Another wintry storm Friday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Minnesota House and Senate leaders have agreed to hold a one-day special session on Sept. 9 that will be limited to disaster aid for counties.

Lawmakers will provide the $4.7 million to match federal 

 damaged by storms and flooding in June. Another $1 million for two counties hit by winter ice storms might also be included in the mix.

The Legislature will not take up any of the recent proposals to revisit tax measures passed last session.

Democrats had wanted to approve a sales tax exemption for farm machinery repairs, while Republicans had pushed for the full repeal of three new taxes. But none of those issues were included in the agreement letter signed Wednesday morning, said House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis.

"You know we really want to get focused in on delivering this disaster relief," Thissen said. "We've had the discussion about these taxes. I think those discussions will go on. But right now we want to focus on delivering disaster relief for the people of Minnesota."

Thissen said there will be public meetings beginning next week to allow legislators a chance to better understand the disaster aid proposal.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said Republicans are also committed to providing disaster relief and the tax debate can come later.

Daudt said the tax repeals are still a priority for Republicans. He said there will be continued pressure to bring those issues up at the beginning of the 2014 regular session

Gov. Mark Dayton said Republicans wanted $314 million in tax repeals but never offered a plan to pay for them.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Tim Pugmire

Author

Minnesota House and Senate leaders have agreed to hold a one-day special session on Sept. 9 limited to providing disaster aid to counties.

Dayton, leaders agree on a disaster-only special session

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox