ST PAUL, Minn. — Top legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz have resumed discussions as the clock ticks down on the 2019 legislative session with no word on whether they're close to a deal for completing their work.
Neither Walz nor Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka nor Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman have said much publicly for the past week on the progress of their negotiations toward a budget deal.
Nor have they officially said whether a special session will be necessary, but the adjournment deadline is Monday night.
The Senate on Saturday approved a Republican plan for preventing a state government shutdown if a stalemate persists.
Democratic House Minority Leader Tom Bakk dismissed the gambit as throwing in the towel and accused Republicans of bargaining in bad faith.