Government & Politics
Gov. Tim Walz calls on Senate GOP to give full hearing to DFL police reforms
Gov. Tim Walz criticized the state Senate GOP for their approach to criminal justice and policing in a Tuesday news conference. “If this is going to be one of those deals that we’re going to put five easy ones out there, vote for it and go on home, see you later, I think they’re really […]
Senate GOP debates limited police reform measures ahead of Friday special session adjournment
Lawmakers are on divergent paths in adopting significant reform in the wake of the police killing George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis. The House DFL, led by the bicameral People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, has unveiled a lengthy list of criminal justice and police reform measures. But Senate Republicans, who plan to adjourn […]
Some legalize cannabis candidates are giving off very MAGA vibes
In a contested state Senate race in northeast Minnesota, Robyn Smith is the candidate for the Legal Marijuana Now Party, but most of her political energy on social media is devoted to supporting President Donald Trump, gun rights and other right wing causes. Although Smith said in a Reformer interview that she thinks cannabis should […]
Despite DFL calls to stay until police reform is done, Senate GOP plans to adjourn in a week
How fast can the Legislature pass comprehensive police reform during a special session? According to Senate Republicans: one week. “We’re not going to stay in special session for months and months,” Gazelka said. “”Once we get to next Friday, we’re going to be done.” It’s a markedly different timeline than put forth by House DFL […]
Where does state Sen. Julie Rosen live?
State Sen. Julie Rosen’s recent filing for re-election that marks her address “private” has again raised questions about where the powerful chair of the Finance Committee actually lives. Does she live in the 684 square foot, basement-less four-room house without central air in Vernon Center she rents in her district? Or the 5,784 square foot, […]
Walz, DFL legislators unveil police, criminal justice reforms on eve of special legislative session
Gov. Tim Walz, DFL lawmakers and members of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus on Wednesday unveiled legislative proposals for statewide policing reforms on the eve of a special session. The Legislature is returning Friday to the Capitol and its to-do list has grown since adjourning last month. Criminal justice and police reform are […]
Walz calls special session for police reform, pandemic response
Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday called legislators back for a special session starting Friday, urging them to address police reform as well as the state’s pandemic response and recovery. Lawmakers already had a host of legislative loose ends to tie up from the regular session that ended in May, like the state’s budget deficit, pandemic […]
Minneapolis police chief to end contract negotiations with police union
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Wednesday that he would withdraw from contract negotiations with the Minneapolis police union and implement a program intended to intervene in problematic officer behavior. The announcement comes days after the Minneapolis City Council declared its intent to disband the police department as residents clamor for police reform in the […]
Special session shaping up as a ‘free-for-all’ with police reform, bonding, COVID-19
The upcoming special legislative session is shaping up to be a free-for-all, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, predicted this week. The first term speaker said in a Reformer interview that legislative leaders had not yet set the parameters or rules of engagement. Gov. Tim Walz has to call legislators back into session so they […]
Senate DFL leader says Minneapolis proposal to dismantle police is a ‘local issue’
Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury, on Monday deflected questions about whether her caucus would formally weigh in on the potential dismantling of the Minneapolis Police Department. “It’s not our place to support or not support that,” Kent told reporters during a video call. “That is a local issue and historically the Legislature tends to […]
Data show disparities between Black and white Minnesotans in education, income, criminal justice are among the worst in the nation
George Floyd’s death after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes sparked outrage and protests in Minnesota and across the world. Although the local demonstrations are ostensibly about Floyd’s death, they’re fueled by decades of frustration and anger at the state’s well-documented inequities for Black Minnesotans and Minnesotans of […]
After night of looting, arson Minnesota officials, community leaders urge people to stay home
A dramatic and extraordinary assembly of the state’s top elected officials, faith and community leaders issued emphatic pleas on Saturday for people to stay home as the National Guard prepares to secure the Twin Cities after four nights of looting, arson and destruction. Overnight, conditions in Minneapolis deteriorated with multiple buildings ablaze and police taking […]