Wisconsin voters are turning out in person today to vote in a primary election–raising concerns about social distancing. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says we must do everything we can to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen here in the upcoming August primary and November general election. Simon calls the situation in Wisconsin “an […]
Gov Walz declares state of peacetime emergency to prepare for COVID-19
Governor Tim Walz today issued Executive Order 20-01 declaring a peacetime emergency in Minnesota and unveiled legislative proposals to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions came in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health announcing new community mitigation strategies to limit the spread of the virus. Walz says the safety and well-being of Minnesotans […]
Gov Walz says conversion therapy ban will happen during his administration (AUDIO)
Governor Walz joined Minnesotans at the State Capitol today to call for an end to what some believe is the harmful practice of LGBTQ+ conversion “therapy.” Walz said to the assembled crowd “let’s get out of here before this session’s over adding our name to that list of states that have banned conversion therapy and […]
Gov Walz: gun violence at State Fair “shatters sense of community;” calls on legislature to act (AUDIO)
The investigation continues after a woman was struck by a car and three people were shot and injured in a chaotic night in the final hours of the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. Governor Tim Walz today says “if the state fair symbolizes community, gun violence is the antithesis of that, it shatters our sense of […]
MN DHS Commissioner Lourey abruptly resigns (AUDIO)
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Tony Lourey has resigned effective today. Governor Tim Walz has appointed Pam Wheelock as Acting Commissioner. State Senator Jim Abeler of Anoka says “man, I am totally shocked that he would be leaving, there were great problems at the Department of Human Services, that he inherited and I […]
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 […]
MN Senate passes “lights on” appropriations bill on party-line vote
The Republican-led state Senate today, on a party-line vote of 35-31, passed a “lights on” bill that would continue funding at current levels if Governor Walz and Republicans can’t agree by the end of the fiscal year–June 30th. Lino Lakes Republican Roger Chamberlain said as negotiations drag on “the political reality is what it is, […]
MN A-G adds Sackler family as defendants in lawsuit against Purdue Pharma (AUDIO)
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced he has filed an amended complaint against Purdue Pharma to add eight individuals from the Sackler family. Ellison said, “the Sackler defendants personally control Purdue, each one sat on the board, several are officers, personally involved in designing, implementing Purdue’s deceptive sales and marketing strategy and practices.” Ellison […]
Gov Walz signs bill into law repealing pre-existing relationship defense (AUDIO)
Governor Walz today signed a bill into law repealing the pre-existing relationship defense in criminal sexual assault cases. Jenny Teeson, who was drugged and abused by her husband, who videotaped the incident, was instrumental in getting the issue in front of lawmakers. Her now ex-husband pled guilty to invasion of privacy, a misdemeanor. Teeson today […]
MN Senate passes hands free cell phone/distracted driving bill
A bill that would require drivers to use cell phones in hands-free mode passed off the Minnesota Senate floor today with strong bipartisan support on a vote of 56-10. Republican Senator Dan Hall of Burnsville voted for the measure, but with some reservations. He said, “I don’t like the way this is taking away my […]