Lt. gov. briefs state workers on possible shutdown

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith  is meeting privately with state employees to discuss the potential impact of a partial state government shutdown.

Smith met with employees of the Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency Wednesday. She’s scheduled to speak with Department of Agriculture employees on Friday.

Smith is talking about budget negotiations with House Republicans and providing an update on the special session.

The private meetings, which weren’t on Smith’s calendar released to reporters, are a sign that the Dayton Administration is trying to reassure nervous public employees about their employment status.

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“These are people who could lose their jobs if things don’t get worked out,” Dayton spokesman Linden Zakula said. “We’re trying to explain to them that we’re trying to work it out and thank them for their service and take some questions from them and hear what their concerns are.”

Dayton vetoed three budget bills last week that could affect workers in as many as 16 departments, agencies and boards when the fiscal year ends on June 30. If no budget deal is reached by then, parts of state government will shut down on July 1.

John Pollard, a spokesman for Minnesota Management and Budget, said his department is preparing to send out lay-off notices on Monday to the affected workers. Pollard said the notices have to be sent on June 1 because some labor contracts require a 30 day notice before the state lays off workers.

Dayton and House Republicans are at a standoff over the budget. Dayton says he wants more money spent on education, including some form of universal pre-k for four-year-olds. He is also demanding more money for rural broadband and the removal of several provisions in the environment and ag budget bill and the jobs and economic development bill.

Dayton and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt were scheduled to hold another private budget meeting Wednesday afternoon at the governor’s residence.