Zack Stephenson
@zackstephenson
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Father, prosecutor, St. Rep. for Anoka and Coon Rapids, sporadic tweeter, Twins/Vikings fan.
Minneapolis
Joined April 2007
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I feel so lucky to do this great and historic work, in this beautiful building, with incredible colleagues I enjoy and respect, all in service to a state I love with my whole heart.
Thank you, Anoka and Coon Rapids, for giving me this opportunity.
Right now, Minnesota is showing the country you don't win elections to bank political capital – you win elections to burn political capital and improve lives.
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The MN House has just voted 71-59 to legalize cannabis in Minnesota!
You’re up
@Lindsey_Port
!!
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Hi Matt, I know you're relativley new to MN politics, so a bit of background. I proposed this bill several months ago. Republican leaders in the House and Senate called it a "gimmick" and opposed it.
Suspend the MN gas tax right now. Why wouldn't you do that in this time of crisis for many working class families?
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The cannabis bill passed last night, and look what is already live:
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Big news! My bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in Minnesota has been scheduled for a vote in the MN House on Monday!
We’re very close to getting this done and gaining momentum every day!!
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After losing just under 4k people in 2022, Minnesota gained 23,615 people in 2023. Minnesota's population growth was in the top half of states in 2023.
This is good for Minnesota, bad for the narrative that people are fleeing Minnesota's politics.
Links to Census' spreadsheets, for all the data nerds:
Pop Change:
All Data, including Components:
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Well folks, the Legislature has passed a complete state budget and a bonding bill. For the first time since 2013, we will not need a special session to fund state government.
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Hmmm... Andy Lugar, who charged the cases is... a DFLer. Keith Ellison, who blocked Feeding Our Future from dissolving so as to investigate them is... a DFLer. Tim Walz, whose Ed Dept 1st flagged the issue is... a DFLer. So, I'd say the DFL narrative is: we take fraud seriously.
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We should legalize sports betting in Minnesota. All our neighbors have already done so. Minnesota should not be an island. We can get this done in the next regular session of the Legislature, and we should get it done.
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Well folks, we did it. The House passed my bill to legalize cannabis in Minnesota (on a bipartisan vote)!
I am so grateful to everyone who has helped to make this happen, but particularly our phenomenal staff.
I can't wait to watch
@Lindsey_Port
finish this job!
Upon further review it was 68 DFL for (one absent, one opposed) and 5 GOP in favor (3 absent, 56 opposed).
I grabbed the screenshot before one DFLer got her vote in.
Here is the corrected screengrab.
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So cannabis passed the House, now what?
1) Senate takes up and passes the bill. Perhaps today, maybe over the weekend. This time of year, timing at the Legislature is fluid and hard to predict
2) Governor signs the bill
3) on August 1, it becomes legal to possess cannabis!
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Here we go! The final House debate on legalizing cannabis in Minnesota is underway!
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It is finally law.
BREAKING: Gov. Tim Walz officially signs bill into law that will legalize recreational cannabis in Minnesota starting on Aug. 1.
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Minnesotans are ready. 2023 is the year we legalize adult use cannabis in Minnesota. Today,
@Lindsey_Port
and I introduced legislation. We'll have our first committee hearing next Wednesday. Full bill language is available here:
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I’m not sure people are grasping the significance of this moment. You know how in mid-May reporters are usually camped out in front of the Gov’s office, waiting for negotiators to come out and announce a budget deal? This is that deal. It’s March 21st.
"The era of gridlock is over," says
@GovTimWalz
upon announcing an agreement on budget targets, which he says includes the largest tax cut in MN history, plus investments to end childhood poverty, infrastructure/bonding, helping families
#mnleg
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Good news: our phenomenal staff completed the conference committee report on the bill to legalize cannabis in Minnesota!
Moments ago, I signed it.
The process of bringing the bill to a final vote in the House and Senate has now begun!
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The House floor debate on my bill to legalize cannabis in Minnesota will begin in just a few minutes. After 16(!) committee hearings this year, it feels so good to finally bring this bill to the floor!
