Dayton Works On Final Budget, Remembers 2011

“I am scarred by that experience,” the Democratic governor said about the 2011 three-week state government shutdown after he and Republicans controlling the Legislature could not agree on a new two-year budget.

He faces a similar situation in 2017, with Republicans gaining control of the state Senate in the Nov. 8 election and increasing their lock on the House.

The big difference in the session that begins Tuesday, Jan. 3, incoming House Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, pointed out, is that in 2011 the state faced a $3 billion deficit while in 2017 there is a $1.4 billion surplus.

While six years ago, news stories frequently mentioned the possibility of a shutdown starting July 1, that is less likely this year. At least according to the numbers.

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