Regular Session To End Tonight in St. Paul, Special Session Likely

ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — Time is going to run out for the Minnesota Legislature to pass the next two-year budget.

The regular session must end at 11:59 tonight.

Leaders say a special session seems likely.

Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders had announced a roughly $67 billion budget agreement heading into this weekend.

Lawmakers in both chambers passed several bills including for veterans, agriculture, housing and tougher DWI laws.

The closure of the Stillwater Prison was included in a public safety bill that passed but has lawmakers split.

One of the more controversial issues was whether to continue funding health insurance for adults who are undocumented.

“The undocumented workers we see that a lot of money has been going to that, over $200 million to really figure that one out. But, they’re also cutting nursing homes by almost the same amount so we’re going to make sure that bills going forward are going to be bills that really represent the needs of Minnesotans,” said Republican Sen. Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks, the minority leader.

DFL Majority Leader Sen. Erin Murphy of St. Paul told reporters, “The chaplain said this morning that we should temper our deep frustration and remember the work that we need to do for the people of Minnesota. But, my mouth is full of cuss words right now. We are waiting now for work to come over from the Minnesota House of Representatives.”

Lawmakers need to pass a budget by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown.