DFL leaders say special session 'very, very likely'

DFL leaders said a special session is likely as they headed into a state budget negotiation meeting Wednesday.

The Legislature has a few days left to complete its work before its May 19 constitutional deadline for adjournment, including passing a state budget. If it doesn’t, a special session will need to be called for the sixth time in eight budget-setting years since 2011.

[MORE: History of special sessions]

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said “yes” when asked if a special session is inevitable. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) said a special session is “very, very likely, if not inevitable.”

“I think, at this point, it’s really difficult to get done and do the work that we need to,” Murphy said.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) declined to answer whether she believes there will be a special session, saying that leaders are talking and she was heading into the meeting Wednesday “for more conversation.”

Murphy said they’re making progress on the budget, but it has been slow, and legislative leaders will be working through this weekend. Everyone wants to finish by May 19, but it’s also important to not overwork legislative staff, she said.

“Right now, we are just in the work of balancing the budget and we all have different perspectives and priorities and we’re working through that,” Murphy said.

During a press conference Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz said budget negotiations have been “productive,” and the tone has been “encouraging, respectful.” He praised Hortman and Demuth’s leadership in navigating their caucuses’ priorities as a split chamber in the negotiations.

Walz said he believes this year’s end-of-session may be similar to 2019, when the Legislature had a one-day special session to pass the budget and policy bills.

By comparison, the 2021 special session lasted from June 14 to July 7.