Gazelka on Budget Impass

State Senator Paul Gazelka is not convinced the governor and legislature will agree to a budget compromise before Friday.

The Brainerd Republican says the two sides agree on six funding areas.  However, the Governor has said he does not want to call the legislature into special session until they have an agreement on a complete budget. 

The biggest divide is over the health and welfare portion of the budget.  Gazelka says spending in that sector has grown by 22 percent, and his caucus  wants to limit it to six percent. 

Senator Gazelka will be in St. Paul Wednesday and Thursday hoping for a resolution.  If not, he would be willing to vote on the parts of the budget where there is agreement.  If that happens, another special session would be required when a compromise has been reached on social services funding.