Special Session Negotiations to Continue

Governor Dayton and legislative leaders met briefly Monday , June 7, to begin discussions about how to approach a possible special legislative session. Republican and Democratic leaders emerged separately from the meeting to offer perspectives about the governor's decision not to sign the tax bill and the failure of a bonding bill to pass during the regular legislative session. All sides agree that only technical provisions will be needed on the tax bill. While a new bonding bill will likely be the key to any agreement on a potential special session, both sides do not yet agree on the size and scope of the funding measure.

Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt, and Senate Minority Leader David Hann, told reporters that the bonding bill left on the table the last night of session was a negotiated compromise and included $550 million dollars of the governor's priorities. Among the differences between the two sides is state funding for the Southwest Light Rail, which has been a priority for Governor Dayton and Senate DFL members.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said that Republican leaders should view a proposed $1 billion dollar capital improvements bill through inflation-adjusted dollars, which he argued would be modest as compared to previous bonding bills.

Republican and DFL members did agree to informally reconvene the bonding conference committee members to review the previous bill and discuss other proposals. The governor and legislative leaders will meet again, Wednesday, June 15, for further discussions.