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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

Fishing scores while budget talks flounder

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Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, fishing guide Buck Lescarbeau and House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown pose for a picture from the governor's fishing boat on Lake Vermilion near Tower, MN. Photo supplied by Gov. Dayton's office.

Gov. Mark Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and House Speaker Kurt Daudt scored big hauls during the state's fishing opener on Saturday.

A spokesman for Dayton said the governor’s fishing boat caught 35 walleyes. Bakk, DFL-Cook, caught 14 of the fish. Daudt, R-Crown, caught 12 and Dayton picked up nine.

Apparently the fishing was so good that Dayton and legislative leaders didn't talk about their disagreements over state spending. Dayton's spokesman, Matt Swenson, said the three didn't talk about the budget at all.

"They were too busy catching fish," Swenson said.

It's impossible to verify whether the boat caught the number of fish they claim. Some also may find it difficult to believe that the three politicians didn't discuss the budget at all, especially with nine days until the Legislature's constitutional deadline to adjourn.

Dayton and lawmakers have have until May 18 to reach an overall budget deal or Dayton will be forced to call lawmakers back into a special session. They disagree over the best way to spend a $1.9 billion surplus.

Bakk and Daudt met privately to discuss budget matters on Wednesday and Thursday. The two apparently reached a deal on the Agriculture and Environment budget but the chairs of those committees aren't releasing the budget details.

A spokesman for Dayton said the governor was not involved in those talks.

Bakk and Daudt are also scheduled to meet again on Sunday. It's unclear if Dayton will be involved in those discussions.