Chances aren’t very good for lawmakers to pass a bonding bill for state public works projects during next week’s second special session, because Republicans and Democrats are both holding that legislation hostage — for different reasons. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt has said Republicans will not provide necessary votes to pass a bonding bill unless Governor Tim Walz relinquishes his COVID emergency powers so Minnesota’s economy can fully re-open. Democratic Senator Jeff Hayden responds COVID numbers have gone “through the absolute roof” in several other states, and yet “Daudt is willing to negotiate away the health of Minnesotans in order to get a bonding bill.”
And Hayden says Senate Democrats will not put up necessary votes to pass a bonding bill unless Republicans agree to significant police reforms. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka tweeted Senate Republicans support banning choke holds and de-escalation training — but not D-F-L proposals to defund or dismantle the police.