Governor, leaders hold more budget talks; no breakthrough

05/05/2008

Mark Brunswick
Star Tribune
Last update: May 5, 2008


Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders met again into the evening Sunday in an attempt to reach a deal to solve the state's $935 million budget deficit.

After talking much of the day Sunday, the governor and the leaders recessed shortly before midnight.

The main sticking point continued to be Republican Pawlenty's interest in tapping into a dedicated fund for health-care access as a way of alleviating a portion of the deficit, while DFLers resist using the fund.

Pawlenty and legislative leaders met for several hours Saturday, breaking off talks shortly after 11 p.m. There was no indication when talks would resume. A May 19 legislative deadline looms.