Local legislator believes current session will end with the legislature not finishing its work by next Monday’s midnight deadline

Talks are continuing at the Capitol Building in St. Paul between leaders of the Minnesota House and Senate and Governor Tim Walz concerning the parameters of a new two-year budget for the state of Minnesota as the current legislative session is set to adjourn at midnight on Monday, May 17th.  KAUS News spoke with State District 27A Representative Peggy Bennett, a Republican from Albert Lea who stated that unfortunately, in her view, the legislature will not be able to complete its work by the May 17th adjournment date…

Bennett went on to state that because budget targets have not yet been established, the various conference committees for omnibus bills to be passed have not been able to start their work, adding further doubt that the legislature will finish its work by next Monday…

Such issues as Democrats wanting police reform, Republicans demanding the governor relinquish his COVID emergency powers and how to spend federal COVID-19 relief dollars coming to the state with the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan have yet to be resolved at last word.