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Rep. Green addresses latest effort to end Gov’s emergency powers

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

 

ST. PAUL – Minnesota House Republicans on Tuesday once again sought to end the executive powers Gov. Tim Walz first enacted in mid-March. For a fifth time, House Democrats blocked such an effort.

State Rep. Steve Green, R-Fosston, said that, while urgent action may have been warranted four months ago in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the time has long passed to restore balance at the Capitol by involving the Legislature in decisions related to the situation.

“This is a total abuse of power on behalf of the governor and a complete failure by House Democrats who refuse to get off their hands and represent their constituents,” Green said. “The House majority’s willingness to take a back seat and let the governor’s authoritarian rule continue is downright shameful. There have been no parameters explained regarding when the governor’s emergency powers may be lifted and it looks like the House majority is satisfied leaving Minnesota shut down indefinitely. If you are a House Democrat, I don’t know how you can look your constituents in the eye and refuse to represent them, with no end in sight to this abdication of duty. It is an insult to Minnesotans and the oath of office we took as legislators.”

While the Senate approved a similar measure on Monday, the first day of the current special session, Tuesday’s House move fell on party lines.

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