minnesota legislature Archives - Page 5 of 10

Minnesota Senate passes recreational marijuana bill

May 20, 2023

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Minnesota is poised to become the 23rd state to legalize recreational cannabis. The Democrat-controlled Senate passed a bill 34-32 and now goes to Gov. Tim Walz who says he will sign it. The bill takes effect Aug. 1 and will allow a person 21 years or older to possess up to 2 oz. of marijuana…

Minnesota taxpayers can expect rebates under $3B bill nearing passage

May 18, 2023

KVRR Staff,

Democratic Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic and Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota taxpayers can expect rebate checks in the next few months and struggling families with children are likely to get additional relief under a $3 billion tax cut bill nearing approval in the Legislature. Democratic Senate Tax Committee Chair Ann Rest,…

JUUL And Altria To Pay MN $60.5 Million

May 17, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announcing the state will receive $60.5 million over seven years in a settlement with e-cig manufacturer JUUL and tobacco marketer Altria. The settlement requires JUUL to pay more than one third of the settlement within 30 days, and 60 percent within the first year. The funds can then be dedicated by…

Democratic Sen. Rob Kupec of Moorhead Defends Gun Law Vote

May 14, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — A Minnesota state senator from Moorhead is explaining his vote for a public safety package that includes two new gun laws. Democratic Sen. Rob Kupec voted for the package on Friday and it passed along party lines, 34-33. The new legislation includes a “red flag law” that would allow authorities to ask courts to temporarily take…

Cannabis seltzer to be sold during Willie Nelson concerts, other shows at Bluestem

May 11, 2023

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR) – A new item will be on the menu during the Willie Nelson concerts later this month at the Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead. Jade Presents announced on social media Thursday that Cannabis Seltzer will be sold during Nelson’s concert and all other events during this year’s Summer Concert Series. The product is available through a new partnership with…

Gun safety proposals take big step forward at Minnesota Legislature

May 10, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn, (AP) — A pair of gun violence prevention measures long sought by Minnesota Democrats were added Wednesday to a broad public safety budget bill, significantly raising their chances of becoming law. By unanimous voice votes, an all-Democratic House-Senate conference committee approved expanded background checks for gun transfers and a separate proposal for a “red flag law.” It would allow…

MN Legislative Negotiators Reach Agreement on Free Tuition at Public Colleges

May 9, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — Tuition at Minnesota’s public colleges would be free to those whose families earn less than $80,000 annually, under an agreement reached by legislative negotiators. It is part of of a broader higher education budget bill which has yet to be voted on. The “North Star Promise” free tuition program would cost about $117 million in the…

Purple lanes: Minnesota highway signs to honor Prince

May 4, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The late pop superstar Prince will have a highway named after him in his home state, following a vote by Minnesota lawmakers Thursday. The Senate vote was 55-5 to rename the highway that runs past Prince’s Paisley Park museum and studios. Among those watching was his oldest sister, Sharon Nelson. The bill passed the House unanimously last…

Marijuana legalization advancing in Minnesota Legislature

April 24, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Recreational marijuana could soon be legalized and regulated in Minnesota under bills that are entering the final rounds of debate at the Legislature. The House, where Democrats comfortably outnumber Republicans, was set to pass its marijuana bill Monday night after green-lighting similar legislation in 2021. The Senate, where Democrats hold only a one-seat majority, is scheduled…

Minnesota Hospital Association against staffing levels bill

Minnesota Hospital Association is against a house bill in the state legislature that implements nurse staffing ratios.

April 12, 2023

Site Staff,

MINNESOTA (KVRR) — Keep Nurses at the Bedside Act would create committees made up of health care workers and management to set staffing levels on a unit-by-unit basis depending on a hospital. It puts a maximum on the number of patients for a nurse. The C-E-O of the M-H-A says there are already at least five thousand openings for nurses…