Lawmakers to reconvene with just over 1 week from possible gov’t shutdown

The state is just over a week away from a possible government shutdown if lawmakers can’t come together to pass a final budget.

Agreements have been coming together slowly this special session with the Minnesota House passing some of its first bills over the weekend.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with political analysts who say this can be a frustrating time for lawmakers, but that they believe leaders will be able to come together to pass a budget in time.

"It is tough, you have people who have gotten some policy bills who pushed very hard, get very passionate about to see those die, it gets very tough," analyst Annette Meeks said.

Lawmakers have had to compromise to get certain bills passed.

Over the weekend, they passed the first three of thirteen bills that are being discussed during this special session.

The first was the legal bills which funds projects related to clean water, the outdoors and the arts. The second was an agriculture bill. A bipartisan higher education bill was also approved by House Republicans. That legislation would put a cap on tuition increases for Minnesota state students for the next two academic years and helps fund the state’s financial aid programs.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS asked analysts if they believe the governor will have to get involved during this next week.

"The leaders have a very strong package of what they want to do, there’s always a little bit that you want to taper up or somebody wants to jump in, but I think the governor is playing the right position because he knows that he has an agreement with Senator Gazelka and an agreement with Speaker Hortman," analyst Jeff Hayden said.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate will get back to work at the capitol at 10 a.m. Monday.

The state government will shut down July 1 if lawmakers don’t pass all the budget bills in the next nine days.