Age of Trump:
Congressional Republicans lobby Trump to back down on tariffs, MPR News
Trump Reaffirms Commitment to Tariffs but Opens Door to Compromise, New York Times
Governor Dayton:
Minnesota projects $328M budget surplus, Daily News
Gun Debate:
States with Stricter Gun Laws Have Fewer Homicides and Suicides, VICE Continue reading “In the Know: March 6, 2018”
Gun Debate:
Our View: Be open to all ideas on gun violence, Duluth News Tribune
Minnesota Elections:
Bush earns Republican endorsement to challenge Sauke, Post Bulletin Continue reading “In the Know: March 5, 2018”
Age of Trump:
Trump to Impose Sweeping Steel and Aluminum Tariffs, New York Times
The Real Risks of Trump’s Steel and Aluminum Tariffs, New York Times
The Trump Admin’s Infrastructure Plan Doubles Down on a System That Doesn’t Work, In These Times
Emails show Interior Dept shrunk federally protected lands allow drilling: report, The Hill
Gov. Dayton:
Dayton, Johnson reintroduce MinnesotaCare buy-in option, Mankato Free Press Continue reading “In the Know: March 2, 2018”
The Minnesota Senate kicked off the second week of the 2018 session on a light note – former Olympic hockey player Senator David Tomassoni rose on the Senate Floor Monday to congratulate fellow Chisholm native John Shuster and his USA Curling teammates on winning the United States’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in curling. The entire Senate chamber rose to a standing ovation in response to Sen. Tomassoni’s speech.
On Wednesday, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released a new forecast that projects a $329 million budget surplus for the current biennium. Less than 10 years ago, Minnesota faced a $6 billion budget deficit. The remarkable fiscal turnaround is due in large part to a prudent decision made by Governor Dayton and DFL lawmakers to raise income taxes by 2% on the richest 2% of Minnesotans in 2013. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: March 2, 2018”
Governor Dayton:
Dayton to announce DMCC Board picks soon, Post Bulletin
Dayton proposes major ‘buy-in’ expansion for MinnesotaCare, Star Tribune
Dayton proposes funds for clean water projects, The Journal
Gun Debate:
Trump says some lawmakers too fearful of NRA to act on guns, The Times Herald
Students organize to march against gun violence in Washington, Minnesota Daily
With Guns in the Spotlight, Candidates for Governor Recalibrate Their Positions, Governing
NRA Attacks New Gun Control Bills Introduced In Minnesota, Patch
Trump Stuns Lawmakers With Calls for Gun Control, New York Times Continue reading “In the Know: March 1, 2018”
Age of Trump:
Hope Hicks Acknowledges She Sometimes Tells White Lies for Trump, New York Times
Kushner’s overseas contacts raise concerns as foreign officials seek leverage, Washington Post
Knowing Russia intends to hack Midterms, GOP fires key election official battling cyber attacks, Daily KOS
Governor Mark Dayton:
Dayton school safety plan to focus on money, mental health, MPR News Continue reading “In the Know: February 28, 2018”
Governor Mark Dayton:
Gov. Mark Dayton ‘open to anything’ to deter school shootings, Star Tribune
Gov. Dayton Signs Legislative Budget Into Law, CBS Minnesota
Minnesota Legislature:
Minnesota House panel casts for ideas to combat sex harassment, MPR
Minnesota Politics:
MN voters could decide how to fill lieutenant governor vacancies, MPR
Minnesota Senate Republicans say tax changes, school safety top priorities this session, Star Tribune Continue reading “In the Know: February 27, 2018”
Age of Trump:
Trump rips officers over Florida shooting: ‘I really believe I’d run in there even if I didn’t have a weapon’, USA Today
Rick Gates Pleads Guilty And Begins Cooperating With Mueller’s Russia Investigation, WNPR
Trump is tearing up the system that protects ordinary Americans from financial scams, VOX
Governor Mark Dayton:
Mankato area projects in Dayton’s water bonding plan, Mankato Free Press
Minnesota Politics:
Midterms mayhem: Minnesota seats could tip power in U.S. House in November, Star Tribune
What you need to know about the coming debate over Minnesota’s tax code, MinnPost Continue reading “In the Know: February 26, 2018”
Age of Trump:
Donald Trump to Unveil ‘Largest Ever’ Set of Sanctions on North Korea, Wall Street Journal
Attorney General Lori Swanson:
3M settles groundwater lawsuit for $850 million, Star Tribune
Governor Mark Dayton:
VIEWS FROM ELSEWHERE: Minnesota pursues opioid solutions while Trump administration dithers, Faribault Daily News Continue reading “In the Know: February 23, 2018”
State lawmakers returned to Saint Paul this week to kick off the 2018 Legislative Session. The second year of a biennium is historically reserved for the development of a significant capital investment bill (also known as the “bonding bill”) and a supplemental budget. Other press ing issues, such as federal tax conformity, will also take center stage.
TAXES: There is typically agreement among lawmakers to conform Minnesota’s tax code to federal tax reform, but this year may be different due to the Trump Administration’s federal tax changes. If Minnesota does not conform, 2019 state tax filing could be more complicated for taxpayers. If the state does conform, significant state-based tax reform will be needed to avoid a potential $463 million tax increase on Minnesotans. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 23, 2018”
