Lawmakers Reach Budget Agreement, Will Hold Special Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota lawmakers have reached a budget agreement, but will still hold a special session to finalize the details.

The special session will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, lawmakers said.

The Legislature's deadline was midnight tonight, whether they had completed their work or not. It appeared they wouldn't finish on time, but around 11:15 p.m. lawmakers announced the tentative deal.

The governor's office reported earlier in the night that there was no agreement on the biggest bills of the year: Health and Human Services, Transportation, State Government, Education and Taxes.

For most of the night, the House and Senate chambers were empty. The hours passed and lawmakers waited to vote on bills that never came.

Other bills are now dead for the year, including the one to impose tougher penalties on protesters who shut down freeways.

One controversial measure did pass: it prohibits the state from issuing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

"The fact is: they are here, and they are driving. They are taking their kids to games. They are picking them up from school. They are going to work. They are going to the doctor's office. And if they are driving without a driver's license, then you and I are less safe," DFL Sen. Ron Latz of St. Louis Park said.

"My faith teaches to welcome the stranger. Comma. And follow the law. The stranger isn't allowed to come in and then simply thumb their nose," Republican Rep. Eric Lucero of Dayton said.

The Legislature has been in session since January.

Lawmakers must now figure out a way to fund state government for the next two years.

In:
• Pat Kessler