NW Twin Cities

Gov. Tim Walz intends to extend the COVID-related peacetime emergency by 30 days.

This would bring the length of the peacetime emergency to nearly eight months. Walz convened the fifth special session of the Minnesota Legislature Oct. 12. 

“The COVID-19 virus is unpredictable, and as we have seen over the past few weeks, it continues to devastate our communities,” Walz said in a statement, according to The Center Square. “It’s imperative that we have the tools necessary to respond to this public health emergency and protect the health and wellbeing of each and every Minnesotan. This emergency is not over.”

More than 2,000 Minnesotans have died from coronavirus complications, 71% of those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. 

Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka is asking legislators to pass a bonding bill during their special session, saying it will bolster economic recovery going forward.

“Some of you are reluctant to vote for a bonding bill because it will add to the state deficit," Zylka wrote, according to The Center Square. "While it is true that taking on additional debt will cost money, the real question is whether the state can afford not to do a bonding bill this year."

Zylka said everything comes with a cost and the state's budget concerns are not going to disappear overnight.

Rep. Pat Garofalo opposed the bonding bill, stating, "MN has a large budget deficit. Despite this we may be voting on tax cuts and spending (bonding) that would increase the deficit. There is currently no proposal to pay for these items, setting up larger deficits. I oppose these proposals unless they are paid for. Am I right?"

The state faces a $4.7 billion projected shortfall for 2022-2023.