Minnesota Reformer
Rank-and-file reject Minnesota legislative leaders’ ‘skinny’ tax bill
“We put five months of thought into something they put five minutes of thought into, and I know which one’s going to be better. I’m just not sure why any Republican would even consider voting for this. I don’t think it would pass (the) House or the Senate.” -- Greg Davids
Minnesota: An easy mark
By J. Patrick Coolican, Minnesota Reformer Last week Gov. Tim Walz told Minnesotans that one of the drivers of the state’s emerging “fiscal imbalance” — i.e., over the next couple years, we’ll be spending more than we’re taking in — is the rapid increase in spending on early
U of M athletic department dismissed whistleblower following accusations of athlete mistreatment
Moira Novak, who oversaw the athletic department’s trainers and team physicians for nearly 20 years, repeatedly brought her concerns to athletic department administrators and the medical director.
Local View: On President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection
Local reaction to President Joe Biden choosing not to seek reelection and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor: Fred Friedman – "Much of America displayed a lack of enthusiasm for both the President and the former President. Additionally, many voters are displeased at the move to
State response to misclassification is ‘uncoordinated and inadequate’ — and other labor news
By Max Nesterak, Minnesota Reformer Take a seat in the Break Room, our weekly round-up of labor news in Minnesota and beyond. This week: Employers rarely penalized for misclassifying workers; Minneapolis sends Uber and Lyft packing; Workers sue manure company for wage theft; Striking workers would get unemployment benefits under
Biden warns ‘freedom and democracy are under attack’ in fierce State of the Union address
By Jennifer Shutt, Minnesota Reformer WASHINGTON — In remarks pivotal to his reelection this fall, President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address Thursday night portrayed himself as the defender of democracy, touted the bipartisan deals he’s brokered during his first term in office and appealed to Congress
Lawmakers pushing for child care subsidy program
By Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer Most Minnesota families with young children could qualify for child care assistance under a subsidy program proposed by DFL state lawmakers. If passed by the Legislature, the Great Start Affordability Scholarship program would assist families making up to 150% of the state median household income
Trump comes out against Alabama IVF ruling as national Republicans scramble for distance
By Jacob Fischler, Minnesota Reformer Former President Donald Trump called on Alabama lawmakers Friday to “find an immediate solution” to remedy a state Supreme Court ruling that threatened the availability of in vitro fertilization, and national Republicans running for Congress sought to distance themselves from the Alabama decision as well.
More criminal suspects are shooting at Minnesota police officers, data show
By Christopher Ingraham, Minnesota Reformer Violent assaults on police officers have risen sharply in recent years, according to the comprehensive data included in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Uniform Crime Reports. But those assaults rarely turn fatal: From 2004 to 2023 only 11 Minnesota police officers died in the
Where Minnesota’s worst state parks are
Statewide the overwhelming majority of visitors — 82% — rated themselves as “very satisfied,” with another 14% choosing “somewhat” satisfied.
US Supreme Court turns down push by states to challenge Biden deportation policy
By Ariana Figueroa, Minnesota Reformer WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overwhelmingly ruled that Texas and Louisiana lacked the legal standing to challenge the Biden administration’s deportation guidelines, granting a win to the White House on immigration policy. The states objected to the White House’s directive
Is Tim Walz running for president? No, but he’s up to something with this national politicking.
So, what’s next? A Biden cabinet position seems possible, perhaps at the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Education or Agriculture.
This week’s record-breaking air pollution, in one chart
This summer’s smoke is being driven by a Canadian wildfire season that’s started much earlier than usual, and which is expected to last until the fall or winter.
Reps. Emmer, Stauber imply Trump indictment timed to Biden bribery allegations
Emmer, who is the House majority whip and third-ranking House Republican, told Minnesota conservative talk radio host Jon Justice on his show Friday that Trump’s indictment “stinks to high heaven.”
Former Gov. Arne Carlson is 88 and battling a massive mining conglomerate
While PolyMet opponents cheered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision this week to revoke a key permit for the mine — a huge setback for the project, but not a death knell — Carlson urges caution.