Lyndon Carlson, Minnesota’s longest-serving legislator, won't seek re-election
By Jonathan Mohr
After nearly 50 years in the Legislature, Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal) has announced he will retire from the House of Representatives when his current term ends in January 2021.
Carlson, now in his 24th term, is the longest-serving legislator in state history. First elected in 1972, he said the decision to not seek reelection in 2020 was made after much thought and conversation with his wife, Carole.
“The past 47 years have been exceptionally fulfilling,” Carlson said in a statement. “I have had the opportunity to be part of many important and lasting legislative accomplishments for the people of Minnesota.”
Carlson currently chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and said he intends to be an “active participant” in the 2020 session, which begins Feb. 11. He added that he would maintain his commitment to the residents of his district, 45A, and the people of Minnesota until his replacement takes office in 2021.
Recent Dailies
Vast differences between House and Senate HHS omnibus proposals
By Victoria Cooney
The Health and Human Services Conference Committee began its work Friday with polite skepticism and extremely cautious optimism. But massive differences between Senate and House funding proposals will require extensive discussion over the next 10 days.
A scheduling dispute, a power struggle, a walkout: Rough start for a conference committee
By Rob Hubbard
When workers don’t like how they’re being treated, they’ve been known to stage a walkout. And that’s what happened at the first meeting of the conference committee on the omnibus jobs bill Friday.
What’s the difference? It’s a big one in House and Senate tax proposals
By Rob Hubbard
Is the state fiscally sound enough to lower tax revenues by $10 million in the next biennium? Or should the coffers be beefed up by over $1 billion in order to increase funding in state programs?
After heated debate about arts funding, House passes omnibus legacy bill
By Rob Hubbard
House OKs bill that would allocate $629.98 million of the state’s sales tax revenue to clean water, outdoor heritage, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage.
With 18 days left, pace quickens with 'aggressive' conference committee schedule
By Tim Walker
Up to 18 days remain in 2019 legislative session until the constitutionally mandated adjournment on May 20.
House OKs technical elections bill
By Jonathan Avise
A package of technical updates to state laws governing elections passed the House on Thursday, including a proposed standard for when an automatic recount of a constitutional amendment ballot question would kick in.
Bulk of controversy plowed under as House OKs ag policy bill
By Erin Martin
The policy efforts of the House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division took another step forward with Wednesday’s passage of a plethora of policy changes.
House passes $64 million in environmental trust fund appropriations
By Erin Martin
The House on Wednesday approved a plan Wednesday to spend $64.3 million in appropriations from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Final budget legislation — a wide-ranging state government finance bill — passes House
By Mike Cook
Making elections safer and more accessible for all Minnesotans and enhanced cybersecurity are two of the many goals of a bill that would also fund many governmental operations.
With some changes, House passes environment and natural resources omnibus bill
By Erin Martin
Sponsored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) and Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), the bill, as amended to include the House language, would appropriate $1.75 billion in the 2020-21 biennium.
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Rep. Diane Loeffler passes away
By Mike Cook
Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls) passed away Saturday.
An email from House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), said that Loeffler, serving her eighth term in the...
State Fair poll shows steady support for gun sale background checks, recreational marijuana
By Jonathan Mohr
Support for criminal background checks on all gun sales and the legalization of marijuana for recreational use appears to have remained steady among Minnesotans during the past 12 months.
Governor signs special session budget bills into law
By HPIS Staff
One week after a marathon special session that saw lawmakers pass most of the major budget bills needed to fund the state’s government over the next two years, Gov. Tim Walz signed the legislation into law.
After sunrise, the sun sets on 2019 special session
By HPIS Staff
It took a grueling special session that stretched past sunrise, but Minnesota lawmakers completed their work early Saturday morning on passing a new two-year state budget.
