Politics | Minnesota Mondale, Carlson Swoop In to Solve Minn. Shutdown Form independent council that will include budget commissioner By Kevin Spak Posted Jul 5, 2011 1:50 PM CDT Copied Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson, left, and former Vice President Walter Mondale listen to questions during a news conference on Tuesday, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Leah Millis) Walter Mondale and Arne Carlson leapt into Minnesota’s budget fray today, announcing an independent commission bent on ending the state’s government shutdown. The former Democratic vice president and former Republican governor will head up the commission, which will include the current budget commissioner to Gov. Mark Dayton, USA Today reports. At a press conference today, the dynamic duo said they hope to have recommendations in place by Friday. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. See the best BBQ cities in the US. Iraq's national game of deception brings out the best bluffers. Report an error