Minnesota Senate Votes To Curb Walz's Emergency Powers

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota state senators voted Thursday to strip Gov. Tim Walz of the ability to open and close schools during a state of emergency, arguing the decision should be made at the local level, according to a report from KARE.

A bill stripping the Democratic governor's oversight of the state's schools passed the Minnesota Senate on a 40-27 vote with the support of every Republican senator, as well as four Democrats and two independents. Proponents argued that the decision to reopen classrooms is best left to local school districts.

This is not the first time Republicans have attempted to pass such a bill, according to KARE. Last year saw seven attempts from legislators to blunt Walz’s executive powers to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent said prior to the vote the bill was more of a stunt and less about local control.

"This is about trying to score political points against the governor," she said. "That is sad and unfortunate."

The move comes a day after Walz announced that high school and middle school students can return to the classroom for in-person learning as soon as Feb. 22 with the expectation that every school across the state will have some component of on-campus instruction by March 8.

The bill still needs to pass the Democratic-Farmer-Labor-Party-controlled Minnesota House and be signed by Walz, according to KARE.