Gov. Dayton Outlines State Services to be Kept in Event of State Shutdown

In Ramsey County Court on Wednesday, Gov. Mark Dayton outlined the state services and programs he feels need to continue in the event of a government shutdown.

In Dayton's response to a petition filed by the attorney general Monday, the governor said he believes "as the Minnesota Constitution declares, that Minnesota's government was 'instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people.'"

He went on to say a "government shutdown would threaten lives and safety of the people of Minnesota."

All told, thousands of employees would be kept at work despite the fact the state would lack the authority to spend money because of the budget impasse. But the governor also proposed closing more than 50 boards and agencies, while keeping open a number of services, including corrections, the State Patrol, Human Services and a contingent of Minnesota Zoo employees.

Locally, the Richfield School Board recently passed a resolution allowing the district .

"Passing the resolution does not obligate the district to sell the bonds," Michael Schwartz, district business manager, told the school board Monday. "It provides the documentation needed from the Minnesota Department of Education to sell the bonds in the event there is a government shutdown."

Richfield Patch is looking more into what the shutdown could mean to the city. To see Dayton's full list of priority services, see the attached PDFs.