Minnesota Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach resigned from Senate District 13, ending the controversy of her simultaneously holding both offices.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called a special for November 6, 2018. The special primary election, if necessary, will be held on August 14, 2018.

Photo of Lt. Gov. Fischbach by David Oakes on Wikimedia Commons.

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, 2018.

The Legislature passed bills relating to misrepresenting service animals, prohibiting local governments from disarming police officers, and funding for the state’s vehicle license and registration system.

Tensions between the Republican-controlled House and Democrat Gov. Mark Dayton were apparent during the final day of the session as Republicans sent a series of bills to Dayton similar to previously vetoed bills.

Dayton has reiterated he will not call a special session for any unfinished business.

Gov. Mark Dayton signed 14 bills into law on May 8.

Of particular interest, Dayton approved Senate File 3306, a bill clarifying campaign finance definitions and making several miscellaneous campaign finance modifications.

The bill will be effective June 1, 2018.

U.S. Sen. Al Franken announced he would step down amid sexual harassment allegations on December 7, 2018.

Franken’s resignation allows Gov. Mark Dayton to make a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy until the special election is held.

Dayton has yet to announce an appointment for Franken’s seat.

The special election will be held on November 6, 2018, and the special primary election will be held on August 14, 2018.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called special elections for House District 23B and Senate District 54. The special elections will be held on February 12, 2018.

State Rep. Tony Cornish and state Sen. Dan Schoen both resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

A special primary, if necessary, will be held on January 29, 2018.

The Minnesota Supreme Court overturned a district court ruling Gov. Mark Dayton’s line-item vetoes unconstitutional.

In May, Dayton line-item vetoed funding for the House and Senate. In response, the Legislature sued arguing Dayton violated the separation of powers clause of the state Constitution.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ordered Dayton and the Legislature to mediate their funding disagreements.

On or before September 30, both Dayton and the Legislature must give the court a status report regarding mediation efforts.

The first special session of 2017, adjourned sine die around 3:00 a.m., on May 26, 2017.

Lawmakers passed a public works package and other pieces of the budget.

Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to sign all of the legislation passed during the special session.

The 2017 Minnesota regular legislative session adjourned late on Monday, May 22, 2017.

The legislators failed to pass a $46 billion spending package. As a result, the Legislature immediately entered into a special session at 12:01 a.m., on May 23, 2017.

The special session is expected to end on May 24, 2017.

After months of taunting the public, a special session may happen in late December.

Recently, four Minnesota legislative caucus leaders met with Gov. Mark Dayton and tentatively agreed to a special session. The primary purpose of the session will address Minnesota’s 59 percent increase on its individual health insurance market premiums.

Along with insurance premiums, the special session will address both a vetoed tax bill and a failed bonding bill from the 2016 regular session. While the official date has yet to be announced, the special session will likely occur around December 20, 2016.

A special election for House District 32B will be held on Feb. 14, 2017.

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Republican Robert Barrett was ineligible to run for the office because he did not reside in District 32B for six months immediately preceding the Nov. 8, 2016, general election.

Fellow Republican Anne E. Neu will replace Barrett to run against Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Laurie J. Warner.

After negotiations on Thursday broke down, Gov. Mark Dayton announced no special session will take place.

Republican leaders would not agree to a special session to fund a light rail project, while Democrats would not agree to holding the session without approval for the project.

The result is a tax bill that would have provided $260 million in tax breaks for certain groups will not be passed this year.

Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Mark Dayton previously hoped to call a special session of the Legislature during the third week of August.

Lawmakers have been unable to agree on key issues, including a controversial light rail bill, so no special session is currently scheduled for this week.

Dayton will meet again with leadership from the Legislature on Thursday, in what he has said may be the last meeting to discuss a special session.

The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board has named Jeffrey Sigurdson as its new executive director.

He currently serves as a member of the Campaign Finance Board and has previously worked in the election division of the Secretary of State’s Office.

Sigurdson will replace current Executive Director Gary Goldsmith, who is retiring from the position.

Gov. Mark Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, and House Speaker Kurt Daudt have tentatively agreed to call a special legislative session during the third week of August.

The governor and lawmakers have met several times since the Legislature adjourned in late May to work through details of approving a tax bill and bonding bill.

While the three men were able to reach an agreement regarding the tax bill during a meeting last week, negotiations on the bonding bill must continue before the governor will announce a definitive date for the special session.

Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol by Jonathunder on Wikimedia Commons.