Man charged with killing prominent lawmaker could face a rarity for Minnesota: the death penalty
MINNEAPOLIS — The man charged with killing a prominent Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another could face something that is a rarity for Minnesota but could become more common under the Trump administration: the death penalty.
Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911, and the state's last execution was a botched hanging in 1906. But federal prosecutors announced charges against Vance Boelter on Monday that can carry the death penalty.
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E&E News
19 minutes ago
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Louisiana will likely limit eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
Louisiana lawmakers last week approved new limits on carbon capture projects seizing private property, defying the oil sector in a long-simmering fight that has divided Republicans historically aligned with the oil and gas industry. Under S.B. 244 — an omnibus of natural resources policies that Republican Gov. Jeff Landry is expected to sign — builders of pipelines to carry carbon dioxide for storage could use eminent domain powers only if their project is registered as a 'common carrier' serving the public. In most circumstances, the restriction would bar the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines serving only a single company. The bill would remove language in Louisiana law that recognizes greenhouse gas sequestration as a public benefit, another move aimed at limiting developers' power to build across private lands over owners' objections. Bill supporters say it would leave the question of public benefits to judges presiding over expropriation cases. Advertisement The bill also would make it more difficult to seize land for underground carbon storage. Under current state law, a developer must obtain the rights to lease 75 percent of a storage project's acreage before it can force the use of the rest. The bill would raise the threshold to 85 percent.
Politico
22 minutes ago
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Members clash over increasing their own security
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Only a select few leaders in each chamber have 24/7 security, while rank-and-file members have little day-to-day protection unless they've been deemed to be under an active threat. Some members, like Rep. Tim Burchett, want more widespread coverage. There's one problem: Some lawmakers have been reticent to take advantage of the resources that are already on offer. They can use official office funds to buy security equipment and take advantage of a program providing security upgrades for lawmakers' primary residences. Capitol Police also offer to coordinate some in-district events with state and local police departments. But while more than half of House lawmakers last year participated in the home security program, hundreds of thousands of dollars in security resources were left unspent, with those not enrolled citing either lack of interest or a feeling that the paperwork and approval process was too burdensome, according to two people familiar with the initiative. 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If all goes well, Republicans would quickly wrap up parliamentarian work this week and have a draft of the full bill by Monday. GOP senators and aides are tentatively preparing for an initial procedural vote next Wednesday or Thursday, which would set up final passage that weekend. But that depends on leaders striking deals on key policy disputes; Sen. Ron Johnson predicted if the bill is brought to the floor next week in its current state, 'it will fail.' Chief among the disputes: Hospital executives are joining 'Medicaid moderates' in digging in against Senate Finance's proposed overhaul of the health care program, even as Trump dispatched Vance and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz to the Hill Tuesday to allay senators' concerns. Oz argued that lowering the cap on state provider taxes — which the House wants to freeze and the Senate wants to reduce to 3.5 percent from 6 percent — won't 'influence the ability of hospitals to stay viable.' Thune backed him up, casting the Senate's proposed Medicaid changes as 'important reforms.' But Sen. Josh Hawley, who's alarmed about the potential impact to rural hospitals, isn't backing down. He spoke with Trump about the Medicaid changes Tuesday and skipped GOP senators' lunch with Vance and Oz, dismissing the latter as 'not a decision-maker.' Vance met Monday with another senator with Medicaid concerns, Susan Collins, though they both declined to share details of the chat. Another problem for Thune: Several GOP senators are seeking to further soften Finance's proposed rollback of clean energy credits, aiming to give more time for hydrogen and solar power to qualify for the federal incentives in Democrats' 2022 climate law, our Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino report. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, Jim Justice and Bill Cassidy expressed surprise Tuesday about the committee's harsh treatment of the hydrogen credit. 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It's the latest effort to elevate the party's efforts to thwart Trump's agenda in Washington, as the Democratic base demands a more aggressive confrontation with the White House. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Andrea Campbell of Massachusetts, Kwame Raoul of Illinois and Matthew J. Platkin of New Jersey will testify. Ellison is expected to speak about the political violence in his state after the shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses. Best of POLITICO Pro and E&E: THE BEST OF THE REST Democrats Preview a New Attack: Trump's Pardons Are Majorly Expensive, from Riley Rogerson at NOTUS 'A Direct Attack on Women': Lawmakers Demand Labor Secretary Preserve the Women's Bureau, from Julianne McShane at Mother Jones CAPITOL HILL INFLUENCE Michael Marn is now a senior manager for federal affairs at the Computer and Communications Industry Association. He was previously a legislative assistant to Sen. Marsha Blackburn and a policy analyst for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. SPOTTED — Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman was in the Senate basement on Wednesday, Hailey writes in. The billionaire and GOP megadonor was a confidant to Trump during his first term and supported his 2024 presidential bid — after condemning the Capitol riot and calling for a peaceful transfer of power in 2021. GOP GROUP DEFENDS IRA INCENTIVES — Built for America is pouring another $1.5 million into ads urging six Republican senators — Todd Young, Dave McCormick, Thom Tillis, Jerry Moran, John Cornyn and Finance Chair Mike Crapo — to preserve green credits under Democrats' 2022 climate law, POLITICO influence reports. The ads build on the group's initial $2 million buy targeting the president and his inner circle over Republicans' push to gut the incentives. JOB BOARD Lexi Hamel has been promoted to senior adviser for Rep. Mike Simpson. She continues as his comms director. Grace Evans has been promoted to be comms director for Sen. Katie Britt. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Reps. Andy Ogles, Jenn Kiggans and Paul Tonko … former Rep. Jerry McNerney … former Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Mike Johanns … David Drucker … CNN's DJ Judd … Robert O'Brien … Axios' Nick Johnston … House's Kate Knudson … Will Kinzel … Narric Rome … Daniel Epstein … POLITICO's Isabel Delgado and Amber Ebersohl … Hattie Hobart of Nature Is Nonpartisan … Dina Powell McCormick … SKDK's Ajashu Thomas TRIVIA TUESDAY'S ANSWER: Joe Bookman correctly answered that John F. Kennedy was the first presidential candidate to appear on late night television when he joined Jack Paar's Tonight show. TODAY'S QUESTION, from Mia: This past Sunday was Father's Day. Name the former member of Congress who is the only person to have been both the son and the father of a U.S. president. The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Inside Congress. Send your answers to insidecongress@
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
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State will provide funding for care of retired police horses if Gov. Meyer signs this bill
Legislation introduced earlier in 2025 aims to provide financial assistance to owners of retired law enforcement horses in Delaware. Five months later, the bill is one step away from being a done deal. Here's what you need to know. Senator Dave Lawson (R-Marydel) and Rep. Bill Carson (D-Smyrna) introduced Senate Bill 38 on Jan. 10 to provide financial assistance to owners caring for retired law enforcement horses. The average lifespan of a horse is 25 to 30 years, with the average active-duty life span of a horse ranging from 16 to 20 years, depending on its age and health. SB 38 notes that horses used in law enforcement endure physically demanding tasks that make proper care after service 'essential for their wellbeing.' SB 38 wants to ensure that care by expanding financial support to include up to $5,000 annually for veterinary care and farrier services for owners of these retired horses. The amount proposed initially was $3,000, but that figure was later increased as part of Senate Amendment 1 to SB 38. In a statement from the Delaware Senate earlier this year, Lawson said it is 'our duty' to provide proper care and attention during the horses' retirement years in their new loving homes. Carson added that the retired horses are 'heroes,' saying their wellbeing is a responsibility held by the entire community. More money to smoke: 'It's about saving lives.' Tobacco tax hike introduced in Delaware House According to the bill's fiscal note, SB 38 requires the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Fire Prevention Commission, the Department of Correction and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issue veterinary care reimbursements and promulgate regulations to create a reimbursement process for retired law enforcement horse if applicable to the respective department. The FPC, DOC and DNREC do not have horses in service, but DSHS has eight in service with the Delaware State Police Mounted Patrol Unit with varying years of active-duty service. DSP estimates that one of its horses, 16 years old, might retire soon due to an on-duty leg injury. The agency also predicts that one horse might retire every five years, with some retiring early due to 'an unusual event that may require early retirement,' such as injuries and health or behavioral issues. SB 38's fiscal projection assumes there may be between one and two horses eligible for retirement within the first few fiscal years. As DSP's Mounted Patrol Unit ages, eligibility is expected to increase beyond the fiscal projection's scope, the document noted. The projection currently outlines a $0 minimum and a $6,000 maximum for reimbursement for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. Carney's plans: Wilmington Mayor John Carney has vision for city - and it involves city's biggest players SB 38 passed in the Senate on March 25 and in the House on June 12. It now awaits Gov. Matt Meyer's signature. If approved, the act is effective immediately and will be implemented six months after enactment. Delaware beach trip staples: These are the things you have to do on your Delaware beach vacation The owners of law enforcement horses that retired before the implementation of the act are not eligible for reimbursement. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How care of retired Delaware police horses could be funded by state
