There will be no shortage of protests at the state Capitol in the coming days, as GOP legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton remain at an impasse on the $5 billion budget deficit and face an end-of-the week government shutdown deadline.

The response, filed Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court, argues that scope of services petitioned by both the governor and the attorney general's office goes beyond the bounds of the state Constitution, which says money can only spent out of the state treasury if there is an appropriation. Senate GOPers also argue that Dayton's move for the court to appoint a mediator is not within the scope of the constitution.

With less than three weeks to avert a shutdown, public attention seems to be turning toward the Capitol.

[This story first appeared in the April 24, 2009 edition of the Weekly Report .] Now we’re knee-deep in conference committee negotiations on all the ...