Three years after George Floyd civil unrest, state offers $120 million for rebuilding businesses. Is it enough?
It was the second-costliest civil uprising in U.S. history, and there’s still a backlog of unfinished redevelopment projects.
State Government
Will sheriffs in Minnesota enforce a new ‘red flag’ gun law?
Some sheriffs who opposed the red flag law could be more hesitant to file petitions to remove guns. When it comes to carrying out gun seizures ordered by a judge, the organization representing sheriffs across the state expects they will comply.
MinnPost guide to the Minnesota Legislature’s 2023 ‘done’ and ‘undone’ lists
For just the eighth time in 40 years, a budget session did not require a special session to finish its work. There were many policy changes, too.
Details on Minnesota $2.6 billion bonding, infrastructure package came late. Here they are
DFL legislators have thrown around the word “historic” for quite a lot of their bills this year. But two infrastructure bills definitely were.
‘Transformational’ and also ‘bonkers:’ Minnesota Legislature ends its session of historic spending, policy changes
DFL Gov. Tim Walz called it “the most successful legislative session, certainly in many of our lifetimes and maybe in Minnesota history.”
Minnesota Legislature votes to force Senate to act on a governor’s commissioner appointments
By putting a deadline on when the Senate must confirm a governor’s senior appointees, a Senate controlled by a different party than a governor can no longer hold up confirmations as a threat.
Minnesota lawmakers plan to solidify court’s rejection of abortion restrictions, limit state data reporting
Democrats who control the Legislature also plan to cut grant funding for pregnancy centers advocating against abortion.
DFL transportation deal includes tying gas tax to inflation, adding new 50-cent delivery fee, metro sales tax
Taken together, the transportation tax and fee increases would raise an additional $1.48 billion for roads, bridges, transit and other transportation needs in the next two years.
Why lawmakers finally reached a deal on ‘bonding.’ And what it means for infrastructure in Greater Minnesota
That means significantly more money will be available for upgrades to things like water treatment plants, college buildings, roads, bridges, parks, trails, police departments, ice arenas and more, and the deal ensures the infrastructure plan is spread more evenly across Minnesota.
State lawmakers will pay Minneapolis to walk away from Roof Depot site — and urban farm supporters are declaring victory
Supporters of an urban farm in the East Phillips neighborhood still have a long way to go, but the appropriation of $6.5 million could break an ugly, years-long impasse with city officials.
Minnesota Legislature passes energy bill with $2,500 EV rebates, ‘pre-weatherization’
The spending follows two other consequential energy bills adopted earlier in the legislative session: a law requiring a carbon-free electric grid by 2040 and a $115 million fund to match federal dollars for climate and energy projects in Minnesota.
GILTI pleasure? DFL tax plan opts for new business taxes that could be less problematic than worldwide combined reporting
Worldwide combined reporting would have required corporations with foreign subsidiaries who owe income taxes to the state to include earnings of overseas subsidiaries.
Higher fees for boats and jet skis but anglers, park visitors won’t pay more under final DFL environmental bill
Those fees are part of a larger package of legislation that includes a massive $670 million infusion of new state spending from Minnesota’s general fund for the environment and natural resources.
Minnesota’s soon-to-be law allowing recreational marijuana, explained
The bill sponsors said they think they still have enough DFL votes to approve the final bill and expect some Republicans to support it.
Democrats go light on Greater Minnesota infrastructure, weigh cash bill as bonding talks break down
Sen. Sandra Pappas, a St. Paul DFLer who chairs the Senate’s Capital Investment Committee, last week said “it’s only fair that we focus on funding the projects for members that are willing to be partners and that are voting for the bill.”
Home grow marijuana could be legal in Minnesota August 1, but can people legally obtain seeds?
While 22 states have legalized growing the plant for medical or recreational uses, it remains illegal federally, and moving marijuana products across state lines is banned in most states.
Four takeaways from the DFL’s vote to approve gun regulations
DFL lawmakers who control the Minnesota Legislature have cleared their toughest obstacle for approving two major gun regulations, paving the way for new limits on firearms to reach the desk of Gov. Tim Walz and become law.
‘So many unknowns.’ Minnesota will study PFAS in agricultural pesticides ahead of a near-ban in 2032
The possibility of pesticides spreading PFAS across Minnesota and permeating soil, water and food has captured the attention of DFLers who control the state Legislature. And it’s behind a new effort to regulate the products.
As DFL lawmakers look to end session early, could human nature get in the way?
It would seem that DFL control of the House, Senate and governor’s office would improve chances for an early finish. But as one longtime observer points out, “Nobody fights like family.”
For Native women in power in Minnesota, confronting the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people is personal
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, said that more attention to the issue was sparked when Native women won election to decision-making roles.
