June 29, 2001 -
June 28, 2001 -
June 28, 2001 - With the clock still ticking toward a partial government shutdown, House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on an eight-point-seven Billion dollar funding bill for K-12 education early this morning. The bill would increase spending for schools by slightly more than the inflation rate for each of the next two years. It also contains a provison designed to ensure that school districts base their teacher contracts on the actual amount of money they receive from the state. Meanwhile, the House and Senate are scheduled to vote on a major property tax overhaul later today. But obstacles remain in other areas of the state's two-year budget. Lawmakers say it will take at least another day before they can complete their work. Administration officials say that brings the state uncomfortably close to a shutdown. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
June 27, 2001 -
June 26, 2001 -
June 25, 2001 -
June 21, 2001 - (CONTAINS DATED REFERENCE IN LAST GRAPH) State agencies today (THURSDAY) will take their first concrete steps towards mothballing non-essential services in the event state government funding runs dry next month. Road construction and maintenance crews are expected to stop their work and begin securing construction zones in preparation for a potentially wider shutdown. Budget talks at the state Capitol continue to yield no breakthroughs in a tax-and-spending debate that has dragged on for more than a month -- and some lawmakers are again considering fallback plans in case the impasse lasts through the weekend. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
June 13, 2001 - House and Senate negotiators today (WEDNESDAY) made budget offers during a public meeting of the tax working group. The two proposals, however, exposed the wide differences separating the two caucuses. But all sides say they're encouraged to have the discussions back in the public eye. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
June 6, 2001 -
May 18, 2001 - (NOTE: THIS IS A NEW VERSION OF YESTERDAY'S ATC PIECE. IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-EDITED). Prospects for an orderly resolution to this year's legislative session have grown dimmer. Yesterday (THURSDAY), Governor Jesse Ventura warned lawmakers he has no intention of calling a special session if they're unable to pass major spending bills by Monday's adjournment deadline. But after a second late night of negotiations, House and Senate leaders failed to reach agreement. And House Republicans say they're skeptical about a Senate contingency plan to avert a government shutdown if a deal isn't forthcoming. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.