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Special Session Begins
On Monday, June 14th, the State Legislature was called into a Special Session by Governor Walz. This session was required by law as the Governor chose to once again extend his emergency powers for another 30 days; but also because we must approve and pass a state budget before July 1st to avoid a state government shutdown.
It was a pleasure to meet in person again, finally, after so many remote meetings. It was great to get to see so many smiling faces and I enjoyed visiting with friends on both sides of the aisle!
In the ongoing budget negotiations, House Republicans are asking for the five following items before the end of special session:
- End to the Emergency Powers.
- End of the special enhanced Unemployment Insurance due to COVID.
- Ensure that the Legislature, not the Governor, appropriates the federal funds, as required by our constitution.
- Extend reinsurance, to prevent a spike in the cost of health insurance, and to ensure that consumers have more options than just a single-payer government marketplace.
- A fix to the Capitol Investment bill from the 2020 session, so that projects can move forward.
I believe these are all reasonable, common-sense requests, and I am hopeful that the House Majority will find them agreeable.
The Minnesota House of Representatives held a vote on Monday to end the on-going Peacetime Emergency Powers. For the 19th time a vote was held, seeking to re-establish the checks-and-balances that are inherent in the three branch system of government described in our State Constitution. That vote failed by a 64-68 margin that fell largely along party lines.
This should not be a partisan issue at all. It is time to admit that the "emergency" is over. Our failure to end the emergency powers was very disappointing.
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Please stay in touch and let me know if there is any way I can assist you during these challenging times. You can always reach me at 651-296-5066 or rep.greg.boe@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Greg
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313 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN 55155 ph: 651.296.5066 |
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