House Speaker Daudt Willing To Negotiate On Special Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt says he's willing to negotiate a possible special session for emergency assistance for steelworkers but only if Gov. Mark Dayton makes pledges on major development projects.

The Legislature's top Republican reacted Thursday to Dayton's appeal for a special session to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off mine workers in northeastern Minnesota. Daudt says he's open to what he calls a "short-term Band-Aid" if long-term help is in on the way.

To Daudt, that means assurances from Dayton that there won't be administration interference or delay in consideration of the controversial PolyMet Mining Corp. copper-nickel mine proposal and Sandpiper oil pipeline.

Daudt says he's also worried about a too-expansive special session agenda. Senate Democrats want a session to include policies that address racial economic disparities.

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