Minnesota sends layoff notices to prep for shutdown

[The Northerner]

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) – In preparation for a potential shutdown of state government, Minnesota sent layoff notices on Friday to more than 36,000 state workers, according to the governor's office.

With Democratic Governor Mark Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislature unable to agree on a spending plan, the state could face closing down services on July 1, the start of the fiscal 2012-13 biennium.

Dayton called the notices "a grim reminder of a deadline that is just 20 days away."

"I continue to hope that the Legislature will join me in compromising, in finding a balanced solution to our budget, and in standing up for Minnesotans," the governor said in a statement.

On May 24, Dayton vetoed budget bills passed by the Legislature, which rejected his $37.1 billion, two-year budget and its income-tax hike on wealthy residents to help erase a $5 billion deficit. Republicans instead opted for spending cuts even after Dayton offered to cut down his tax proposal.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110610/us_nm/us_minnesota_budget_layoffs

[aquart]

1. And this is what happens when you fail to vote for Democrats.

BECAUSE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

[sasha031]

4. k/r rec.

:thumbsup:

[elocs]

2. Yep, Pawlenty left MN $5 billion in debt. Quite the fiscal conservative there. n/t

[glinda]

3. And the MN.selfish Republicans continue to cost the State.

[Brickbat]

5. I think the Republicans will break on this one. People aren't really buying what they're selling

back home.

[QuintanarooBoy]

6. Please tell me Bachmann got one of those notices!

I know she's a federal employee, but, ah, maybe it could be one of those "showing solidarity" things. }(