Daily Digest: TGIF edition
Good morning and congratulations on making it to another Friday. Gov. Mark Dayton was said to be resting comfortably Thursday at the Mayo Clinic after prostate surgery which went as planned. Here's the Digest:
1. The Minnesota House Thursday night passed a bill that puts the brakes on attempts by cities to impose labor standards on private employers. Supporters of what has become known as the preemption bill argued that it is needed to prevent a patchwork of local ordinances that will make it impossible for businesses to operate. Opponents contend it's aimed at sick leave ordinances passed in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and that it takes away local control. (MPR News)
2. A state planning document shows that the Republican health care proposal in Washington, a draft of which was circulated last week, would cut $1.3 billion next year from Minnesota’s low-income health care program that covers roughly one-sixth of the state's 5.5 million residents. By 2021, the losses would accumulate to more than $5 billion, eventually costing the state $6 billion a year starting in 2029. That analysis was prepared by the state’s Department of Human Services, which runs those programs. (AP via Pioneer Press)
3. The Minnesota House voted 88-39 Thursday to accept the Senate’s version of a bill repealing the ban on Sunday liquor stores sales that’s been on the books since statehood. Gov. Dayton has said he will sign a repeal if it reached his desk. Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, chief sponsor of the House legislation, noted the biggest difference in the Senate bill was the 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours liquor stores could be open. The version passed by the House allowed stores to open an hour earlier. “It’s time that we change this law, bringing Minnesota liquor laws into the 21st century,” Loon said before the vote. “Allow Minnesota retailers to serve their Minnesota customers if they chose on Sunday and stop that migration of customers going across the border. Let’s keep those revenues and these sales in our state.” (Pioneer Press)
4. Seven Iron Range residents, including former DFL state Rep. Tom Rukavina and a nonprofit group filed a lawsuit late last week against Gov. Mark Dayton and the state of Minnesota alleging the governor’s executive order to deny access and leases to a potential underground copper-nickel mining operation financially harmed Minnesota residents. They’re claiming Dayton’s executive order directing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to deny Twin Metals access to state lands was an overreach of power that will cost state residents millions through the school trust fund, 800 jobs connected to the project and another 1,440 jobs in related industries. “I strongly believe that I am acting within the scope of my authority as the Chief Executive of the State of Minnesota,” Dayton said in a statement. (Mesabi Daily News)
5. Soul-searching among Minnesota Democrats still smarting from November losses culminates Saturday with a contested race Saturday for DFL Party leader. This weekend, DFLers will choose whether to stick with current party chair Ken Martin, or choose a new direction at a meeting in Hinckley, Minn. Martin, who seeks a fourth term, is being challenged by Donna Cassutt, who was the party's associate chair from 2005 to 2011. (MPR News)
6. Vice President Mike Pence routinely used a private email account to conduct public business as governor of Indiana, at times discussing sensitive matters and homeland security issues. Pence criticized Hillary Clinton throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, accusing her of trying to keep her emails out of public reach and exposing classified information to potential hackers. A Pence spokesman called any comparisons between Pence and Clinton "absurd," noting that Pence didn't deal with federally classified information as governor. Pence’s account was compromised last summer by a scammer who sent an email to his contacts claiming Pence and his wife were stranded in the Philippines and in urgent need of money. (Indianapolis Star)
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