Dayton, Lawmakers Agree on Education Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton and House Republicans have reached a tentative deal on education funding, the largest unresolved piece of the state's budget that threatened a government shutdown.

The Democratic governor and top House GOP lawmakers had been at loggerheads for weeks over how much new money to pour into Minnesota public schools. After holding out for more, Dayton announced Monday he would accept Republicans' latest offer to put up another $525 million for E-12 education.

Dayton says the education deal paves the way for a special session this week or early next. Minnesota lawmakers have until July 1 to finalize a budget.

But there are still areas of disagreement to wrap up. The two sides need to agree how to spend that new sum.