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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Called “Democracy Dollars,” the proposal would automatically send Minnesota voters coupons to easily spend on their favorite candidates.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The panel did send 12 names to the Legislature, where they will again be reviewed by the combined House and Senate higher education committees.
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.
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.
A court case arguing that those convicted of felonies should have their voting rights restored when being released from prison has waited nearly 14 months for a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, DFL state lawmakers hope to change the law.
Top DFL leaders say moving fast to cement abortion access in state law is a top priority, as it’s the issue they say won them control of the Legislature.
The revenue from the bill might not even be enough to pay for the regulation, enforcement and economic development efforts contained in the measure.
It may be an unprecedented situation, one that Democratic leaders have downplayed by arguing their priorities will help everyone in Minnesota.
