Bill would give lawmakers power to call special session
Lyndon Carlson has been a Minneapolis-area DFL state representative since 1973, but he's never had a say in whether fellow lawmakers and he should go into special session.
That's because only the governor has the power to do that.
But Carlson has proposed legislation to let voters decide whether to change that.
The plan would create two ways for lawmakers to call themselves into special session. A majority of them in each chamber could sign a petition, or just the leaders in both houses could do it.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Carlson said he feels the change would give the public more input on emergency matters, and he's not worried about giving lawmakers too much power, either.
"States that have this mechanism - it's not used that often," Carlson said, in an interview with MPR's Morning Edition. "And I think the reason it's not used that often is there's more balance between the governor and the executive branch when they're negotiating what's to be done about a major problem."
Minnesota is in the minority on this. 33 states allow lawmakers to call themselves into special session.
The bill was introduced and assigned to a committee this week, but no hearings have been scheduled at this point.
Proposed ballot language voters would see, if lawmakers approve Carlson's bill:
"Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require the legislature to meet in special session upon the agreement of a majority of its members or upon the order of its presiding officers?"
