ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota House Republicans have a plan for lifting coronavirus restrictions on businesses with a goal of letting them resume full operations by May 1. Rep. Dave Baker of Willmar, says restaurants, hotels, event centers and gyms need to be able to make reopening plans with some certainty. Baker says the downward trends in COVID-19 cases and…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Two lawmakers have announced plans to introduce legislation to put Minnesota among 25 other states and Washington, D.C. in legalizing sports betting. The legislation is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Karla Bigham and Republican Rep. Pat Garofalo. It would allow on-site sports wagering at tribal casinos for the first year, then mobile betting for those who sign up…
ST. PAUL – Minnesota lawmakers have convened to pass a package of coronavirus relief measures for businesses and workers who took the biggest hit from a four-week “pause” ordered by Gov. Tim Walz. Leaders agreed last week on a $216 million grant program for businesses such as bars and restaurants. Lawmakers reached a deal Sunday night for a 13-week extension…
Minnesota State CapitolST. PAUL, Minn. – Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota House Republicans have unveiled separate relief proposals for small businesses that have been hit the hardest by new restrictions to curb the coronavirus. They’re expressing hope that lawmakers can pass a plan in a special session as early as next week. Highlights of the plan the governor developed…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ A record number of Minnesota prison inmates were placed in solitary confinement last year. The Minnesota Department of Corrections placed inmates in solitary more than 8,000 times in 2018. Minnesota Public Radio News reports the number of solitary sentences has been going up steadily for the last two years. Last session, the Minnesota Legislature passed…
Gov. Tim Walz & Jodi HarpsteadST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz says it would be “counterproductive” to call the Minnesota Legislature into special session on gun violence only to watch Senate Republicans adjourn without holding any hearings or moving forward with gun control bills. “And I spent the day out at Game Fair where our most experienced firearms owners…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ The special session of the Minnesota Legislature appears likely to last at least three days and run into the holiday weekend. Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt told reporters just before the session was called to order Friday his caucus has no plans to supply enough votes to suspend the normal procedural rules so that it…
ST. PAUL, MN — A Minnesota lawmaker who is a former law enforcement officer was arrested by St. Paul police for trespassing. Rep. Matt Grossell of Clearbrook was arrested about 3:30 a.m. Saturday and released a couple of hours later on a promise to appear in court. The circumstances surrounding the arrest are unclear. Grossell, a Republican, has represented his northwestern…
ST. PAUL, MN (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature has approved expanding a zero-interest disaster loan program for farmers, just in time for producers with buildings damaged by heavy snow this winter. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Thursday, and then passed House without opposition. It now goes to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. The bill broadens eligibility for the Disaster…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Lawmakers have unveiled legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota, hoping to start what they acknowledge is likely to be a long and contentious discussion. The bills were introduced in the Senate on Monday by Edina Democrat Melisa Franzen and in the House by Golden Valley Democrat Mike Freiberg. They said their proposal focuses on…
