>>Walz Makes Bonding Bill Tour Stop in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — An optimistic Governor Tim Walz is making the second stop of his infrastructure tour. He visited the Port of Duluth today and said a bonding bill should pass this legislative session. Walz says, “There’s not a lot of business to get done in a non-budget year. And the bipartisan need and the bipartisan support around a bonding bill, I think will bring us together. ” Walz proposed a $907 million dollar bonding bill for this session, which ends on May 18th.
>>Senate Passes Bill Renaming Solar Garden Program in Honor of Hortman
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Senate followed the House today in passing a bill that would rename the state’s community solar garden program after the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Senator John Hoffman introduced the bill for all the work Hortman did to start this program in 2013. He told members, “Melissa recognized that the fight against climate change and the shift to clean renewable energy were critical for us today and for future generations in Minnesota. But we all know the best way to honor her memory is to keep doing work on these issues.” The Senate passed the bill 59-7. It now goes to the governor for his signature.
>>Minnesota Senate Bill Aims to Preserve Jobs at Sherco Plant Site in Becker
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minnesota lawmaker is sponsoring legislation aimed at preserving jobs at the Sherco plant site in Becker. Senator Andrew Matthews of Princeton says his bill would award a grant to Liberty Diversified International to study and develop an energy generation facility. The proposal would give L-D-I several years to develop an alternative energy source before the coal plant shuts down at the end of 2030.
>>Senate Bans Cryptocurrency Kiosks in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill approved in the Senate would ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota. The state has 350 licensed cryptocurrency kiosks. They look like ATM’s and let people use cash or a debit card to buy cryptocurrency. But supporters of the bill say the kiosks open Minnesotans to scams, and once the money is converted, the cash can be sent overseas and tough to trace. The bill passed the Senate 57-10, and awaits action in the House.
>>Twins Complete Four-Game Sweep of Tigers
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 today (Thurs) to sweep the four-game series at Target Field . Brooks Lee hit the go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning. Minnesota starter Mick Abel pitched six scoreless innings and Garret Acton picked up the win in relief. The 7-6 Twins are one of four American League teams with a winning record. They open a three-game series tomorrow night in Toronto.
