Briefs

U.S. House fails to override Biden veto of WOTUS legislation

BY: - April 18, 2023

The U.S. House on Tuesday failed to override a President Joe Biden veto, which means the administration’s regulation stays in place expanding which waters and wetlands can be regulated under the federal Clean Water Act. The House did not clear the two-thirds mark needed to overturn Biden’s veto of a resolution that would have blocked […]

House passes bill cracking down on chemicals invented by Minnesota’s 3M

BY: - April 17, 2023

The Minnesota House was poised to pass an environment budget bill Monday that includes a ban on products that contain common but toxic chemicals that 3M invented in Minnesota in the 1940s.

DFL proposes rehabilitating prisoners; GOP calls it ’Get Out of Jail Free’ bill

BY: - April 14, 2023

Senate Democrats were set to pass a $880 million public safety and judiciary bill Friday, including money for youth intervention programs; money for recruitment and retention of police officers; reducing a backlog of forensic evidence at the state crime lab; increased funding to help courts address a backlog of cases; expansion of treatment courts; and funding of multijurisdictional teams that focus on gang and drug crimes. 

Media organizations send letter defending MinnPost Capitol reporter

BY: - April 13, 2023

A coalition of media organizations, including the Minnesota Reformer, has sent a letter to Minnesota House DFL leadership, decrying the treatment of MinnPost Capitol reporter Peter Callaghan.  “Journalists should not be forced to walk on eggshells for fear they will be removed or arrested by armed guards if they ask a question that someone on […]

DFL lawmakers propose additional income tax tier targeting wealthy Minnesotans

BY: - April 11, 2023

House Democrats want to create a fifth state income tax tier that would increase taxes for the wealthiest Minnesotans. The bill, (HF442/SF678), would establish a 10.85% tax rate on a Minnesotan’s taxable income above $1 million for married joint filers; $600,000 for single filers; and $800,000 for heads of households. The additional income tax tier […]

Cub grocery workers call off strike after reaching tentative agreement

BY: - April 7, 2023

The union representing 3,000 Cub workers announced a tentative agreement on raises and benefits early Friday morning, hours before workers were set to strike for the first time. The strike threatened to upend operations at nearly three dozen stores across the Twin Cities through Easter weekend and strain the finances of workers, many of whom […]

Misinformation provision in elections bill expected to face legal challenge

BY: - April 7, 2023

A bill making it a misdemeanor to knowingly spread false information with the intent to impede or prevent people from voting is likely to face a legal challenge if it becomes law.

Cub workers announce historic strike at 33 grocery stores ahead of Easter weekend

BY: - April 5, 2023

As many as 3,000 workers at 33 Cub grocery stores across the Twin Cities say they will go on strike for the first time this week as they seek higher wages after three grueling years on the frontlines of the pandemic that were a boon to grocery stores’ bottom lines. The workers, who are unionized […]

DFL cannabis bill’s tax rates would be among nation’s lowest

BY: - March 31, 2023

Supporters of a bill working its way through the Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana have landed a new inducement: Lower taxes. The new amendment, adopted by the House Taxes Committee this week, taxes cannabis and low-dose THC edibles at 8% for fiscal years 2024-2025. The next biennium, however, cannabis sales taxes would drop to 5.25%. […]

Social Security trustees predict benefit cuts in 2033 without congressional action

BY: - March 31, 2023

WASHINGTON — Social Security will no longer be able to pay full benefits in 2033, a year earlier than previously expected, according to a report released Friday.  The updated projections, in the annual trustee report, mean that without action to stabilize the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Social Security would have enough money to […]

‘We’re going to pass this’: Walz advocates for gun control in Minnesota

BY: - March 30, 2023

Surrounded by activists, Democratic lawmakers and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday Minnesota will pass gun control measures this year, despite some wavering from DFL senators. Walz, who once earned an A rating from the National Rifle Association during his career in Congress, offered an impassioned plea for gun control, citing […]

Infant formula crisis could recur, former FDA official tells Congress

BY: - March 28, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday debated if enough has changed to prevent a repeat of the infant formula shortage, more than a year after a nationwide crisis began.  The U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee’s Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services heard from two experts that while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]