Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says there is a tentative agreement on a police reform bill. He says there has to be a few more details worked out but he says there is consensus on some large measures.
"Chokeholds we agreed on. We have the language we agree on. Eliminating the warrior training was another big thing we agreed on. We agreed to have an advisory council under the post-board that can bring more concerns to the post board. There's more than that, but that's just a teaser."
Gazelka continued by saying there were powerful voices that the senate heard from during the building of this bill: families who have been affected by police violence.
"It's helpful to listen to all sides. They make a compelling case for things that really totally change their lives... I heard a lot of precious tears from where they were coming from. You have to take every piece of an issue and that was one piece. Then you hear the stories from so many good police officers and the work they are doing and you put that together, and that's how you get good legislation,"
Gazelka also says today that the Senate will pass a measure directing Governor Walz to reopen schools in the fall, which the Senator also says will provide money for schools to do so safely.
As for the bonding bill Gazelka seemed to point the finger at House Republicans for holding things up. He says they plan to end the special session at midnight whether there is a bonding bill passed or not.