This week we adjourned the second special session. The purpose for this session was the requirement that if Gov. Walz decided to renew his emergency powers, he was required to call a special session and he chose to renew them once again.

In response, we passed a resolution to put an end to the state’s longest peacetime emergency in history. While there needs to be a response to the Covid health issue, it is long past the emergency stage and we should return to our constitutional structure and balance of powers. The Governor’s use of peacetime emergency powers were initially enacted on March 13 of this year to prepare the state for the COVID-19 pandemic, to flatten the curve and give time for hospitals to prepare. That was accomplished and the time for constitutional governing is here.

Reopening schools

As the Governor continues to extend his emergency powers, the Senate passed a resolution to allow local school districts to decide the best option for their students to safely open this fall and remove emergency powers from Gov. Walz in this area.

Students need to get back to school safely so they can one again learn and thrive in the most effective environment. We must restore local control and trust our elected school boards to make the right decisions for our communities. They know better than the Governor and will safely properly accommodate the needs of our teachers and students.

Police reform

As we were in special session we also came to agreement on a police reform bill. My goal was to preserve local control for our local police and sheriff’s departments and refuse to agree with defunding or disbanding police or other means to disrupt their work that would endanger Minnesotans. It is too easy to take their protection for granted.

This bill has support from police officers, community leaders, and Minnesotans, because it includes only common-sense reforms. In my conversations with local police chiefs and sheriffs I learned that they already incorporate several of these tools in their officers’ training. We know that our public safety officers really do want the best for our communities. These updates will reinforce the good work they are already doing to keep us safe!

I am particularly thankful for our local law enforcement. Their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every member of our community is so appreciated and we will keep advocating for the tools they need to be effective and safe!

I will continue to keep you updated as we navigate the effects of this pandemic!