ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Latest on the Minnesota Legislature’s special session to finish its budget (all times local):
11 p.m.
Gov. Mark Dayton is standing by his threat to veto a bill blocking cities from passing their own minimum wage hikes or sick leave policies, despite sweeteners Republicans added to tempt him.
The two sides agreed late Monday that the Legislature would pass a bill with those limits rather than include the proposal in a budget bill. Dayton vowed at the time he’d veto it.
But the bill unveiled late Tuesday also includes an extension of a new parental leave policy for state employees that’s set to soon expire, ratification of several labor contracts and pension funding increases.
Dayton issued a statement saying it was “unconscionable” that the GOP would pit the financial security of state employees and retirees against the rights of local governments.
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10:15 p.m.
Republicans are trying to tempt Gov. Mark Dayton to sign a bill blocking cities from passing their own minimum wage hikes or sick leave policies.
The Democratic governor has fought the proposal all year, calling it a limit on local control. But the GOP says a patchwork of regulations was difficult for employers to navigate.
The two sides agreed the Legislature would pass a separate bill with those limits during a special session to finish the budget. Dayton vowed he’d veto it.
But the bill unveiled late Tuesday was also loaded with pension increases, labor contract approvals and an extension of a sick leave policy for state employees. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Legislature has until 7 a.m. to finish its budget.
9:30 p.m.
Protesters urging Gov. Mark Dayton to veto a public safety bill noisily marched through the Capitol on the first night of the special session, and disrupted a hearing.
They’re upset that the bill contains a Republican-backed provision that would ensure that the governor’s administration can’t unilaterally expand driver’s license access to immigrants who are living in the state illegally.
As they marched through the halls and into the hearing, they chanted, “Governor Dayton, meet with us. Don’t throw immigrants under the bus.”
They left after several minutes, and the joint House-Senate hearing resumed on the $650 million tax relief bill.
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8:45 p.m.
Lawmakers are finally starting to release pieces of their plans to complete a $46 billion budget.
The special session began right at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday after the Legislature failed to complete its budget by Monday’s midnight deadline. But Gov. Mark Dayton and top Republicans struggled to finalize the terms of those spending packages.
Those plans finally started to come to light Tuesday night ahead of a 7 a.m. Wednesday deadline.
Initial plans for a $660 million tax bill shrunk by $10 million. But the breaks would reduce Social Security income taxes, offer student loan debt relief and cut sales taxes on premium cigars.
A hefty education budget would pay to increase public schools’ per-pupil funding formula by 2 percent in each of the next two years and expand preschool offerings by $50 million.
6 a.m.
State lawmakers are due back at the Capitol to wrap up work on the next state budget after a tense finish to the regular legislative session.
Legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton struck a deal as time ran down toward a required midnight adjournment Monday. It included coming back in an immediate special session needed to plow through the details.
Both House and Senate are due in floor sessions at 3 p.m. Wednesday, giving lawmakers time to finalize details beforehand.
A big sticking point in the deal was how to use a $1.65 billion surplus.
The two sides agreed to put $660 million of a big surplus toward tax relief and $300 million toward roads and bridges. Another $50 million goes to expand preschool offerings.
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