DFL still not united on red flag law, background checks after months of advocacy on guns
Democrats are resting their hopes on just two gun bills. But do they have the votes?
Greater Minnesota
A collection of news and stories from around the state of Minnesota.
DFL tax plans split over taxing Minnesota’s wealthy but agree on some cuts and rebates
House and Senate leaders also agree on a partial rollback of the state’s tax on Social Security benefits.
A full repeal of Minnesota’s Social Security tax now unlikely after Senate DFL concedes to a partial cut
DFL Senate leaders say they are mostly aligned with DFL House leaders on the size of the Social Security tax cut.
Stauber fights placing bat on endangered list
In November, the federal Fish and Wildlife Service issued a rule to put the northern long-eared bat on the endangered species list.
DFL nixes Citizens’ Board, narrows environmental justice bill after intra-party split with Greater Minnesota lawmakers
It was an unusually public last-minute change, and it drew discontent and disappointment from many Democrats.
Future of Minnesota environment funding, state lottery could be on your ballot in 2024
While the constitutional update is flying somewhat under the radar at the Capitol given a record $17.5 billion surplus, legislation to renew lottery money for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund could be among the more notable policies under consideration this year.
Minnesota plan to help Biden expand EV charging stations is a work in progress
New charging stations in Minnesota, part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, will be placed along I-94 and I-35 through an agreement between the state and the federal government.
Some DFLers, including Walz, push for nuclear study after Xcel plant leak
Nuclear has long been controversial among Democrats, many of whom argue that new plants are too expensive and carry pollution risk. But others want to study its future.
DFL energy plans include incentives for heat pumps and other climate-friendly technology
Democrats have some significant differences to sort out on climate policy and spending. But they agree on directing cash into a smorgasbord of rebates, tax incentives and grants for climate technology.
Why fish consumption advisories in Great Lakes states carry their own risks
Amid PFAS fears, oversimplified warnings could discourage residents from consuming a food central to Ojibwe lifeways.
Minnesota overhauled substance use treatment, but rural residents still face barriers
A recent policy change in Minnesota promotes quick evaluations and care for people with substance use disorders. But because of gaps riddling rural treatment systems nationwide, the promise of swift care isn’t reaching rural Minnesotans.
Xcel Energy agrees to pay Prairie Island $7.5 million more a year to store spent nuclear waste
Under a deal announced Tuesday at the Minnesota Legislature, Xcel said it would increase a yearly payment from $2.5 million to $10 million, a hike that Prairie Island leaders said would bring benefits to the tribe more in line with the tax revenue that nearby local governments like Red Wing get.
With copper-nickel mining uncertainty, how long will mining be a steady economic driver in Minnesota?
Despite setbacks, the mining industry has not given up hopes of establishing a new era of mining in the state to extract nickel, copper, cobalt and perhaps other metals, incentivized by the prospects the United States will need more of these materials to shift to clean energy and a greener economy.
Minnesota lawmakers likely to spend $100 million on broadband. How far will that go?
Gov. Tim Walz and some legislators had originally proposed $276 million in state spending on broadband this year.
Lawmakers consider influx of cash for Minnesota cities, counties facing inflation
One bill would significantly boost Local Government Aid, a subsidy that primarily benefits Greater Minnesota.
A record number of Minnesota cities and counties are pursuing sales tax hikes: Here’s where — and why
If the Legislature advances all of the 36 proposals, perhaps one-quarter of Minnesotans could see a local sales tax proposal on their ballots soon.
Senate GOP blocks infrastructure bill amid pressure campaign on rural Minnesota lawmakers
Republicans held firm in voting against bonding in an effort to advance tax cuts at the Legislature.
USDA struggles to help minority farmers, even as their footprint grows in Minnesota
Black farmers made up only 1.4% of the nation’s 3.4 million producers, according to the 2017 Census for Agriculture, the latest federal dataset on American farmland demographics.
Critical of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, some DFLers want to revive citizens board idea
The proposed eight-member “community board” would vote alongside the MPCA commissioner on permits for things like new dairy farms and mining projects.
Why a group of rural Republicans helped the DFL pass a bonding bill in the Minnesota House
Votes from House Republicans in favor of a bonding bill were notable in an era of political gridlock, but Senate Republicans still aren’t on board.
