State Budget Negotiations Break Down in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton says he'll veto every budget bill the Republican Legislature sends his way.

GOP legislative leaders changed tact after more than a week of negotiations with the Democratic governor made little headway. The House and Senate were taking final voters on several budget bills Tuesday night that hadn't been agreed upon with Dayton.

It's a reversal in approach that could set the Legislature on a collision course with Dayton as a late May deadline to finish the budget looms. Dayton criticized the Legislature for abandoning negotiations.

Dayton says the GOP's maneuver makes it more difficult for the two sides to strike a deal on time.

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(earlier version)

The Republican-controlled Legislature is forging ahead with its plan to send Gov. Mark Dayton budget bills he may veto.

The two sides have met for more than a week to hash out major differences in their budget plans but made little headway. The Legislature has until May 23 to finish the budget.

The House and Senate were taking up their own budget measures Tuesday afternoon, backing away from negotiations with Dayton. Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt expressed frustration that they weren't progressing toward a deal.

It's a bid to pressure Dayton to move their way, with larger tax cuts and smaller government funding increases than Dayton has outlined. House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin says they want to show Minnesotans the Legislature is getting their work done.