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Minn. Budget Deal Elusive As Dayton Deadline Comes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton's deadline for lawmakers to pass a budget is here, but lawmakers have yet to send him their budget bills.

The Democratic governor last month urged the Republican-controlled Legislature to act on a budget by Friday. He has said he would be less optimistic for an on-time finish if legislators missed his deadline.

Minnesota faces a $5 billion deficit over the coming two years.

Lawmakers are working against a constitutional May 23 deadline for adjournment, with only one small budget bill for agriculture signed into law. House-Senate negotiating committees have the other bills.

Dayton and lawmakers are hung up on the process for negotiations.

They disagree on taxes and spending -- Republicans want to balance the budget through spending cuts while Dayton seeks to raise top income taxes.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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