The Minnesota Senate on a strong vote (60-6) has approved 13 million dollars to reimburse deputy registrars for losses caused by ongoing problems with the state’s vehicle registration and licensing system, MNLARS. Registrars are *not* required to provide documentation of losses, but backers of the bill say the 13-million-dollar figure was agreed on with stakeholders. […]
Gov Walz joins advocates to preserve health care provider tax (AUDIO)
Advocates are at the State Capitol today calling on lawmakers to preserve a provider tax on healthcare. Governor Tim Walz says he doesn’t question that Republicans want people to have healthcare but said, “what I do question is if you cannot put forward a plan as solid as the healthcare access fund, and your only […]
MN Senate to vote on reimbursing deputy registrars for MNLARS losses
The Minnesota Senate votes today on a bill with 13 million dollars to reimburse deputy registrars for losses caused by the state’s problem-plagued vehicle registration and licensing system, MN-LARS. Faribault Republican John Jasinski says registrars need to be reimbursed for loss of business, overtime and other expenses. “They’ve been borrowing from their 401-K’s or retirement […]
With flood coming, MN Senate expected to approve $10M for disaster contingency fund
It’s expected the Minnesota Senate later today will give the nod to 10 million dollars to replenish the state’s Disaster Assistance Contingency Fund. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka contends with the threat of widespread spring flooding, “that probably won’t be enough, but we want to get money available right away, and then we’ll work at […]
Section of Highway 93 in south-central MN will close tonight due to flooding
MN-DOT says because of continued flooding on the Minnesota River it will close Highway 93 between Le Sueur and Highway 169 by 8:30 tonight. The agency “estimates that motorists can safely commute home, but that water will have risen to unsafe levels after dark.” Use Highway 112 as an alternate. MN-DOT says it’s closely monitoring […]
MN House, Senate must now work out compromise on “snow days” bill
The Minnesota House and Senate disagree over how to temporarily ease a requirement that school districts make up “snow days” later in the school year — and lawmakers now must hammer out a compromise. The House bill “forgives” school districts a maximum of three days for January’s polar vortex. The Senate bill is open-ended on […]
House Repubs try again to move “reinsurance” bill forward
House Republicans are again trying to move forward with health care “reinsurance” to hold down premiums which the Senate approved about a week ago, but Democrats say “no”. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says under the governor’s plan, only people who buy health insurance through MNsure get a 20 percent reduction. “Other people who buy their […]
MN House Dems ask Trump to extend federal protections for Liberians
Speaker Melissa Hortman and over 50 fellow Democrats in the Minnesota House are asking President Trump to extend federal protections for Liberians under the Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) program. In a letter to the president, Hortman says Minnesota has one of the largest Liberian populations in the country and an estimated four thousand in the […]
State Appeals Court hears oral arguments in Enbridge Line 3 challenge
Opponents of Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline state their case to the Minnesota Court of Appeals this morning (9am) in a legal challenge brought by environmental groups and the Mille Lacs, White Earth and Red Lake bands. Winona LaDuke with Honor the Earth says the environmental impact statement that state officials assembled is “entirely inadequate.” She […]
Walz continues hammering Republicans for saying “no”
Governor Tim Walz continues hammering Republicans in the Minnesota Senate, telling Service Employees International Union members at a rally late Tuesday, “Overwhelming wins in the House, to have a historic vote number for the governor, and to watch a whole bunch of people who weren’t up for election in the Senate say ‘no’ to everything. […]