Republican state Senator Jason Rarick was officially sworn in today at the State Capitol, after winning a special election earlier this month in District 11 in east-central Minnesota. Rarick says his biggest priorities are broadband Internet access and permanent funding for roads and bridges. He says as a union member of 27 years he brings […]
Free tuition bill introduced at State Capitol, Republicans warn of high cost
Two years free tuition for undergraduates at state colleges and universities and at the University of Minnesota — centerpiece of a bill two Democratic senators introduced today at the Minnesota Capitol. U-of-M junior Aurin Chowdhury supports it and says, “Governor Walz, students like me turned out to the polls in high numbers to elect you, […]
Senate Repubs say state budget can take care of people without “sick tax”
Senate Republicans say taking care of people and protecting taxpayers will be the guiding principles as they assemble their state budget plan. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says it can be done without renewing the health care provider tax — that is, letting the “sick tax” expire as scheduled. “That’s going to happen,” he says. “The […]
Health care “reinsurance” bills move ahead in both Minnesota Senate and House
Democrats who control the Minnesota House and Republicans who run the Senate apparently agree the state should continue kicking in money to hold down increases in health insurance premiums, as bills cleared committees in both chambers Tuesday. H-M-O’s are pushing for an extension of what’s called “reinsurance”. Redwood Falls Republican Senator Gary Dahms says Minnesota […]
DFL-backed bill would allow school district operating levy renewals without voter approval
School boards could renew existing property tax levies for operating expenses without asking voters again in a referendum, under a bill that’s moving forward in the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House. But Glencoe Republican Glenn Gruenhagen says voters should be able to weigh in. “By having these votes I think it puts pressure on the system to […]
Opponents of Enbridge Line 3 deliver thank-you card to Gov. Walz
Opponents of Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline upgrade delivered a “thank you” card to Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today at the State Capitol. Andy Pearson with MN350 says, “They made the right decision and thousands — tens of thousands — of people across Minnesota support that decision to keep the Department of […]
Bill to extend reinsurance moves forward in Minnesota Senate
A bill is moving forward in the Minnesota Senate that would have the state continue kicking in money to hold down increases in health insurance premiums. Redwood Falls Republican Gary Dahms says, “Reinsurance has worked very well. It’s come in much cheaper than what we thought it would,… and it’s kept the individual market, kept […]
Bipartisan group of lawmakers proposes five-year maximum on probation in Minnesota
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers wants a five-year maximum on probation in Minnesota, plus treatment instead of incarceration for probation violations in non-violent drug cases. Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says, “Sixty percent of the people who go into prison in Minnesota go not for committing a new crime, but for a technical violation […]
Walz decision expected today on Enbridge Line 3 project
We should know later this morning (9am or after) whether Governor Tim Walz will continue his predecessor Mark Dayton’s legal challenge to the controversial Enbridge Line 3 pipeline upgrade in northern Minnesota. A ruling by the State Court of Appeals set the deadline for today for the governor to decide whether he’ll ask the Public […]
Today at the Minnesota Capitol
There’s a hearing in Minnesota House committee today on a bill that would make marriage for anyone under age 18 illegal in Minnesota. Proof of age would be required to obtain a marriage license Committees in both the Senate and House debate proposals that would extend what’s called “reinsurance,” in which the state picks up […]