Minnesota lawmakers avoid government shutdown The Senate passed the K-12 education funding bill and sent it to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature, averting the lingering threat of partial state government shutdown. Author: Lou Raguse Updated: 5:46 AM CDT July 1, 2021 ST PAUL, Minn. — Overnight, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed four omnibus budget bills and a bonding technical bill into law, narrowly avoiding a partial government shutdown. The four bills include one making changes to bonding projects from last year's special session, money for businesses and Minnesota workers, changes to the state's public safety measures, funds for veterans and the largest increase to the state's education budget in the last four years.