Minnesota legislators on Friday slid into a working weekend, hoping to move closer to agreements on the state budget, health care changes and property tax assistance.
Ample differences remain between the DFL-led Legislature and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The legislative leaders from both parties were scheduled to meet with Pawlenty today and possibly Sunday.
The Legislature has a little more than two weeks to reach a negotiated deal on patching a $935 million budget hole. If they can't, Pawlenty can shave spending and tap into reserves without their consent. He would first have to drain the state's $653 million reserve, but then he could withhold payments for an array of programs to cover the rest.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
