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Minn. Residents Want Government Shutdown To End

July 5, 2011

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[1 min 21 sec]

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July 5, 2011

In Minnesota, the state government has been shut down since Friday. Days of around-the-clock talks failed to produce a deal last week between the Republican-controlled legislature and the Democratic governor. There were no new budget negotiations over the holiday weekend. Frustrated residents lined parade routes and shouted at waving politicians, telling them to "get back to work."

RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

And in Minnesota, the state government is closed for business this morning. The government shut down Friday after days of around-the-clock talks failed to produce a deal between the Republican-controlled legislature and the Democratic governor. There were no new budget negotiations over the three-day Independence weekend. Governor Mark Dayton said a break could do everyone good.

Governor MARK DAYTON (Democrat, Minnesota): Well, I think sometimes you just need a little bit of a breather.

MONTAGNE: But that breather also meant state parks and campgrounds were closed during what was normally the busiest weekend of the year. Local politicians were still out and about for the Fourth of July. That frustrated some Minnesota residents. Some lining parade routes shouted at waving politicians. Things like get back to work and end the shutdown.

Still, Dave Thompson, a Republican leader in the Senate, said his party was prepared to hold its ground.

State Senator DAVE THOMPSON (Republican, Minnesota): The feedback that I'm getting is we've got to stop this spiraling cost of government and so hang tough. That's the feeling that I got.

MONTAGNE: Well, they may be hanging tough but lawmakers on both sides are set to return to the negotiating table today.

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