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It seemed like a replay of the 2015 sprint to the Legislature's finish when top lawmakers struck a deal on their own and then realized that Gov. Mark Dayton wasn't exactly on board. It sent them into overtime and nearly led to a government shutdown.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk trumpeted a noteworthy deal Friday on a tax cut package totaling more than $800 million over three years. Then they crossed their fingers that Gov. Mark Dayton would bless it. He didn't give them the answer they were after.

"I made very clear to them that this tax bill is half of this package, but it won't suffice for my support on a standalone basis," Dayton told reporters after a private meeting with Daudt and Bakk.

"They've rushed all over themselves to do the tax cuts. I understand that the House is not enthusiastic about the supplemental spending, but I am. And I have a say in this," Dayton added.

He said he has been fully engaged in the talks and taken frequent calls and meetings with the leaders.

Dayton is insisting on a budget bill that uses some of the state's $900 million projected surplus for a new prekindergarten program, broadband expansion grants, initiatives to address racial economic inequities and stopgap spending for state prisons and security hospitals.

He also stressed that there are items in the budget discussions he won't accept, namely a private school tuition assistance program that Republicans have proposed.

Daudt said on TPT's "Almanac" program Friday night that legislative leaders have stretched to reach Dayton's demands.

"We’re trying to respect his priorities as well," Daudt said. "We know this is divided government as well.”

Lawmakers are under a time crunch to get their work done. They have to pass all their bills by Sunday at midnight and go home on Monday. Because they haven't reached final agreements yet, the process of physically constructing those bills hasn't been done, and it's not clear it can be finished in time.

Dayton said he isn't inclined to call a special session _ something only he can do _ if the Legislature blows its deadline.

"I don't see any reason to have a special session. They have 48 hours to get their work done. They've had 11 weeks. They started working on a lot of this informally last November. They've had all this time," Dayton said. "If they can't get their work done they haven't gotten their work done."

Bills for long-term transportation spending and general state-financed construction projects also remain unresolved.

In their joint "Almanac" appearance, Daudt and Bakk played it cool and said they didn't anticipate running long, the tight logistics aside.

"We have members who have made travel plans for the day after adjournment," Bakk said.

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Brian Bakst

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Dayton withholds his backing of tax deal that he says is only one part of a bigger deal.

Dayton holds out on tax deal: ‘I have a say in this’

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