The Judicial phase of the budget stalemate between Governor Mark Dayton and the Republican legislature began at 10:05 a.m. on Thursday before Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin.

The courtroom was packed with dozens of people standing and peeking in from the hallway. The front of the court was full of parties and interveners with such legal luminaries as Attorney General Lori Swanson, former Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, former Attorney General Mike Hatch, and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.