A sign of progress in Minnesota shutdown debacle

The Westport News is reporting:

"Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton offered Thursday to end a two-week government shutdown by accepting a Republican proposal to bring more money into Minnesota's budget.

Dayton announced that he is willing to agree to an offer Republican legislative leaders made just before the shutdown started, if they will agree to drop a list of policy changes and a plan to reduce the state workforce by 15 percent. The Republican proposal would raise $1.4 billion, half by delaying state aid checks to school districts and the other half by selling tobacco payment bonds.

Aides said GOP leaders were reviewing Dayton's offer and had no immediate comment.

If they agree to Dayton's proposal and the pieces fall in place, the first-term governor said he is prepared to call a special session within three days." Source

Dayton is prepared to call a special session within three days? How about immediately? I know that the 22,000 laid off state employees would  enjoy seeing a sense of urgency applied to this situation.

Minnesota vice

In other news, the shutdown has not only deprived Minnesota lottery ticket speculators of the joy of purchasing a lottery ticket in their home state, but now cigarettes and beer are in danger of falling victim to the shutdown. Minnesotans who fancy a fag (British slang for a cigarette) or thirst for a swig of beer may find themselves having to cross the state border to indulge their pleasures.

The Star Tribune reports:

"Hundreds of bars, restaurants and stores across Minnesota are running out of beer and alcohol and others may soon run out of cigarettes — a subtle and largely unforeseen consequence of a state government shutdown." Read the entire report at the Star Tribune.