Should BWCA permits be handed out by lottery (again)?
Since February, Rep. Pete Stauber has been pushing a bill that would switch all reservations in the BWCA back to a lottery system — clashing with the Trump administration in the process.
State Government
Twin Metals changes its plan to deal with mine waste — to a strategy lauded by some environmentalists
In a major shift, Twin Metals says it plans to store much of the waste from its proposed mine using the “dry stack” method, an emerging technology that some argue is a better strategy for preventing water pollution.
Resignation puts state Department of Human Services under the microscope. Again.
Gov. Tim Walz rejected suggestions that the department is in chaos, citing the willingess of Pam Wheelock to take on the job. “I don’t think that acting Commissioner Wheelock saw an agency in crisis,” he said. “I think she saw an agency at a transition point.”
Minnesota is creating a way for patients to find lower-priced prescription drugs thanks to … Tim Pawlenty?
The idea is a vestige of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s 2004 effort, called RxConnect, to let Minnesotans purchase prescription drugs from Canada.
Budget reform committee gets taste of how easy it’s going to be to reform Minnesota’s budget process
It’s not going to be easy.
What the legislative auditor will — and won’t — investigate about a key PolyMet permit
While the auditor’s findings could spark legislative action, the office is “not reviewing whether PolyMet should occur or not.”
How much would recreational marijuana be worth to Minnesota?
And does that justify legalization? A new political committee is trying to make the case.
A push to bolster Minnesota’s tech economy takes shape
The Legislature re-instituted an “angel” tax credit and created “Launch Minnesota” to nurture the state’s tech scene. Lawmakers also agreed to spend $40 million on a grant program to help build infrastructure for rural high-speed internet.
HMOs have always been nonprofit in Minnesota. What happens when that changes?
A deal struck during the 2019 legislative session extends a moratorium preventing nonprofit HMOs to be purchased or convert to for-profit companies.
PolyMet is now owned by Switzerland’s Glencore. Why it matters
Glencore brings a hefty bankroll, a wealth of experience in the field — and a history of labor issues and pollution problems.
What does Minnesota’s new special-ed aid mean for districts with the largest shortfalls?
For some districts shouldering the largest special education cross-subsidy expenses the new special education aid is too little, too late.
Why one nonprofit wants to change the way Minnesota distributes equity money
Equity money makes up a significant chunk of state spending on workforce development, and direct payments to nonprofits specifically chosen by the Legislature have ignited considerable debate at the state Capitol.
The $100 million challenge: Budget deal requires ‘blue ribbon’ panel to find big savings in state health and human services spending
The 17-member commission has until October of 2020 to find the savings. If it fails, an equal amount will be taken from state reserves in the 2021-23 state budget.
Can Minnesota save its dairy farms?
More than 1,100 Minnesota dairy farms closed up between 2012 and 2017, leaving only about 3,600 farms
PolyMet, the EPA, and the accusations against the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, explained
As PolyMet marches toward construction, new questions have emerged about a critical state water permit issued by the MPCA.
Walz’s bill-signing ceremonies: lots of ceremony, not so many actual bills
The Walz administration has created a new Capitol fixture: signing ceremonies for bills actually signed long ago.
Legislature’s inaction turns St. Paul Saints into minimum-wage sinners
Meeting the state minimum wage presents a problem for the Saints. Team officials say it would put them in violation of their league’s salary caps and subject the team to expulsion from the American Association.
For Minnesota cities and counties, the 2019 increase in state aid was long awaited
International Falls will get an increase of $153,000, which it uses it for essential services like paying police officers and funding the public works department. In Mower County, an increase of about $255,000 will go into the county’s general fund.
A ‘thug’ no more? Minnesota’s most outspoken labor leader looks back at 14 years of being ‘loud and sometimes obnoxious’
As he prepares to step down as head of SEIU Local 26, Javier Morillo — the self-styled ‘thug in pastels’ — talks about how Minnesota politics has changed.
Walz open to calling special session on emergency insulin access — if there’s bipartisan agreement on a solution
On Wednesday, the governor met with activists to discuss fighting rapid increases in the cost of insulin.