Minnesota Goverment Shuts Down

The Minnesota State Government shut down at midnight last night following a session long standoff between Democratic and Republican lawmakers over how to diminish the $5 billion state budget deficit.

The Republican controlled Minnesota legislature pushes significant cuts in state spending on essential services, yet the democratic governor expects a correlative increase in taxes for the 2% wealthiest Minnesotans.

Before last night’s dismissal, Governor Mark Dayton said, “I cannot accept a Minnesota where people with disabilities lose part of the time they are cared for by personal care attendants so that millionaires don’t have to pay $1 more in taxes.”

This shut down marks the first governmental breakdown in Minnesota since Republican Goveror Tim Pawlenty conflicted with the Democrat controlled legislature in 2005 over budget cuts.

It suspends nonessential services, like the state parks system, however essential functions and administrative facilities will continue normally.

According to the Washington Post, the state is expected to lose $12 million in tourism every week the government is closed. The Minnesota unemployment rate will likely increase due to job suspension and state employee layoffs.

Republicans indicated a willingness to discuss the issue through the holiday weekend and criticized Dayton for the shut down.