 House Speaker Lisa Demuth gavels out the one-day, June 9 special session. Members are scheduled to be back together in St. Paul on Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)
About that talk of needing all 21 hours left in a legislative day to complete a special session?
House members were more than up to the challenge Monday. Beginning at 10 a.m., they had all but two bills passed by the end of the 2100 hour, if one wants to use military time.
With passage shortly thereafter of the tax and revisor’s bills, representatives who live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area were likely home before midnight.
And Minnesotans need not worry about a partial government shutdown July 1 with an approximately $66 billion state budget for the 2026-27 biennium a few Gov. Tim Walz signatures away from becoming law.
“I think we have proven here in the House that Democrats and Republicans can find a way to work together," House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) said after the final gavel dropped at about 10:40 p.m. "A lot of the things that were wanted or desires by both sides, Democrats and Republicans, did not happen. It was a true compromise. I don't know how we're being characterized, but I know this was successful because we were able to get the work done, not quite on time, but before a government shutdown.” Read more
WATCH ▶️ House Republican media availability following Monday's special session
WATCH ▶️ House DFL media availability following Monday's special session
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Session Daily is an online news service updated every day during session and when news from the House warrants.
   
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