A collection of news and stories from around the state of Minnesota.
A perennial legislative issue — state preemption of local government decisions — has been turned on its head when it comes to recreational marijuana.
It’s a significant moment for DFL lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz’s administration as they push to slash pollution that causes climate change, but the news comes with significant caveats, including pandemic-related reductions.
Minnesota’s new law establishing a fundamental right to an abortion — signed by Gov. Tim Walz at the Capitol on Tuesday — would not have passed the DFL-controlled House just one year ago.
McCollum said “without permanent protection, this special place (the BWCA) is subject to political interference,” which means a subsequent administration could lift the moratorium.
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.
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?
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.
Permanent federal protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is likely now out of reach and the new GOP House of Representatives will try to ease federal rules for the mine permitting process.
The panel did send 12 names to the Legislature, where they will again be reviewed by the combined House and Senate higher education committees.
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.
It may be an unprecedented situation, one that Democratic leaders have downplayed by arguing their priorities will help everyone in Minnesota.
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?
Among those who will be interviewed by members of the Regent Candidate Advisory Council next month are incumbent members Kendall Powell and Tadd Johnson, former member Michael Hsu, and former U.S. Rep. Bill Luther.
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.
There’s a disconnect between that unfathomable $17.6 billion surplus and the other half of the report. While taxes continue to overperform, the underlying economy – state, national and global – is getting squishier.
Without licensing of those who make and sell edibles, the board instead relies on complaints from the public to identify and investigate bad actors in the new business created by legislation last spring. Or, in the case of civil litigation it announced Monday, it responds to investigations from the federal Food and Drug Administration.
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.
