The Minnesota House and Senate are moving quickly in the first hours of a special session to end the state government shutdown.
Both chambers of the Legislature went into floor sessions about 6 p.m. Tuesday and passed five of nine budget bills in less than two hours. Together the bills cover spending for courts and public safety; colleges and universities; environment and energy programs; transportation; and jobs and economic development programs.
Gov. Mark Dayton's chief of staff says he will sign all budget bills at the same time, which will end the 19-day government shutdown.
Lawmakers must still pass budget bills covering taxes, health and human services, public schools and state agency funding as well as a construction bonding bill. They are planning to work into the night.
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