State Legislature Likely to Hold Special Session to Finalize Budget

Sen. Jeremy Miller R-Winona

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KWNO)-State lawmakers will likely need a special session to pass Minnesota’s two-year budget.  

Sen. Jeremy Miller R-Winona told KWNO Thursday there’s a lack of urgency among legislators to get the budget passed before the constitutionally mandated May 17 deadline. He believes that lack of urgency centers around Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers.  

“In order for the governor to renew his emergency powers, he has to call the legislature back for a special session,” said Miller. “Everybody is under the belief that the governor will be calling us back for a special session in mid-June because he has not given any indication that he is going to relinquish his emergency powers anytime soon.”  

Miller is hopeful lawmakers will agree on spending targets before the May 17 deadline then work in conference committees to have agreements in place when they return to St. Paul for a special session in mid-June.