(KNSI) – Juneteenth is being observed Monday in its second year as a federal holiday. It is not recognized by the state legislature in St. Paul, though, and that has counties and local governments unsure whether they can observe the day.
Stearns County Administrator Mike Williams says the contract between the government and its public employees has already been modified to include Juneteenth as a holiday. It will be implemented only after action is taken in the capitol.
The post office, banks, and federal employees are closed. Active military members are also celebrating a day off. That has many residents just assuming that other government offices are also unavailable. Several counties and central Minnesota municipalities took to social media on Monday morning to alert people that is not the case.
The discrepancy resulted in some confusion, which Williams expects to work itself out soon. Bills were sponsored in March in the state House and Senate to recognize Juneteenth, but nothing was resolved before the session ended last month.
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