With a possible July 1 government shutdown on the horizon, the Minnesota State Legislature reconvenes Monday for a special session where they will hash-out a new, two-year budget.
On Friday, Governor Tim Walz told the WCCO Radio Morning News that discussions leading up to Monday were making progress.
"It's respectful and there's some humor involved. We'll get there," said Walz.
On Friday, Walz signed a proclamation calling lawmakers back to St. Paul. The special session was needed in order for Walz to extend emergency executive powers used during the COVID-19 pandemic for another 30 days.
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Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka told WCCO Radio's Susie Jones on Monday that he expects the emergency powers to end this session.
"There's no reason the Governor should be hanging onto them," Gazelka said. "Nobody can say there's an emergency."
WCCO Radio political insider Blois Olson on Monday said those emergency powers may be another barrier early on in the special session.
"The House minority led by leader Kurt Daudt has five demands before they will vote to suspend the rules," Olson told WCCO Radio's Susie Jones. "Those demands are going to be tough to meet. One of the demands is removal of executive powers."
When it comes to providing an offramp for the state's eviction moratorium, Gazelka believes there's an agreement in-place.
"We expect that to be done," Gazelka said. "We're one of the only states that still lets people have free rent. In my opinion, Governor Walz went too far on it. We are going to find a solution."
House Speaker Melissa Hortman has said leading up to Monday that the special session would likely take seven to 10 days.
"The dynamics are very interesting right now," Olson said. "It's going to hot and it's going to be tense."
With the budget at the center of attention, policy may not be a top priority during the special session. DFL lawmakers have pushed for more police reform, however, it appears passing policy during the special session may prove to be difficult.
"The challenge there is from the Governor's own party, including the activists and legislators, are going to be very disappointed and there will be some major pushback by activists if they don't get any of that policy done, especially on police reform."