Minnesota Public Radio and the StarTribune newspaper are reporting that Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says he'll accept a proposal originally floated June 30 by the GOP to end the state's two-week-old shutdown.
The plan involves withholding an additional $700 million from schools (which are already owed $1 billion) and selling $700 million in tobacco bonds to close the budget gap.
Leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature originally floated the plan hours before the shutdown began, but it was dismissed by Dayton at that time.
Dayton said he's only willing to accept the plan now because it's the only option that doesn't lead to more drastic cuts that will harm Minnesotans.
No word yet on whether Republicans will take "yes" for an answer. But at this point it's hard to view this as anything but a capitulation by the Democratic governor. This is a disappointing turn, as Dayton seemed to be winning in the court of public opinion.
I'll try to update as time permits.
UPDATE 1: Early comments from R's on www.startribune.com may point to problems for the GOP. "Let's be clear. Governor did NOT 'accept' the June 30 offer," Rep. Sen. Dave Thompson tweeted. "He has simply attached new conditions to the June 30 framework."
As pointed out in the comments below, Dayton's "conditions" include stipulations that the GOP stop trying to limit abortion rights and stem-cell research, and give up on reducing the state workforce by 15 percent.
Republican senator Michael Jungbauer commented: “That would be a real non-starter for me, but I don’t want to see this shutdown. If he’s saying drop all structural changes (to government), I don’t like that."
And a hat tip to angry marmot for unearthing this comment (below) regarding the shift in education funding: The head of the state Association for School Administrators describes it as "hitting kids in places where the bruises don't show."
UPDATE 2: Startribune.com quotes assistant Senate Majority Leader Dave Thompson (R) as saying: "If there can't be any policy changes contained in any of the legislation, then no. I am not a supporter."
DFL Rep. Alice Hausman doesn't expect the GOP to accept its own deal. "I frankly assume they're going to turn him down flat," she said.
The StarTribune also points out that with the shift, the state would owe its schools $2.1 billion with no clear path to pay the debt. This is in a state that used to pride itself on one of the finest education systems in the country. Of course, that was BP (before Pawlenty).
Bottom line here is if this deal stands, property taxes will likely continue to skyrocket as counties, cities and schools scramble to preserve services. That's another trend started by Pawlenty.
There were unconfirmed reports in some media that Dayton would be meeting with GOP leaders at 2 p.m. today.