Minnesota Legislature
Session Daily Archive
A compendium of Session Daily articles dating back to 2004
Results:
Governor's emergency powers pose questions that House subcommittee seeks to answer
By Mike Cook
Month after month throughout much of 2020, Gov. Tim Walz extended the state’s peacetime emergency for another 30 days to quickly help the state “take swift action to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, families, and businesses” in response to COVID-19.
Progress made in implementing police reform law, testifiers tell lawmakers — but much remains to do
By Tim Walker
It’s been six months since legislative passage of a police reform package that included banning chokeholds in all but extreme circumstances, outlawing warrior training, and requiring an officer to intervene when another officer is using excessive force.
Pandemic having deep impact on state's transportation systems
By Jonathan Mohr
Minnesotans traveled less last year by planes, trains, automobiles, and most other forms of transportation as well, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
House rules committee holds over resolution affirming election results, condemning local and national violence
By Mike Cook
A committee began discussing a resolution Thursday saying, in part, the House and the state support the certified election results and do not support the destructive actions earlier this month by supporters of Donald Trump.
Dry cleaners would have first crack at funding under bill
By Nate Gotlieb
Minnesota dry cleaners could have an easier time accessing a state fund they contribute to each year to cover environmental cleanup projects.
House climate panel considers quickening push to carbon-free energy
By Rob Hubbard
Completely carbon-free by 2040. That’s the goal of the “100% Clean Energy Standard” bill the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee contemplated Thursday.
With state's demographics shifting older, permanent council could help focus MN's 'age-friendly' efforts
By Victoria Cooney
In a long-anticipated demographic shift, 2020 marked the first year that Minnesotans over the age of 60 outnumbered those under 18, council member Anthony Taylor told the House Human Services Policy and Finance Committee Thursday.
MN schools quickly spent COVID relief funds, committee hears
By Rachel Kats
Minnesota schools have made short work of their first round of federal COVID-19 relief funds through purchases needed to keep buildings sanitized and by providing extra support to students, families and educators.
Lawmakers briefed on Guardian ad Litem program, coronavirus-related challenges
By Tim Walker
The pandemic has lightened caseloads somewhat due to a slowdown in court cases, and the program is prepared to quickly get more Guardians ad Litem onboard if there is a significant uptick in cases when the pandemic eases.
Higher education students share personal experiences, common concerns
By Rachel Kats
Nearly two-dozen post-secondary students shared their background, insights, legislative priorities, challenges and success stories with the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee Wednesday.
Health commissioner: MN on track with vaccination plans, prepping for expansion
By Victoria Cooney
Minnesota is still on track to complete vaccinations in skilled nursing facilities – both residents and staff – by early February, the state's health commissioner said.
Proposal aims to help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss
By Rachel Kats
HF4 would assist students and schools adversely affected by COVID-19 through added investments, a modification for general education revenue calculations and temporary policy provisions.
Mental health outreach to farmers expanded during pandemic
By Nate Gotlieb
A state official on Wednesday briefed the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee on the department's efforts to address rural mental health during the pandemic.
Temporary change could alter MN employers’ unemployment tax rates
By Tim Walker
HF135 would modify the period used to calculate an employer’s unemployment tax rate for calendar year 2021 by skipping the year altogether and temporarily using the employer’s average layoff rates for the past four years.
'You can see people under pressure' — pandemic exacerbates behavioral health problems
By Victoria Cooney
Addiction is a “disease of isolation,” and the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly contributed to the isolation of people in need, advocates said Wednesday.
