LIVE: Averting a Minnesota State Government Shutdown

St. Paul — State lawmakers beat the clock Monday night during a special session to pass the final pieces of the state budget, working into the night and into the early morning hours to beat a 7 a.m. Tuesday deadline that could have sent the state into a government shutdown.

They went into the special session with 14 bills to tackle, most of which dealt with the $66 billion budget for the state for the next two years.

State Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead was there for last-minute negotiations in the Senate, which he said had made good early progress.

He reported the House at first was moving somewhat slower but said it was evident both sides were aware the matter was of urgency.

“I think there is a realization that we need to finish,” Kupec said.

Kupec Zoomed in to the Morning Show live after the budget items passed early Tuesday morning to talk about some of what’s in it for Moorhead and what’s still up in the air for Minnesota and its money.