Category: State Issues

As smoke blankets Minnesota, Walz prepares to meet with Biden to discuss wildfires

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Today’s virtual meeting comes amid some of the worst air quality ever recorded in Minnesota. 

As Minnesotans toiled in dramatically smoky, dangerous air Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz prepared to discuss the nation’s growing wildfire crisis with President Joe Biden and several other governors.

The virtual meeting Friday comes as the state faces a worsening drought and one of the worst air quality crises it has ever recorded. On Thursday, much of the state, including the metro area, was enveloped in air so smoky that it blocked out the sun. An air quality alert was in effect for most of state until 3 p.m. Friday, and wildfire smoke is likely to cause problems beyond that, experts warn.

Biden and the governors, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, will discuss efforts to strengthen wildfire prevention and responses and hear firsthand about the burgeoning wildfire crisis, White House officials said. Continue reading.

14 Minnesota counties fall under new federal mask recommendation, for now

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Gov. Tim Walz says vaccine availability puts Minnesota in “100%” control of its destiny when it comes to fall K-12 classes, events such as State Fair. 

The guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday was in response to a COVID-19 wave fueled by the delta variant of the coronavirus that has caused widespread infections in other states and appears to be emerging in Minnesota.

Fourteen Minnesota counties had infection rates Tuesday that were high enough to trigger the federal mask recommendation, including Scott County in the Twin Cities area. The other 13 are smaller counties with rates that can fluctuate widely from week to week.

Exactly how the guidance will be implemented in Minnesota is unclear, but a joint statement by the state departments of health and education said, “We will be using the updated CDC guidance to inform our state guidance, including our school guidance coming out in the near future.” Continue reading.

Minnesota’s COVID-19 hospitalizations, positivity rate increase

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Children 12 and older need to receive first doses this week in order to be considered fully vaccinated by the traditional start of fall K-12 classes. 

State officials urged more Minnesotans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in response to an uptick in pandemic activity, including a rise in hospitalizations, that is being fueled by the more infectious delta variant of the coronavirus.

“It’s really a new thing that we’re dealing with — not the same old COVID that you think of from a year ago,” state infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann said Monday, linking the variant first identified in India to 75% of new infections in Minnesota.

While 66.5% of eligible Minnesotans 12 and older have received at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Ehresmann said that has left gaps in the state where the virus has spread and caused more severe illness. The 153 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported Monday were an increase from 90 two weeks ago, and Ehresmann said almost all involved unvaccinated individuals. Continue reading.

Minnesota adopts clean cars standard that require more electric vehicles

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New emissions rule means more dealerships will offer the option. 

Minnesota is the latest state — and the first in the Midwest — to adopt California’s stricter tailpipe emissions standards and mandate for automakers to get more zero-emission vehicles onto sales lots.

The rules don’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2024, for 2025 models, so Minnesotans likely will not see an immediate burst of new electric vehicle options at dealerships. But the adoption sends a clear signal, and vehicle selection is expected to expand in the next 18 months.

Notice of official adoption of the rules was posted Monday in the Minnesota State Register. Continue reading.

Today at 5:30pm: Majority Leader Winkler meets with violence prevention group EMERGE

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. — House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler is meeting with violence prevention groups to discuss a new state grant program dedicated to innovation in community safety. The new state budget appropriates $800,000 for organizations that provide youth, young adult, and family anti-violence outreach programs; offer community healing and wellness; and help address mental health needs.

Members of the press are welcome to attend and should RSVP to matt.roznowski@house.mn to receive details about location of meetings. 

What: Meeting to discuss new grant program for innovation in community safety
When: Wednesday, July 28 at 5:30pm 
Who:

  • Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
  • Members of EMERGE

Today at noon: Frontline Worker Pay Working Group meets for the first time

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Saint Paul, Minnesota — Members of the Frontline Worker Pay Working Group are scheduled to meet for the first time today at 12pm. An agenda and pre-submitted public testimony are available here. Live video will be available here. 

The working group was established during the June 2021 special session to make recommendations to the Legislature on how to disburse $250,000,000 in direct financial support to frontline workers. In developing its recommendation, the working group must consider factors including a frontline worker’s increased financial burden and increased risk of virus exposure due to the nature of their work.

The working group must submit proposed legislative language implementing its recommendations to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate Majority Leader by September 6, 2021. The Legislature would need to meet in a special session to pass and send a bill to Gov. Walz. 

What: Frontline Worker Pay Working Group holds its first public hearing
When: Wednesday, July 28 at 12pm
Where: Minnesota Capitol, Room G-3
Who: Members of the Frontline Worker Pay Working Group

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 23, 2021

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Governor Walz Continued Statewide Education Tour

Gov. Walz Education Tour

This week, Governor Walz continued an education tour across Minnesota to celebrate the historic investments in education included in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget. He made stops at schools in Lake Elmo, Nisswa, and Mankato. More stops to be announced soon!

Governor Walz Visited Polk County Farm to Survey Drought Conditions and Meet with Farmers

Gov. Walz Talks Drought with Farmers

On Thursday, Governor Walz visited a farm in Polk County to survey the drought and discuss its impact with farmers.

“After a year that challenged Minnesotans across the state, our farmers are suffering yet another setback from the persistent drought,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesota farmers and ranchers feed not just Minnesota but the entire world, and this drought is threatening their livelihoods. We continue to maintain close communication with our federal partners and the agricultural community to ensure we’re providing the support and flexibility our farmers and ranchers need during this challenging time.” 

Governor Walz Met Croatian Officials to Celebrate 25 Years of the Minnesota National Guard’s Partnership with Croatia

Gov. Walz with National Guard and Croatian Officials

On Tuesday, Governor Walz met with Major General Shawn Manke, DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, and Croatian Officials to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Minnesota National Guard’s partnership program with Croatia.

Commission on Judicial Selection Recommends Fourth Judicial District Candidates to Governor Walz

On Wednesday, the Commission on Judicial Selection announced it is recommending five candidates for consideration to fill two vacancies in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. These vacancies will occur upon the retirements of the Honorable Margaret A. Daly and the Honorable Kathleen D. Sheehy. These seats are chambered in Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

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GOP candidate for governor, physician Scott Jensen speaking with anti-vaccine group founded by doctor charged in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

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GOP candidate for governor Scott Jensen is slated to participate in a virtual event with a group that strongly questions COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness and was founded by a doctor arrested for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Simone Gold, a physician who founded America’s Frontline Doctors, tweeted on Mondaythat Jensen is among speakers for a July 27 livestream hosted by her group. 

“Don’t miss the critical information you need to navigate the deception and confusion of the Chinese Coronavirus lockdowns and the derelict public health response,” an event flyer says. “Content will include brilliant and ethical doctors speaking truthfully and delivering the verified science and data.” Continue reading.

Minnesota mayors urge support of massive infrastructure bill

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Noting the potential payoffs to Minn., they urge the state’s congressional delegation to do same. 

DULUTH – Duluth’s working seaport supports 8,000 jobs and, along with the port in neighboring Superior, Wis., $1.4 billion in economic activity.

That’s a key driver for Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s support of President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill scheduled for a procedural vote Wednesday in the U.S. Senate, she said at a news conference Monday.

Minnesota members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and two of the state’s business leaders met virtually to urge Minnesota’s congressional delegation to support the bill, focusing heavily on its bipartisan nature. The eight-year plan would invest in public works projects, including roads, bridges, broadband, public transit and passenger rail. Continue reading.