minnesota legislature

Minnesota Legislature approves emergency $1 million for bird flu

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Legislature has rushed through $1 million in emergency funding to bolster the fight against bird flu. The highly contagious disease has cost the state’s turkey farmers more than 1 million birds so far. Senate Agriculture Chairman Torrey Westrom pointed out before the unanimous vote in the Senate and the 129-1 vote in the House…

Minnesota House votes unanimously to divest from Russia

Minnesota State CapitolST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House has voted unanimously to divest the state’s pension funds from Russia, joining states across the U.S. in protesting Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Minnesota’s public employee pensions funds had an estimated $53 million worth of investments in Russia before its invasion of Ukraine. Rep. Sydney Jordan, whose northeast Minneapolis district is home…

Minnesota lawmakers seek no-knock ban after Amir Locke death

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota lawmakers say they will push to significantly limit the use of no-knock warrants after a Minneapolis SWAT team entered a downtown apartment while serving a search warrant last week and killed Amir Locke. The bill that would narrow the use of no-knock warrants to only a handful of situations such as false imprisonment, kidnapping and…

Minnesota’s 2022 Legislative Session Starts With Massive Surplus

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) — Minnesota’s 2022 Legislative Session is underway with lawmakers looking at a $7.7 billion budget surplus. Republicans want to pass permanent tax cuts to give money back to Minnesota families. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has proposed sending checks of $175 or $350 to more than 2 million Minnesota families. The governor also proposed a record $2.7…

Minnesota Lawmakers To Start Debating $7.7 Billion Surplus

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR/AP) — The Minnesota Legislature will convene on January 31 and confront a good problem: a $7.7 billion surplus. It’s bound to set up clashes in this election year over whether to spend the money on unmet needs or give it back to taxpayers. The main job for lawmakers in even-numbered years traditionally is a public works…

Minnesota lawmakers face $7.7B surplus in 2022 session

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Legislature will decide how to handle a $7.7 billion surplus when it convenes Monday, Jan. 31. The main job for lawmakers in even-numbered years traditionally is a public works borrowing package known as a bonding bill. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has proposed a record $2.7 billion package, which will likely be challenged by Republicans….

Minnesota leaders agree on $52 billion budget bill

Governor Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman say this is a win for all Minnesotans, Democrats, and Republicans.

MINNESOTA (KVRR) — Minnesota lawmakers working down to the wire on the next budget bill. Lawmakers agreeing on a 52 billion dollar bill for the state’s economy for the next two years. Governor Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman say this is a win for all Minnesotans, Democrats and Republicans. “We made the commitment…

Recreational marijuana bill expected to pass Minnesota House Thursday

MINNESOTA (KVRR) — A recreational marijuana bill is expected to pass in the Minnesota House Thursday in a full floor vote. The bill aims to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use in the state. If it becomes law, Minnesotans 21 years and older would be allowed to buy, have and use marijuana. The bill also calls for expunging criminal…

Minnesota House Democrats unveil package of budget bills

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota House Democrats have unveiled legislation that calls for more spending on education and recovery for those most affected by the pandemic while increasing taxes on wealthy residents and large companies. The package of legislation follows the $52.5 billion budget targets released by House Democrats late last month, which is more than both Democratic Gov. Tim…

Minnesota House Republicans urge Gov. Walz to ease business restrictions

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….