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Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt says he’s not optimistic about a potential special session coming together, but he’s still willing to work toward an agreement.

Daudt, R-Zimmerman, held a news conference Friday to say he had notified DFL Gov. Mark Dayton of his availability to negotiate.

Dayton has been blaming the GOP leader for lack of progress and pointing out that Daudt was at a national legislative conference in the Virgin Islands.

Daudt said he found the governor’s recent behavior disappointing. He also accused Dayton of blaming others for problems he created.

“You know I didn’t call the governor back yesterday because I was on a damn airplane getting back here, so that I could face him face-to-face,” Daudt said. “I called him this morning and I’m waiting for a call back. I know he’s on the radio blasting me this morning because I’m in the Virgin Islands. Well guess what governor, I’m not. I’m here. Now what are you going to do? It’s time to get to work. Roll up your sleeves and let’s solve this.”

Daudt said he’s still open to a special session that takes up health insurance premium relief, a tax bill and a bonding bill. But Dayton already pulled the plug on the tax and bonding issues.

On MPR News Friday morning, Dayton said Republicans wanted bigger health care changes than could be considered in a one-day special session.

"I just really was stunned they would pull this kind of stunt at the very last minute with the clear intention of waylaying a special session next week to help these people in Minnesota, 121,00 people who need and deserve this kind of premium relief," Dayton said.

Republicans accuse Dayton of shifting the terms of a deal.

Dayton says a deadline to work out tax cut and construction bills for the potential pre-Christmas session has now passed, and the only proposal in play is a 25 percent rebate plan for some insurance buyers on the individual health market.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Tim Pugmire

Author

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt says he wants to talk, but he's not optimistic about a special session.

Daudt returns, blames Dayton

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