A recent special session is now in the books but the most significant issues remain unresolved, largely because House Democrats, at the insistence of the governor, broke a deal that had been negotiated by the four legislative caucuses.

This issue centers on a bill that would release $841 million in federal CARES Act funding to local governments. The Senate overwhelmingly approved a clean CARES Act bill but, instead of following suit and sending that money on its way to local governments that need it, House Democrats and the governor insisted on adding extra funding for their projects to the bill. That broke a deal that had been agreed upon by House and Senate Republicans and Democrats, delaying and/or jeopardizing these relief funds.

I strongly oppose the governor’s continued extension of his emergency powers, moves which have caused an authoritarian rule and an imbalance of power at the Capitol. His meddling in the CARES Act bill is just another example of his power-hungry rule.

Back in mid-March, the governor declared a peacetime emergency so he could quickly issue executive orders as we faced fears a massive COVID-19 outbreak would take place. The governor initially said a quick response would help prevent a patient overrun of our hospitals as COVID-19 concerns first arose in our state. He also has indicated emergency powers were needed to ensure enough personal protective equipment is available for first-line responders. And to flatten the curve/push out the peak. And to make sure adequate testing is available.

He has extended those emergency powers by 30 days three times and we are now crossing Day 100 under his authoritarian rule. In that time, we have learned much, avoided a rush on hospitals and are coming nowhere close to reaching the state’s horribly flawed COVID-19 projections. Yet the governor continues to extend his powers and bypass the Legislature, crippling the balance of power in our representative system of government.

Why would the governor keep Minnesota under restrictions until at least mid-November? Why is he not clear about what has to happen before he will take his thumb off Minnesotans and allow our state to safely re-open?

People also are asking me what we are doing to get a grip on the governor and end his emergency powers. I have voted to end his solo rule four separate times on the House floor but the liberal House majority continues blocking these efforts. The Republican-led Senate also passed a proposal to end the governor’s tyranny but, again, the House majority threw up a roadblock preventing approval from both bodies that is needed to stop the governor’s clear abuse of power.

Given the House majority’s lack of willingness to pump the brakes on the governor and start showing some leadership, we are looking to the courts. I have joined a number of fellow legislators in filing a lawsuit against the governor to end his emergency powers. A formal hearing has been set for July 16.

This issue easily can be resolved before then. All the governor needs to do is acknowledge that his approach has been a complete disaster, crushing our state economy and failing to protect vulnerable citizens, and then end his emergency powers on his own accord so we can safely re-open Minnesota. It is the least he can do to stop the suffering he has caused people in our state.