Politics and Government News

There are big questions about what happens next at the Minnesota Capitol today after lawmakers missed a deadline to pass a big tax cut and major spending bills. MPR News Political Editor, Mike Mulcahy, has more.
Work at Capitol not done as session deadline passes
The Minnesota Legislature missed a midnight Sunday deadline to pass major bills to cut taxes and spend a large chunk of the budget surplus. It’s unclear whether they will resume the work in a special legislative session.
Deal reached on bill that eliminates taxes on Social Security income
Negotiators at the Minnesota Capitol said they had a deal Saturday afternoon on a bill that cuts income taxes, exempts Social Security income from taxes, and increases the renters’ credit. But deals on other key pieces of legislation weren’t in sight as time in the session dwindled.
DFL endorses Walz for second term
At the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester Friday night, Walz said Democrats have a winning message this fall despite Republican rhetoric.
Scant time left for lawmakers as they grasp for session deals
There was progress on some bills Friday, but on the major issues involving large parts of the budget surplus closed door meetings yielded few results as the Legislature entered the last weekend of the 2022 session. 
Budget items stall with just days left in legislative session
A proposal to legalize sports betting has survived a test amid lawmakers’ efforts to pull together the pieces of a package to spend the Minnesota’s enormous budget surplus with just days remaining in the legislative session.
 Facing election headwinds, Minnesota Democrats gather for convention
High inflation, gas prices and crime rates are all working against incumbent Minnesota Democrats this election year. As the party holds its state convention this weekend in Rochester, party leaders say they believe voters will still prefer them over the Republican alternative.
DFL to hold its state convention in Rochester
On the heels of a GOP state convention that featured several contested endorsements, it’s Minnesota Democrats' turn to gather in Rochester. But there’s much less suspense because DFLers already hold all of Minnesota’s statewide offices.
Deal at the Capitol to ‘free the growler’
Large craft brewers would be able to sell growlers under a bill approved by a House-Senate conference committee Thursday.