Good morning! Gov. Tim Walz says his supplemental budget proposal this session will include $700 million in direct payments to income eligible Minnesotans. The payments would be called “Walz Checks.” He highlighted the plan Thursday along with other budget recommendations. Walz has joined others in calling for Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson to resign after more information was disclosed about the sheriff’s recent drunk driving crash. State lawmakers are considering recommendations from a group of outside experts on how to improve Minnesota’s system for drivers’ license testing. The group’s report has 31 recommendations, including higher fees and fewer exam stations. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the state’s unemployment rate has dropped to 3.1 percent. A key player in Minnesota’s fight against COVID-19 is retiring. Kris Ehresmann announced she will step down next month as the state’s infectious disease director. Mike Lindell, the MyPillow guy who continues to make false claims about the 2020 election, is facing another lawsuit from a voting technology company that says he damaged its reputation. Minnesota hasn’t elected a governor without prior elective experience since 1966. But some Republicans seeking their party’s nomination say a fresh start is needed, while rivals say know-how is a must. Brian Bakst takes a look at how political experience is a line of division among GOP governor hopefuls. | 