Governor Dayton Outlines Demands for Special Session

An inadvertent wording error is one of two issues holding up his approval of the 2016 omnibus tax bill, Governor Mark Dayton told reporters at a press conference Wednesday, June 1. In addition to requesting lawmakers correct the error that would result in $101 million dollars in lost funding for the state and the US Bank Stadium revenue stream, Dayton also insisted that the Minnesota State High School Leagues’ tax exemption be permanently reinstated.

The Governor’s comments stemmed from a letter sent to legislative leaders weighing the possibility of a special session to resolve the tax bill and address the transportation and bonding bills that did not pass the 2016 legislative session. The letter outlines supplemental budget items in education, public safety and higher education that Dayton considers essential for special session consideration.

Minutes after Governor Dayton’s press conference, House Speaker Kurt Daudt reacted to Dayton’s special session requirements. He urged the Governor to sign the tax bill independently of discussion for a special session on transportation and capital improvements funding.

Senate Minority Leader David Hann issued a statement, saying "I cannot agree to your multi-page list of non-negotiable spending demands. This can only be interpreted as an attempt to scuttle the compromises reached by the legislature on major bills passed this session."