Spending, Crime Among Top Priorities For 2022 Minnesota Legislative Session
Here's what to expect as lawmakers convene on Monday for the 2022 session.
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Here's what to expect as lawmakers convene on Monday for the 2022 session.
Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday proposed spending $5.1 billion over the next three years for child care, teacher recruitment, mental health access in schools and a paid family and medical leave policy with funds from a record state surplus that will shape the debate at the capitol this year.
The Minnesota Legislature will enjoy a $7.7 billion surplus when it convenes Jan. 31, a strong financial position but one that is bound to set up clashes in this election year over whether to spend the money on plenty of needs or return it to taxpayers.
While some changes may go unnoticed by the majority of Minnesotans, others may directly impact you and your family.
The Minnesota Legislature's special session is now officially over after the Senate adjourned Wednesday instead of voting on the fate of some top government officials' jobs in Gov. Tim Walz's administration.
The Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate opened a fight Tuesday that could lead to the firing of one or more of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz's Cabinet members. Meanwhile, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop has already announced her resignation.
The debate continues about new police reforms passed in Minnesota.
Republicans blocked Democratic proposals for tax increases on the wealthy. Instead the highlight of the tax bill was $1 billion in tax cuts for businesses and workers hit by the pandemic.
Threats to derail parts of a delicately crafted $52 billion budget agreement loomed in the final hours of the special session, but the Minnesota Legislature successfully passed outstanding pieces of the two-year state spending plan and averted a partial government shutdown.
As the clock counts down to the midnight special session deadline, the Minnesota Legislature has made a number of last-minute changes, and Gov. Tim Walz has responded with an unexpected plan.
The Minnesota House and Senate Tuesday night and into early Wednesday morning approved a bill funding the state's prisons, courts and law enforcement agencies with some police accountability measures, though it fell short of what some DFL lawmakers and community activists were pushing for.
With just days to spare, state lawmakers have reached a deal to avoid a partial government shutdown. The agreement includes some police reforms, among them are regulations for no-knock warrants and modifications to the POST board's police misconduct database, creating an early warning system to keep bad officers off the streets.
Minnesota lawmakers made more progress toward completing the next state budget Thursday as the Senate gave unanimous final approval to a $7.3 billion transportation bill and sent it to the governor.
The Minnesota Legislature has 10 days to get all 15 budget bills done or the state government will shut down.
Each day that comes and goes without bills passing means one step closer to a fate the legislature hopes to avoid: a government shutdown.
As the special session of the legislature kicks off Monday, one of the topics that will be debated is police reform.
Gov. Tim Walz told reporters that he's hoping they can get the work done during a special session that he will call for Monday, which could last several days.
The Minnesota legislature is expected to return next week for a special session to pass a two-year budget.
Tens of thousands of state of Minnesota employees received layoff notices that their jobs could be in jeopardy should the Legislature not agree to and pass a budget at the end of the month.
The Minnesota Legislature has passed a measure known as "Johnny's Law," which aims to ensure people with disabilities will not be discriminated against when seeking organ transplants.
Saturday, the city of Brooklyn Center did what the state legislature has not been able to: pass comprehensive changes to policing.
The legislative session is slated to end on Monday, but top Democrats and Republicans at the state capitol said it's becoming increasingly unlikely that lawmakers will wrap everything up before then and avert a special session.
The cost of child care forced Kate Downey to make a choice: leave her teaching job and start a child care business of her own to make it all work.
The state's new two-year budget kicks in July 1, so lawmakers have until then to agree on what it looks like or the state shuts down.
As the Minnesota Legislature enters the last full week of its 2021 session, lawmakers face long hours of tough negotiations as they seek to agree on a balanced budget by next Monday's mandatory adjournment date.
Ayman Mohamad Ghazali made two purchases at a Phantom Fireworks store in Livonia, Michigan. He told the store staff the fireworks were for the end of Ramadan.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has again set up a livestream of a peregrine falcon nest in downtown St. Paul in an effort to monitor and protect the species.
Despite the potential for a winter storm, people across the Twin Cities are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day celebrations this weekend, and into next week.
A 29-year-old woman is dead after police in Bloomington, Minnesota, found her unresponsive in a cell at the city's jail early Friday, officials said.
Delta is canceling flights at Midwest airports, including its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, ahead of expected significant snow and winds starting Saturday evening through Sunday, the airline said Friday.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has again set up a livestream of a peregrine falcon nest in downtown St. Paul in an effort to monitor and protect the species.
