Latest news with #DFL-led
Axios
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Minnesota may OK online driver's license renewals
Minnesota lawmakers are weighing whether to give a green light to renewing your driver's license online. Why it matters: No one likes waiting in line at DVS. Driving the news: A proposal directing the Department of Public Safety to establish a process for online renewals of regular and Real ID-compliant driver's licenses sailed through the divided House as part of a broader transportation spending and policy bill this week. The fine print: Online renewals would only be permitted for existing Minnesota license holders 18 and older whose address has not changed and who have had their ID picture snapped within the last five years. The catch: The language isn't in the latest version of the DFL-led Senate's draft transportation budget bill, though Gov. Tim Walz included the proposal in his own budget. That law expired in 2021.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House housing budget includes incentives for zoning reforms
The Minnesota Capitol. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. A budget bill passed by the state House housing committee Wednesday would prioritize funding for communities whose rules allow for multifamily housing construction, and don't require certain size, parking or aesthetic requirements for new developments. The bill (HF2445, as amended) instructs the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to 'prioritize applications for projects located in jurisdictions that have policies conducive to developing residential properties' in its competitive grant and loan programs. The agency would prioritize cities and counties that: Allow multifamily housing in at least 75% of the area zoned for commercial use. Allow duplexes, townhomes or detached apartments in at least 75% of the area zoned for single-family housing, and allowing developers to get permits for those buildings using the same process and standards as single-family homes. Do not require more than one parking stall per unit of housing. Do not require lots to be bigger than one-eighth of an acre. Do not require certain aesthetics, materials or garage sizes. 'This is providing a carrot — not a mandate, but a carrot — to cities to update their own policies in a way that will make it easier to build more homes,' said Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, who is co-chair of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee. The policies prioritized in the budget bill are similar to those backed by housing leaders in both parties, plus religious groups, labor unions and housing developers. Those policy bills passed in both housing committees, but have not yet received hearings in the state and local government committees, where similar legislation died last year after intense opposition from city leaders. Big-picture budget negotiations between the DFL-led Senate and tied House are still ongoing, but both chambers indicated they would like to give the state housing agency a small funding boost, while looking for large cuts elsewhere. The budget bill passed by the housing committee would allocate: $500,000 in one-time funding for a statewide hotline to educate and advise renters. $150,000 to establish a new task force on accessible housing. $20 million in one-time funding — more than double the funding in the current budget — for grants to greater Minnesota cities for the cost of extending sewer, water, streets and other infrastructure. A $30 million one-time boost for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, in addition to the program's $10.7 million in ongoing funding. Ongoing funding for existing programs that finance the development of workforce housing, affordable rental housing, manufactured home infrastructure and housing rehabilitation; and programs that provide rental assistance, homeowner education and support to homebuyers.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As MN Legislature again weighs ending ban on new nuclear plants, Prairie Island tribe a key voice
Minnesota lawmakers are once again debating whether the state should lift a three-decade ban on new nuclear power plants in the state. Though in order for that to happen, advocates will need to persuade skeptical Democrats and a Dakota community whose land is right next to an existing plant. At a Thursday hearing for a new bill to lift Minnesota's nuclear moratorium, the House Energy Committee heard from advocates who say nuclear power will be key to the state's clean energy transition and opponents concerned about costs, safety and storage of nuclear waste. Republican members advanced the bill for a vote of the full House, though its prospects are unclear. The Prairie Island Indian Community's approval could be key to securing support from Democratic Farmer-Labor lawmakers, and while a tribal representative said he was encouraged by conversations with bill author Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, more needs to be done before they could support an end to the ban. Blake Johnson, a lobbyist for the southeast Minnesota tribe, acknowledged the role of nuclear energy in producing carbon-free electricity for the state, but said the community needs more assurance it is protected from expansion of nuclear power. 'Our tribal members have lived next to spent nuclear waste for 30 years and next to a generating plant for 50 years,' he said. 