Dayton aims to broaden services in Minn. shutdown

Published 1:14 pm Tuesday, July 5, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is asking a court-appointed referee to expand a list of critical services during Minnesota’s 5-day-old government shutdown.

The Democratic governor’s office said Tuesday that he petitioned former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz to recommend that funding continue for special education aid, mental health and chemical dependency programs, child care assistance and other services to the vulnerable.

Dayton’s office says those services fit within a judge’s order allowing “critical core functions” of state government to continue during the government closure.

His list also includes services for victims of domestic violence and programs aiding the homeless and disabled.

Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson will speak to the request at a hearing before Blatz.