How ‘Duck Dynasty’ and ZZ Top entered a Minnesota Senate debate on hair discrimination
The CROWN Act passed the Legislature and was signed into law last week but not before a Senate debate over beards.
State Government
Anti-Asian bias spurs renewed effort to update Minnesota’s hate crime law
Updating the way Minnesota responds to hate crimes has been a goal of a community coalition and DFL lawmakers for three years. Doing so this session could be another result of the trifecta that emerged from the 2022 election.
Why Walz wants to spend $276M on broadband on top of nearly $1 billion in federal funds
The money would propel the state toward its goal of having universal access to high-speed internet by 2026, which might cost $426 million in the next four years, according to one estimate by the state’s broadband task force.
Republicans, DFLers change hats in debate over how much control cities, counties have over recreational marijuana
A perennial legislative issue — state preemption of local government decisions — has been turned on its head when it comes to recreational marijuana.
Of 11 expensive campaigns for Legislature, DFL candidates won 9 with help from independent expenditures
The most expensive legislative race in terms of independent expenditures was in Senate District 36 where DFL candidate Heather Gustafson of Vadnais Heights defeated GOP incumbent Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes.
Minnesota’s carbon emissions on track to meet climate goals set in 2007
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.
What a new abortion law says about changing DFL politics in Minnesota
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.
Interesting: Omnibus critic Marty now leads committee that crafts the massive bills
Sen. John Marty, a DFLer from Roseville, is the new chair of the Senate Finance Committee, a legislative panel that usually is the place where the 10 or so big omnibus bills get their final touches and final approval.
Why Budget Day (days, really) was so much fun for Gov. Tim Walz and how surplus spending will make Minnesota history
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.
Some DFLers want to ensure there are no legal restrictions on late-term abortions in Minnesota
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.
Why some want to make public spending on political campaigns in Minnesota less like Menards rebates
Called “Democracy Dollars,” the proposal would automatically send Minnesota voters coupons to easily spend on their favorite candidates.
What surplus? Budget picture not so rosy for Minnesota transportation
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?
Shared power used to be the norm in statehouses. Now it’s nearly extinct.
Divided rule used to be common in the states: State legislators worked across the aisle and with governors to get things done. But on many issues, bipartisanship in states is increasingly rare — because it’s increasingly unnecessary.
How ‘love and commitment’ led to legal same-sex marriage in Minnesota 10 years ago
Those who fought for marriage equality say conversations with Minnesotans about their values helped ensure defeat in 2012 of a constitutional amendment and a change in Minnesota law soon after.
Will Attorney General Keith Ellison now get his extra criminal prosecutors?
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.
GOP takeover of U.S. House roils efforts to stop Twin Metals mine
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.
A primer on the marijuana legalization proposal that could become law in Minnesota
How soon? Who’s in charge? How high will taxes be? How will criminal records be expunged? MinnPost’s guide to the marijuana legalization bill being considered at the Legislature in 2023 answers these questions and more.
Panel rebuffs Powell, Painter, Hsu in recommendations for U of M Board of Regents
The panel did send 12 names to the Legislature, where they will again be reviewed by the combined House and Senate higher education committees.
Dziedzic, DFLers want to ‘ban the box’ for Minnesota boards and commissions
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.
Minnesota GOP stops ‘bail out’ for Cleveland-Cliffs as part of mining unemployment extension bill
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.
