DEMOCRATS

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in South Carolina remarks, calls on Democrats ‘to be a little meaner’

Gov. Tim Walz (D) MinnesotaCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sought to energize activists at a Democratic state convention in South Carolina, as the party’s 2024 vice presidential nominee works to keep up the high national profile he gained when Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate. Walz, a former schoolteacher who went on to serve in Congress and…

Working Groups Wrap Up Budget Bills Before Special Session is Called in St. Paul

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Democrats and Republicans are still hard at work in St. Paul even though the regular session ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday. They are discussing House and Senate offers on the taxes bill during this working group. Leaders wanted the groups to wrap up the work on numerous budget bills by this evening. Budgets for commerce,…

Minnesota Democrats ask state Supreme Court to resolve state House power struggle

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and House Democrats have asked the state’s highest court to intervene in a partisan power struggle that has roiled the start of the 2025 legislative session that extended into a second day Wednesday. Simon, a Democrat, petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court late Tuesday to declare that he legally remains the presiding…

Gov. Walz Says the State of Minnesota is Strong, Because Kids Are Better Equipped to Thrive

OWATONNA, Minn. (KVRR) — Gov. Tim Walz says the state is strong, because the kids of Minnesota are better equipped to thrive. The governor was joined by other political leaders at Owatonna High School for his sixth State of the State address. Walk picked it as the setting to highlight how the community has made big investments in the relatively…

Democrats see Minnesota and Michigan as guides for what to do with majority power

Fueled by election gains, Democrats in Minnesota and Michigan this year enacted far-reaching policy changes that party leaders in other states are looking to as a potential roadmap for what they could swiftly achieve with similar control.

FILE – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, middle, holds the bill signed to legalize recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21, making Minnesota the 23rd state to do so, May 30, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. Former Gov. Jesse Ventura stands at center. Fueled by election gains, Democrats in Minnesota and Michigan this year enacted far-reaching policy changes that…

Minnesota Senate passes controversial gun control legislation

The bill passed 34-33 on a party-line vote late Friday

                      ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) — After nine hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate passes gun control legislation that has been strongly supported by the governor. The proposals include a “red flag law” that would allow authorities to ask courts for “extreme risk protection orders” to temporarily take guns away…

MN Democratic Leaders Agree On $17.9 Billion Budget Targets, Possible Rebate Checks

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz have agreed on broad budget targets that add up to nearly $17.9 billion in new spending, including $3 billion for tax cuts. But the details of where the money will go remain to be negotiated. Agreeing on the targets was a necessary step so that legislators can begin work…

Minnesota Republican Leaders Offer “Give It Back” Plan To Deal With Surplus

ST. PAUL (AP/KVRR) — Leaders of the Republican minority at the Minnesota Legislature roll out a $13 billion “Give It Back” plan in response to the states latest budget surplus forecast. Republicans announced their plan a day after state budget officials released an updated forecast showing that the surplus has remained stable at $17.5 billion. Higher-than expected revenues helped offset…

Lawmakers Grill Sanford And Fairview CEOs Over Proposed Merger

ST. PAUL — CEOs of Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services say they will not delay their merger despite requests from lawmakers, Minnesota’s attorney general and the University of Minnesota. Lawmakers called the two CEOs to the state capitol and they got grilled by Democrats at a joint House Commerce and Health Finance and Policy committees hearing. U of M…