Local legislator hopeful bonding bill will be among the items of business attended to in second special session

Several key legislative items remain unresolved after the 2020 special legislative session recently adjourned at the State Capitol.  KAUS News spoke with District 27 Senator Dan Sparks, DFL’er from Austin who stated that no agreements reached ahead of time on such major topics as police reform, COVID-19 relief, a supplemental budget and a bonding bill led to time running out on the session with no major legislation passed…

Senator Sparks stated that the Senate’s version of an approximate $1.35 billion bonding bill includes such projects as the wastewater treatment facility renovation project for the City of Austin, and reconstruction of Highway 65 in the city of Albert Lea, and he added that he’s hopeful the bill can be agreed upon and passed in the upcoming special session…

Governor Tim Walz has indicated that a second special session could start July 10th.  The legislature must meet again no later than July 12th to determine if the Governor can maintain his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic.