Minnesota Legislature to convene for third special session of 2020 Wednesday

The Minnesota Legislature will have its third special session of 2020 Wednesday.  Governor Tim Walz will have to call lawmakers back to Saint Paul if he extends his COVID emergency powers another 30 days as expected.  Another attempt to pass a bonding bill for state public works projects is not expected to take place until mid-September as leaders in the Minnesota House have stated that lawmakers should not do anything that might affect the state budget when *previously-authorized* state bonds are on the market — or it might affect selling price or even violate federal regulations.  The Legislature has failed to pass a bonding bill totaling anywhere from $1.5-$1.8 billion for state public works projects in two different special session thus far this summer, but State District 27B Representative Jeanne Poppe, DFL’er from Austin told KAUS that other pieces of legislation could be acted upon, including a bill to address a critical shortage of substitute teachers around the state…

A bonding bill remains in limbo because House Republicans continue saying they will not provide the needed votes until Governor Walz relinquishes his COVID-19 emergency powers.