Republican Senator's Absence Delays Vote On Budget Bills Dayton Says He'll Veto

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's Republican Legislature pressed ahead this week with its own budget bills despite Gov. Mark Dayton's veto threats. Now that plan is on hold too.

The Republican-Controlled House and Senate passed a handful of budget bills Tuesday evening after backing away from negotiations with the Democratic governor. They had planned to finish up those bills Wednesday.

But that effort to pressure Dayton hit a snag Wednesday. A Senate Republican's absence to tend to an ailing family member left the GOP without the votes to pass its budget bills. It was unclear when those finals votes could resume.

Lawmakers are running out of time to finalize a deal with Dayton on a new, two-year budget. Their deadline is May 22.