ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Legislature again renewed Governor Tim Walz’s emergency powers to do what he thinks best to ease the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses and schools. This means that the governor could extend his current pause on certain business activities, like bars, cafes and gyms, 30 days. A bill in the Republican-dominated Senate to end the governor’s power passed 40-25, but the bill failed in the Democrat-dominated House. Walz is a Democrat.
> Senator Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, against an extension
> Representative Gene Pelowski, D-Winona, for an extension.
The so-called “peace-time emergency powers” are granted a governor only in 30-day increments.