Walz’s special session on guns could be called this week

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – September isn’t known for legislative action in Minnesota, but last month’s shooting in Minneapolis has reignited a spark in St. Paul.

Typically, the legislative interim is seldom abuzz with activity; this summer has been different.

A special session was called in June to finish the state’s budget. Shortly thereafter, the late Rep. Melissa Hortman was assassinated in a shooting that also injured State Senator John Hoffman. Several vacancies have opened this summer, bringing with them special elections.

The shooting at Annunciation Church has again put the halls of power in the spotlight.

Last week, Governor Tim Walz confirmed that he’d been calling members of the legislature about plans for a special session on guns. While there hasn’t been much news on the front since Tuesday, most lawmakers still expect him to call one by mid-September.

While the power lies with Walz alone to call a special session, he may be waiting before making it official.

Typically, legislative leaders will strike some sort of deal before going into a special session. Having a framework in place helps them move more quickly and efficiently.

“Before he called the special session on June 9, he had been meeting with all four caucus leaders. We were in the same room talking about the things that needed to be done,” said House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) in an interview last Friday.

As of Friday, Demuth had only heard from the governor once.

“Right now, I’ve had one brief call with the governor, in him saying that he’s going to call it, not saying when he’s going to get caucus leaders together,” she said.

The governor could also be waiting for the results of next week’s special election in House District 34B. The election will fill the seat that formerly belonged to Melissa Hortman, and is expected to bring the DFL back into a tie with House Republicans.

Perhaps the most likely explanation is that Walz is still working on a policy package. The Governor told reporters last week he’d have one done “in the next few days.”

Whatever the reason, there’s been no indication that the governor has changed his mind on holding a special session to pass new gun-control measures. It’s likely that if one is called, it would still be sometime this month.