The Latest: Governor, leaders, press on with budget talks

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Latest on budget talks at the Minnesota Capitol (all times local):

2:15 p.m.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders are saying little publicly about their budget discussions as they try to complete a deal that would let the legislative session end on time Monday.

After marathon negotiations lasted until 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, they reconvened in the morning after getting a few hours of sleep.

Walz told reporters during a break that they’re not saying much because the talks are at “a really important time” with “a lot of candid conversation.”

The governor and legislative leaders need to set fiscal targets to guide the Legislature’s conference committees, which have been busy crafting the main budget bills of the session, which is scheduled to end Monday.

Without budget targets, the conference committees have made only limited progress on resolving other differences.

___

10:30 a.m.

Budget talks have resumed at the Minnesota Capitol as Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, House Democrats and Senate Republicans try to complete a deal.

The three sides held a marathon session that lasted until 2:30 a.m. Wednesday and reconvened around 10:15 a.m.

None of the sides said much in public heading into the private talks that are trying to bridge the divisions on taxes and spending that have held up a budget deal. But Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann says everyone is feeling “productive and optimistic.”

The leaders need to set fiscal targets to guide the legislature’s conference committees, which have made only patchy progress so far on crafting the main budget bills of the session. Lawmakers are required to adjourn by late Monday night.

The Associated Press