget battle and impending state-government shutdown with links to some of the latest information.

The Latest
The battle over the budget is moving to the courts, with a hearing Thursday before Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin, according to the Star Tribune. One suit from four GOP state senators asks the state not to spend money the Legislature hasn't authorized during the shutdown. That would make void Dayton’s proposed list of essential services, and he has filed a motion to dismiss the Republicans' effort. Meanwhile, other parties are joining in, reports Politics in Minnesota. A complete list of court filings is 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.

The Basics
A state-government shutdown will start July 1 if the parties involved don’t come to an agreement. The state is inching closer to a shutdown, as the Legislature and Gov. Dayton struggle to find common ground. More on the Whys and What-ifs here at Minnesota Public Radio.

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In a spot of bright news, the Minnesota State Colleges and University system (MnSCU) rescinded about 6,000 layoff notices, as the system found out it is included on Dayton’s essential services list.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