Winkler Says Legislators Will Move To The Middle—Eventually

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) told the Star Tribune that the answer to the budget impasse may be the moderates.

"I think that the Republican right and the Democratic left will not vote for the final budget package," Winkler said. "The shutdown will push people to the middle. We'll see how long it takes."

A group of former Minnesota politicians, however, are going to try to find a solution outside the Legislature. MinnPost.com reported Monday that former Gov. Arne Carlson, former Vice President Walter Mondale and former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger have formed a committee of business leaders and financial experts. 

The committee members officially will be announced Tuesday, but some who have been named are:

• Current Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter
• Former DFL state legislator Wayne Simoneau
• Former state Sen. Steve Dille of Dassel
• John Gunyou, city manager of Minnetonka
• Jay Kiedrowski, former finance commissioner under Gov. Rudy Perpich
• Former Wells Fargo CEO Jim Campbell
• Former Medtronic Senior Vice President Kristine Johnson

"Carlson spoke briefly about the work of the committee in a conversation Monday," wrote MinnPost.Com reporter Doug Grow. "His hope is that the committee can come up with 'a third way' to resolve the dispute. This third way—which could include everything from budget cuts, to expanding sales taxes to establishing 'blink- off' income taxes—might not be popular with either the governor or Republican legislators."

Income taxes that "blink off" would end when financial conditions improve.

GoldenValleyPatch.com will have more information after Tuesday's news conference.

Follow the latest shutdown developments:

July 3: Other News Organizations' Stories About the Shutdown

Golden Valley Residents Will Be Able to Go to the Minnesota Zoo During the Shutdown

July 1: Golden Valley Legislators Frustrated by Minnesota Shutdown

Golden Valley-Area Parks Open This Holiday Weekend

Golden Valley Braces as Minnesota Government Shuts Down

Golden Valley Nonprofits Say the Shutdown Will Hurt the Vulnerable

June 29: 

June 28: 

June 23: 

June 17: 

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