'What would you say if your people are struggling with what sits in the earth and adding more means that it will be a problem we leave for our children, our children's children, and so on?' Prairie Island sits about 700 yards away from the nuclear power plant and more than 1,000 tons of radioactive waste, closer than any other community in the United States, tribal or otherwise, Johnson said. The nuclear plant was constructed without tribal consent half a century ago, just a few years before Prairie Island received electricity and running water, Johnson said. The state approved on-site waste storage with the promise there'd be a moratorium on new nuclear power and an eventual federal long-term solution for storage. Igo's bill would allow the state Public Utilities Commission to issue a 'certificate of need' for a nuclear power plant again and contains language specifically banning the construction of a new nuclear plant or waste storage facility on Prairie Island. Minnesota has two nuclear power plants that started operating in the 1970s: a two-reactor plant at Prairie Island near Red Wing and a one-reactor plant in Monticello. None have been built since following a moratorium on new plants enacted in 1994. Advocates argue nuclear power will be key as the state transitions to carbon-free electricity to combat climate change. The DFL-led Legislature passed a bill in 2023 requiring all energy in the state to be carbon neutral by 2040, and nuclear would be a key part of providing reliable baseload power, they say. Republicans have repeatedly tried to remove the 2040 mandate, but they say nuclear power will help if it remains in place. 'It's important that we utilize every tool in the tool box that we pursue an all of the above energy approach,' Igo said. 'And if we're going to get there and we're going to make sure to keep energy affordable and reliable, we need to use everything at our disposal.' Some DFL members of the House Energy Committee said they were curious about nuclear power but wanted more reassurances about safety, waste and costs. Rep. Athena Hollins, DFL-St. Paul said she was happy Igo had worked with the Prairie Island Indian Community, but added lawmakers should do more to ensure waste doesn't end up elsewhere in the state. 'We always end up putting it in the communities that are most vulnerable and are historically disadvantaged,' she said. 'I think that it needs to be a broader conversation.' Concerns about Prairie Island, practicality of building new plants by 2040, and environmental risks have kept most Democrats from openly supporting an end to the moratorium, but some senators have gotten on board. A 2025 bill sponsored by Sen. Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton, has the support of Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, and Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin. It hasn't seen success in the DFL-controlled Senate. Xcel Energy, which runs the state's two nuclear plants, says nuclear will play a 'foundational role' in the transition to carbon-free electricity. The company is open to expansion in Minnesota, but has not taken a position on lifting the moratorium. 'While we believe that advanced nuclear energy resources should be one of the options as we continue the energy transition, any discussion about lifting the state's moratorium on new nuclear plants must include the Prairie Island Indian Community as a key stakeholder,' spokesman Theo Keith told the Pioneer Press in a statement. Minnesota Power, which provides electricity in northeastern parts of the state, said the state should approach lifting the moratorium with 'care and intent.' 'We believe that ensuring reliability and affordability as we decarbonize our system, means all emerging technology and options, including nuclear power, need to be carefully considered to help meet the energy needs of the future,' said Minnesota Power spokesperson Amy Rutledge. Politics | Ethics panel deadlocks on complaints against senator charged with felony — again Politics | DFL candidate wins special election, returning Minnesota House to tie Politics | Former Minnesota Sen. Melisa López Franzen to run for U.S. Senate in 2026 Politics | Control of Minnesota House depends on Roseville area special election Tuesday Politics | Economic 'uncertainty' drives down Minnesota's surplus, grows projected future deficit
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rochester chamber calls for delay in state paid leave law; says effects will be 'crippling' for businesses
Feb. 22—ROCHESTER — Two years ago, the DFL-led Legislature passed landmark legislation establishing an insurance program that would provide Minnesota workers up to 20 weeks of paid leave each year for family and medical purposes. Now, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is adding its voice to calls for a delay in implementation of the Paid Family Leave and Medical Act. The law, set to take effect in January 2026, provides partial wage replacement for employees for 12 weeks to 20 weeks for medical leave, caring for a family member or safety leave. The chamber says small businesses will suffer disproportionately under its mandates. "For many businesses, especially small businesses, which make up 80% of our over 1,200 members, the effects of Paid Family Medical Leave mandate in its current form will be crippling," said the recent edition of "The Advocate," the chamber's monthly newsletter. "It is imperative that PFML's implementation be paused by one year due to significant concerns from the business community." Business leaders say that small outfits are already struggling to fill job openings. The law will add to the strain and challenge of filling temporary positions. Many businesses lack the capacity to absorb prolonged employee absences, they say. The Rochester chamber is calling for a one-year delay under legislation supported by GOP House legislators, including Rep. Pam Altendorf of Red Wing. