(ST. PAUL, MN) – The Senate adjourned from the special session early this morning. A week of negotiations on how best to spend federal CARES dollars, assemble a bonding bill, and pass police accountability ultimately broke down over stalemates from the House and the Governor. The special session was primarily called because Governor Walz extended his emergency powers. Senate Republicans voted the extension down in favor of a legislative lead on major state decisions.

During the special session, the CARES act bill, which divides $841 million between every county, city, and town in Minnesota, was agreed upon and passed by the Senate. The House amended millions of dollars of new spending and previously unseen legislation onto the bill at the Governor’s insistence, effectively tanking it for the session. 

Senator Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids) commented on the way special session ended, saying, “We came to the table ready to work. Special sessions usually last a single day, but for eight days the Senate negotiated and passed good bills to make a positive change in our state under unusual circumstances. The legislation would have protected the financial interests of every local government in Minnesota and built trust and accountability between law enforcement and the people they serve. The Governor continually meddled with the House, and the result is that none of these good policies were passed into law.”

The Senate’s eleven passed police accountability bills included many agreed-upon ideas, like banning chokeholds, removing arbitration powers, and letting judges resolve union firing contracts. The House offered 22 bills, including extreme provisions like felon voting and dismantling police departments.

The state’s constitution stipulates a bonding bill must originate in the House, and despite a historic bonding bill passed in the Senate during regular session,  a bonding bill was not brought up for a vote in the House before adjournment.

“The three branches of government are equal and should be willing to work together for the good of our state,” concluded Sen. Utke. “Governor Walz has the House in his pocket and has walked away from positive actions.”