The Minnesota Senate announced on Wednesday that it would officially run out of money on December 1, 2017 unless new funding becomes available or the courts act to restore the legislative appropriation vetoed by Gov. Mark Dayton. The depletion of funding would suspend all operations of the Senate, halting crucial constituent services and public committee hearings and further force the furlough of over 200 Senate employees.
“Today the Minnesota Senate inched one day closer to the eventual suspension of all legislative operations,” said Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids). “That means that as early as December 1st the Senate could be forced to shutter its building and furlough its staff ending crucial constituent services and public committee hearings that millions of Minnesotans rely on. I hope that this looming deadline forces the courts to realize that Governor Dayton’s actions are no longer a game, but instead a choice that carries very real consequences for our legislative staff and the people of Minnesota.”
The Senate plans to ask the Legislative Coordinating Committee (LCC) for use of its carry-forward funds next week in order to temporarily extend its operation. Yet even with help from the carry-forward fund of the LCC, the Senate would still be forced to suspend all operations on January 12, more than a month before the start of the 2018 session.
“In the coming days I call upon the courts to act to preserve Minnesota’s third branch of government and restore full funding to the legislature before the people and legislators of our state are silenced.”