Cooling-off period in Minnesota (Politico)

ST. PAUL, Minn. ? Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers turned off the ringer on his iPhone as thousands of emails poured into his state email account.

The Republican, a key player in the budget negotiations that led to the shutdown of Minnesota?s state government Friday, has spent much of the weekend responding to constituent questions.

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Otherwise, there?s not much else to do. Negotiations to reopen Minnesota?s government will not begin until at least Tuesday, and there?s nothing to indicate the impasse will be broken any time soon.

Gov. Mark Dayton will not make any public appearances over the long holiday weekend, his spokeswoman reiterated Sunday. The Democrat called for a cooling-off period since negotiations collapsed Thursday night. Outside groups and the state parties are also, for all intents and purposes, holding their fire for the holiday.

Zellers and other Republican legislative leaders say they are ready to start talking again anytime, but they?re also trying to make the most of the Sunday off.

?I understand that he personally just needs some time away from us,? he said in an extended interview.

He?s explaining to everyone who asks that Republicans have compromised with the governor five times during negotiations and that they?ve already offered to agree on what would be the largest budget in state history. He said both sides came very close to a final deal Thursday, but he accuses Democratic legislative leaders of wanting a shutdown because they see it as politically beneficial in trying to take back the legislature next year.

The story is receiving saturation coverage in the Twin Cities, leading the newscasts and newspapers. But the focus is as much about the hardships as the politics.

The biggest short-term annoyance for regular Minnesotans is that all the state parks are closed on a spectacular July Fourth weekend. So is every rest stop, state historic site and two popular state-run racetracks.

Because the Department of Natural Resources is closed, visitors can?t get hunting or fishing licenses.

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