There’s no word yet whether a special session to wrap up the state budget will be Thursday, Friday, or after the Memorial Day weekend. There’s speculation that Governor Tim Walz might call lawmakers back late tomorrow. Walz, Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman stepped in to wrap up overall […]
Mpls Police looking for 2 “people of interest” in Bde Maka Ska pavilion fire
The fire that destroyed a 90-year-old pavilion in Minneapolis last week is now being investigated as a crime. Minneapolis Police today released city camera footage of a man and a woman loitering near Lola on the Lake restaurant at Bde Maka Ska the night the fire broke out. Minneapolis Police Sergeant Darcy Horn says the […]
MN House Repubs threaten to drag out special session, want more say in state budget
Minnesota House Republicans are threatening to drag out a planned one- or two-day special session later this week unless Democrats give them more say in the final state budget. The people who cut the budget deal — Governor Tim Walz, Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman — need House […]
MN Legislature misses midnight deadline to finish budget, special session now needed
The Minnesota Legislature did not finish its work before last night’s (Mon) midnight deadline to adjourn, meaning a special session will be needed. Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says they’re “very close” to wrapping up most of the budget bills for a special session. “We all want to get done Thursday or Friday, want […]
MN Legislature passes $3.4B higher ed funding bill, only one before regular session deadline
A 3.4-billion-dollar higher education measure was the only budget bill the Minnesota Legislature was able to pass before the regular session clock ran out at midnight Monday. The measure is 150 million dollars over current budget and Saint Louis Park Democrat Ron Latz lamented, “We are inadequately funding the University of Minnesota.” Chaska Republican Scott […]
$500M bonding bill for roads, bridges up in air as MN Legislature prepares for special session
Still up in the air as state lawmakers prepare for a special session is a 500-million-dollar bonding bill to augment funding for roads and bridges — something Governor Tim Walz agreed to when Republicans refused to increase the gasoline tax. Democrats need Republicans’ help to pass a bonding bill in the Minnesota House, and Minority […]
Activists at MN Capitol last night of session, demanding “Drivers Licenses for All”
Activists are marching around the State Capitol the last night of the regular session tonight, demanding lawmakers pass a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses in Minnesota. They contend it will make Minnesota roads safer because immigrant drivers will be better trained and more will have insurance. Opponents warn it will allow more […]
10 year anniversary of primary seat belt law
The state Department of Public Safety today is marking 10 years since Minnesota passed its primary seat belt law. The year before the primary seat belt law, 152 unbelted motorists lost their lives on Minnesota roads. In 2018, preliminary numbers show that number decreased to 92. The state’s seat belt law, which requires drivers and […]
Gov. Walz, legislative leaders announce state budget deal one day before adjournment deadline
Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders announced Sunday night they’ve agreed on the framework of a new state budget, but all the details won’t be worked out before Monday’s midnight deadline for the legislature to adjourn — meaning a special session will be needed. Republicans get income tax cuts for many middle-class Minnesotans and got […]
Gov Walz addresses teachers with fiery speech at State Capitol as budget negotiations continue (AUDIO)
Hundreds of educators from around Minnesota rallied in the rotunda of the State Capitol Saturday to call for significant increases to education funding in the next two years. Governor Walz and legislative leaders have been at the budget negotiating table all week, and Walz, a former teacher, had this message for the cheering crowd–and all […]