Dayton Gives up on Special Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton says he's dropping his push for a special legislative session.

During a media availability Tuesday morning, Dayton said that effort has come to an end. With the Legislature's regularly scheduled return in early March and Republicans still not on board, Dayton says he ran out of time.

He faults Republicans for "slow-walking" the emergency session negotiations.

Dayton and fellow Democrats have pressed for months for a special session to extend unemployment benefits for miners on the Iron Range. They're also weighed proposals to bring Minnesota in compliance with a federal driver's license law and tackling racial economic disparities.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt has said the issues can wait until the Legislature's scheduled return in early March.