Minneapolis Review

The Minnesota Senate voted to end Gov. Tim Walz's extension of emergency powers during its fourth special session, which makes it the fourth time the Senate has voted in favor of ending the governor's emergency powers this year. 

“Special sessions are becoming redundant, but as long as Gov. Walz would like to keep emergency powers, we must gather. I do not believe the governor should be making unilateral decisions while the Senate displays readiness to lead on legislative issues. The legislature was elected to do this job, and do it well. That is why I continue to vote against the continuation of absolute executive power," Sen. Mark Koran (R-North Branch) said in a press release from Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. 

During the special session, the Senate also had a confirmation vote for two of Walz's appointed commissioners. 

The Senate passed Commissioner Joseph Sullivan with the Public Utilities Commission. But the Senate voted to remove Commissioner Stephen Kelley with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  

“The legislature steps in when Commissioners lack in either ability or practice while running state departments. Commissioner Kelley, though competent in many areas, unfortunately displayed a lack of engagement with portions of his jurisdiction,” Koran said in the press release. “There is also a culture problem at the Department of Commerce. The governor and Commissioner Kelley were informed of this issue, agreed to fix it, and subsequently did not improve it. The result was that many regulated businesses expressed hesitation to make complaints for fear of retaliation. State agencies are present to serve Minnesota, not intimidate them. I hope that the Department of Commerce will be able to make necessary changes under new leadership.”