The Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee visited Halstad, Crookston, Moorhead and East Grand Forks this week to tour potential projects that could be included in a 2026 bonding bill. One place that wasn’t on the committee’s agenda was Mahnomen—which has been trying for years to get state funding for improvements to the city’s hospital. R&J…
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Yesterday, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks spoke to R&J News about the possibility of a special session in the State Legislature. Voters might wonder what would happen if no bill would advance in the Legislature. Senator Johnson had this to say. Governor Tim Walz has dropped hints about calling a…
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The Minnesota State Legislature is in recess until next year, but it’s never too early to look ahead, and project what might be in store. One of the people who have started looking ahead is Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), who goes over some things that may be priorities in 2026. As for Rasmusson, he…
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There was a bonding bill included in the Minnesota State Budget that passed on Monday. Mahnomen City Administrator Taylor Guenther says the Mahnomen Hospital wasn’t included in that bonding bill. Guenther says the State Legislature should focus its next bonding bill on local projects. Guenther says the City will meet with its lobbyists in the…
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called a special session of the State Legislature for this coming Monday, June 9. This special session is to pass a state budget before the July 1 deadline. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks reacts to the special session. Johnson was asked if the special session might…
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Members of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives held a work group on the Omnibus K-12 Education Bill, in order to prepare for the upcoming special session that’s expected to be called by Governor Walz in the coming days. Rep Cheryl Youakim (D-Hopkins) outlines the current agreement between Democrats and Republicans when it comes…
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MAHNOMEN, MN—With the Minnesota Legislative session over, R&J News checked in with Mahnomen City Administrator Taylor Guenther about whether the City will get money to pay for improvements at the Mahnomen Hospital. Guenther says the City and its lobbyists have been looking for a “Plan B” to find some funding. Guenther says that wasn’t the…
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Thursday morning Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and legislative leaders from the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives announced a bipartisan budget target agreement, which will act as the framework for the state budget. Governor Walz was the first to speak about the agreement, and he praised lawmakers for coming to an agreement that’s fiscally responsible,…
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ST. PAUL, MN—As you may know, Minnesota House DFL members have boycotted House activities since the session began last week. This past Tuesday, a House committee meeting was disrupted by protesters who claimed the hearing was illegitimate because no DFLers were at the meeting. A foul-mouthed rant followed for 20 minutes. State Representative Steve Gander…
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Minnesota State Representative Steve Gander began his first term in St. Paul last week as successor to longtime District 1B Representative Deb Kiel. The East Grand Forks Republican took his oath of office with House DFL members boycotting the ceremony, as well as boycotting all House activities. Gander says in the meantime, he’ll work with…
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