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The top Republican in the Minnesota House and the top Democrat in the state Senate announced late Friday that they had hammered out a tentative budget agreement, the specifics of which were not disclosed.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has not yet approved it. A spokesman said the governor is still reviewing the agreement so far.

With a Monday midnight adjournment looming and hours of private meetings behind them, House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, and Senate Majority Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook sounded optimistic that they can finish on time.

Daudt told reporters that everybody gave up something and got something in return.

“All of us kind of set aside some of our differences and certainly some of our priorities to come together,” Daudt said. “I think we’ll put a budget together that we can finish on time and frankly we think the governor will be with us in signing that.”

Daudt said he’s counting an increase in nursing home funding as one of his wins. He said the GOP plan to eliminate MinnesotaCare will not happen.

Bakk said there will be significant new money for K-12 education and higher education, and a significant amount of money left unspent. He would not provide any numbers.

Bakk said agreements were not reached on transportation funding or taxes, but those issues could still be addressed.

“We virtually spent no time talking about taxes or about a comprehensive transportation package,” Bakk said. “That’s not to say we’re not going to spend some time talking in the next couple of days.”

Daudt said transportation and taxes could also be addressed in the 2016 session.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Tim Pugmire

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House Speaker Kurt Daudt said he’s counting an increase in nursing home funding as one of his wins, and the GOP plan to eliminate MinnesotaCare will not happen. Senate Majority Tom Bakk said there will be significant new money for K-12 and higher education.

Legislative leaders reach budget deal, Dayton reviewing it

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