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Capitol View®
Catharine Richert

Budget talks reconvene behind closed doors

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The weather may be the only thing that's changed since Wednesday's round of budget negotiations at the governor's residence.

In a cold drizzle, legislative leaders dodged reporter questions as they continued their closed-door meetings with Gov. Mark Dayton to try to reach an agreement on details of a $40 billion two-year budget.

The parties involved have vowed not to release details of their discussions until they have a deal.

But even though there are only five days left before the legislative session ends at midnight on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he's certain they can meet their deadline.

Major sticking points include health and human services funding, particularly a Republican effort to eliminate MinnesotaCare, a health insurance program for the working poor, and move enrollees to MNsure, as well as Dayton's push for universal pre-kindergarten.

Bakk said before the Thursday session that the group did make some headway on one issue Wednesday: A public safety bill that funds the court and prison systems.

Bakk said leaders agreed on a budget target of $111 million over base funding, and that the conference committee will start work today.

But if there's hope for tax or transportation bills, which aren't considered must-pass legislation this session, Bakk was far less optimistic.

"I don't see a path today," Bakk said based on the latest negotiations.

House Republicans want a tax break package worth $2 billion, but Senate Democrats say they won't consider it if Republicans can't agree to a transportation package that relies on new revenue for road and bridge construction.