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I am so grateful for the many, many people who have reached out with supportive messages today. As a teenager, I would never have imagined a day like today was possible. Thank you.
"Perhaps by coming out, I can make it different for someone else," Stephenson writes.
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Congratulations to my friend and partner
@Lindsey_Port
on passing our bill to legalize cannabis off of the floor of the Minnesota Senate. A historic moment! Now we move to conference committee.
We're going to get this done!
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People need to get ready, because the new DFL trifecta is here is work. January isn't going to be the usual sleepy month at the Legislature full of overview hearings and receptions. We're going to get. stuff. done.
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Just not true. We’ve taken over a dozen GOP amendments on the cannabis bill and voted to accept an additional five GOP amendments just yesterday on the House floor! We’re trying to be reasonable and open-minded, while still guided by the goal that Mn’s want legal cannabis
@zackstephenson
Debates. It’s all theater. Democrats take ZERO input from across the aisle & are simply playing steamroller on every issue.
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Important for folks to know that the MN Senate, unlike the MN House, does not have any rule against meeting after midnight. Long debates are common in both chambers, but that won’t stop
@Lindsey_Port
from getting the job done.
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Y'all are in for a treat.
@Lindsey_Port
is going to crush it in the Senate tonight. I am so grateful to have her as a partner on this bill. You got this Lindsey!
Who's ready to pass adult-use cannabis legalization and expungment? Minnesota is ready. I'm ready. The Senate is ready. Today is the day.
Legalize. Regulate. Expunge.
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Since my first campaign in 2018, I have talked to thousands of people across Coon Rapids and Anoka who BEGGED me to just do something on gun violence.
I am so proud to finally be voting tonight to pass universal background checks and red flag laws!!!
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The cannabis conference committee will have our first meeting on Friday morning. We are making great progress and
@Lindsey_Port
and I are excited to finish the job!
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The House members on the conference committee on my bill to legalize cannabis in MN have been named. This is the team that will get the job done! In addition to myself, they are:
@AthenaHollins
@JessHansonMN
@LiishKozlowski
and
@West4MN
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The cannabis conference committee met one last time this morning. We adopted the final provisions of the bill.
Next step is for nonpartisan staff to process and prepare the final bill language. Given the complexity and length of the bill, this could take a day or two
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Sure, legislating by zoom is hard. You know what else is hard? Teaching by zoom. Also running a small restaurant or bar in a pandemic.
The Legislature can wait its turn. Prioritize those who are most vulnerable, and those who are most impacted.
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Good news! My bill to ban the use of deepfakes to influence elections or in revenge porn has now passed the House and Senate!
As AI development accelerates, we need our laws to keep pace. Here is a story about the bill from a few weeks ago:
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You can continue to use medical cannabis. In fact, we did away with the $200 registration fee!
@zackstephenson
How will this change affect those of us that have medical cannabis certification already?
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False choice. Here is what I think:
You steal a car, you should be held accountable.
You make a car with a fundamental safety flaw and refuse to fix it, you should be held accountable.
Don’t shield big business. Everyone should be accountable for their actions.
Uhhh, can someone explain how the criminals aren't at fault here?
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As Chair of the MN House Commerce Committee, I am excited to announce that I have scheduled
@_RyanWinkler
's bill to legalize adult-use cannabis for a hearing on 2/17 at 3 pm. This will be the first time a MN House Committee considers a bill to legalize cannabis.
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After giving it a lot of thought, I will not be running for Congress in 2024. It just isn't the right time for my family. I will be running for re-election to the MN House. I am very grateful to everyone who offered encouragement, support, and advice over the last few weeks!
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And with that, Minnesota’s budget forecast once again will account for inflation. The twenty year budget gimmick is over. Thank you
@GovTimWalz
and my Senate partner on this bill
@JohnMarty
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After that stunt, they went back to opposing the idea. But, I am sure glad you like the idea now! It'd be great if you'd talk to your Republican friends about the need for a special session. There is a lot of great work we could get done for Minnesotans!
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Let me tell you the story of my last 24 hours of trying to fly from NYC to MSP.
