Miller, Hortman closer to deal on MN legislature special session

Minnesota legislative leaders have been going around and around on whether or not there will be a special session this year to address hero pay for frontline pandemic workers, drought relief and nursing home stability measures.

But on Tuesday, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller told host Cathy Wurzer he's willing to set aside Republican threats to oust health commissioner Jan Malcolm in exchange for other agreements, which DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman called a big move forward.

“We can work quickly … when everybody is willing to set aside issues that don’t pertain to the deal at hand,” Hortman told Wurzer.

Hortman expects to meet soon with fellow DFLer Gov. Tim Walz and Miller. There is pressure to hold a special session to pass a package soon instead of waiting until the 2022 regular session.

On Monday, Miller sent a letter to Walz outlining the parameters of what could be done in a special session. But DFL Senate Leader Melisa López Franzen accused Republicans of playing political games because they “have added additional conditions that only make finding a final agreement more difficult.”

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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