Despite the potential for a winter storm, people across the Twin Cities are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day celebrations this weekend, and into next week.
A 29-year-old woman is dead after police in Bloomington, Minnesota, found her unresponsive in a cell at the city's jail early Friday, officials said.
Wind sheared off four bolts holding a billboard near the 3M headquarters along Hudson Road in Maplewood, Minnesota, ahead of a winter storm expected to bring heavy snow Saturday night into Sunday.
Minnesota siblings Jamison and Amaya Battle are both basketball stars, with the brother playing forward for the Toronto Raptors and sister playing point guard for the Gopher women's team.
Law enforcement say two people are in custody after an apparent standoff Friday in a southwestern Minnesota town.
The hit HBO Max series "The Pitt" is getting buzz for how real it feels, and there's a Minnesota doctor making sure it stays that way.
Gas prices are up for the 12th straight day as the war with Iran pushes up crude oil prices. In Minnesota, the average went up 4 cents overnight. It's now $3.29 a gallon. That's 18-cents higher than just a week ago.
According to Rochester Police, officers were dispatched around 9:30 p.m. to the 1900 block of Ashland Drive Northwest. The call was domestic-related, police say.
Rain is falling Thursday night in the Twin Cities, while snow is falling up north.
As the war in Iran evolves, National Guardsmen from Wisconsin are being recognized for what they are doing in the Middle East.
It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.
A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin man who forged threats against President Donald Trump as part of a deportation scheme to 16½ years in prison.
A fire at a hotel in Superior, Wisconsin, Monday night left one person hurt and forced guests to move to new lodgings.
Excitement is in the air in northern Wisconsin with the 52nd annual American Birkebeiner underway.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 95% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released from prison. The DOC says it does all it can to help people transition back into the community as productive citizens.
Minnesota native and World War II veteran Les Schrenk died earlier this week. He was 102 years old.
People from across the nation are traveling to the Twin Cities, but not as tourists. Many want to learn in person from Minnesota protestors to bring that knowledge back to their own cities.
The Edina wife and mother of three said she felt called to go and protest in south Minneapolis after learning that Alex Pretti had been shot and killed by two Border Patrol agents.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people gathered on the Highway 62 bridge between Minneapolis and Richfield after a small protest sparked a confrontation there last week.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine briefed on Operation Epic Fury in Iran Friday.
The U.S. military says six service members were killed in a plane crash in Iraq, as Iran's continued attacks on Gulf states keep oil prices high.
More than half-a-million taxpayer dollars meant to help Minnesotans was stolen, according to state investigators, who say a home health care provider took the money to buy flights, order food and take rides instead of helping the needy.
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their home in June 2025. On top of grieving the sudden, tragic loss of his parents, Colin Hortman says the cleanup of his childhood home was a headache.
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their home last June. Their son says what followed with the insurance company only made matters worse.
Delta is canceling flights at Midwest airports, including its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, ahead of expected significant snow and winds starting Saturday evening through Sunday, the airline said Friday.
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their home in June 2025. On top of grieving the sudden, tragic loss of his parents, Colin Hortman says the cleanup of his childhood home was a headache.
Data show that catalytic converter thefts are on the rise again in the Twin Cities.
The war in Iran is not only blocking oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, it is also holding up much of the world's fertilizer supply, a development that is drawing close attention from farmers preparing for spring planting.
Renters' rights advocates and tenants gathered outside Hennepin County courtrooms Thursday to protest Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's recent veto of an eviction notice extension ordinance.
Ayman Mohamad Ghazali made two purchases at a Phantom Fireworks store in Livonia, Michigan. He told the store staff the fireworks were for the end of Ramadan.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota are investigating after a student at Macalester College accused a former professor of urinating on her belongings.
More than half-a-million taxpayer dollars meant to help Minnesotans was stolen, according to state investigators, who say a home health care provider took the money to buy flights, order food and take rides instead of helping the needy.
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their home in June 2025. On top of grieving the sudden, tragic loss of his parents, Colin Hortman says the cleanup of his childhood home was a headache.
Data show that catalytic converter thefts are on the rise again in the Twin Cities.
The hit HBO Max series "The Pitt" is getting buzz for how real it feels, and there's a Minnesota doctor making sure it stays that way.
More than half-a-million taxpayer dollars meant to help Minnesotans was stolen, according to state investigators, who say a home health care provider took the money to buy flights, order food and take rides instead of helping the needy.
