Good morning! It’s Thursday, June 23. DFL Gov. Tim Walz hasn’t given up on the idea of a potential special session, even though he declared last week that negotiations with Senate Republicans were at an impasse. Walz outlined a proposal Wednesday for a smaller agenda that lawmakers could consider. He stressed that he still wants to provide some tax relief through direct payments to Minnesotans. The payments would be $1,000 per individual and $2,000 per family. Walz said during a Capitol news conference Wednesday that he’s confident most people want the checks. “Just ask anybody on the street,” Walz said. “Go to a gas pump especially and ask them ‘do you think Minnesota should use their surplus to give back $2,000 to help you pay for this?’ I’m pretty sure that polls around 90 percent.” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, joined Walz and is supporting the proposal. “Minnesotans are hurting, and we need to take action to help them,” Hortman said. Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, has repeatedly rejected the “Walz Checks” proposal and has called it an election-year gimmick. He favors ongoing, permanent tax cuts. Still, Miller signaled Wednesday that a deal might be possible. “We are more than happy and more than willing to come back and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Minnesotans,” Miller said. Minnesota Democrats want an earlier say in choosing future presidential nominees. MPR’s Brian Bakst reports that DFL leaders are making a pitch to be an early primary state for 2024 and beyond. Minnesota Republicans also have to agree to the calendar change.
The primary election is August 9, and early voting begins Friday. The Star Tribune has a handy guide for Minnesotans on early voting.
In South Dakota, state lawmakers have removed that state’s Attorney General from office. Jason Ravnsborg was involved in an accident in September 2020 that killed a pedestrian. Here’s a report. | 