
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Prospects for a bonding bill are uncertain in these final days of the legislative session, as Republicans threaten to withhold needed votes if Democrats put an equal rights and abortion rights constitutional amendment on the ballot.
As the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) bill moves to what backers hope is the governor’s desk, Republicans are keeping the pressure on by not saying whether they’ll carry out their threat.
“Right now with three days left, I can’t give you a definite answer. That was part of a list of a number of things we had concerns [about],” House Republican Leader Lisa Demuth said.
Governor Tim Walz argues regardless of what happens with an ERA, it doesn’t make sense for Republicans to kill a bonding bill.
“I don’t know if you want to stop projects in your home district… because you’re unwilling to have Minnesotans vote on a piece of civil rights legislation,” Walz said.
Maple Grove Senator Warren Limmer says there aren’t enough local projects in the bill to make Republicans vote for it.
“They will not vote for a bonding bill with the E-R-A passed,” Limmer said.
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