Lawmakers Eying March 8th Start Date for Next Year’s Session

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers are eyeing a March 8th start date for next year's legislative session.

The plan would start the session after a state budget forecast is released in late February. It would leave legislators with 10 weeks to get their work done. That's about half as much time as this year's session.

Lawmakers are running up against their deadline this year as they scramble to craft a two-year state budget. But sessions in even-numbered years are typically less hectic. The state Senate will meet off-site next year as renovation crews work on the Capitol.