Minnesota News Network

A group of Democratic Minnesota lawmakers is demanding immediate action on anti-gun-violence measures at the state and national levels, following the elementary school shootings in Texas. Representative Carlos Mariani from Saint Paul says says the Minnesota House passed universal background checks and a “red flag” bill, they did not pass the Senate, and it’s time to bring them back.  Mariani says “I have failed to do so” because “I now don’t have the votes to pass these, as we did four years ago.”

Mariani and colleagues are calling on Minnesotans to elect senators and representatives who support what they call common sense gun safety laws. Rob Doar with the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus says the Texas shooter passed a background check and the two sides should work on areas they agree on — mental health resources in particular.

 

Minnesota lawmakers missed their midnight deadline to pass agreed-on tax cuts, because of continuing disagreement over spending for health-and-human services, education and public safety. Governor Tim Walz says he’ll call a special session, but Senate Republicans are resistant.  Majority Leader Jeremy Miller says the midnight deadline has come and gone, and although they’re happy to continue discussions,  “We’re not interested in a special session. For goodness’ sakes, get your work done on time!”

The Governor’s Office says Walz will meet with legislative leaders later this morning (Mon, time TBD) with the goal of laying out parameters for a special session. It’s not clear how soon it might happen.

 

 

 

Eight million dollars in drought relief grants — part of an agriculture bill headed to the desk of Governor Tim Walz after the Minnesota House and Senate passed the compromise package this weekend. Republican Senator Torrey Westrom from Elbow Lake says, “Those that were impacted by the drought last summer and fall — livestock farmers, specialty crop farmers — these grants will get out the door as soon as possible through the Department of Agriculture.”

The bill also includes 2.5 million dollars for loans, prioritized for those affected by drought. And there’s 4.5 million dollars for additional response to the bird flu outbreak and threats from African Swine Fever.

 

Over 210 million dollars to improve broadband access across Minnesota — a key part of an agriculture budget package headed to the desk of Governor Tim Walz after the legislature passed it this weekend. Lead Senate negotiator, Elbow Lake Republican Torrey Westrom says, “Our communities in rural Minnesota really are seeing a surge of economic development because of the ability for people to work remotely… and we think where they can live and where they want to live with their families, because of broadband they can move to rural Minnesota now.”

Westrom says farmers use broadband for checking markets and weather, connecting to their barns for livestock monitoring, and marketing specialty crops. Democratic Representative Rob Ecklund from International Falls, chief House author of the measure, says in 2022 “reliable internet access isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.”

 

Former state Representative Doug Wardlow says he’ll challenge GOP-endorsed candidate Jim Schultz in the August primary for Minnesota attorney general. Wardlow in a just-released campaign video says, “Unfortunately, at a Republican State Convention on Friday, the RINO [Republican in Name Only] swamp got its way and the people lost out. We were in the lead, but my opponents had brokered a back-door deal to wrest away the endorsement.”

G-O-P endorsed candidate Jim Schultz says Wardlow made commitment after commitment to end his campaign if he was not endorsed at last weekend’s Republican State Convention. Schultz says, “There is nothing more representative of the establishment swamp than a career politician who fails to honor his promises.” Executive Director Michael Lonergan says Republican Party of Minnesota is “100 percent committed to defending our endorsement in the primary.”