Big storms and flash flooding caused my original direct flight from LGA to MSP to be cancelled. I was rebooked on a connecting flight through Cleveland. (1/)
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The cannabis conference committee met this morning and adopted:
Article 1: Licensing
Article 4: Criminal Penalties
Article 5: Expungement
Article 6: Misc Provisions
We are meeting tomorrow as well. The only articles remaining are Article 2: Taxes, and Article 9: Appropriations
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Who is the Minnesota public official on the membership rolls of the Oath Keepers? Seems pretty important to find out.
The names of hundreds of U.S. law enforcement officers, elected officials and military members appear on the leaked membership rolls of the Oath Keepers extremist group.
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I expect the final House debate on the cannabis bill will begin at 5:45
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House DFLers passed a similar bill this year that would have cracked down on people possessing stolen catalytic converters AND put new restrictions on the scrap yards that buy them. House GOP voted no and Senate GOP blocked final passage.
"This is going to be you if you come up here and try to steal some catalytic converters." A new ordinance in Bloomington will make it a misdemeanor to possess a catalytic converter not connected to a vehicle. |
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I am excited to share that I will be Chair of the House Commerce Committee during the next Legislature. Between helping small businesses survive COVID-19, driving down the price of prescription drugs, and protecting Minnesota’s consumers, we’ll have our work cut out for us!
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The lede from this article: “There are decades when nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades happen,” explains why I feel so tired I could sleep for a month.
Giving the people what they want: a lotta words on why and how it happened. Democrats made a big bet on themselves via
@mnreformer
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But the votes will happen. This bill will pass. We will get the job done.
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Support for legal cannabis is strong (64%!) and broad-- almost every demographic group tested supports legal cannabis. Only one I spot that is net opposed is "very conservative" voters.
KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA poll: Minnesotans support legalizing marijuana, sports betting
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Oh btw,
@PatGarofalo
, if you read this excellent timeline of the case, you'll see that the fraud happened because the federal government relaxed fraud controls in March of 2020. Remind me... who ran the fed government back then? (hint: not a DFLer)
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I think if Rep. Munson wants to live in South Dakota, he should (and I know this is a novel and perhaps unexpected idea) move to South Dakota.
Petition to allow MN counties to join a State that respects Freedom and Liberty
four-step process:
✔️ Pass HF2423 by the
#mnleg
✔️ MN Voters allow Counties to leave
✔️Counties vote to join neighboring State
✔️ Congress approves
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4) Starting right away, we will begin the process of expunging tens of thousands of cannabis convictions. But it took 50 years to create all those convictions, and it will take months, even years, to complete this process.
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After that, our nonpartisan staff will process all the changes we've made, and put together a final bill for a final vote in the House and Senate. Because the bill is so long, and so complicated, this could take a bit. But!!!! We WILL get the bill done before the end of session!
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It has been a truly historic session at the Legislature. I am so proud to have been a part of it.
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When the price of an Epi-pen went up 400%, it had nothing to do with supply and demand. It had to do with a CEO wanting a 600% pay raise. If you can’t see that, I can’t help you.
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The House has a rule that we do not meet past midnight, which is important for the safety of our staff and members, who have to drive home. So we’re suspending debate for the night.
We will take up and pass HF 100 tomorrow.
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I understand Minnesota needs a new flag.
I have a suggestion.
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I am so proud to serve with
@leighfinke
, who is one of the most thoughtful people in the Legislature. Her constituents are lucky to have her as a Representative, and I’m lucky to have her as a friend.
#standwithleigh
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We did good work today, but one critical piece was left undone. We failed to pass legislation protecting the hourly workers at our schools: bus drivers, paras, food service workers. Simply put,
@CarlaNelsonMN
and the Senate blocked the bill. I am so disappointed and frustrated.
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Then, on the day I introduced the bill, House Republican leadership made a motion to susped the rules and pass the bill (odd, since they had called it a gimmick just days before). I thought it should at least get a committee hearing first...
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Real conversation with voter tonight:
Voter: "What party are you?"
Me: "Democrat"
Voter: (hands my lit back to me)
Me: "Uh oh, wrong answer?"
