School, college and other closings for Monday

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The fence that had surrounded the Minnesota Capitol since the unrest over the death of George Floyd began coming down Tuesday, although officials have yet to set a date for reopening the statehouse to the public.

Crews removed the tall chain-link fence from the front of the building and expected to haul away most of the remaining components in the coming days.

The Capitol was closed in March 2020 as the pandemic forced the Legislature to meet remotely. The fence hastily went up during protests over the death of Floyd on May 26, 2020. It remained up during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and through former Officer Derek Chauvin's conviction for murder in Floyd's death in April. The state spent over $100,000 on the fence.

As the Capitol took steps toward reopening, officials also prepared for a state government shutdown if lawmakers don't complete a $52 billion two-year budget before July 1. Some 38,000 state workers have started getting 30-day layoff notices as required by their contracts and compensation plans.

State government begins planning

Gov. Tim Walz told them he hopes the warning is only a formality and that the Legislature reaches a deal in time.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman has said she hopes the Capitol will be open in time for a special session expected on the budget in mid-June.

Politics and Government News

The Associated Press

Author

The fence that has surrounded the Minnesota Capitol since the unrest over the death of George Floyd is coming down, although officials have yet to set a date for reopening the statehouse to the public. Crews removed the fence from the front Tuesday and expect to haul away most of the rest soon.

worker cuts zip ties holding Capitol fence together 

Evan Frost | MPR News

a roll of chain fence at the Minnesota State Capitol

Fences comes down at Minnesota Capitol; layoff notes go out

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