Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent calls for Majority Leader Paul Gazelka’s resignation following news of his COVID-19 diagnosis, along with diagnoses of other members and staff
Demonstrators are meeting outside the Minnesota Capitol holding a vigil in honor of George Floyd. They’re urging lawmakers to pass a slate of policing law changes put forth by the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus. They said they won’t let the “veil” of COVID keep them hidden
INBOX: Minnesota DFL lawmakers are set to unveil their adult-use recreational marijuana bill tomorrow morning at the Capitol. Caucus leaders today alluded to that announcement.
Walz tells the crowd “it wasn’t a slur to call these guys weird, it was an observation,” referring back to the moniker he’s used to brand GOP policy priorities.
The governor says former President Donald Trump “stole our joy” and Harris will bring it back, that’s why she is frequently seen smiling and laughing. Walz also says “we have an opportunity to bring folks back in” that have felt left out of American politics recently.
Demonstrators out here chant “Black Lives Matter” and previously yelled “all these deaths are at your door.” Senate Republicans have said they plan to end the special session tomorrow while DFL House leaders have said they shouldn’t set a hard end date.
GOP candidate for governor Scott Jensen is pitching his proposal to reduce fraud in state gov. It includes: appointing independent inspector general to report to the governor, strengthen whistleblower protections, use tools to flag fraud.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar tells the crowd, “this is the moment that could change so many things for us.” And she urges people to support Democrats to prevent additional restrictions on abortion access.
Rep. Leigh Finke, the first openly trans lawmaker in Minnesota, appears with fellow DFLers and LGBT advocates ahead of a vote on her Trans Refuge bill. She says that rapid action to ban gender-affirming care in Iowa and SD has made this legislation urgent.
Attorney General Keith Ellison is here to announce that his office has filed a complaint against Fleet Farm alleging that the company negligently sold guns to straw purchasers, aided and abetted in straw purchasing.
.
@SenateDFL
elects
@KariDziedzic
as incoming majority leader. “My role is to keep us together and move things forward to improve people’s lives.”
Hey
#mnleg
/
#mnpolitics
followers:
@mprnews
is thrilled to announce the marvelous Dana Ferguson is joining our
@MPRpolitics
team.
She says she's excited to make the jump to radio starting Aug. 23.
(She was hoping to tell the world herself but a Twitter hack prevented it.)
GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen says Minnesota needs to “put the genie of lawlessness back in the bottle.” He’s here laying out a framework for public safety.
It wouldn't be a live forum if someone didn't share condescending feedback about ... my inflection. Shoutout to radio and TV journalism colleagues who likely have to tolerate this (along with unsolicited feedback on appearances) all the time.
Several county attorneys and
@SenAmyKlobuchar
are at the Capitol to announce their endorsement of
@EllisonCampaign
. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says Ellison has “bailed him out” in taking on difficult cases.
Hi all, hope you got some rest. We've got an update now that 100% of precincts are reporting. Looks like AG Keith Ellison cinched a win over Jim Schultz and Auditor Julie Blaha edged out Ryan Wilson.
#Election2022
In case you missed it, the Minnesota House early this morning approved a bill that would create legal protections for those who travel to Minnesota for gender affirming care via
@mprnews
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announces new channels on his website for Minnesotans to share their opinions about the proposed Sanford/Fairview merger. He said his office will also have a phone line available to leave their comments in a voicemail.
INBOX: Senate DFL leaders plan to take up conversion therapy ban, Reproductive Freedom Defense Act and Trans Refuge bill on Friday on the floor. Each has passed the House already this year.
Two DFL priority election bills: letting 16 and 17 year olds pre-register to vote and restoring the vote those convicted of a felony who've served out their prison sentence are set to come before the House Election Committee this morning.
Gov. Tim Walz, along with members of his cabinet, are rolling out the final piece of his budget proposal. It includes rebate checks of up to $2,600 for families, reduced taxes on Social Security and legalizing cannabis for recreational use.
After hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate voted 34-31 to pass a proposal to let undocumented people obtain state IDs and driver's licenses. That heads next to the governor's desk for his signature.
Some news: Later this fall I will be moving home to the Twin Cities to cover the Minnesota government beat for
@ForumNewsSVC
. Thanks for all the kind words from folks in S.D. and M.N. alike!
.
