The political dynamics of a shutdown
DFL Gov. Mark Dayton spoke to reporters Thursday night, June 30, 2011, after budget talks broke off between him and Republican legislative leaders. Dayton declined to sign a "lights on" bill requested by the Republicans which would have kept state government running until a final deal was reached.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson
The state park closure is just one result of the failure of the governor and legislative leaders to reach a compromise. A court order is keeping money flowing to services deemed essential.
Prisons, schools, city governments, the state patrol and medical assistance for the poor are still running. But this shutdown is much more extensive than the partial shutdown the state saw in 2005. Reporter Tim Pugmire was up late last night as budget talks broke down.
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