Gov. Tim Walz announced that he would call back the legislature for another special session on Friday, Sept. 11.
According to a release from the Governor’s office, he intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by another 30 days.
“While Minnesota has taken life-saving action, the threat of COVID-19 remains,” said Governor Walz.“It’s imperative that we have the tools necessary to respond to this rapidly-evolving virus quickly and decisively in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of each and every Minnesotan.”
“COVID-19 is unpredictable, and there is still so much that we do not know,” said Lt. Governor Flanagan. “This pandemic is not over. With the fall and winter months fast approaching, we know the next stages of this virus will continue to present a challenge, especially to underserved communities. We must be prepared to respond quickly and efficiently in order to keep all Minnesotans healthy, safe, and informed.”
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler told Bemidji Now in an interview that the legislature cannot pass a bonding bill during this session, because of the state’s bond sale last month. He hopes that discussions will continue on the bonding package, which could theoretically be passed after Sept. 20, if the legislature is in session.
The infrastructure project for Bemidji in this bonding package is a drinking water treatment plant, not the wastewater extension. Deer River has a wastewater treatment project in this bonding package.
