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Martiga Lohn

Gov. Mark Dayton addressed the media and some Republicans that were present as he said that the two sides were still not closeat the state capitol an hour left until a government shutdown. Minnesota state government shut down at 12:01 a.m. CDT Friday July 1, 2011 for the second time in six years after political leaders couldn't agree on how to solve a $5 billion budget deficit. (AP Photo Kyndell Harkness - STAR TRIBUNE) MANDATORY CREDIT (AP)

Vulnerable feel the pinch of Minnesota shutdown

Amy Forliti, Martiga Lohn
Members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and their supporters attended a vigil at the State Capitol steps in St. Paul, Minn on Thursday night June 30, 2011. Minnesota stumbled into its second government shutdown in six years on Thursday, with a partisan divide over taxes and spending to close a $5 billion deficit becoming only more bitter as a midnight deadline came and went without agreement. (AP Photo/Carlos Gonzalez - Star Tribune) MANDATORY CREDIT (AP)

Minnesota government shuts down over budget

Patrick Condon, Martiga Lohn