COVERITLIVE.COM

11:04

Midday is on deck. Like many people, I've been following along with some of the Capitol Press corps' on Twitter. Recommended: Stowydad is Brian Bakst of the Associated Press. PoliticsMN is Politics in Minnesota. MNHouseInfo is the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. TomScheck is MPR's Tom Scheck. PolAnimal is Rachel Stassen Berger at the Pioneer Press. But all is quiet at the moment.

11:05

Tomorrow on Midmorning: Rep. Ann Lenczewski and Sen. Julianne Ortman

11:06

We're underway. Eichten is broadcasting from the Rotunda.

11:08

Mulcahy assessment: Budget bills have passed but not signed. Overrides of vetoes have failed. "Now we're at the point where time is running out and... the governor will use the power on his own." Shift payment to schools by $1.75 billion, cut aid to local governments, cut aid for higher education, and cuts in health and human services.

11:09

Pam Wheelock, former finance commissioner and chief legislative negotiator is on the panel. She predicted a special session or two would be needed. Surprised? "I don't doubt that he's saying he'll balance the budget on his own, but even his proposed budget needed legislation to enact. It's not an ideal way to do business. We have 201 legislators here for a reason."

11:09

First up: K-12 EDUCATION BUDGET

11:10

Rep: Mindy Greiling, House K-12 committee chair & Sen. David Hann, Senate education comte.

11:11

Q: Will K-12 be spared in "unallotment process."
A: Hann: A few shifts; that's it. "In previous years we've done a shift...delaying aid payment sto schools. All this does is shift the expense to the next year. It's a one-time method. It does put pressure on the Legislature to restore the shift."

11:12

Q: Assuming districts get money back eventually, is this an inconvenience or would it cause pain and agony.
A: Greiling "It'll cause pain and agony. Senate had cuts in education and no shifts. We came in with very large shifts and no cuts. We thought the truth would lie in the middle but we came up with the best of both worlds; we came up with no cuts and no shifts."

11:12

[Comment From LK]
Good question re: shifts being an inconvenience or pain and agony?

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