A proposal to raise hunting and fishing license fees has been put on hold in the Minnesota Senate.

Republican author Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen tabled the bill after he attempted to add Senate language that includes the fee hikes to a House-passed bill without the increases. His amendment was defeated on 27-39 vote, with lawmakers in both parties split.

Gov. Mark Dayton has rarely shown a gift for soaring rhetoric, but he'll have to summon a little magic Wednesday for a State of the State speech that could be his last chance in a short legislative session to convince skeptical Minnesota Republicans they should unite with him.