Dayton Says Terms Must Be Met Before Calling Special Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Gov. Mark Dayton will have about two weeks to decide if he's going to call a special session. It would give lawmakers more time to pass bills that didn't get done before the regular session ended.

Last week, the legislature failed to pass a transportation bill or a billion-dollar borrowing bill that would have provided funding for public works. The governor has a list of demands he wants met before any special session is called.

After 11 weeks, the regular session ended in chaos. Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt blamed Democrats' last-minute push for spending on the controversial Southwest Light Rail.

"What really happened is that Southwest Light Rail killed $700 million of road and bridge money for the entire state of Minnesota," Daudt said.

But this week, Dayton said without an agreement on a funding mechanism for Southwest Light Rail, he won't call a special session.

"Some way to give the Metropolitan Council, who has the legitimate authority, to put in the local share necessary to complete the funding package," he said.

The governor also said there will be no special session without an agreement on more money for higher education and the reinstatement of an $800,000 tax break that helps low income high school students to pay sports fees. Dayton says the tax break was not renewed as payback for a 2014 State High School League rule allowing transgender athletes to play girls sports.

House Speaker Kurt Daudt was not available for comment Monday, but Sunday night he tweeted a response:

Political analysts say Dayton believes he can play hardball because the entire legislature is up for re-election in November.

"The governor has made it very clear if the Republicans don't reach a deal, he will try to scorch them in November," Professor Larry Jacobs of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs said. "He will campaign in every county, and he is going to argue that having Democrats in control of the House and Senate along with himself in the Governer's Mansion is the best way to improve Minnesota."

Because this not a budget year, there is not a threat of a government shutdown, so Dayton does not have to call a special session. He says he won't call a special session unless he has agreements on these issues in place. The bottom line is if they couldn't reach agreement in the 11 weeks of the regular session, it's hard to understand how they can reach agreements now.