Voter: "I voted for Trump"
Me: "That's ok"
Voter: "Not after January 6th it isn't"
She's voting Democrat this year.
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5) Also starting right away, a new agency— the Office of Cannabis Management— will start working on doing the work of setting up a legal market. Making rules, issuing licenses, etc. This will also take time, and I wouldn’t expect licensed dispensaries for up to 18 mo
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But sometime later this week (or maybe over the weekend) the House and Senate WILL VOTE on this bill, and IT. WILL. FINALLY. PASS!
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Damn right we are
"We are going to deliver this to the people of Minnesota this year," said Rep.
@zackstephenson
in 1st conference committee on recreational marijuana.
Next meeting not schedule yet, but in session's final days he vowed "quick action" (House wants to end by next Friday)
#mnleg
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Can you imagine what the GOP would do if two sitting DFL legislators and our sole declared gubernatorial candidate appeared at a fundraiser with an activist with an active warrant for their arrest?!?
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If you’ve ever been frustrated that the Legislature waits until the last minute, and passes huge bills in the dead of night… if you’ve ever wished that your state’s leaders could just be reasonable adults who get their jobs done… well, this is your year.
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We should pass automatic voter registration in Minnesota. Also true early voting, with expanded polling locations open both days of the weekend before Election Day.
House Democrats say their first bill after taking power would establish automatic voter registration and reinvigorate the Voting Rights Act.
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Today the conference committee on HF100 adopted four articles of the bill. They were:
Article 3 - Economic Development
Article 6 - Misc Provisions
Article 7 - Temporary Regulations
Article 8 - Scheduling
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Cannabis bill debate will resume on the House floor shortly after noon today.
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This is why the deepfake law that
@ErinMayeQuade
and I passed last year is so important. Because of our law, using deepfakes like this to influence a Minnesota election is a crime.
NBC reports that NH voters are getting robocalls with a deepfake of Biden’s voice telling them to not vote tomorrow.
“it’s important that you save your vote for the November election.”
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As someone who talks to voters in a swing district everyday, I agree with this strongly. The extremism that is troubling people is more than just abortion bans (though they don't like those)... gun violence and January 6th are also big factors.
This is key.
Pat Ryan told me he directly experienced voter angst *about threats to democracy.*
The right's "power grab" is wildly out of step" with "the vast majority of Americans," he said.
This isn't supposed to be happening in a swing district!
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To be clear, removing Nancy Leppink would be wrong even if the Senate GOP was acting in good faith, but this cowardly sneak attack is political gamesmanship at its worst. The Senate GOP wants to hurt the Gov, and Commissioner Leppink is the collateral damage. Gross.
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As Ryan says, the Gov will sign the cannabis bill soon. He has three days from when the bill is presented to him (not 3 days from when the bill passes the Legislature).
(1/2)
Within a few days,
@Tim_Walz
will sign legal cannabis into law, and the Office of Cannabis Management is already getting started:
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Today and everyday,
#IStandWithNurses
. You take care of us in our hours of need, now it’s time for us to take care of you.
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This morning I walked the picket line with
@mnnurses
in front of Mercy Hospital. The nurses at Mercy helped deliver both of my daughters. They took care of my grandparents in their final years. My family relies on nurses and the nurses can rely on me.
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Narrator: no, there has not.
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Jensen backpeddling so fast that pretty soon he'll be swearing up and down the COVID vaccine is safe and effective.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen tells
@Stowydad
that he wouldn't support a constitutional amendment banning abortion. He'd previously said he'd try to ban the procedure.
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The more I learn about the proposed merger between Sanford and Fairview, the more concerned I become. In addition to the worries I express in this op-ed, I am concerned that the merger will reduce Minnesotans access to abortion and gender affirming care.
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But before people get too excited, we will almost certainly take action on any available budget bills before getting to cannabis. The Environment, Energy and Climate budget bill will be first, and that could be a long debate.
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But the narrative!!!!
Minnesota replaces Texas as No. 5 in CNBC's closely watched ranking of "America's Top States for Business," shoving the Lone Star state out of the top five for the first time ever, landing at No. 6.
