lawmakers Archives - Page 6 of 7

MN House Republicans Propose $45 Billion Budget

House Speaker Kurt Daudt has suggested phasing out Social Security income taxes and reducing agricultural property taxes

March 20, 2017

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota House Republicans are looking at a roughly $45 billion two-year budget. Legislative leaders are considering cuts to some health care programs and state government agencies while drumming up nearly $1.4 billion in tax relief. House Speaker Kurt Daudt has suggested phasing out Social Security income taxes and reducing agricultural property taxes. They could have…

State-Owned Casinos Facing Uphill Battle in North Dakota

Carlson's resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that would go to voters next year if lawmakers give the okay

March 16, 2017

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, N.D. — A potentially losing hand has been dealt in a Fargo lawmaker’s attempt to allow state-owned casinos. The House Judiciary Committee gave Rep. Al Carlson’s proposal to allow up to six state-owned casinos a 13-2 “do not pass” recommendation on Wednesday. The full House is expected to vote Friday. Carlson’s resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that…

Minnesota Lawmakers Concerned About Salary Increase Backlash

Minnesota voters set the 45 percent raise in motion in November by overwhelmingly approving a constitutional amendment to create a Legislative Salary Council

March 16, 2017

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt is instructing staff to not issue the $14,000 salary increases recently approved by an independent body. Minnesota voters set the 45 percent raise in motion in November by overwhelmingly approving a constitutional amendment to create a Legislative Salary Council. Though lawmakers no longer have the power to set their own…

Minnesota Sunday Liquor Sales to Begin July 2nd

Minnesota liquor stores will be able to open their doors on Sundays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning in July

March 7, 2017

TJ Nelson,

MINNESOTA — It’s official: liquor will be sold in Minnesota on Sundays starting in July. Gov. Dayton has signed the bill repealing the decades old ban. Minnesota liquor stores will be able to open their doors on Sundays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning in July. His signature is the final chapter in years of efforts to repeal…

ND House, Senate Adjourn Until March

Lawmakers in both chambers voted on a few final bills before adjourning for the mid-session break

February 23, 2017

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota House and Senate have both adjourned until Wednesday March 1. Lawmakers in both chambers voted on a few final bills before adjourning for the mid-session break. When the session continues next week, the House will take action on Senate bills and vice versa. It will be day 37 of the legislative session which…

South Dakota Considers Lawmaker Approval on Refugee Resettlement

States across the country are looking into similar bills after President Trump issued the travel ban earlier this year

February 15, 2017

TJ Nelson,

SOUTH DAKOTA — South Dakota lawmakers are considering taking more control of refugee resettlements in the state. The Senate State Affairs Committee approved amending a bill that would require state lawmakers’ seal of approval on refugee resettlements. The bill would require private refugee resettlement groups to provide certain information about the process, like services provided, demographics and the number…

Minnesota Lawmakers Proposing to Halt Viewing Casket Tax

The proposal has heavy support from many lawmakers

February 10, 2017

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers are hoping to put a stop to the state’s tax on the use of viewing coffins during funerals. The proposal has heavy support from both party sides because while caskets or urns are exempt from tax, the “viewing coffins” used during the funeral is subject to a nearly seven percent state sales tax. Governor…

MNsure Hits Record Enrollment for 2017

Minnesota lawmakers used $312 million in rainy day funds to buy down monthly rates for shoppers who don't get federal subsidies

February 9, 2017

TJ Nelson,

MINNESOTA — Rising health insurance premiums and Minnesota’s financial help program have driven record enrollment on the state’s health exchange. Officials at MNsure say they signed up more than 117,500 people during 2017’s open enrollment period. That’s up by more than a third from last year. The spike in insurance signups comes amid uncertainty at the federal level and the…

NDSU Students Rally Support Against Restrictive Education Bills

Student government officials believe the bills would do more harm than good

February 1, 2017

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NDSU student government organized an on–campus letter writing campaign. The student body was invited to stop by Memorial Union to write letters to state lawmakers in opposition to two bills under consideration. One would raise tuition for Minnesota residents attending North Dakota state schools, and the other would limit the number of out–of–state students that attend schools such as NDSU….

Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Proposed in North Dakota

Lawmakers Are hoping to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in North Dakota

January 17, 2017

Site Staff,

Lawmakers are once again proposing a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in North Dakota. This is the fourth time this bill has been introduced. The bipartisan bill was first introduced by openly gay Democratic State Representative Josh Boschee. State law in North Dakota currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability and other…