Executive Council approves latest extension of governor’s emergency powers

Another 30-day extension of Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers was approved Monday during a State Executive Council meeting.

During the meeting, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said state leaders must continue being mindful of the ongoing nature of the pandemic in the months to come.

"What the peacetime emergency does is open up a toolbox which has been so critical for our ability to move quickly and flexibly to respond as the vaccines have come online and as we’ve learned more about the virus and indeed as the pandemic has gone through multiple waves," Malcolm said.

Additionally, Malcolm said ending the peacetime emergency "immediately or prematurely, in our view, would immediately end, for one thing, the evictions moratorium without an off-ramp, which would have significant impact on renters, landlords and the court system. The legislature needs to come together to reach a compromise on an off-ramp to the evictions moratorium that works for both renters and landlords while ensuring stability and order in the housing market before this executive order should be allowed to lapse through the emergency powers."

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said state leaders are "very close to reaching an agreement on the evictions moratorium," adding that she feels "hopeful" rent help will soon be available to those who need it.

View the full council meeting via the video player below or here.