(KNSI) — Facing harsh criticism for not finishing several spending bills during the 2022 legislative session, lawmakers contend they’re close to closing several deals, and the governor should call everyone back to the table.
House Speaker Melissa Hortman says Minnesota’s budget is complicated, and “We have a big state with a lot of people in it. And the length of the legislative session that we decided in 1970 has shown us over the last 20 years to not be long enough. And I think just a little bit more time we can get it done.”
The state constitution limits the Legislature to meeting 120 legislative days during each biennium. Gavel to gavel for the 2022 session was 112 days.
She says Minnesotans “don’t care how long it takes us to get done. What they care about, is the quality of the work product that we deliver for them. And I think there’s an awful lot of legislators on both sides of the aisle that are ready to work as long as it takes to deliver that.”
The governor has said he hasn’t ruled out calling a special session.
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