Governor Mark Dayton delivers his final State of the State Address: Madam President, the Majority and Minority Leaders, and Members of the Minnesota Senate. Mr. Speaker, the Majority and Minority Leaders, and Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Madam Chief Justice and the Distinguished Members of the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Court of […]
Governor Dayton will deliver final State of the State Address tonight
Governor Mark Dayton is set to deliver his final State of the State Address tonight. You can hear his speech live right here this evening starting at 7 p.m. *Office of Governor Mark Dayton* The State of Our State As Governor Dayton prepares to deliver his final State of the State Address at 7:00 this evening, […]
Senator Franken releases new memoir
The new memoir “Al Franken-Giant of the Senate” hits bookstores today. The book shows Franken’s funny side, in addition to giving an insight into his days at SNL and his rocky first campaign for the Senate. Franken writes that his friend, Paul Wellstone, played a big role in his decision to run. Franken calls him […]
Top Republicans in Moorhead today, trumpeting session accomplishments
Top Republican lawmakers are in Moorhead this afternoon, trumpeting the accomplishments of the legislative session just ended. House Speaker Kurt Daudt points to Sunday liquor sales and REAL ID, plus major items like tax relief, transportation funding and a bonding bill. Daudt says, “A lot of work was done this session, we think the most productive […]
Minnesota lawmakers miss another budget deadline
Republicans have decided to continue a special session beyond the one day that was agreed on, because they’re running behind schedule on finishing the $46 billion state budget. House Democratic Minority Leader Melissa Hortman asked Republican leaders “What is your intention at 7:01 am today? Do you plan to abide by the agreement or break the […]
MN Senate passes two abortion bills, Dayton says he’ll veto (with AUDIO)
The Minnesota Senate passed two abortion bills Thursday afternoon, both of which Governor Mark Dayton says he’ll veto if they reach his desk in any form. One bill would prohibit the state from paying for abortions on state-funded health programs, unless the federal government requires it. Shoreview Democrat Jason Isaacson called it hypocrisy that Republicans […]
Emergency measles bill fails to gain traction in St. Paul
A bill designed to combat the spread of measles in Minnesota failed to gain traction at the State Capitol Monday. Representative Ilhan Omar’s emergency measure aimed to set up a one-time $500,000 grant program for certain populations most at-risk of getting measles. “The best thing that we can do today is act and make sure […]
Repubs wrapping up state budget bills, preparing for talks with Gov. Dayton (with AUDIO)
Republicans at the Minnesota Legislature are wrapping up details of their state budget bills before going into what they hope will be final negotiations with Democratic Governor Mark Dayton. GOP leaders met Dayton’s deadline of last Friday to agree among themselves on overall numbers for major areas of the budget — even though they say Dayton […]
MN House passes abortion funding, licensing guideline bills (with AUDIO)
The Minnesota House voted (79-53) to pass a bill requiring that Minnesota abortion clinics be licensed and inspected. Opponents say the proposal is an effort to restrict women’s access to healthcare. Republican Representative Kathy Loehmer (loh-mer) of Stillwater voted “yes” on the bill and questioned why anyone would vote “no.” She argues the bill simply […]
Dayton reserves judgment on bill overriding Mpls/St. Paul sick leave ordinances (with AUDIO)
Governor Mark Dayton isn’t saying whether he’d sign a bill the state Senate passed Thursday that would override Minneapolis and Saint Paul’s paid sick leave ordinances, and prevent communities from enacting any minimum wage higher than the statewide level. But the governor does say he has “very significant concerns” about the state pre-empting local ordinances, […]