The Week at a Glance
COVID-19: On Friday morning the state reached one million vaccinations. Minnesota’s seven-day moving average has dropped to just 782 cases per day, a 15% drop in daily cases over just two weeks. Read about Minnesota’s COVID-19 statistics and updated restrictions.
Starting this fall, a college education at the University of Minnesota will be tuition-free for students from families making less than $50,000.
Doug Wardlow is running for Attorney General (again).
Google will open its first office in Minnesota later this year when it unveils its new location in Downtown Rochester.
What should MnDOT name the snowplow? Cast your vote.
Last Weekend
Friday, February 12: Governor Walz extends his emergency powers, scales back some coronavirus restrictions. Details on the changes in coronavirus restrictions from Dave Orrick of Pioneer Press.
Saturday, February 13: Former President Donald Trump was acquitted in his second impeachment trial over the weekend. Seven Republican Senators joined all 50 Democrats in voting to convict the former President.
Key Events, Court Rulings & Executive Branch Developments
Monday, February 15: Rochester became home to the third mass vaccination site in Minnesota as the Mayo Clinic opens its doors to eligible Minnesotans seeking vaccinations.
Monday, February 15: The budget is coming back into focus as officials anticipate a $1.3 billion budget deficit.
Stephen Montemayor of Star Tribune: January revenue report gives GOP an argument against tax hike
Briana Bierschbach of Star Tribune: Tax increase on Minnesota's highest earners renews fair share debate
Jessie Van Berkel of Star Tribune: Walz tax cut for 1 million families doesn't reach lowest earners
Monday, February 15: via Fred Melo of Pioneer Press, young workers in Minnesota are pushing for access to full unemployment benefits.
Tuesday, February 16: Middle school and high school students in Minnesota head back to the classroom for the first time in months.
Tuesday, February 16: via Jimmy Lovrien of Duluth News Tribune, Enbridge announces that construction costs for Line 3 will increase by $1.1 billion.
Tuesday, February 16: Just days before sweeping tenant protections take effect in Saint Paul, landlords file suit against the city.
Wednesday, February 17: In a video released Monday morning, Doug Wardlow, who lost to Keith Ellison in 2018, announced that he is running for Attorney General again in 2022. In a statement from the Minnesota DFL, Chairman Ken Martin called him a "right-wing extremist who will do anything for political power."
Wednesday, February 17: via press release from Governor Walz, “Governor Walz Appoints Anna Andow and Theresa Couri to Fill Fourth Judicial District Vacancies.”
Wednesday, February 17: Governor Walz debuts plan to get students back in the classroom and indicates support for getting all students back in school in at least some capacity as soon as possible.
Thursday, February 18: via press release, Governor Walz introduced his new Safe Learning Plan: “Beginning February 22, all middle and high school students can return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning. Governor Walz expects all schools to offer their students some form of in-person learning by March 8.”
Thursday, February 18: In an appearance on CBS, Dr. Michael Osterholm provided a dismal forecast for the coming months, saying the UK coronavirus variant would cause “a surge in cases over the course of the next fourteen weeks.”
Al Tsai, an epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health, pushed back against the claim, pointing to rising vaccination rates and falling positivity rates as indicators of progress in the fight against the pandemic.
Thursday, February 18: via press release, “Governor Tim Walz announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.”
Friday, February 19: About 25% of Minnesota’s educators have been at least partially vaccinated.
Update from the Minnesota Legislature
Monday, February 15: via press release from Our Children MN, “State Representative Hodan Hassan, Vice Chair of the Education Policy Committee, introduced HF 874 to the Minnesota State House of Representatives, a bill to amend the Minnesota state constitution to enumerate a civil right for all Minnesota children to quality public education.” The proposal has bipartisan support in the House and is supported by Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Parent Union, Minnesota Business Partnership, and ten tribal nations.
Tuesday, February 16: Pandemic response efforts differ widely between the House and the Senate. Senate Republicans considered a bill last week to allow businesses to open without restrictions; meanwhile, House Democrats considered a bill to make mask-wearing state law.
Tuesday, February 16: Just weeks before the Chauvin trial, House Democrats were forced to pull the $35M SAFE fund as they lacked the votes to pass the legislation.
Tuesday, February 16: via Senate GOP press release, “the Senate passed legislation that would hold cities accountable to pay their mutual aid agreements and prevent Governor Walz from diverting funds away from education and healthcare to cover cities’ public safety costs that defund the police.”
Teddy Tschann of the Office of Governor Walz: “The State will adjust plans accordingly if the Legislature doesn’t pass this funding, but the Governor is extremely disappointed that Paul Gazelka and Senate Republicans voted to defund the police. This decision will make it more difficult to protect people, property, First Amendment rights, and the National Guard.”
Wednesday, February 17: via Bill Salisbury of Pioneer Press, “The House Capital Investment Committee passed a bill to provide $300 million — $100 million for St. Paul and $200 million for Minneapolis — to redevelop the small businesses and other private properties that were targets of the looting, arson and rioting last spring.”
Thursday, February 18: Legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis was passed by the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday by a party line vote. The bill includes a regulatory framework, establishes taxes, and expunges cannabis-related criminal offenses. Senator Melisa Franzen introduced the companion bill in the Senate.
Thursday, February 18: via press release from the Senate GOP, “On Wednesday, the Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee passed a bill authored by Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton) that will repeal the authority of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to set automobile emissions standards.”
Friday, February 19: The Senate passed SF 2 yesterday, a bill which removes the Governor’s authority to close schools by executive order.
Friday, February 19: via press release, “Today, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee advanced legislation to establish a Department of Early Childhood.” Rep. Dave Pinto is the author of the bill.
Congressional Delegation Update
Monday, February 15: Senator Amy Klobuchar appeared on Fox News in an interview with Chris Wallace. Watch the video here.
Monday, February 15: via press release, “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced two bills to help support seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. The Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act, introduced with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Tina Smith (D-MN), will provide financial relief to caregivers by creating a tax credit for the costs of caring for an aging relative, while the Senior Corps Distance Volunteering Act, introduced with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), will ensure seniors can continue to safely volunteer during the coronavirus pandemic through remote and virtual volunteer activities.”
Monday, February 15: via press release, “U.S. Representative Angie Craig and her colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a crucial portion of the upcoming COVID relief legislation which would provide billions of dollars in funding for vaccine distribution and other public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
Tuesday, February 16: via Nora Hertel of Saint Cloud Times, “Congressman Tom Emmer took some shots at Democrats and weighed in on impeachment proceedings and the COVID-19 relief bill on Friday.”
Wednesday, February 17: via press release, “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced legislation to ensure governments that commit human rights abuses against journalists are held accountable by the United States.”
Thursday, February 18: via press release, “Congressman Pete Stauber announced his appointment as Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.”
Friday, February 19: via press release, “Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) today announced U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants for Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Open Door Health Center in Mankato.” The grants are worth a total of $3.2 million.