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Special Session Begins Today
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June 12, 2020
Special Session Announced

Earlier this week, Gov. Walz announced that special session will start today, June 12. This is required for the peacetime emergency to be extended, but many other issues will likely be addressed as well. The governor stated that police reform and working to strengthen the economy are on the top of his list of priorities for the special session.

The Senate plans to vote down the governor’s extension of the peacetime emergency. However, the vote will yield no result. In order for the peacetime emergency to be rescinded, the House would have to vote against it, which will not happen. As far as legislation goes, the Senate will likely work on COVID-19-related tax relief.

Besides police reform, the House is likely to prioritize the spending of the federal CARES Act money and additional COVID-19-related assistance funding.

Both bodies have shown interest in continuing to work on some form of a bonding bill. During session, the House’s original bill was about $2 billion in size while the Senate’s was just under $1 billion.

This will be the Legislature’s ninth special session since 2010. Regarding the length, Gov. Walz said, “this is going to be a summer where we're pretty much in session.”
Minnesota Management and Budget Update

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) has released their monthly revenue review for May. It showed that net general fund revenue came in 1.3 percent less than expected. However, individual income tax and sales tax revenues were higher than anticipated.

MMB Commissioner Myron Frans said that these numbers hold close to what they projected in the updated budget and economic forecast that was released in May, and that it is a good sign.
New Phase of Reopening Minnesota

This week, Gov. Walz’s third phase of re-opening Minnesota went into effect. This time, it included the partial re-opening of places such as gyms, movie theaters and pools. It also increased the operating capacity of businesses already allowed to be open, such as restaurants, hair salons and barbershops. Restaurants can now open indoor seating at no more than 50% capacity, not to exceed 250 people at one time.

The timeline for the next phase of re-opening is not set yet, but Gov. Walz says that they should have a clearer picture of where COVID-19 stands in Minnesota by June 20. He also said that he believes the spread has plateaued.

As always, Walz and his team urge that anyone able to work from home must continue to do so.
Campaign Filings

Last week, the filing period for candidacy in the 2020 election ended. Ewald Consulting has compiled a spreadsheet containing the names of who is running in each district from the major parties, and where to find more information on them.
They Said It...

Both the COVID-19 pandemic and recent civil unrest have caused economic damage to local communities, leaving Minnesota in need of a stronger and more equitable economy. The Constitution allows me to call a special session of the Legislature on extraordinary occasions such as these, and I intend to do so.”
–Gov. Tim Walz

Ewald Government Relations Team
David Ewald
651-290-6276
davide@ewald.com


Valerie Dosland
651-265-7857
valeried@ewald.com


Phil Griffin
651-791-0341
philg@ewald.com


Troy Olsen
651-288-3425
troyo@ewald.com


Becca Pryse

651-265-7858
beccap@ewald.com


Allie Spellman

651-285-3522
allies@ewald.com

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Minneapolis, MN 55416
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