Poll: Majority of Minnesotans agree with decision to hold State Fair, though many don’t plan to attend
Concern about COVID-19 is a major factor in some regular fairgoers’ decision not to attend this year.
Politics & Policy
As Minnesota, other states struggle to distribute rental assistance money, feds offer new guidelines (and a scolding)
So far, Minnesota state and local governments have distributed just 13 percent of the $375 million in federal money for rental assistance it received in December.
D.C. Memo: Squad up north
Withdrawal from Afghanistan; Texas abortion law; and the Squad protests Line 3.
As temporary fencing returns to the Minnesota Capitol, state officials continue to debate permanent security measures
“Nobody likes the idea of a fence,” said Col. Matt Langer, the head of the Minnesota State Patrol. “I don’t anticipate the fence being up and down and up and down. But I can’t also predict the future.”
EPA nixes Minnesota Legislature’s bid to relax feedlot regulations
The federal agency said the 2021 law would be an “improper modification” to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s authority around clean water rules.
Why should anybody care who chairs the Minnesota GOP?
The controversy over former GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan highlighted political parties’ unique status in Minnesota.
As withdrawal deadline looms, Minnesota congressional staffers scramble to help evacuate Afghan allies
Since mid-August, staffers from U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips’ office — and many other congressional offices — have worked around the clock to help people get out of Afghanistan.
D.C. Memo: As moronic as it is selfish
An unauthorized trip to Kabul, Angie Craig comes out against “Defund the Police,” and the corporate response to George Floyd’s death.
Budget vote highlights Democrats’ divisions on spending, infrastructure
Though every Democrat in the House eventually ended up voting for the budget resolution, the episode highlighted schisms in the party — nationally and among Minnesota’s delegation — that could threaten Biden’s agenda.
Minnesota sees dramatic differences in acceptance of workers’ comp claims under state’s COVID-19 ‘presumption’ law
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry says 96 percent of COVID-19 infected workers covered under the new law had their workers’ compensation claim accepted. Those who didn’t qualify saw their claim denied 72 percent of the time.
Minnesota lawmakers look to low-carbon fuel standards as a way to address transportation emissions
Unlike the Clean Cars regulations — a controversial mandate from Gov. Tim Walz’s administration — the low-carbon fuel standard is noteworthy for its broader political support.
Can a legislative exchange program solve (at least some of) Congress’ partisan woes?
As part of the program, Rep. Angie Craig recently welcomed Michigan Republican Rep. Peter Meijer for a visit to Minnesota’s Second District.
Nearly 200 Wisconsin law enforcement officers back on the job after being fired or forced out
Of more than 1,000 officers ousted in the past five years, some returned to police work after allegations including sexual harassment and drunken fights.
D.C. Memo: On Afghanistan
Minnesota’s delegation on Afghanistan, controversy over an SBA meeting, and a bomb threat at the Capitol.
Could a global deal between builders and local governments help increase affordability — and decrease segregation — in Minnesota?
A DFL legislator is trying to find out.
D.C. Memo: (Almost) sleeping on the job
An infrastructure bill finally passed, where $17 billion in federal aid to Minnesota businesses went and MyPillow guy’s legal woes.
The Minnesota Legislature approved $250 million for pandemic worker bonuses. Should the state give away more than that?
The number of frontline workers eligible for the money could range from 250,000 to 1,000,000 — or more. But the more people on the list, the smaller each check will be.
Secret IRS files reveal how much the ultrawealthy gained by shaping Trump’s ‘big, beautiful tax cut’
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, said he’d vote against the bill unless it sweetened the tax break for pass-through companies. It paid off for some of his rich supporters.
Three takeaways from most recent Minneapolis City Council campaign finance reports
Recently filed reports offer some insight into the election six weeks before early voting begins.
Infrastructure bill includes significant funding for Minnesota’s electric-vehicle charging network
A fact sheet from the Biden administration estimated Minnesota would receive $68 million to build EV chargers across the state.
