At Issue: June 21 — Legislative special session ends, Klobuchar withdraws from VP consideration

Minnesota lawmakers adjourned a special legislative session without much to show from it. Their one success was a $62.5 million relief package for small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

All other priorities for both Republicans and Democrats — local government relief, a bonding bill and police reform measures — stalled when the Senate adjourned shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday. The House followed within the hour.

We ask state Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, and state Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, why it sputtered to a halt. Hayden, who represents the district where George Floyd was killed, and Miller, who voted for some measures in committee but didn’t support police reform package in the House, agreed that something has to be done.

Our political analysts join the conversation with insight into what it might take to pass anything in a possible second special session. They also break down the decision by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, to withdraw from the running as Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick.

Meanwhile, we look into survey results from Minnesotans who were asked about the fallout from George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody. They answer questions related to criminal charges for the officers and grade Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on their handling of the protests that followed.