We all need a timeout: Senate goes home without confirming more Walz commissioners
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Senate ended the special session Wednesday without confirming any more of Gov. Tim Walz s commissioners, bringing a sudden end to 18 straight months of legislating and heated political rhetoric at the state Capitol.
Democrats moved to adjourn the session amid frustrations over the Republican-led Senate s treatment of former Pollution Control Commissioner Laura Bishop, who resigned Tuesday rather than be fired by the Senate.
Senate goes home without confirming more Walz commissioners
The Minnesota Senate suddenly ended its special session without confirming any more of Governor Tim Walz s commissioners.
Commissioner Laura Bishop had pushed for Clean Car Rules that angered Republicans Posted
David Colburn
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Clean Car Rules may have survived a threatened budget freeze from Senate Republicans, but GOP leaders made it clear that the agency’s commissioner, Laura Bishop, won’t be around to see them implemented.
Bishop is out, resigning on Tuesday after Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka informed Gov. Tim Walz that her appointment to the position, made in January 2019, would not be confirmed, even though the confirmation hearing itself had not yet taken place.
The special legislative session called to finalize the state’s budget for the next biennium was expected to end last Friday. However, Senate Republicans voted to remain in session and scheduled confirmation hearings for numerous Walz appointees, including Bishop. The move drew a quick rebuke from Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury.
Created: July 06, 2021 02:27 PM
Laura Bishop, the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, has submitted her resignation following an update from Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka stating the Republican-led Senate was planning to not confirm Bishop s appointment.
According to a release from the governor s office, throughout her tenure as commissioner, Bishop has worked with communities across the state to develop innovative, community-centered approaches that protect Minnesota s waters and foster stronger economic growth; brought together citizens, business community leaders, legislators from across the aisle to pass the nation s first trichloroethylene (TCE) ban, a man-made chemical harmful to health; secured new funding to help develop for recyclable materials, helping to reduce waste and create jobs in the state; and tackled climate change with a focus on science and innovation to protect Minnesota s environment for generations to come.
Laura Bishop, the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, resigned today after the senate refused to confirm her appointment.Â
Republicans hold a majority of the senate in the state and party leaders have informed Gov. Tim Walz that Bishops appointment will not be confirmed. It has been an honor to serve Minnesotans in this role. However, I will not allow the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to be politicized. The work is too important, Bishop said. I look forward to continued work to protect our state s waters, air, land, and climate for future generations of Minnesotans. Â
Walz said in a statement that he s extremely disappointed in the Republicans in the Senate, accusing the group of politicizing Bishop s appointment despite her accomplishments and resume.Â
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