Senjem suggests stadium special session
It remains unclear when or if state lawmakers will take up a Vikings stadium bill this session, and now one key leader is floating the idea of waiting for a special session to deal with the issue.
Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, told reporters today that a special legislative session might be a good option if a stadium bill doesn't come forward in a timely fashion. Senjem said lawmakers don't want to stick around the State Capitol any longer than necessary, especially if they finish their other work.
"If all we're doing is waiting for a stadium proposal to arise, it would seem to me that we'd recess or perhaps just adjourn and wait for the governor to call a special session once the package was together," Senjem said.
Senjem said his preference is to deal with a stadium bill before the regular session is over. He wouldn't say if a special session would be better before or after the November election.
Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he thinks Senjem would have a hard time finding many other lawmakers who want a special session, especially in an election year.
"I don't support the idea of a special session," Bakk said. "Members of the Legislature aren't going to support the idea of a special session."
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