Minnesota Legislature hopes bill will smooth transition for Medicaid recipients coming off COVID-era benefits
Estimates are that between 100,000 and 300,000 Minnesota recipients of medical assistance will lose coverage over the next year.
State Government
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.
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.
Sales tax for affordable housing? No, say metro cities and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
The proposed quarter-cent sales tax would raise around $200 million a year with the money being sent in three directions: seven counties, cities and a state rental assistance program.
How the Walz administration hopes to address health equity in Minnesota through proposed budget
The Minnesota Department of Health has weighed in on many of the proposed programs, which cover areas from funding patient care to COVID responses, research and increasing access to various health care services.
Amid educator shortage, Minnesota bill endangers thousands of special ed, rural and tech teachers
Educators in high-needs schools licensed through alternative pathways could be pulled out of the classroom — and forced to do training all over again.
Minnesota human services budget proposal calls for ‘transformational’ investments to reduce opioid disparities
The Department of Human Services has proposed an additional $45 million for behavioral health services that would help address stark racial disparities in the opioid crisis.
Legislative proposal would add fees to Uber rides, Amazon deliveries to fund Minnesota transportation
Such rideshare and delivery fees are among a series of taxes moving through the House Transportation Committee to supplement traditional sources of money that pay for roads: gasoline taxes, tab fees, sales taxes on car parts and special transportation sales taxes.
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.
Jesse Ventura, Libertarians, one marijuana party oppose move to restrict ‘major party status’ in Minnesota elections
A bill brought by House and Senate DFL sponsors and supported by the chairs of both the state DFL and Republican parties would increase the vote threshold to win major party status from 5% to 10%.
Coalition of urban Indigenous groups gather at Minnesota Capitol to advocate for investments into organizations
Sixteen organizations are seeking $136.4 million in state funding to construct buildings they say will allow them to do their work more effectively.
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.
Why Minnesota lawmakers’ plan to enlist social workers to help Metro Transit woes could be a challenge
Officials from Hennepin and Ramsey counties shared jurisdictional, legal and staffing concerns about the proposed Transit Safety Intervention Project.
14 states mull limits after temp nurses cost hospitals big during pandemic
The proposed regulations come after demand for travel nurses, who work temporary assignments at different facilities, surged to unprecedented levels during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
A look at the four bills regulating PFAS chemicals being considered at the Minnesota Legislature
Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are found in products ranging from carpet to cleaning products to cosmetics.
Minnesota lawmakers ‘speechless’ after scathing legislative audit report on Southwest light rail transit
The report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor found the Metropolitan Council committed itself to spending money it did not have, added or changed substantial work after the project was bid, and was not fully transparent.
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.
St. Paul’s proposed sales tax hike: What it would pay for, and why Melvin Carter wants to send the idea to voters
The mayor says a 1% increase to the sales tax would help the city fix streets and improve parks, but the idea must first get legislative approval before heading to voters.
