On Thursday the Minnesota Senate again voted to end Governor Walz’s emergency powers. For the last year, Minnesotans have been left to rely on announcements from the Governor’s office, dictating whether their businesses can open, whether their kids can return to school, and whether they can visit with family members without violating executive orders. Current law requires a majority vote from both the House and the Senate to repeal an Emergency Order.

“Our Government was never meant to be a one man show, yet it has been for over an entire year,” said Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point). “Now, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are both in quarantine due to exposure, so who is left to lead? It certainly isn’t the Legislature—we’ve been shut out from any decision-making for a year. The very people elected to lead are left unable to step in, leaving Minnesota with no leadership. This was never the way we were meant to govern. These emergency orders need to end now.”

In the wake of repeated votes to end emergency powers, Governor Walz sent the legislature a list of requests that must be met before ceding executive power, including a statewide mask mandate. 40 other states are currently reviewing laws on emergency powers. No timeframe on the release of emergency powers has been provided by the Governor.

This Session, the Minnesota Senate has passed multiple COVID-related relief bills. Bills passed with bipartisan support include legislation to safely reopen schools and businesses, and to achieve federal PPP tax conformity.