Recent content from Jessie Van Berkel
Legislative debate over solutions to Minnesota's housing shortage off to rocky start
The Minnesota Legislative Commission on Affordable Housing got a jump-start on considering ways to tackle housing issues in the 2022 session.
Gov. Walz announces $10M farm relief plan, but aid could get held up in political deadlock
Farmers say aid could help keep people afloat, and time is of the essence.
Police reform push crumbles in Congress
Attempts to reach a deal after George Floyd's killing by an officer fell apart.
For Minnesota college towns, 'perfect storm' hits census count
Cities rely on a full resident count for government funding, planning.
Soon-to-be Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller known as a 'fixer'
For Jeremy Miller, being Senate leader is the latest in a long list of job titles.
Frontline workers plead for portion of $250M as Minn. leaders debate who gets money
A group of lawmakers is deadlocked on who should receive "hero pay."
Minnesota Senate leadership posts open as Kent, Gazelka step down
Many names have been floated as potential candidates, but few senators have formally announced whether they are running.
Minnesota health officials decry COVID vaccine misinformation
A key GOP legislator is among those raising vaccine concerns. More than 1 million adults statewide remain unvaccinated.
Gazelka stepping down as Senate majority leader
Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka announced he is stepping down from his leadership post as he contemplates a run for governor, telling his GOP caucus he wants to "pursue the next chapter."
Minnesota's newly vaccinated credit family more than FDA
It may be too early to know if the FDA's blessing will convince the vaccine hesitant that the shots are safe and effective.
Minnesota's longtime watchdog Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles retiring
In a letter to legislators and colleagues, Nobles wrote that he was confident the good work of the office will continue.
Minnesota delegation divided on response in Afghanistan
Some prominent Minnesota Democrats stood behind the president's response.
Minnesota health officials hope for COVID-19 vaccine boost from FDA approval
Vaccine hesitancy has waned, but some say they are waiting for reassurance of full regulatory approval
From farm country to the suburbs, Minn. diversity climbed the past decade
Census shows clusters of growing racial and ethnic populations
Leaders failed to 'meet moment' on equity, Minn. activists say
Converting momentum into tangible policies and spending often proved difficult in the nation's only divided Legislature, where lawmakers disagree on how best to tackle disparities and just the word "equity" can spark disputes.
Neil Shah is second doctor to join GOP race for governor
Neil Shah, a dermatologist from North Oaks, has joined the battle for the GOP nomination in the 2022 Minnesota governor's race."I am determined to save…
Census shows Minn. diversity growing, white population sees first-ever drop
The 2020 count found the state's white non-Hispanic population declined slightly. The state's nonwhite population is driving Minnesota's overall population growth and these shifts are even more pronounced in the metro.
Minnesota legislators aim to spur creation of more entry-level housing
Proposed bill follows Star Tribune report examining zoning restrictions.
Cities, counties debate best use of 'once-in-a-generation' recovery dollars
Local governments are weighing how to spend $2.1B in federal money.
Drought-plagued Minnesota farmers to get additional government aid
Gov. Tim Walz says federal aid is coming and he hopes for supplement from state.
Outside investigator to review how Minnesota Senate handled harassment claims
The investigator will look into how the Senate handled a former staffer's complaints.
Minnesotans protected as federal eviction ban lifts, officials say
State leaders recently passed an eviction moratorium phaseout.
Diversity goals rarely met on Minn. construction projects
In dozens of instances over the past two years, companies contracting with the state did not employ a single woman or person of color as part of their construction team.
As COVID cases rise, Walz not eyeing new emergency powers — yet
The governor would need to once again declare a peacetime emergency to impose a mask rule or other mandates — a move that would draw sharp condemnation from some lawmakers.
Walz signs order to restrict 'conversion therapy' for minors
DFL legislators say they still need to pass a law to fully ban the practice.
Minnesota Rep. John Thompson's out-of-state license draws sharp rebuke
Traffic stop video released of Rep. John Thompson's alleged racial profiling
Minnesota legislators made these last-minute additions to the state budget
Changes affect law enforcement bill, lobbying by legislators and State Office Building renovations.
MPCA commissioner resigns ahead of expected Senate rejection
The chamber was set to review Laura Bishop's confirmation in a hearing Tuesday.
After passing big spending plan, Minnesota legislators keep eye on future
Facing dire predictions a year ago, lawmakers approved a $52 billion state budget for the next two years, the largest in state history.
Here's where Minnesota Legislature landed on 10 top issues in special session
From taxes to school funding to police reform, here's what the Legislature did — or didn't — accomplish.
Legislature passes $52B budget, avoiding government shutdown
Lawmakers had just hours to spare before a midnight deadline as they approved a massive spending package to support K-12 education. They later approved a tax relief package that included nearly $1 billion in tax cuts.
Where big issues stand at the Minnesota Legislature
In special session, the divided Legislature must finish a two-year state budget and agree on other key policy issues.
Legislators end Walz's COVID powers as part of budget deal
House passes public safety and judiciary bill, but shutdown nears entering final day.
Walz takes executive action on public safety and police reform
Walz said he would use $15 million in COVID-19 relief money to pay for community violence prevention grants, increase data sharing from the state's police licensing board and order state-level law enforcement agencies to share footage of deadly police encounters with relatives of those killed within five days.
Police accountability advocates disappointed by deal at State Capitol
New regulations on no-knock warrants and confidential informants, and updated expectations on the use of mental health crisis teams are included. But many of the more controversial proposed policing changes were left out.
Minnesota legislators reach public safety deal in push to finish budget
Education, health and human services measures also move forward as deadline nears.
