NORTH DAKOTA — Nearly 100 groups and businesses in North Dakota have shown interest in either producing or dispensing medical marijuana. That pleases state officials who are establishing a network for making the drug available to qualified patients by next summer. Voters last November approved medical marijuana, and the Legislature earlier this year crafted regulations. The Health Department is…
FARGO, ND — A North Dakota legislative panel has begun its work studying the impacts of refugee resettlement in the state. Fargo Democratic State Rep. Kathy Hogan chairs the 17-member committee and says refugee resettlement is widely misunderstood by many of her fellow lawmakers. The committee began by examining the impact of refugees on such things as the workforce,…
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — One “blue law” has finally come to an end, as Minnesotan’s are now able to buy liquor on Sundays. For Minnesotans, it’s something that’s been a long time coming. “They turned it down so many times in the past I didn’t think they’d do it,” said one shopper. “But, they finally did it.” “I think because there’s…
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota state officials are working with community members to review and reflect on bills passed during the 2017 legislative session. State Representative, Ben Lien, says the most important project is the 20th-21st Street underpass. Lien says this project has been in the works for more than 25 years and has finally been approved. The underpass will help…
BISMARCK, ND — The North Dakota Legislature’s 141 members are already at work on the next legislative session. The Legislative Management committee has assigned the lawmakers to conduct 50 studies on topics such as state retirement funding, health care and the financial condition of the state’s 11 public colleges and universities. Each committee will compile a report and any…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Legislative leaders have released a bill to borrow more than $1 billion for public construction projects that includes more than $250 million for transportation infrastructure. The bonding bill is expected to be the final piece of legislation that lawmakers take up during the special session, which was envisioned as a one-day event for Tuesday…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s legislative leaders are searching for how to salvage a special session to finish a two-year, $46 billion budget. They worked around the clock Tuesday and it took a toll on some lawmakers as you can see when you watch the video. The Legislature missed another deadline this morning as they blew through a self-imposed goal…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers have reached a deal on bringing the state’s driver’s licenses and ID cards up to federal security standards. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill and now it heads to the Senate. The bill will allow anyone with a Minnesota ID or driver’s license to pass through airport security. Congress put a deadline for…
BISMARCK, ND — Lawmakers say they won’t dispute the veto made by Governor Burgum that cuts funding to at least 1,600 townships. After the session ended, the governor vetoed a $16.1 million bill that proposed giving each non-oil producing township $10,000. Gov. Burgum said the money is not a good use of the state’s “scarce financial resources.” Legislative leaders…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Work on a budget for Minnesota is still at a standstill as leaders now continue to point fingers at who is responsible. Gov. Dayton and Republican House and Senate leaders are no longer negotiating while House Speaker Kurt Daudt accuses the governor of attempting to run out the clock. Senate Republicans were stalled for the second…
