Dayton optimistic but still plans for possible government shutdown

Gov. Mark Dayton's office is making plans to deal with any fallout from a possible federal government shutdown.

Tina Flint Smith, Dayton's chief of staff, held a conference call with the White House Friday to discuss the impact. She said national parks will close, income tax refunds and small business loans could be delayed, and passport applications won't get processed. Delays in federal funding for health care and federal grants could cause cash flow problems for the state if a shutdown lasts several weeks.

Dayton told reporters on Friday that he's optimistic President Obama and leaders in Congress will get a deal done.

"A lot of this does get accomplished under the threat of an absolute deadline so I remain hopeful that they'll reach some kind of a way to postpone or avoid entirely any kind of federal shutdown," Dayton said. "The impacts are federal, not state, but we'll deal with it whatever the consequences are."

Several members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation said they'll furlough some of their employees. But Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum said she won't furlough any of her staff and her state and federal offices will be open on Monday.