Your Daily Guide

Ticking clock on legislative priorities

There are six days until the end of the legislative session. As crunch time nears, this is when we see the most activity at the Capitol. On today’s podcast, we host an across-the-aisle interview with former DFL Senator Jeff Hayden and Republican analyst Brian McDaniel to learn what has been done and what’s still on the table.

[🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

• Short session: McDaniel said this session has felt "performative," much to the frustration of lobbyists. Hayden points out the session started February 17, “the latest that I’ve ever seen it.”
• Checklist: Still, legislators have made tangible progress. The approval of the Office of the Inspector General to investigate fraud across the state was a “big deal for everybody,” said Hayden. Plus, Hennepin County Medical Center will likely get a one-time cash infusion. [Bring Me The News / Fox9]
• Tension: Will the Legislature pass gun control measures, particularly after the Annunciation school shooting? McDaniel said Republicans won’t vote for an assault weapons ban, which they view as an infringement on the Second Amendment. Hayden said there’s “no reason” for the public to be carrying around high capacity magazines.
• Interesting: Hayden and McDaniel present a more collegial relationship across the aisle as lobbyists. McDaniel said he’s respected Hayden since he was a senator, and the two have worked together before. “At the Capitol we’re all broken, but in a very specific way that only we understand,” McDaniel said.

The $15 minimum wage: The Minneapolis Federal Reserve reports that a higher minimum wage in the city has resulted in more hourly pay but less jobs. At the same time, the hospitality industry is being squeezed by increasing costs and fewer customers. But City Council members told the Star Tribune they can balance the needs of both small businesses and workers. [Star Tribune]

Another fraud suit: Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office is suing the leaders of We Push for Peace, alleging the two founders misused $6.5 million in charity funds. The lawsuit claims Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan funneled the money toward Pollard’s child support payments, personal taxes, and private business. Minneapolis contracted with We Push for Peace for conflict deescalation following the murder of George Floyld. [KARE 11]

Showing up: Sahan Journal’s Becky Dernbach reports how staff and students at Augsburg University presented a united front supporting immigrants during Operation Metro Surge. ICE detained three students at the state’s most diverse private school. Augsburg provided students legal and mental health support, and expanded its online classes and housing program for students who didn’t feel safe traveling to classes. [Sahan Journal]

Go Wolves! Check out this aerial shot of a new street painting in downtown Minneapolis. Last week, the city’s Public Works painted First Avenue for the Wolves vs. San Antonio Spurs game at Target Center. The teams square off for Game 5 in San Antonio at 7 p.m.

Apartment incoming: The St. Paul City Council has given two developers the go-ahead to develop an apartment complex on Jackson Street. The $22.3 million project would house 60 to 80 units of affordable housing. [Pioneer Press]

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