How ‘Duck Dynasty’ and ZZ Top entered a Minnesota Senate debate on hair discrimination
The CROWN Act passed the Legislature and was signed into law last week but not before a Senate debate over beards.
Peter Callaghan
Peter Callaghan covers state government for MinnPost. Follow him on Twitter or email him at pcallaghan(at)minnpost(dot)com.
Anti-Asian bias spurs renewed effort to update Minnesota’s hate crime law
Updating the way Minnesota responds to hate crimes has been a goal of a community coalition and DFL lawmakers for three years. Doing so this session could be another result of the trifecta that emerged from the 2022 election.
Republicans, DFLers change hats in debate over how much control cities, counties have over recreational marijuana
A perennial legislative issue — state preemption of local government decisions — has been turned on its head when it comes to recreational marijuana.
Of 11 expensive campaigns for Legislature, DFL candidates won 9 with help from independent expenditures
The most expensive legislative race in terms of independent expenditures was in Senate District 36 where DFL candidate Heather Gustafson of Vadnais Heights defeated GOP incumbent Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes.
Interesting: Omnibus critic Marty now leads committee that crafts the massive bills
Sen. John Marty, a DFLer from Roseville, is the new chair of the Senate Finance Committee, a legislative panel that usually is the place where the 10 or so big omnibus bills get their final touches and final approval.
Why Budget Day (days, really) was so much fun for Gov. Tim Walz and how surplus spending will make Minnesota history
A $17.6 billion surplus means Walz gets to both spend money on new programs and cut taxes. In fact, the fun volume for Walz this year is at levels perhaps never seen before, as past state surpluses have mostly been in the $1 billion range.
Why some want to make public spending on political campaigns in Minnesota less like Menards rebates
Called “Democracy Dollars,” the proposal would automatically send Minnesota voters coupons to easily spend on their favorite candidates.
What surplus? Budget picture not so rosy for Minnesota transportation
With gas taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes and tab fees are all coming in lower than was projected a year ago, are tax hikes coming?
How ‘love and commitment’ led to legal same-sex marriage in Minnesota 10 years ago
Those who fought for marriage equality say conversations with Minnesotans about their values helped ensure defeat in 2012 of a constitutional amendment and a change in Minnesota law soon after.
A primer on the marijuana legalization proposal that could become law in Minnesota
How soon? Who’s in charge? How high will taxes be? How will criminal records be expunged? MinnPost’s guide to the marijuana legalization bill being considered at the Legislature in 2023 answers these questions and more.
Panel rebuffs Powell, Painter, Hsu in recommendations for U of M Board of Regents
The panel did send 12 names to the Legislature, where they will again be reviewed by the combined House and Senate higher education committees.
Dziedzic, DFLers want to ‘ban the box’ for Minnesota boards and commissions
Reporting by MinnPost in 2020 showed Minnesota’s ‘ban the box’ laws covered everything except government boards and commissions such as the Public Utilities Commission and Metropolitan Council.
With or without court ruling, Minnesota lawmakers seek to restore ex-offender voting rights
A court case arguing that those convicted of felonies should have their voting rights restored when being released from prison has waited nearly 14 months for a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, DFL state lawmakers hope to change the law.
Will Minnesota taxes from legal marijuana help pay for education, social programs? Probably not.
The revenue from the bill might not even be enough to pay for the regulation, enforcement and economic development efforts contained in the measure.
The end to ‘Commissioner Wars’: Dziedzic promises Senate action on Walz nominees
With the DFL holding a one-seat majority in the Senate, Gov. Tim Walz no longer faces the threat that a GOP Senate can remove his commissioners with a simple majority vote.
MinnPost’s guide to 7 things to watch at the Minnesota Legislature in 2023
From managing pent-up demands to navigating narrow majorities in both the House and Senate, all eyes are on DFL leaders in what could be a big year for both policy and the state budget.
7 Minnesota political storylines from 2022 you might have forgotten (or maybe wish you had)
A lot happened in 2022, including a consequential election. But there was plenty of political drama leading up to it, too.
Protecting abortion and legalizing cannabis: Speaker Hortman on Minnesota House priorities in the 2023 DFL trifecta
With the legislative session convening Jan. 3 and the DFL about to be in control of the House, Senate and governor’s office, MinnPost talked with House Speaker Melissa Hortman to talk about her caucus’ priorities.
After dying off in 2022 partisan gridlock, chances for ‘Walz checks’ good in 2023
Rebate checks, Walz Checks, whatever they are called, have more life than ever with DFL control of the State Capitol and a $17.6 billion projected surplus.
Walz-backed universal school lunch has support and also complications
Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility is used to determine schools’ needs, so an alternative metric would be needed if the state moves forward with universal school lunch.