@emmagreenman
, DFL-Minneapolis, ahead of a vote today on HF3, a package of election law changes, says, “We’re going to be a North Star for states around the country asking, ‘what does democracy look like?’”
Gov. Tim Walz is set to sign HF1, known as the PRO Act, guaranteeing the right to an abortion in Minnesota. He’s flanked by dozens of state lawmakers and advocates for abortion access. “We’re sending a message today that’s very clear, your rights are respected in this state.”
Walz says 13,463 Minnesotans died from COVID, "if those families are listening, I'm deeply sorry for your loss, and know that the state of Minnesota, put that as a top priority, not some internet ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine but the best science."
Stoesz says Minnesota has never had pro-choice majorities in both chambers and it puts the state in a position enshrine protections for abortion in state law.
Jensen speaks highly of Birk and his family, thanks his family for sticking with him through the campaign and says, “Tim Walz is the governor for four more years. Republicans didn’t have a red wave, frankly we had a blue wave.”
#Election2022
INBOX: Gov. Tim Walz and other MN leaders set to hold an avail tomorrow with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords on gun control legislation moving in Minnesota.
This morning at 10:30 the Minnesota Senate is set to take up the PRO Act, which would guarantee in state law the right to an abortion and other reproductive health care options. More about the bill here
An adviser to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he'll be in New Hampshire Sunday for
@KamalaHarris
campaign event. Here's what he told MN reporters yesterday on Veepstakes consideration:
Republican Scott Jensen is rolling out his 10-point plan for education at the state fair. It includes a parents bill of rights similar to one brought forth by MN Senate, prioritize achievement over the amount of money flowing out to schools.
In a call with MN reporters today, state officials cautioned people touching gas pumps to wash hands immediately after. They've been a significant source of transmission.
Gov. Tim Walz is in Bloomington greeting elementary school students. He says “we all want a solution” to school resource officer issue stemming from law that prohibits prone holds on students, he’s open to a legislative fix.
.
@govkristinoem
will be speaking at a
@MN_Chamber
lunch today in Minneapolis. I asked
@GovTimWalz
what Minnesota might be able to learn from South Dakota and he said Minnesota could benefit from learning how to take in more federal dollars.
Minnesota Senate Democrats at a press conference urge GOP lawmakers to come back to wrap up a public safety spending bill that includes some “common sense” gun control provisions.
Hi folks, Dana here. I just got my account back after an Aug. 4 hack. Expect more state gov and politics news moving forward, as well as less bear/NFT garbage. Thank you to all those who gave a heads up about the hack!
“Today is a good day for democracy. Today is a good day for justice. Today is a good day for Minnesota,” Gov. Tim Walz says at a bill signing ceremony for a proposal to restore voting rights to people convicted of a felony who serve out their prison or jail sentence.
A multi-billion dollar surplus is expected as officials release Minnesota’s budget outlook Tuesday, setting the table for what the governor lawmakers can spend during the 2023 legislative session.
“It’s going to be our honor to pass this today,”
@RepAishaGomez
says of her proposal to allow people to apply for and obtain driver’s licenses regardless of their immigration status. The bill is set to come up for a House vote this afternoon.
.
@seiumn
,
@mnnurses
and other union member are outside the Senate chamber holding up their “past-due” invoices, urging the chamber to approve $1 billion in additional front-line worker pay checks
First Senate bills filed include codifying the right to an abortion, implementing a state family and medical leave program, restoring the right to vote to people convicted of a felony who served out their prison sentence, new clean energy targets
You guys, the flag that just said 'BAYG' on it has really changed the trajectory of my day and ALL of my conversations: Minnesotans can check out state flag designs this week
"I am saying, they have made choices that have increased spread to a certain degree. When people go over there, they are going to get infected and bring it back home."
Gov. Tim Walz, surrounded by dozens of advocates who’ve supported this legislation, is set to sign into law a proposal to allow people to obtain driver’s licenses in Minnesota no matter their immigration status.
“Minnesota is not going to wait any longer,” Gov Tim Walz says as he prepares to sign into law legislation that sets a 2040 target to make 100% of electric utility power sources carbon-free. “This idea of waiting is a luxury we don’t have.”
Attorney General Keith Ellison declares victory this morning, he says he overcame divisive campaigning with a positive message. We’ve not yet heard from Republican Jim Schultz
#Election2022