3-M company’s 850-million-dollar settlement with the state over groundwater contamination in the east metro is under the microscope at the Minnesota Legislature today. Republicans are asking why the settlement negotiated by Democratic Attorney General Lori Swanson appears to prevent the legislature from being involved in appropriating the money, and they want to know why the law firm hired by the state is getting 125 million dollars in legal fees.
Anti-gun-violence groups continue pressure at the Capitol today for stricter controls. And a House committee this afternoon hears from the state Veterans Affairs Department about the process for selecting locations for new veterans homes. Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston are vying for a facility. Senate Bonding Committee Chairman Dave Senjem from Rochester says, “In my opinion I think we’re gonna do one…. The difficult thing will be deciding where.”