Good morning, and happy Thursday. 

Many nursing homes in Minnesota are struggling, and they want the Legislature to go beyond their current budget targets to spend more. MPR’s Dana Ferguson reports: The pandemic, inflation and the state’s broader workforce shortage have caused a unique strain for nursing homes around the state. And with a $17.5 billion state budget surplus, long term care advocates said that Minnesota lawmakers should earmark emergency money to keep them in business. Without a quick and significant cash infusion, dozens of nursing homes stand at risk of closing their doors, providers said. And that could hurt residents and rural communities as those displaced may have to board in hospitals or move to nursing homes far away from their family and friends, providers said. Adam Masloski, executive director of the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, said his 42-bed nursing home is now able to accommodate about 33 to 35 residents due to staffing issues. That limitation has already caused disruptions, he said, because the nearest other nursing home is 50 miles away. “We're the only place in the area. And so it's hard when you have someone that goes down to Duluth for a surgery, and all they want to do is come back home,” Masloski said. “But we can't take them because we don't have the staff. We've had to rely a lot on agency staffing or traveling staffing. And that in itself is expensive, and really not feasible for a small place like ours.” 

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a $4.16 billion higher education budget bill Wednesday afternoon.  The measure freezes tuition for students in the Minnesota State College System for the next two years and reduces proposed tuition hikes at the University of Minnesota. It would also fund state scholarships. Higher Education Committee Chair Gene Pelowski of Winona said the funding is crucial to building the state's workforce. "This bill is needed now because we have a massive worker shortage. We need skilled workers,” Pelowski said. “This bill reinvests in all levels of higher education for skilled workers. It also makes it accessible and affordable." Republicans said the state should take a close look at declining enrollment in state colleges. "What's a little bit concerning to me, is the fact that we're spending $650 million more, and yet we've had over the past 10 years, a very large decrease in enrollment in our systems,” Rep. Marion O'Neill, R-Maple Lake said. “And yet this bill is spending more."

Leaders in Hennepin County are pressing state lawmakers to earmark some of the state's budget surplus for public safety. MPR’s Matt Sepic reports: Gov. Tim Walz is proposing $550 million worth of one-time payments to public safety agencies across Minnesota. Hennepin County would get $26 million. And Mayor Jacob Frey says the plan sets aside $34 million for Minneapolis. "We're asking for these funds, so that we can fund both police officers and violence prevention beyond,” Frey said Wednesday. “Both so we can protect our communities and we can respond to 911 calls, but also so we can make the improvements that I think everybody's rightfully asking for." Frey said he expects the city to incur additional technology costs for the police department to comply with the recent state human rights department settlement agreement. The city is also expected to enter into a consent decree with the federal government; the Justice Department has been investigating the MPD for nearly two years.

Road construction season is about to begin. MnDOT announced its road construction projects Wednesday. The Star Tribune reports: The season's first weekend closure will take place Friday through Sunday on U.S. Highway 169 through Golden Valley and New Hope, as crews demolish the Rockford Road overpass. It's just the start of an ambitious slate of projects that includes building new bridges, putting down new pavement on some highways and expanding others, installing cable median barriers and adding other safety improvements. In all, MnDOT will carry out 171 road and bridge projects statewide, and 52 others to improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit infrastructure. And that does not include projects that cities and counties will be working on. At a cost of $1.3 billion, the size and scope of MnDOT's planned work this year is comparable to that of recent years. But drivers can prepare for even more headaches beginning next year, as the agency plans to tackle a greater number of projects with an infusion of money from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — an average of $170 million a year for the next five years.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith were in Stillwater Wednesday morning to assess flood preparations along the Saint Croix River.  MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports: The senators got a first-hand look at a more than 2,000-foot-long sand berm covered in plastic and held in place by sandbags. The city hopes it will protect its downtown residents and businesses from St. Croix River flood waters. Klobuchar said federal help will be available if major flooding causes significant damage anywhere in Minnesota. "We just came out here to see what's happening in terms of — are we prepared, and the answer is yes. The second thing is that we are ready with FEMA funds as has happened in the past for Stillwater and other places if there is damaging flooding." The St. Croix is expected to reach major flood stage early next week. Stillwater officials are underscoring that despite all of the flood preparations, the city's popular downtown businesses remain open. 

From our neighbors to the East, the Associated Press reports: Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who spearheaded legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages last year, announced on Wednesday that she is seeking a third term in battleground Wisconsin. Baldwin, 60, said in a statement that she intends to continue fighting for the working class and families struggling with inflation, as well as opposing Wisconsin's abortion ban. No Republicans have announced they are running for Baldwin's seat, which will be critical for Democrats to hold if they want to maintain control of the Senate.

Tell MPR News: What do you hope lawmakers accomplish this session?