| Legislative leaders had set a goal to wrap and pass remaining budget bills before June 1 to avoid layoff notices for state workers, but that timeline is looking increasingly unlikely. House DFL Caucus Leader Melissa Hortman and House Speaker Lisa Demuth told reporters that lawmakers met through the holiday weekend to complete outstanding budget bills. But there was still more work ahead of them this week. Hortman said she hopes to finish the biggest budget bills this week before heading into a special session likely next week. That timeline wouldn’t stop furlough notices from rolling out to state workers beginning on Sunday. Dana reports that the tight political power structure at the Capitol is slowing progress on legislation.
Immigration advocates rallied against an agreement to cut MinnesotaCare access for adult immigrants without legal status. They gathered outside Gov. Tim Walz's office Tuesday afternoon, chanting and holding signs that said: "We are not your budget cut." The state extended coverage for undocumented Minnesotans starting this year, but Republicans say the program costs too much. In budget negotiations, the governor and legislative leaders agreed to end the program for adults, but keep it going for children. Advocates also warn there could be political costs for Democrats who agreed to the cut. "People will die as a result of this bill, and while children will still be able to stay on it, they still have grandparents, they still have parents, they still have friends and community members that support them, and this will be traumatizing and devastating for them,” said Emilio Rodriguez. “Why should the immigrant community continue to vote for the Democratic Party and continue to support immigrants being paused to be sacrificed on their political chess board?" The bill cutting the coverage has yet to pass.
Boat owners are likely to see registration fees rise under a bill awaiting final ratification. The working group on the environment and natural resources came to an agreement around midnight last Wednesday. Rep. Peter Fischer, DFL-Maplewood, says a surcharge on a three-year license will go from a $10.60 flat surcharge for all boats to a variable surcharge for the license that goes from around $14 to $29 for most boats, depending on their size and use. Those funds will go toward helping local lake associations fight aquatic invasive species. Fischer says the bill also helps to smooth out and speed up the permitting process for projects that impact the environment and natural resources by adding staff to get through permits faster. He says the bill adds ATV fees for maintaining ATV trails and increasing water permitting fees.
DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell is asking a judge to dismiss a felony charge of possession of burglary tools. In a pair of motions filed Tuesday, Mitchell’s attorneys say the defense should be able to question the Becker County attorney about why he filed the possession of burglary tools many months after an initial burglary charge. Mitchell was arrested in April 2024 at her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes. She was charged with one count of burglary and has pleaded not guilty. Her attorney argues that the second charge was retaliatory since it came after the judge postponed a trial until after the conclusion of the legislative session at Mitchell's request. Mitchell's attorney also accuses the prosecutor of withholding evidence in the case. It pertains to an affidavit the prosecution filed seeking restitution for the alleged victim saying she hasn’t been able to live in the house since the incident; Mitchell’s lawyer says he has been seeking proof of a lease or rent payments made to verify the claim. A jury trial in the case is scheduled to start in a few weeks. That could be delayed again if a judge allows for the evidentiary hearing, but Mitchell’s lawyer says they hope to sort through the new motions quickly and keep the trial on track.
Businesses that sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products get another registration opportunity. Businesses will get another shot at registering to sell hemp-derived THC products like Delta-8 gummies and beverages. The state already held one registration period in April, but is opening another window starting June 2 through August to give businesses the opportunity to get into compliance. Businesses that sell those products without registering could face up to $10,000 in fines.
Anyone who has made the underground trek between the Minnesota Capitol and the State Office Building knows it can get a pulse up . Well, it’s going to change by the time the SOB reopens following an extensive renovation project. That tunnel was out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 100-foot tunnel’s slope had been too steep and it lacked proper landings. So a proposed upgrade calls for reconstruction and a new elevator. The cost is pegged at a maximum of $6.1 million. Construction would begin about a year from now and be completed by December 2026. That’s all according to state construction documents posted Tuesday by the Department of Administration. | 