minnesota

We knew it was getting close, but it looks like we can officially say the shutdown for the state of Minnesota has reached its end.
 

It's over. Finally.

Gov. Mark Dayton ceremoniously signed a dozen bills Wednesday morning that will turn the lights back on for Minnesota's government and close the door on a shutdown that was the longest in recent U.S. history.

In the course of three minutes, he signed a 10-inch stack of bills that will eliminate the state's $5 billion budget deficit and said that "effective tomorrow, be back to work." Dayton also said that the shuttered state parks, one of residents' flashpoints during the shutdown, now in its 20th day, will reopen Thursday.

The reason the resumption of services won't resume immediately, his aides said Tuesday, is that state law requires a day for newly-enacted laws to trigger the

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The end of the shutdown seemed on the horizon late last week, then both sides met and things slowed down.  While there are seemingly some hard feelings from both sides it, looks like there is starting to be some progress in getting Minnesota back to work and having services restored.

 
A state government shutdown that put thousands of employees out of work, shuttered parks, halted road projects and kept Minnesotans on edge for weeks was within hours of ending on Tuesday night, as legislators reluctantly began passing a compromise budget.

"We have a job we need to get done here," said House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood. "We're going to take some chances, we are going to take some risks and we are going to move forward."

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We are just 9 days away from Trace Adkins in Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park! Gates on July 29th open at 5pm and the music starts at 7pm with fun newcomer Glen Templeton.  Click here to get your tickets before the price increase! Today's video is in honor of the Minnesota Twins big comeback victory Tuesday against Cleveland. Enjoy the video after the jump.

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As of today, we are just 10 days away from Trace Adkins in Duluth's beautiful Bayfront Festival Park! Gates on July 29th open at 5pm and the music starts at 7pm with fun newcomer Glen Templeton.  Click here to get your tickets before the price increase! While Trace has nearly 40 hits under his belt, today's video is the biggest hit of his career. Enjoy the video after the jump.

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Both sides made sure to say they got something in this deal, so they can tell their respective parties they didn't back down.  Either way, the good news is it appears the end of the shutdown  is coming in a matter of days.

 
After weeks of crippling political deadlock, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders emerged in the darkened Capitol on Thursday to announce they had brokered a budget deal to end the longest state government shutdown in U.S. history.

The deal raises the revenue Dayton sought -- $1.4 billion -- but without raising taxes, which Republicans opposed. Instead,

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As the little kids we elected to office continue to engage in a peeing contest, more businesses are impacted by the shutdown.  Recently we reported that many bars will soon run out of liquor due to the shutdown. Now the impact may be felt sooner by MillerCoors.  Again, this could cost the state a lot of money due to lost revenue from the sale of these very popular brands.  If I were MillerCoors, I would keep going and make the state physically send people to take product off shelves.

 
The MillerCoors brewing company landed in the cross hairs of Minnesota's government shutdown Wednesday when state officials said it would have to stop selling its beer in the state because of expired licenses.

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An area you may not have thought would be impacted by the state shutdown is alcohol sales, but that is becoming a reality for hundreds of businesses across Minnesota.  Also taking a hit in the near future are cigarette sales because as certain vendors run out, they currently cannot get more to sell.  Not getting the taxes from alcohol and tobacco sales could cost the state millions of dollars.  Governor Mark Dayton could use his executive power to solve this problem until the state shutdown is over, but will he?

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My husband and I decided to take a bike ride through Jay Cooke  State Park on the cycle and saw this sign...it's sad!  Summer in the Northland is SOOOOOO short....and this Gov't shutdown is not allowing us to enjoy our State Parks.

Our window of road construction in the Northland is short as well, and now the equipment sits idle, waiting to be fired up again.  Get it together and let's get back to LIVIN'!

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Probably not a shock to you, but all this shutdown is doing is allowing both sides to pump their chests like gorillas at the Minnesota Zoo - if only it was open to see.

 
Minnesota stands to lose millions of dollars in revenue and get saddled with millions more in new expenses for every week that the widespread shutdown of state government persists.

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Like waiting in line for gas in the 70's, this is another historic thing for us to live through that will hopefully have minimal long-term impact.  However, for now there are services that are a part of the latest political chess game that are being impacted.  I hope for those being impacted that this will be a very short-term deal.  Here is a guide to what should stay open during the shutdown;
 

COURTS

Will remain open at all levels.

DRIVER'S LICENSES

People will be able to renew licenses at driver's license agent offices. Driver tests will not be available.

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Will there be a midnight hour deal that prevents this or do you think Minnesota will shut down?  This whole thing stinks of political posturing for the sake of posturing.  It seems they are playing chicken for each others egos rather than truly working together for the citizens who elected them to office.
A Minnesota government shutdown became more likely Wednesday with each tick of the clock.

Budget talks ended late Wednesday after six straight days of meetings without a deal to break an impasse over the $5 billion deficit.

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From our friends at the Northlands News Center, some good news for Minnesota families in need.

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