State Government
How an effort to address Metro Transit safety got left behind at the Minnesota Legislature
Even with a July special session looming, the issue may have lost any chance of passing in 2020. Why?
Peter Callaghan
Articles by this author:
State Government
Why so many people at the Capitol are so pissed off about the drug industry’s lawsuit against Minnesota’s new emergency insulin program
Minnesota’s insulin affordability plan had been sold as a compromise with the drug industry. That made the filing of the lawsuit galling to some, including Gov. Tim Walz, who said when told of PhRMA’s suit: “What the hell?”
State Government
Walz warns Minnesota bar owners: Follow COVID-19 rules — or get shut down
The head of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association also cautioned bar owners that not following the state’s guidelines to stem COVID-19 infections “may end up being the reason for our Governor to dial back,” on reopening. “We have to do better.”
State Government
From witness waivers to sanitized pens, what voting — and campaigns — are going to look like in Minnesota in 2020
So far, the numbers have indicated that Minnesotans are on board in making the shift to voting by mail. As of Friday, the Secretary of State reported that 207,835 absentee ballot applications had been received. That compares to 8,964 applications at the same point in 2016.
State Government
In Minnesota, GOP lawmakers see police problems mostly as a Minneapolis problem
Repeated statements by GOP leaders at the Minnesota Legislature make it clear they see any problems with policing as a more of a Minneapolis issue than a systemic one.
State Government
Five things we learned from the Minnesota Legislature’s special session
For now, it’s unclear when lawmakers will return to the Capitol. What’s also unclear, especially given the partisan differences exposed once again last week, is what the Legislature will be able to accomplish once it does return.
State Government
‘Frayed, not broken’: How COVID-19 and the killing of George Floyd have strained the relationship between Gov. Tim Walz and GOP leaders
GOP Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka admitted that what had once been a civil relationship between him and Walz has weakened, citing the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, the emotions sparked by the death of George Floyd and the upcoming election.
State Government
Secretary of state agrees to deal on absentee ballots; Republicans cry foul
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon’s decision to strike deals with two groups suing Minnesota over the state’s witness requirement for absentee ballots drew quick criticism from Republicans, who called the deals an end-run around the Legislature by a DFL secretary of state and friendly plaintiffs.
State Government
Walz pushes back on Legislature’s COVID-19 aid package for local governments
Gov. Tim Walz expressed “concern” about the bipartisan bill, which would distribute $841 million of the state’s allocation from the federal CARES Act to Minnesota cities, counties and townships, based on population.
State Government
Special session gives lawmakers second shot at eliminating Minnesota’s ‘ban the box’ loophole
For years, Minnesota has prohibited both public and private employers from asking job-seekers about their criminal history on initial application forms. Yet it somehow still allows the question to appear on applications for one class of job: appointments to state boards and commissions.
State Government
Trio of lawsuits challenge Minnesota absentee balloting requirements amid COVID-19
The main target of the suits is the state law requiring an absentee voter to have another registered voter witness the voting process — and the voter’s ballot signature.
State Government
From reforming the police to curtailing the governor’s powers, Minnesota’s House and Senate have vastly different priorities for special session
It’s not as though the DFL-controlled House and GOP-controlled Senate can’t or won’t acknowledge each other’s goals. It’s just that it isn’t going to be a top priority for what will be a unique special session of the Minnesota Legislature.
State Government
The daily coronavirus update: Minnesota to allow indoor dining; gyms and theaters to reopen at limited capacity
Walz’s latest order goes further in easing rules aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 than state officials had previously predicted.
State Government
Gov. Tim Walz is spending Minnesota’s federal COVID-19 money his way, whether the Legislature likes it or not
Senate Republicans have been pushing a bill that would require legislative approval for the spending of federal CARES Act money. Walz opposes that, since the current process allows him to spend the federal dollars as he wishes, with a requirement only that he notify the Legislature.
Metro
Four takeaways from Ellison’s decision to prosecute the three other ex-MPD officers, add 2nd-degree murder charge against Chauvin
A look at what we learned from Ellison’s remarks about the case, and from Gov. Tim Walz, who spoke to reporters after the charges against the officers became public.
State Government
Minnesota AG Ellison to take over Floyd case, plus six other takeaways from Sunday
Among other things, Gov. Tim Walz thinks the three other former Minneapolis Police officers involved in the Floyd case should also be charged with crimes. And that he appreciated a call from Jay-Z.
State Government
Walz, mayors blame looting, violence on ‘outsiders’; urge Twin Cities residents to observe Saturday night curfew
Walz said he now believes that much of the violence is being fanned by well-organized groups trained in urban warfare, while his public safety commissioner says there’s evidence that right-wing extremists and white supremacists have organized efforts to foster unrest.
Metro
Curfews imposed in Minneapolis, St. Paul; former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin charged with murder, manslaughter
“This is not going to be an easy journey,” the Minnesota governor said at a Friday morning news conference. “But the one thing we have to assure is that civil order is maintained so those changes we want to see” can happen. “None of us want to live in a society where roving bands go unchecked and do what they want to do, to ruin property.”
State Government
Lawmakers question health officials over Minnesota’s new reservation requirement for reopening restaurants
Sens. Michelle Benson of Ham Lake, Jim Abeler of Anoka and Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake said they had heard the system was meant to foster contact tracing — to collect the names of diners to use in case of a coronavirus exposure.
Health
The daily coronavirus update: 35 more deaths, a single-day record
The health commissioner also specifically addressed those protesting the death of George Floyd, encouraging social distancing and the use of face masks.
