Dayton Calls For Session To Offset Insurance Hikes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton is challenging legislative leaders to agree on a special session to offset health insurance rate hikes.

The potential session could also provide hundreds of millions of dollars in tax relief and fund $1 billion in public works projects. But after months of negotiations the deal is not quite done.

Dayton sent a letter to top lawmakers Tuesday asking for their approval of those plans in a special session slated for Dec. 20. He's giving them until Thursday to sign off or give up until next year.

A spokeswoman for Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt says lawmakers are still discussing a possible agreement.

Dayton's plan calls for a rebate for shoppers who don't qualify for federal assistance. Premiums are spiking by as much as 67 percent next year.