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
Walz calls for special session Friday
By HPIS Staff
The agreement between Walz and legislative leaders calls for a one-day special session to pass the remaining bills that make up the state's proposed $48 billion budget.
Jobs and energy compromise falls far too short for House DFLers
By Rob Hubbard
While most of the omnibus agreements emerging before the special session are presented by their sponsors with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, Thursday’s unveiling of the negotiated jobs and energy compromise felt more like a funeral.
Going up or down? Your taxes will likely change under conference committee compromise
By Rob Hubbard
It all came down to taxes. On almost every initiative introduced at this year’s legislative session, the subject eventually turned to how to pay for it.
Policy not left behind in environment and natural resources agreement
By Erin Martin
A pair of issues provided serious stumbling blocks for House and Senate conferees tasked with working out a budget compromise on the omnibus environment and natural resources finance bill.
No gas tax increase in skinnier omnibus transportation package
By Jonathan Avise
The House’s transportation panel on Thursday walked through a compromise omnibus transportation package that, from a House DFL perspective, might seem like no compromise at all. No gas tax increase, no transit-dedicated sales tax, no trunk highway bonding.
Tensions high as state government compromise, pensions plan heard
By Mike Cook
The $1.16 billion compromise falls in the middle of what the governor, House DFLers and Senate Republicans were seeking.
House speaker says Friday the earliest possible start for special session
By Jonathan Avise
The House’s top lawmaker has said the earliest a special session could occur this week is Friday, as Gov. Tim Walz, House DFL and Senate Republican leaders continue to hammer out details of a $48 billion budget agreement.
Details of omnibus judiciary, public safety budget agreement revealed
By Tim Walker
The overall budget deal announced May 19 by legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $125 million increase in spending over current budget levels to fund Minnesota courts and public safety agencies
Special education cross-subsidy aid included in $20.1 billion education finance agreement
By Rachel Kats
The agreement would increase education spending by $543 million over the base budget in the upcoming biennium.
Clean water disputes muddy Legacy funding agreement
By Rob Hubbard
Some House members aren't happy with the Clean Water fund portion of the compromise Legacy bill that is expected to be taken up during a special session this week.
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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.
