It’s too soon to predict whether the legislature will pass a bonding bill during its special session, because House Republicans first want Governor Tim Walz to dial back his COVID emergency powers. Democratic Senator Nick Frentz from North Mankato contends a bonding bill is needed for state public works projects. “It’s about jobs and we want Minnesotans to go to work, especially because we’re looking at some recession. Interest rates are also low; state’s got a high credit rating,” Frentz says.
Republican Senator Rich Draheim from Madison Lake says the Senate had a deal last month during the regular session but the governor’s office told Democratic senators *not* to vote for it. “It’s kind of ironic when he gets on and tells the media that we didn’t get our work done,” Draheim says.
Democrats said Republicans’ one-billion-dollar bonding bill was inadequate. Republicans responded the state couldn’t afford Democrats’ two-billion-dollar package.