Minnesota News Network

Governor Tim Walz is pushing lawmakers to approve an insulin assistance program, but also indicated this week he’d like to call a special session to pass a bonding bill for state public works projects. Walz says, “Understanding very clearly that was the prerogative of the minority specifically not to bring that forward, but I think that makes sense to do that.” The governor says interest rates are low and needs are high.

But Rochester Republican Dave Senjem says lawmakers had a chance to negotiate a bonding bill at the end of session. “We weren’t able to do that and, at this point in time, I think it’s just best to wait to 2020,” he says.

A top Goodhue County official overseeing veterans’ benefits has resigned after several women accused him of inappropriate conduct at a mid-April conference in Mankato, reports the Star Tribune. Lyman “Robby” Robinson, former mayor of Cannon Falls, was a county veterans service officer. Goodhue County also reportedly settled a complaint in 2014 after Robinson’s assistant filed a sex harassment complaint. And Robinson was reprimanded in 2010 in Washington County after an internal investigation substantiated allegations against him of sexual harassment.

Outgoing U-of-M President Eric Kaler is defending his proposal to increase undergraduate tuition amid objections from some members of the Board of Regents and a vote set for next Wednesday. Kaler argues raising tuition two-and-a-half percent on the Twin Cities campus and one-and-a-half percent at U-M-D, Crookston, Morris and Rochester is part of “a responsible budget that balances the need for investments and compensation increases with the cost incurred by our students.” But some say tuition increases should remain below the rate of inflation. The legislature requested the U-of-M hold any tuition increase to three percent maximum. Lawmakers gave the -U- only about half the state funding increase that Kaler requested, appropriating 43.5 million dollars.

Those involved in Minnesota’s agriculture industry have a chance next Tuesday morning (6/18) in Saint Paul to address their concerns to a top ag official in the Trump administration, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Minnesota native Steve Censky. Tamara Nelsen with the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council, which is sponsoring the forum, says, “He was interested in hearing not only from farmers but from lenders, from the economic analysts, from the associations that represent farmers, from the cooperatives, and even from the food companies.”

Nelsen adds, “I think he’s willing to hear our thoughts on everything from maybe prevent plant to the trade discussions and disruptions, to even how the tariffs or threatened tariffs might be affecting some of the food companies and their markets.”

If you want to attend the roundtable next Tuesday morning in Saint Paul, contact the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council. They’re also taking comments by e-mail to forward to Deputy Secretary Censky.

Governor Tim Walz continues pushing lawmakers to agree on making insulin more affordable for Minnesotans with diabetes, after deal fell apart in the closing hours of the legislative session — some say due to pressure by drug manufacturers. The governor is asking legislators to “come together, get close to a compromise, get that deal that’ll work. We’ll call you back, we’ll finish this thing and we’ll make a difference.”

The governor adds he doesn’t have enough authority to do the necessary fix himself without action by lawmakers. He says tongue-in cheek, “I think there’d be a lot of folks be really happy right now if they thought I could just fix this and do it, then they would be off the hook.”