ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate voted 40-27 to limit the governor’s authority to close schools during the pandemic. The bill, sponsored by Senator Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, would have allowed the governor only to advise and consent. “It’s just not possible for the governor to unilaterally make one decision that fits all of the schools in all of our 87 counties with all of their different needs,” Nelson said. The bill had become a GOP focus against Walz, a Democrat. Every Senate Republican voted in favor. So did four Democrats and two independents.
Earlier: Plan clears hurdle to curtail anti-pandemic acts
Legislative analysis
The Nelson bill was largely symbolic. The Democratic-controlled rejected the House version of the bill last week.