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and other city chapters are also calling for a delay. The law, which passed largely on party-line votes in 2023, provides Minnesota workers with paid time off to deal with family and medical issues. To fund the program, it imposes a tax on employers and employees starting Jan. 1, 2026. The premium rate would be 0.7% of the employee's wages, at least half of which would be paid by the employer. Ryan Parsons, president of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, said it was "very likely" that small outfits would go out of business as a result of its mandates. Employers are already scrambling to meet workforce needs, and the law would exacerbate the problem. He added that a business that loses an employee to paid leave will still need the work to be performed and will need to hire a replacement. But once the employee on paid leave returns to work, "you may have also brought on some great new talent. How does that work within the budget," Parsons said. Parsons predicted that the child care and education sectors in particular would be "hard hit" by the law's provisions. He also said the 0.7% levy will not cover the program's costs, and taxes will need to be raised to cover the shortfall. "it is going to need more," Parsons said. At the time of its passage, the law signed by DFL Gov. Tim Walz was hailed as a humane measure for employees. Employers can opt out of the state-run program provided they offer private plan benefits that are at least equal to benefits under the state plan. Grants to offset the program's costs are eligible to employers with 30 or fewer employees and less than $3 million in gross revenues. The law's authors argued that providing broader protections for state employees would improve maternal and child health incomes, as well as financial security. And it could encourage workers to stay in their jobs longer. "This program is going to even the playing field," said DFL Sen. Alice Mann of Edina. "It will keep people out of poverty and, most importantly, the program is built on a foundation that we are all worthy, that all of our experiences and life trajectories are equally important." At the time of its passage, Minnesota became the first state in the Midwest to enact a paid leave law. It joined 11 other states and Washington, D.C., with paid leave laws on the books. A change to the law would be challenging given the current political makeup in The House and Senate are nearly evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with the DFL having a one-seat edge in the Senate and the GOP a similar margin in the House. Walz, who signed the legislation, would also have to be on board.
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Minnesota House bill would remove restrictions on electronic pull tab games that charities say are slashing revenues
Many electronic pull tab games patrons of bars and restaurants in Minnesota have come to know include special features like bonuses, free plays and "open all" functions. Not anymore. That's because the DFL-led legislature passed a law two years ago prohibiting those elements to ensure the games don't mimic video slot machines exclusive to the state's casinos and violate gaming compacts with the tribes that operate them. But a GOP-backed bill this session would reverse all of those restrictions and allow those games once again. The legislation's supporters told a House committee on Wednesday that the change would shore up much-needed funding for good, local causes that charitable gambling organizations help. All the games with those features had to be removed by the end of last year, according to the law, and revenue has plummeted as a result, some charitable groups told reporters Wednesday. New versions that don't have those play functions have not caught on with customers, they said. "We tried to make lemonade out of lemons. We told our customers, 'It's not going to be so bad.' We don't want to have it be a self-fulfilling prophecy of some sort," said Tim Engstrom with the American Legion Department of Minnesota. "We tried our best to put a smile on this. And the customers — they still didn't like the new games." Revenue from e-pull tabs at the American Legion in Bloomington dropped by 44% this January compared to last January, Engstrom said. The first month of implementation, these organizations worry, does not portend well for the rest of the year unless there are changes. Overall, revenues after prizes were paid out totaled $386 million for charities last year, said Rachel Jenner, executive director of Allied Charities. The bill, sponsored by GOP Rep. Bjorn Olson of Fairmont, advanced in committee on Wednesday along a party line vote. Democrats on the panel rejected the plan and said there should be a better way to support charitable efforts than relying on revenue from the games. "I also really believe in having integrity and honoring promises and the words that we give, especially to our sovereign government neighbors," said Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, DFL-Woodbury. DFL lawmakers when they greenlit the changes in 2023 also pointed to a court decision that said the proper process wasn't followed to initially bring those games with "open all" features online. "These programs are really important to our communities and our state and I think that direct appropriations and funding those types of programs is a way the state can contribute to their mission," said Rep. Sandra Feist, DFL-New Brighton. "I don't know how we got here that we're asking charities to run gambling operations to fund their important services. In a sports betting bill that has buy-in from all key stakeholders, charitable gambling organizations would stand to get 45% of the revenues. But the future of that legislation is uncertain, and those groups say any funding from it might not even be enough to make them whole if the restrictions on games stay. Allied Charities still supports that bill because the $40 million windfall from it would be "more tax cuts than we've seen ever," said Jenner, the group's executive director. But she was frank about the financial outlook: "If we continue to see the losses that we're seeing now that sports betting revenue will not offset those losses." Olson acknowledged the bill will likely change given the make-up of the Minnesota House requiring bipartisan support to pass bills and the DFL-controlled state Senate, and he said he is open to compromise.
