Minnesota State Colleges and Universities are under shutdown threat. By June 30 if the republican state controlled legislature and Gov.Mark Dayton cannot reach a budget agreement, more than 40,000 people may become jobless. The layoff will come into effect on July 1st itself and will be technically permanent. According to John Pollard, spokesman for Minnesota Management and Budget the government officials are working to recall the employees after the government reopens. The spokes woman of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) said that MnSCU employees were sent notices 21 days before the possible shutdown as part of their union agreement. Richard Pfutzenreuter, the University’s chief financial officer, said that the University of Minnesota has no plans to close services or lay off employees if a shutdown occurs. University President Robert Bruininks assured that unexpected job losses would be kept to a minimum. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson issued a court filing requesting that essential services be kept open and operating in Minnesota during a shutdown, including prison and health care systems.

Mark Dayton