Gov. Tim Walz convenes special session, will extend emergency powers
Gov, Tim Walz has convened the latest special session of the Minnesota Legislature, which will start Thursday, and has confirmed he will extend the state's peacetime emergency for a further 30 days.
Walz's decision to extend the emergency again comes with Minnesota at the most serious point in the COVID-19 pandemic, with the state currently experiencing record cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
The emergency will be subject to votes in the Minnesota Senate and House come Thursday, with the GOP-controlled Senate having several times attempted to end the governor's emergency powers, only for the DFL-controlled House to block this attempt.
It will be the 6th special session convened since the start of the pandemic, and will likely be followed by a 7th in December.
"This is a dangerous phase of this pandemic. We’re in the midst of a surge in case positivity and hospitalizations,” said Governor Walz. "Extending the Peacetime Emergency will help ensure we have the tools we need to respond quickly to protect Minnesotans’ health and well-being."
Walz is expected to announce new measures to tackle COVID-19 on Tuesday, but he has
