ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s House of Representatives has passed a public safety bill that includes several gun control provisions. The final vote was 69-63 in the Democrat-controlled chamber. The bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 34-33 on Friday. Democrats hold a one-vote majority in that chamber. The bill is now headed to Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, to…
ST. PAUL (KVRR/KFGO) — Minnesota House lawmakers have approved a state-run paid family and medical leave program by a vote of 68-64. Rep. Ruth Richardson’s bill would now allow up to 12 weeks of partial payments each year to people who need family bonding with a new child or who have a serious medical condition. People experiencing both situations can…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — The Minnesota Senate voted Friday to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, but the bill requires more work and negotiations before it can become law. The vote was 34-33, with all Democrats voting yes and all Republicans voting no. There are several differences between the Senate bill and the companion version that passed the House 71-59…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A bill legalizing recreational cannabis has passed the Minnesota House and now heads to the state Senate. Attorney Mark Friese says law enforcement knows there will undoubtedly be more people bringing the drug across state lines as people lawfully buy cannabis in Minnesota, if the law is passed. “That doesn’t mean it’s lawful to bring it…
ST. PAUL (KFGO) — The Minnesota House is sending a bill backers say will reduce the rash of catalytic converter thefts in the state to the desk of Gov. Tim Walz. It prohibits scrap metal dealers from buying any catalytic converter without a marking that ties it to the original vehicle. The House agreed to minor changes the Senate made…
Fmr. Gov. Mark Dayton (D-MN) & Fmr. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Two former Minnesota governors join forces and speak out against South Dakota-based Sanford Health getting control of the University of Minnesota Medical School in the Fairview Health merger. Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tim Pawlenty voiced their concerns in front of the Senate Committee on Health…
Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, speaks at a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday, March 6, 2023, about a $1.9 billion public infrastructure package for fixing up roads, bridges, water systems, college facilities and parks and trails across the state. She was joined by Democratic Rep. Fue Lee, of Minneapolis,…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House Democratic majority has proposed spending $1.15 billion of the state’s $9.25 billion budget surplus on education. The plan emphasizes mental health supports, special education and English language learners. It draws a sharp contrast with Senate Republicans who want to cut taxes by $3.4 billion while spending $30 million more on schools. The big…
HAWLEY, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Hawley Mayor Jim Joy has announced that he is running for the Minnesota House District 4B seat currently held by DFL Rep. Paul Marquart. Joy has been the mayor of Hawley for 6 years and is running as a Republican. He is a reserve police officer for the city, and owns and operates a gas and…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – With COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations on the decline in Minnesota, Republicans are calling on Gov. Tim Walz to loosen restrictions. House Minority Leader Rep. Kurt Daudt says Minnesota is lagging behind neighboring and other states in reopening restaurants and events. Walz has said he plans on announcing new guidelines in the coming days. Rep….
