House Majority Leader talks about work to be done before adjournment of current session

The state legislature budget deadline is looming in less than seven days.  House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, a DFL’er from Golden Valley spoke with KAUS and stated that the Legislature has an extensive to-do list to finish before the May 17th adjournment date….

Winkler went on to talk about whether he thinks an agreement can be struck on a new two-year budget before next Monday…

Senate Republicans have proposed spending 200 million dollars of federal money for COVID front-line worker bonuses, and delaying new vehicle emission standards for two years, instead of not having them at all.  Governor Tim Walz has stated that police reform will be part of end-of-session state budget negotiations, adding that controversial issue to a swirl of others, including tax increases and state government cuts.  Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka responded that the governor’s tax increases will not happen, and added that if he doesn’t work with the legislature on ending his COVID emergency powers, and on spending federal stimulus money, then Senate Republicans will pass a simple “lights-on” budget that would avoid state government shutdown