Hello from your budget-buried MPR News Capitol reporters.
It’s Tax Day — 2022 returns and payments are due. Minnesota lawmakers have begun unveiling state tax proposals for future years and are set to move them forward in committees.
House DFLers put out their long-awaited tax bill that cuts some taxes and raises others. MPR News reporter Brian Bakst ran down some of the contents and the broader themes in the tax discussion. There are rebates, new credits, some property tax relief and a larger window for Social Security tax exemption. But there are also some increases, too, on top earners and corporations. The Senate tax bill should be out soon and this is one area where there is some distance between the DFL majorities.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Monday announced that the state settled its lawsuit against Juul Labs and tobacco giant Altria but didn’t immediately disclose the terms. The Associated Press reports that Ellison shared news of the settlement over the companies’ marketing for e-cigarettes just ahead of closing arguments scheduled in the case. "After three weeks of trial highlighting and bringing into the public record the actions that JUUL and Altria took that contributed to the youth vaping epidemic, we reached a settlement in the best interest of Minnesotans," Ellison said.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the most serious murder conviction against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin stemming from the killing of George Floyd. The Associated Press reports that Chauvin asked the court to throw out a second-degree murder conviction for many reasons that he says prevented him from getting a fair trial. He is serving a 22 ½-year sentence on the second-degree murder charge.
Gov. Tim Walz on Monday signed into law a proposal to replenish the state’s disaster assistance fund with $40 million. And the move comes as rivers around the state are nearing major flood levels. MPR News reporter Tim Nelson reports that local officials are expecting some of the most serious flooding in years. Several cities have closed roadways in anticipation of flooding conditions.
Minnesota’s State Band is set to mark its anniversary this Saturday with a free concert. The Star Tribune’s Richard Chin writes that the band will celebrate Earth Day and its 125th anniversary in a performance at the Minnesota History Center. Minnesota’s is believed to be the only remaining state band in the country. In its heyday, the band would provide music for ceremonies, funeral processions, baseball games, horse shows, parties and picnics.
Lastly, the marijuana legalization bill cleared its final House committee Monday ahead of a floor vote as soon as next week. MPR host Angela Davis will discuss the push at 9 a.m. Tune in and join in the conversation.
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