State leaders say health and human services bill will help families and children hit hardest by pandemic
GOP lawmakers have raised concerns with the bill that makes up roughly a third of state spending.
Walz says he will end emergency powers Aug. 1
More than a month is needed for an orderly transition, state officials said.
Minnesota lawmakers shelve voter ID and expanded access
However, legislators agreed on additional security requirements for absentee ballot drop boxes.
Front-line workers get $250M in bonuses in new deal at Capitol
The agreement also spends $1.2 billion more on the state's classrooms over the next four years, aiming to stave off teacher layoffs triggered by the pandemic.
State revenue $1.8B above expectations in May
Delayed tax filings contributed to the flood of revenue last month.
Clock ticking as legislators clash over how to end eviction pause
As special session looms, a deal on how to end eviction moratorium is a top priority.
E-pulltab restrictions dealt setback at Capitol, but fight isn't over
Bar owners, charities oppose changes to the electronic games.
Minnesota takes first steps toward a government shutdown
Lawmakers need to pass a new budget before July 1 to prevent a shutdown and are behind schedule as they race to beat the clock. Meanwhile, the expenses that come with closing down state government already are starting to add up.
After a year, the fencing around State Capitol is coming down
State officials are preparing to reopen the building for the first time since they blocked public access in March 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the state. A couple of months later, they quickly added the temporary fencing amid fears the building would be damaged during protests.
Minn. legislators decide details of $52 billion budget in private
Since leaders adjourned the regular legislative session on May 17, legislators have retreated to daily conversations behind the scenes ahead of an expected mid-June special session to finish the work.
Minnesota legislative leaders divided over the idea of going full time
Minnesota lawmakers have 120 days over two years to do their work each biennium. For DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman, that's no longer enough.She said…
Minnesotans anxiously await rent help as a fraction of federal aid has gone out
About 20,000 people have applied for help so far, yet only 200 have gotten aid.
Minnesota Republicans travel south for firsthand look at Biden's border policies
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border Friday, saying on Twitter he went to "see the southern border crisis firsthand."He is one of…
Minnesota could become an outlier as abortion provider in Midwest
Minnesota could become one of the few Midwest states where abortion is protected if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Minnesota leaders strike broad budget deal, but policy details remain
Legislators will still need to come back in special session to pass a budget.
Minnesota GOP wants legislative say in spending federal COVID-19 relief funds
Contractors defended their COVID-19 outreach work as GOP questions use of federal dollars.
On-time finish looking unlikely as Legislature's session nears end
Leaders have yet to agree on big picture budget numbers, a step they had hoped to achieve last week. That makes the chances of an on-time finish before the May 17 adjournment deadline increasingly slim.
Billions in state and local aid soon begin path to Minnesota
Minnesota governments are expected to get nearly $5 billion in state and local help.
Clashes over taxes, Walz's powers stymie budget talks
The money Minnesota is anticipating from the federal government is a "huge wild card" in the next budget, Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent said.
Minn. lawmakers miss their own deadline in budget talks
The delay risks pushing crucial work into an overtime special session.
Minnesota's criminal justice fees often fall hardest on poor
State, local leaders among growing number debating how to end dependence on criminal justice system fees and surcharges.
Walz's emergency powers remain front and center for Republican legislators
Clashes over Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic were a frequent theme as last year's legislative session negotiations drew to a…
Minnesota leaders urge struggling renters to apply for aid
Legislators are still hashing out how to end the state's eviction moratorium.
Electronic pulltabs have become too similar to slot machines, legislators say
Bars and charities say changes would hurt at a critical time.
Floyd family says push for policing change cannot end after verdict
Family members urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Walz seeks law enforcement help, additional funding
Gov. Tim Walz is marshaling law enforcement help from other states and asking the Legislature for more funding as the state juggles the conclusion of the Derek Chauvin trial and tensions over the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright.
Lawmakers clash over infrastructure funding in Minnesota, Washington
Legislators say the state's bonding negotiations cannot be tied to the American Jobs Plan.
Minnesota House DFL proposes gas tax increase
House Democrats' transportation funding bill would raise the tax on a gallon of gas by 5 cents over the next four years.
Legislature's budget plans differ on how to address racial inequality
Budget proposals vary on approaches to education disparities, police reform.
Minnesota House DFL joins Walz in push for tax increase on wealthy
Republicans say tax hikes are dead on arrival.
Minnesota legislators push to end state collection of tax refunds for private hospital debt
Minnesota collected tens of millions for private nonprofit hospitals in recent years.
Minnesota House Democrats present $52.5 billion budget plan
Political clashes continue over state law enforcement funding for Chauvin trial.
A year after deadly fire, Minnesota House approves high-rise sprinkler requirement
Residential and commercial buildings would need to add automatic systems.
1.1 million Minnesota children could qualify for expanded tax credit
Expanded child tax credit will give families monthly check starting in summer.
Spending on Minnesota lobbying fell to $67.5 million in 2020
Less money was devoted to influencing those decisionmakers than in any year since 2012, according to newly released data.
Minnesota Senate Republicans propose $51.9 billion state budget
Their plan comes as the state's financial outlook has improved.
Minnesota Senate aims to curb Gov. Tim Walz's emergency powers
State's executive council also extends those emergency powers another month.
Minnesota legislators debate eviction ban 'off-ramp' as tenants fear homelessness
Legislative planning for the end of the eviction halt has started in earnest.
Minn. officials hail peaceful protests while legislators clash over funding
Minnesota law enforcement leaders applauded the tranquillity of Monday's early demonstrations at the start of the closely watched trial of former Minneapolis police officer…
