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Codifying abortion access, paid family leave, child care tax credits among DFL legislative priorities
DFL legislative leaders on Tuesday announced their priorities for the session, promising abortion rights, money for schools and paid family leave, among other priorities. Whatever direction Democrats take, slim legislative majorities mean they’ll need consensus to move bills forward. That’s especially true in the Senate, where they hold a 34-33 edge. Passing a law to […]
5 observations on the Legislature’s first day
Hundreds of Minnesotans were at the State Capitol on Tuesday to attend the first day of the Minnesota legislative session. Lawmakers were sworn in, advocacy groups held rallies, public tours commenced and lobbyists whispered in hallways for the state’s first relatively normal day of session since COVID-19 prompted much of the state’s legislative business to […]
Gov. Tim Walz appoints six new commissioners
Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced the appointment of six new commissioners. Among the noteworthy appointments: outgoing state Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, as Minnesota’s next commissioner of revenue. Marquart has spent nearly two decades on the House Taxes Committee, most recently as chair, and he was first elected to the House in 2000. He will […]
Lawmakers approve $500 million renovation for State Office Building
A panel of Minnesota lawmakers on Wednesday approved nearly $500 million for renovation of the State Office Building, which is home to the offices of the state’s 134 House members and key staff, as well as conference rooms to host public hearings. A Republican legislator called the move “egregious” and said lawmakers signed off on […]
State Office Building has safety hazards, few disability accommodations
The Minnesota State Office Building, which houses the state’s 134 members of the state House, as well as staff offices and a bevy of conference rooms that host public hearings, needs major renovations to fix flooding and mold, poor ventilation and safety hazards that have injured numerous people, state staffers told lawmakers on Monday. At […]
Ellison joins amicus brief to U.S. Supreme Court defending right to strike
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and 15 other state attorneys general urged the U.S. Supreme Court in an amicus brief to uphold an employee’s right to self-organize and protest. At question in the case, Glacier Northwest Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 174, is whether federal law bars a Washington concrete company […]
On press call, White House highlights bailout of Central States Pension Fund
The Biden administration highlighted a $36 billion bailout of the Teamsters Central States Pension Fund this week, ensuring that the estimated 19,000 Minnesota union workers who are vested in the multiemployer pension plan will receive their full benefits. Prior to the bailout, the union workers with a Central States pension would have had their benefits […]
5 things to know about Minnesota’s historic $17.6 billion projected budget surplus
Minnesota lawmakers will have a projected $17.6 billion available to spend this upcoming session after Minnesota Management and Budget published its latest forecast Tuesday. Strong tax collections, low spending and the estimated $7 billion surplus the Legislature left untouched last session have contributed to the projected budget surplus, said Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim […]
Minnesota sues THC edible companies over illegally potent gummies
The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy filed a lawsuit Monday against three Moorhead companies for allegedly selling packages of gummy bear edibles containing over 50 times the state’s legal limit of THC per package. The state filed the civil lawsuit against Northland Vapor Moorhead, Northland Vapor Bemidji and Wonky Confections LLC in Clay County District Court in […]
Walz announces $2.5 million additional funding for affordable child care
Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday announced his administration is awarding nearly $2.5 million to 17 child care organizations across Minnesota to bolster child care availability statewide. The grants announced Thursday will create about 2,700 new child care slots in the state — a mere fraction of the approximately 80,000 to 90,000 slots needed statewide. Minnesota, […]
Walz wants more education funding but yet to offer specifics ahead of legislative session
Gov. Tim Walz, now with fewer hurdles to enact his agenda thanks to the DFL’s state government trifecta, offered few specifics about his education funding priorities during a school visit Tuesday. Walz did allow that Minnesota needs to address staffing shortages, reduce property taxes and work to provide free lunch for public school students. At […]
AG seeking public input on potential merger between Fairview, Sanford Health
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday announced his office is seeking public input on a possible merger between Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services to create a new health care system that spans the Midwest. Ellison said people can submit comments or concerns about the merger through a new online forum. The Attorney General’s […]