Briana Bierschbach covered the Minnesota Legislature for MinnPost.
Several major proposals have been introduced at the Legislature to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace. With 10 days left in the session, here’s where they stand.
Facing a May 21 deadline, Republicans in control of the House and Senate are scrambling to get several key proposals to the governor’s desk.
Last year, several key House Republicans led the charge on repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales. But they were far from finished with trying to tweak Minnesota’s liquor laws.
In shaping their plans, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican leaders have applied their own political philosophies on who should pay more or less, resulting in dramatically different proposals.
Up to 300 cities across Minnesota use wastewater treatment plants that are in desperate need of upgrades.
The internal investigation will happen under the parameters laid out in the House’s new sexual harassment policy, which was adopted Wednesday afternoon.
The Legislature is exempt from the state’s data practices law, so information about sexual harassment complaints and investigations is not public, and top leaders have been reluctant to release any details.
“As a member of the minority and not a member of the public safety committee, there’s not a lot I can do, but I can do this,” said Maye Quade, a first-term representative from Apple Valley.
Under the recent ruling, 21 offenders in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program could be released immediately, without having to go through an extra step known as provisional discharge.
The change could have a major impact on employees and employers in every industry in the state.
The motivation behind two bills debated this week at the Legislature is the same: to have some funding for programs if the state government ever shuts down again.
The proposed task force aims to take a big picture look at the issue, including examining investigation and prosecution patterns, child welfare policies and coroners’ findings.
Among other things, some lawmakers want to set up a system that would funnel money into preventive measures — by imposing a fee on the pharmaceutical companies that sell opioids.
The size and sustained momentum of gun-control efforts in the wake of the Parkland massacre have surprised some. But can that sense of urgency survive until the election?
Pawlenty’s late entrance into the race has shaken up an already crowded field.
A proposal making its way through the Legislature would replace the 30-year-old Regent Candidate Advisory Council with a new commission consisting of four lawmakers.
This session of the Minnesota Legislature has already been one of the busiest in recent memory, with a flurry of bills on several high-profile — and unexpected — issues taking center stage.
The proposed amendment would ask voters if they want to dedicate sales tax revenues generated from auto parts sales and repairs toward fixing roads, bridges, highways and other transportation projects.
Ted Matthews might have the toughest job in the state of Minnesota.
“People are asking about my legacy,” the governor said. “Your legacy lasts as long as it takes the next person to get the keys to the office.”
