Dear Neighbors,
The legislature returned to St. Paul on Monday for the start of another special session. Governor Walz called the special session because state law requires the governor to bring the legislature back to St. Paul once every 30 days to extend a peacetime emergency.
In addition to the peacetime emergency extension, negotiations are ongoing between the House and Senate on a handful of other issues like bonding, tax cuts, police reform, and supplemental budget spending.
As I’ve done numerous times, I once again voted to end the peacetime emergency and return to regular legislative order. Ending the peacetime emergency does not mean ending the state’s response to COVID-19. Instead, it would move Minnesota away from the “emergency” phase of our response and into a posture that would allow the state to manage the crisis more effectively and with more decision makers at the table.
Unfortunately. the Democrat majority in the House did not put up the votes needed to end the peacetime emergency. Therefore, Governor Walz will keep his emergency powers for another 30 days.
Finally, because of a 60-day post-session rule, I am unable to send out any additional email newsletters until November.
Although I won’t be sending out newsletters for the foreseeable future, you can still call or email my office if you need anything. You can reach my via email at rep.paul.novotny@house.mn or on the phone at 651-296-4237.
Have a great summer,
Paul