House D-F-L minority leader Paul Thissen was in Mankato today speaking about the continued effort to call a special session. He says a failed bonding bill left many projects in limbo — including funding for the state security hospital in St. Peter.
“If you’re walking down the street and you see someone getting beaten up, the first thing you do is help them out and stop the beating. That’s exactly what we’re seeing at St. Peter and the state should step in and make sure we have enough money so that we can staff that facility in a way where workers aren’t getting hurt on a very regular basis.”
Thissen remains hopeful Governor Dayton will call a special session. He says it’s got to be now or never.
“It’s getting a little bit to the point of ridiculousness that we can’t somewhow figure out a way either to come together and agree on the terms of a special session or just decide that we are going to wait until next year.”
The two major issues that need to be revisited include fixing and then passing a tax bill and approving a public works funding bill that includes road and bridge money.
It’s been nearly three months since the legislature adjourned and Governor Mark Dayton and legislative leaders are planning to meet again on Friday to negotiate terms of a possible special session.
Thanks to Annette Weston – KTOE, Mankato
www.ktoe.com