>>Omar Calls House GOP Budget Resolution ‘Blueprint for American Decline’
(Washington, DC) — Democrats are criticizing the budget resolution passed by Republicans in the U-S House that includes 4.5 trillion dollars in tax breaks and 2 trillion in spending cuts. Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called it a “blueprint for American decline.” Omar told members, “They want to exploit your labor, take your tax dollars, and gut your earned benefits – all to bankroll tax cuts for their wealthy friends and donors. They want to increase your healthcare costs as well.” Republican Congresswoman Michele Fischbach says the resolution sets the framework to deliver on “one big beautiful bill” to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and secure the border. She claims it does not cut Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security. The resolution narrowly passed the House on a 217-215 vote.
>>Senate Republicans Propose “Minnesotans Safety First” legislation.
(St. Paul, MN) — Senate Republicans are out with series of bills they call “Minnesotans Safety First” legislation. Senator Warren Limmer of Maple Grove is calling for increased transparency and accountability in the state’s sentencing guidelines. Limmer says, “we have far too many instances where those who have been convicted of a crime are receiving a light sentence, then turned loose and continue to victimize innocent people.” The plan requires the Sentencing Guidelines Commission to record and publicly share its meetings and create a public database of sentencing decisions statewide. Democratic Senator Ron Latz of St. Louis Park says Minnesota has already seen a reduction in the crime rate for the second year in a row.
>>Minnesota Senate Bill Protects Assistance Dog Training
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill in the Minnesota Senate would allow people actively training service dogs to have full and equal access to all housing accommodations. Senator Bonnie Westlin of Plymouth says some homeowners associations have prevented volunteers from hosting and training assistance dogs in their homes. To be protected under this bill, the dog must be actively trained by an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation. The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
>>Coalition Urges Legislature to Lift Moratorium on New Nuclear Plants
(Maple Grove, MN) — A coalition called the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance is urging the legislature to lift the state’s 30-year moratorium on new nuclear power development. Darrick Moe of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association says nuclear energy is critical to meeting the carbon-free electricity goals by 2040. He says, “we are looking for this 1994 moratorium on even thinking about or planning for that as an option to be lifted by the legislature.” The group doesn’t have a specific plan for a new nuclear power plant in the state. Moe says there is bipartisan support and he’s optimistic that the ban on new nuclear reactor construction could be lifted this legislative session.
>>Community Asks City Council to Override Mayor’s George Floyd Square Veto
(Minneapolis, MN) — Community leaders and residents are urging the Minneapolis City Council to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto on the plan for George Floyd Square. The plan outlined a pedestrian plaza in the space where George Floyd was killed by police in 2020. Frey vetoed the proposal, saying it would hold back the space’s development, despite community outcry that nothing has been built.
>>Red Cross Offers Free A1C Testing to Blood Donors
(Minneapolis, MN) — The American Red Cross Minnesota (and Dakotas Region) is offering free A-1-C testing for blood donors through March, which is Red Cross Month. A-1-C measures average blood sugar over the past three months. Officials say the screenings aim to address the large healthcare gap in access to primary care by giving blood donors valuable information to maintain their health and well-being. The Red Cross already gives donors insights on pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and hemoglobin levels.
>>Chi-Chi’s Opening New Minnesota Restaurants in St. Louis Park and Maple Grove
(St. Louis Park, MN) — The Mexican restaurant chain Chi-Chi’s plans to open its first two new Minnesota locations this summer. The son of the Chi-Chi’s founder, Michael McDermott, says he will convert his Rojo Mexican restaurants in St. Louis Park and Maple Grove into Chi-Chi’s locations. McDermott hopes to reopen the chain of restaurants in many cities after closing more than a decade ago. He received permission from Hormel to use the Chi-Chi’s trademark.