Can a quick workout and your phone reveal something about your heart health? Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School say yes, and they've built an app to prove it.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
At a Minnesota State Capitol hearing Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled its "Veteran Suicide Prevention Plan."
The hit HBO Max series "The Pitt" is getting buzz for how real it feels, and there's a Minnesota doctor making sure it stays that way.
A woman was arrested on Sunday for firing multiple shots at the Beverly Hills home of Rihanna, Los Angeles Police Department officials say.
Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota, will soon come under new ownership.
A new art exhibition in Shoreview, Minnesota, is inviting visitors to see art — and maybe themselves — a little differently.
Actor and filmmaker Bruce Campbell told fans that he is in treatment for cancer and will cancel some upcoming public appearances.
Minnesota siblings Jamison and Amaya Battle are both basketball stars, with the brother playing forward for the Toronto Raptors and sister playing point guard for the Gopher women's team.
Travis Konecny scored the lone goal in a shootout to give the Philadelphia Flyers a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.
The Minnesota Vikings have signed quarterback Kyler Murray to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job next season, the team announced Thursday.
The Minnesota Vikings are hosting Kyler Murray on a free agent visit, focusing their latest quarterback search on the first overall pick in the 2019 draft who was just released by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Minnesota Vikings have cleared salary cap space taken by their failed strategy for contending last season by releasing defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Talking Points is tracking a partisan push to end surveillance pricing this legislative session.
This session, a bipartisan bill to end surveillance pricing is moving forward at the Minnesota Capitol. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Minnesota DFL Rep. Erin Koegel about the push and how the ban could protection your personal data.
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig, who is running for U.S. Senate, says she now regrets her vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act last year.
With severe weather season right around the corner, what homeowners need to know about the evolving coverage for your roof.
With severe weather season right around the corner, what homeowners need to know about the evolving coverage for your roof. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Grace Arnold, Department of Commerce commissioner about what's driving rising insurance premiums and what you should look from in home insurance coverage.
Denis Doyle was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1856, Doyle traveled to Le Sueur County. Other Irish immigrants joined Doyle and the town was born.
One of the oldest operating theaters in the Midwest is in danger of closing its doors for good.
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, there's a place where you can find radio and television technology that's nearly a century old — and it still works.
One of the best views in Minnesota is at the top of a Bloomington hill. But 15-year-old Jacob Larson isn't here for the scenery. He's here for the jump.
Pine trees are a common sight up north. But on a Carlton, Minnesota, road, they're joined by giant lollipops. They serve as the welcoming committee for Sweetly Kismet, one of the largest candy stores in the state.
Minnesota lakes remain frozen. The people walking on trails around them remain bundled up. After a warm start to March, the seasonal shift is sputtering as it often tends to do.
Drivers are bracing themselves for higher prices when they pull up to gas stations. But the pump isn't the only place you can expect to pay more in the weeks ahead.
A push for stricter gun laws in Minnesota is not new. However, this session comes on the heels of a devastating mass shooting last summer in which the target was students in prayer at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
The military strikes against Iran have sparked intense debate in Congress. U.S. lawmakers are not only split on whether to support the operation but also on whether President Trump should have sought congressional approval in advance. WCCO investigates how the Constitution defines declarations of war.
Traveling is already stressful, especially flying, but the deadly conflict south of the border might have some travelers second-guessing their upcoming trips.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A major winter storm is set to bring significant snow and wind to parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Snow is set to move in Saturday evening, with the heaviest falling overnight into early Sunday morning. The snow should slow down through the afternoon and evening Sunday, WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso reports.
Delta is canceling flights at Midwest airports, including its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, ahead of expected significant snow and winds starting Saturday evening through Sunday, the airline said Friday.
Wind sheared off four bolts holding a billboard near the 3M headquarters along Hudson Road in Maplewood, Minnesota, ahead of a winter storm expected to bring heavy snow Saturday night into Sunday.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso runs down the most memorable (and heaviest) snow storms on record in the Twin Cities.
Azure Davis from Ruff Start Rescue introduces us to Goliath, a 7-year-old cattle dog/terrier mix who’s looking for his forever home.
A major winter storm is set to bring significant snow and wind to parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
This important initiative aims to provide relief to families facing the daunting challenge of rising food costs, helping to ensure that no one has to go hungry in our community.
Despite the potential for a winter storm, people across the Twin Cities are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day celebrations this weekend, and into next week.