Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were required to step down from their positions when they were not confirmed by the Senate before the end of the 2016 legislative session.

After the governor’s appointment, board members are allowed to serve pending confirmation by the Legislature, so Dayton has effectively restored both to their positions, and the confirmation process will begin again during the next regular session of the Legislature.

A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules.

Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton required agreement on several issues before he was willing to call the session.

To date, Dayton and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on those issues.

Gov. Mark Dayton has outlined several conditions legislators must meet before he will call a special legislative session.

In a letter sent to House and Senate leaders, Dayton indicates they must agree on several points in the priority subjects of transportation, taxes, and numerous omissions in supplemental budget and bonding bills before he will call the session.

Several lawmakers have requested a special session after the Legislature recessed last month without passing an important bonding bill, but only Dayton has the authority to call the session.

The Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight after a long day on Sunday, May 23.

Prior to adjournment, $260 million of a $900 million budget surplus was allotted to tax credits and cuts for parents, farmers, businesses, and college students. Lawmakers also passed extra spending measures for broadband internet infrastructure development and a statewide voluntary preschool program. Despite several last minute efforts, the Legislature could not come to agreement on a bonding bill to fund construction and transportation projects prior to the end of the session.

A special session could be called soon to address the bonding bill.

In an effort to repair and modernize Minnesota’s campaign finance system, House Democrats have announced their intention to introduce a state constitutional amendment requiring disclosure of all election-related spending. The bill would require disclosure for contributions and expenditures made for communications clearly identifying a candidate, as well as the use of words or phrases of express advocacy.

Mailings, ads, or anything a reasonable person would interpret to be advocating for or against a candidate will also be required in the disclosure.

Similar bills have been previously introduced, but have defeated. If the proposal is passed it will then be added to the upcoming November ballot for voter approval.

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

A special election has been set on February 9, 2016, to replace Representative Ann Lenczewski. Lenczewski, who represented District 50B, is leaving at the end of the year to take a government relations job.

If a special primary election is necessary, it will be held on January 12. The special election to replace Lenczewski will fall on the same day as a special election for Senate District 35, filling the vacant seat after the resignation of state Senator Branden Petersen.

Gov. Mark Dayton has requested state lawmakers to return to work in a special legislative session.

Dayton penned a letter to members of the Minnesota Legislature asking them to address the need to help out-of-work miners in the state.

In Minnesota, special sessions can be called by the governor.

Governor Dayton ordered a special election to be held for Senate District 35 on February 9, 2016.  The election is being held to fill State Senator Branden Petersen’s seat after he announced his resignation in September.

If necessary, a special primary election will be held on January 12, 2016.

On Thursday, October 8^th, The Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG), in conjunction with Women in Government, hosted a luncheon featuring Minnesota Senate President Sandy Pappas as the keynote speaker.  The luncheon was held at Carmine’s Restaurant, and is the second event as part of WASRG’s Fall State Legislator Luncheon Series .

Speaking to an audience of approximately 40 state and federal government affairs professionals, President Pappas discussed key issues involving women in the workforce, such as pay equity, family and medical leave, and the importance of having women seek careers in public office.  WASRG’s Fall State Legislator Luncheon Series will continue through December.

You’ll find more information on this and other WASRG events here.

Photo of Minnesota Senate President Sandy Pappas courtesy of Bobamnertiopsis on Wikimedia Commons.

A special election to fill the seat for House District 3A has been scheduled for December 8, 2015.

Gov. Mark Dayton ordered the special election when the seat was left vacant by the death of state Rep. David Dill.

Candidates may file to run through August 31. If needed, a special primary will be held on September 29.

Photo of Rep. David Dill courtesy of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called a special election to fill Rep. Ryan Winkler’s seat in House District 46A. Winkler is resigning due to his family relocating to Belgium.

The special primary election will be August 11, 2015, and the special general election will be November 3, 2015.

Both elections coincide with already-scheduled local elections.

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

The Legislature adjourned a one-day special session after meeting for more than 15 hours on Friday, June 12, 2015.

After taking several votes to pass the environment and agriculture bill, lawmakers completed the nearly $42 billion budget Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged to sign.

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

The Minnesota Legislature will likely convene a special session after Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the state’s education budget. Unless law makers can come to an agreement on an education budget before July 1, the state Department of Education will shut down.

The special session will likely convene in the coming weeks, but due to renovations at the Capitol, legislators will meet outside of their chambers. Minnesota law requires the Legislature to convene inside the city limits of St. Paul.

Dayton has until Saturday, May 23, 2015, to sign or veto any other budget bills, or let them become law without his signature.

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

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned on May 18, 2015. Legislators scrambled to pass legislation minutes before the rigid midnight deadline. Gov. Mark Dayton has three days to accept or reject budget bills.

Dayton has stated on several occasions he plans to veto the education budget bill due to its lack of funding for half-day kindergarten. Should the governor veto that bill, a special session will be very likely.

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk considers the special session “inevitable”. However, the Capitol building is undergoing renovation and therefore will not be a feasible location for a special session, should the governor convene one.

Dayton suggested the potential special session be held in a tent on the lawn of the Capitol, while area hotels offered their facilities as an alternative.

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