Republicans made a concerted attempt Thursday to cancel Governor Tim Walz’s COVID emergency powers, passing a resolution in the state Senate over the Democratic minority’s objections:
Elbow Lake Republican Torrey Westrom: “If not now, when should the emergency powers end?”
Maplewood Democrat Chuck Wiger: “The emergency power provision should end when the pandemic has ended.”
But in the House, the Democratic majority stood with the governor:
House Democratic Majority Leader Ryan Winkler: “We will have 69 votes against this motion again today, as we will every day, as long as you continue to bring it forward.”
House Republican Minority Leader Kurt Daudt: “You heard it right here from the party bosses: 69 of you better vote ‘no’…. But my bosses aren’t my party — it’s my constituents.”
Earlier this week, Governor Walz extended his COVID emergency powers another 30 days.
