(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Senate voted on Friday to end Governor Walz’s peacetime emergency powers relative to the COVID pandemic. If the House agrees, it would end the state’s longest peacetime emergency in history. Walz first put the state under emergency powers on March 13, 2020.

“Our government was never meant to be a one-man show,” said Senator Jason Rarick (R-Pine City). “Emergency powers can be a good thing when they are limited, but this has become the longest extension of emergency powers in Minnesota history. Not only did the original drafters of this statute not have such long periods in mind, but the full control of the Governor is actually hurting those in long term care today. Minnesota is ready to open up, continue safe practices, and govern themselves like the free citizens they are.”

“It’s time to end the executive orders and let business and life open back up,” said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka. “I supported the Governor back in March getting prepared just in case something happens. But the ‘just in case’ didn’t happen. We all know the value of social distancing and I have faith the people of Minnesota will continue acting safe, even without the government telling us to.”

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen the majority of COVID-related deaths in long term care, but the focus from the Governor’s office was on restricting all residents and shutting down our businesses,” said Sen. Andrew Mathews (R- Milaca). “Our neighbors in Wisconsin completely re-opened weeks ago and continue to have lower rates and cases than we do. Continuance of his emergency powers is an insult to the people of Minnesota.”

The vote to end peacetime emergency was 38-29, with three Democrats joining all 35 Republicans supporting the resolution.