https://freerepublic.com/tag/ratswalkout/ en-us Fri, 1 Jul 2005 08:37:39 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1434484/posts ST. PAUL, Minn. - About 9,000 workers were laid off and highway rest stops were closed for the July Fourth weekend after Minnesota's government shut down for the first time in state history Friday. The shutdown came at midnight after lawmakers failed late Thursday to pass a temporary spending plan designed to keep the government up and running. The Senate adjourned 20 minutes after Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he hoped the two sides could agree on a stopgap measure to keep the state's doors open for 10 more days. "I'd like to say I'm sorry to the people of... Yahoo! News https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1434484/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jul 2005 08:37:39 GMT