Rep. Steve Green said that Gov. Tim Walz's continued disregard for the Legislature is a sign that his peacetime emergency powers need to end. | Facebook
Rep. Steve Green said that Gov. Tim Walz's continued disregard for the Legislature is a sign that his peacetime emergency powers need to end. | Facebook
The verdict is in on Gov. Tim Walz's decision to pour $7 million into constructing a mega-morgue in preparation for a peak of coronavirus cases.
"It was an unnecessary use of taxpayer funds, was never and will never be used for its intended purpose, and is a shining example of why the legislature needs to be involved in these decisions — governing by the whims of one man is not working," Minnesota House Republican Caucus said, according to a Facebook post.
The morgue was formerly the site of the Bix Produce Co.'s cold storage facility in St. Paul. According to the Star Tribune, the cost of the warehouse and land, operating costs and costs to convert the building to its new purpose, totaled $6.9 million.
"Gov. Walz bypassed the legislative process to spend $7 million of our tax dollars on a state mega-morgue," Rep. Steve Green said in a Facebook post. "It wasn't needed then, isn't needed now and likely never will be needed. It is just another reason we need to end the governor's emergency powers and have the Legislature involved in the decision-making process, especially when tax dollars are at stake."
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