State lawmakers are in the final stretch of the 2022 legislative session, which adjourns at midnight Sunday. While few issues have been resolved, there are still many that need to be discussed. DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman says it's time for some legislators to buckle down and do what's right.
"We've got some stubborn people who all think they should get 75% making in any deal that gets made, so people need to get very realistic and cut to the chase and get some things done here today."
During Hortman's appearance with former Governor Tim Pawlenty, she also discussed the hot topic of sports betting being passed in the state. During the Senate session yesterday, an amendment was made to the bill that would include race tracks as potential license holders. The original bill from the House included only Minnesota Native American Tribes. Hortman says this shouldn't stop the progress.
"I think that the Senate really threw a monkey wrench into that whole conversation yesterday by talking about expanding this issue to race tracks. In Minnesota, we have a special relationship with our 11 sovereign tribal nations and gaming has transformed the economic reality day to day on reservations and for Minnesota's tribal governments and communities. This has been an issue in Minnesota, gaming which has been about economic revitalization in tribal communities. These race tracks have all sorts of other lines of business and don't need to be part of this conversation.
Other issues lawmakers hope to address before the end of the session on Sunday is the budget surplus, the tax bill, education, policy reform around policing and improving public safety from violent crimes.