Walker Orenstein reports on the state Legislature for MinnPost, with a particular focus on covering issues affecting Greater Minnesota. He can be reached at worenstein@minnpost.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @walkerorenstein.
The law surrounding a viability standard in Minnesota is murky. Such a standard exists in state statute — and experts say providers act as though it exists — but it was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in 1976 under Roe v. Wade. Now, legislation advancing at the Capitol would strike the viability standard from state law.
Gone is the Republican majority in the state Senate, which repeatedly stalled Ellison’s plan as the GOP fumed over other issues like enforcement of executive orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
The $10.27 million plan would extend unemployment benefits for laid off Iron Range workers while a Cleveland-Cliffs taconite mine in Babbitt and a processing plant in Silver Bay remain idled.
Top DFL leaders say moving fast to cement abortion access in state law is a top priority, as it’s the issue they say won them control of the Legislature.
It may be an unprecedented situation, one that Democratic leaders have downplayed by arguing their priorities will help everyone in Minnesota.
“Brief” was the task for legislative leaders Wednesday when faced with a ‘lightning round’ of questions, like the odds of legalizing sports betting, from KSTP’s Tom Hauser at the annual Minnesota Chamber of Commerce dinner event at the RiverCentre.
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.
From Greater Minnesota’s diminished clout in a DFL-controlled Legislature to how leaders handle agriculture issues, it’ll be an interesting year.
While Republicans in the past have protected the cervid farms, Democrats now have the upper hand in an emotional debate over the existence of the businesses — and their potential impact on Minnesota’s lucrative wild hunting industry.
The bonding bill is the traditional way the state pays for things like wastewater treatment plants and park infrastructure. Will the giant surplus prompt DFL legislative leaders to opt for a cash construction bill rather than borrowing money?
Criticism of repealing the state tax on Social Security benefits comes after several DFLers campaigned in support of the repeal in swing districts that were key to the DFL’s control of state government.
Demuth was a school board member before being elected to the Legislature in 2018. She replaces Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, in leading the House Republican caucus.
With the Legislature now fully in Democratic hands after the November election, leaders are promising an ambitious climate agenda aimed at shrinking carbon emissions.
The DFL owes its new one-vote majority in the state Senate and its narrow control of Minnesota government to just a handful of candidates who won close elections last week.
The dream of a suburban revolt against DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison from voters concerned about public safety failed to materialize.
DFL Senators gathered at the Capitol said support for abortion rights in the suburbs and some remaining DFL-friendly districts in Greater Minnesota made the difference.
The GOP had hoped to win seats in battleground legislative races across the Twin Cities suburbs. Instead, Democrats did well in places like Coon Rapids, Lino Lakes, Blaine and Shakopee.
In Tuesday’s election, Ellison kept up the DFL’s AG winning streak, which started in 1970. Republicans trailed in every statewide race, imperiling the party’s shot at its first statewide victory since 2006.
Is abortion access settled law in Minnesota? Listening to DFL and Republican candidates might leave you feeling confused. This MinnPost guide to abortion law in Minnesota has you covered.