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How badly do Republicans oppose compensating frontline workers for their sacrifices during this pandemic? Right now they are voting against their top legislative priority this session— refilling the UI trust fund— because it includes frontline worker pay. Outrageous.
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On Feb 3, Gov Walz signed a bill making Juneteenth a state holiday. It was the 5th bill he’s signed into law this session. Below are dates on which the Gov signed his 5th bill in the last several bienniums:
2021- March 22
2019- April 1
2017- Feb 27
2015- March 17
2013- March 12
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The Commerce and Climate Omnibus bill just passed the House. It’s full of great consumer protection and climate initiatives. A great bill doesn’t just happen— it takes a great team. So thankful for my amazing staff, led by
@addieformn
.
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Thinking about Paul Wellstone always makes me feel hopeful about the future. He died 21 years ago today, but I see his legacy all around me. Thanks, Paul.
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I am super impressed by
@kdaudt
's new-found religion on the impropriety of connecting a non-controversial bill to a controversial bill. I eagerly await his announcement that he is withdrawing his demand that Gov. Walz end the peacetime emergency before we pass a bonding bill.
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More good news for Minnesota, more bad news for the conservative narrative.
Minnesota jobless numbers: "unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.1% in November, compared to 3.7% nationally. Over the last three months, jobs in Minnesota grew by 17,300, or 0.6% – far higher the national rate for that timeframe (up 0.2%)."
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If I can’t have a loon on my flag, I better damn well have a loon on my seal.
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Hey
@NickZerwas
, I went looking for the “empty fields” you promised by the Coon Rapids Northstar station and all I found was 300 units of transit oriented development under construction. Not sure how you missed this with the giant cranes and all.
@RepWolgy
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This map shows how much of an outlier Minnesota has become on sports betting. It’s time to pass my bill, and legalize sports betting for all Minnesotans.
March Madness sports betting is a booming business for states. (
@Dchinni
@chucktodd
) Details:
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Will I condemn stealing millions of dollars from a program that was supposed to feed hungry kids, even if the people who did the stealing happened to give money to politicians I support? This is very easy: YES.
@zackstephenson
LMAO except when they are the donors to your candidates - will u denounce them Zack?
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This headline would be funny if the man in question wasn’t trying to be our next Governor.
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I am very excited to run for re-election in 35A.
Feels like my whole life has happened inside these district lines. I grew up here. Graduated from high school here. Have owned my home here for 11 years. My kids were born here.
This is my home. And I’ll keep fighting for it.
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Arrest numbers are a terrible way to determine whether outsiders have been driving the chaos this week. Only takes a handful of bad actors to spark a fire, and they may not even have been arrested.
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Browsing today's bill introductions, I notice that
@SteveDraz
is a co-author of HF 982, a constitutional amendment to term limit members of the MN Legislature to a maximum of 12 years service. Rep. Drazkowski was first elected in 2007. It is 2021. That is all.
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And this is why we need a DFL Senate majority. “Clean coal” is an oxymoron and coal is so expensive that plants are going out of business left and right. Senate GOP wants an energy policy that is bad for the climate and bad for your wallet. Who wins? The fossil fuel companies.
This is what happens if you don’t have reliable power as part of your energy grid. Clean coal, natural gas, or nuclear must be part of the mix in today’s world. Clean, reliable, and affordable energy must be our plan.
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I am frankly shocked that this bill is controversial. Anyone voting against this is showing a flagrant lack of respect for bus drivers, paras, food service workers, and all the other people who make our schools work.
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Behold, the misery my parents hath wrought, in commission of the ultimate Minnesota sin: putting the patio furniture out too early.
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Did you know Minnesota is one of only a few states that doesn’t have a law against price gouging?
@Lindsey_Port
and I have a bill to fix that: HF 844/SF 965. Minnesotans deserve to be protected from people who would take advantage of tragedy.
Texas officials are cracking down on businesses they say have hiked the prices of food, water and hotel rooms while the state continues to deal with shortages caused by unprecedented winter weather.
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