Minnesota lawmakers begin debating how to use budget surplus
Minnesota lawmakers begin debating how to use budget surplus By Holly Bernstein | February 26, 2021 at 8:44 PM CST - Updated February 26 at 8:44 PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KEYC) â Minnesota economists say the stateâs budget outlook has swung from a $1.3 billion deficit to a $1.6 billion surplus.
According to the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, the numbers are due to an improved US economic outlook, which has been bolstered by stimulus measures the federal government has taken since the state department issued its last forecast in November.
The agency cites a higher revenue forecast, lower projected state spending and an increased surplus for the current fiscal year, but they say the rising tide hasnât lifted all boats as unemployment continues to disproportionately impact lower-wage workers.
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the data needed to redraw district lines from U.S. Congress to the county board won’t arrive until Sept. 30 — a full
Rep. Jeremy Munson speaks out after House launches investigation on 6 GOP reps By Bernadette Heier | January 14, 2021 at 7:05 PM CST - Updated January 14 at 7:37 PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KEYC) Rep. Jeremy Munson (R-Lake Crystal) is pushing back after the Minnesota House investigates a Pro-Trump rally in St. Paul.
Six Republican lawmakers, including Munson, are under investigation after attending a “Storm the Capitol” rally, the same day rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol building in Washington.
Newly elected District 19A Rep. Susan Akland (R-St. Peter) also attended the rally.
Munson says the backlash legislators are receiving for attending the rally is “overblown” and that representatives should meet with citizens who come to the government seeking change.
House DFL demand GOPers who attended Stop the Steal rally in St. Paul denounce threats, violent rhetoric
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said if they don t denounce the threats they need to be held accountable.
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Democratic leaders in the Minnesota House of Representatives are calling on a few of their Republican colleagues to be held accountable if they do not denounce threats of violence that were made during a rally they attended at the state Capitol last week.
In a statement Monday, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, condemned the participation of six representatives in the Storm the Capitol rally at the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
2nd Minnesota restaurant found in contempt of court for violating Walz order
The Interchange in Albert Lea was found in contempt of court by Freeborn County District Court.
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Credit: Google Street View
A second Minnesota restaurant owner has been found in contempt of court for remaining open for dine-in service in the face of Gov. Tim Walz s executive order that has banned such service at bars and restaurants since Nov. 17.
While the order will expire this weekend and be replaced Monday with an order from Walz that allows indoor dining at 50% capacity, The Interchange Wine and Coffee Bistro has been found in contempt of court by Freeborn County District Court and will be fined $3,000 for every day it continues to violate the governor s order.