The Minnesota Senate voted today to end Governor Walz’s peacetime emergency powers relative to the COVID pandemic. If the House agrees, it would end the state’s longest peacetime emergency in history. Walz first put the state under emergency powers on March 13, 2020.

“It’s time to end the executive orders and let business and life open back up,” said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka. “I supported the Governor back in March getting prepared just in case something happens. But the ‘just in case’ didn’t happen. We all know the value of social distancing and I have faith the people of Minnesota will continue acting safe, even without the government telling us to.”

“Today we voted to end the Governor’s peacetime emergency powers because it is time to restore the balance between the executive and legislative branches and give Minnesotans their voices back,” said Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing). “We have tried time and time again to work with the Governor, but he repeatedly chooses to unilaterally move the goalposts on reopening the state causing Minnesota businesses and our economy unnecessary strain.”

The vote to end peacetime emergency was 38-29, with three Democrats joining all 35 Republicans supporting the resolution.