Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday said legislative leaders need to craft a plan by Nov. 1 or "for a short while thereafter" if he is to convene legislators for an emergency legislative session.
Dayton formalized his request in a letter, following a Friday news conference where he said he would be open to Senate DFL calls to convene a special session. The governor wants to provide relief to thousands of Minnesotans who face steep premium increases on plans purchased through the invididual health insurance market.
"I said that our plan should be agreed upon before November 1st, so that the Minnesotans needing our help can know what it will be, before the open enrollment period begins," Dayton wrote. "As soon as the four Caucuses, the Lt. Governor, and I have agreed upon a plan, and the four caucus leaders, the Lt. Governor, and I have agreed to the parameters of a special session, I will call it."
He added: "If this work is not completed by November 1st, I am willing to see it continue for a short while thereafter."
In a Friday statement, House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said House Republicans were "committed to working quickly on ways to reduce costs and address the health care crisis Democrats created." He added: "It is my hope we can find areas of agreement and provide needed relief to Minnesotans suffering from the effects of Obamacare."
Senate DFL spokeswoman Amelia Cerling said last week that Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, had asked Daudt to take a look at the caucus' tax credit proposal and that Daudt had said he would.
