Wetlands, Mining On Agenda For 2015 Legislature
One of the top environmental issues in the legislative session that opens in January could be how best to protect Minnesota's wetlands.
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One of the top environmental issues in the legislative session that opens in January could be how best to protect Minnesota's wetlands.
One of the top environmental issues in the legislative session that opens in January could be how best to protect Minnesota's wetlands. The GOP takeover of the Minnesota House has changed the landscape for the environment and natural resources at the Capitol. Republican leaders have given a strong signal of their priorities by restructuring the committees that will deal with those issues.
Gov. Mark Dayton is ordering that U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and honor the Americans who died in World War II. Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed about 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers.
Protesters briefly blocked access to the main terminal at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday afternoon. Around 100 people representing labor organizations blocked the road leading to the terminal for around 20 minutes to call for higher wages for airport workers.
Minnesota lawmakers want to dive deeper into the details of a state report showing a $1 billion budget surplus awaits them. The House Ways and Means Committee summoned state finance officials to a hearing Friday to give more information about the just-released revenue forecast.
Talk of tax cuts has followed word that Minnesota's budget will run up a $1 billion surplus. Top Democrats and Republicans separately raised the prospect Thursday of giving tax breaks with a portion of the surplus. The first dose could come soon in the next session as lawmakers weigh whether to match up Minnesota's deductions and credits more closely with those at the federal level.
Minnesota finance officials say lawmakers have a $1 billion projected surplus at their disposal in the upcoming session. The estimate provided Thursday in a new economic forecast should make for a smoother path to a new two-year budget.
Some Minnesota parents are concerned about long drives to buy medical marijuana for their ailing children. The state's two medical cannabis manufacturers tentatively plan to open dispensaries in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan, Maple Grove, St. Cloud, Hibbing, Rochester and Moorhead. Those locations put hundreds of miles between some greater Minnesota residents and medication for themselves or their kids.
Just a month before the 2015 Minnesota Legislature begins, the Capitol is in chaos. But it's not because of politics. The 109-year-old State Capitol building is in the middle of a massive renovation that will mean limited public access during the session.
Fargo, North Dakota, Mayor Dennis Walaker, the man known as the "flood mayor" for leading the state's largest city through several successful fights against the Red River, died Tuesday at his home, city officials said. He was 73. Walaker had been battling kidney cancer for several months. Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney said Walaker was hospitalized over the weekend from a reaction to his chemotherapy.
A group of bicyclists in Minneapolis asked the city council Tuesday to make some changes to better separate bikes and cars. The council will vote on Mayor Betsy Hodges' budget proposal Dec. 10, which asks for $750,000 to build protected bike lanes across the city.
The state's chief information officer is leaving Gov. Mark Dayton's administration. Commissioner Carolyn Parnell will step down Jan. 5 to pursue other work. She announced her departure Tuesday in an email to employees. Dayton appointed Parnell in 2011.
Gov. Mark Dayton says Minnesota's lottery director "has his work cut out for him" to preserve online ticket sales that many lawmakers want to outlaw. Dayton acknowledged Tuesday that the Legislature will again attempt to bar the most virtual ticket sales and may be able to trump a veto this time.
It's the final week for candidates to put their names into consideration for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The Legislature will elect five regents to the state's 12-member governing board next year.
Two crucial pieces of the state's new medical marijuana program are nearly in place. Minnesota officials announced Monday morning that LeafLine Labs and Minnesota Medical Solutions will grow and cultivate the drug for the state, ending a weeks-long selection process.
