Dayton to Tour Cities Asking End to Shutdown

"Gov Mark Dayton is embarking on a statewide journey the morning of Tuesday, July 11 to explain his side of the Minnesota budget debate that has resulted in a state government shutdown.

In a whirlwind tour that begins in St. Cloud on Tuesday, the governor will also visit Rochester, Winona, Albert Lea and Austin over the next two days. Dayton has preliminary plans to fly to Moorhead later in the week.

“I’ll be traveling throughout Minnesota to talk with people about why we’re going through (the shutdown),” Dayton told reporters assembled on the steps of the State Capitol. “The people of Minnesota overwhelmingly want us to compromise. I am willing to consider other possibilities; other reasonable alternatives.”