ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) – Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders face a self-imposed deadline today (Mon) to agree on overall spending in major state budget areas like E-12 education, human services, and transportation.Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (guh-ZEL-cuh) says they’ll see if they can get to an agreement.
“But at the very minimum, we have started the process,” said Gazelka. “When sometimes there’s nothing going on until, like, the last week. And so, we all want that process to be sooner.”
A spokesman says Governor Walz met with legislative leaders twice this weekend but there are still fundamental disagreements on education and health care.
“May 6 is without a doubt an early number,” said Gazelka. “But it psychologically gets us moving to the end, and that’s why I think it’s important.”
Walz and Republicans must agree on the state budget by May 20th — two weeks from today — or a special session will be needed.
