Good morning. We liked winter-spring better than spring-spring so far.

Gun legislation might have a chance to pass this year despite suggestions some DFL lawmakers were pushed to their limit last year. MPR’s Dana Ferguson reports that Minnesota legislators plan to discuss a bill today that would set tougher penalties for straw purchasers. A proposal posted by DFL lawmakers would make it a felony offense to transfer a firearm to someone who can't legally have one. House Public Safety Committee Chair Rep. Kelly Moller, DFL-Shoreview, tells Dana that it’s an effort to work with Republicans who've asked for the change. "Instead of just having to prove that the person knew that they were purchasing a gun for a prohibited person, they should have to prove they knew or had reason to know. We're also increasing the penalty from a gross misdemeanor to a felony." Offenders could face up to five years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both. The bill would also require additional reporting to the Legislature about firearms seized and gun trafficking investigations underway. 

House Republicans late yesterday afternoon said they’d not yet read the amendment ahead of the committee hearing but generally supported the effort. Rep. Paul Novotny, the GOP lead on the public safety committee, said in the wake of the fatal shooting of three first responders in Burnsville, it’s critical to pass the legislation to prevent future incidents. “Our goal is not to prosecute people and put them in jail. Our goal is to have the straw purchase not happen to start with by discouraging people with the higher penalties and with the education.”

The pressure is ramping up on Gov. Tim Walz to remove Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty in the Ryan Londregan prosecution. Londregan is the state trooper who fired the fatal shot at Ricky Cobb II as he fled during a traffic stop in July 2023. DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig issued a statement yesterday saying state leaders need “to take over or reassign” the case. The four Republicans in Minnesota’s congressional delegation were more forceful in their condemnation of Moriarty and their calls for her to be taken off the case. There have been near-daily developments in this case, as captured here by the KARE 11’s Lou Raguse.

The Legal Marijuana Now Party has been dealt a judicial blow but isn’t quite extinguished yet as a major party.  MPR’s Clay Masters reports that Hennepin County District Court Judge Edward Wahl issued a 48-page findings-of-fact order yesterday that concludes “the Legal Marijuana Now Party is not a major political party in Minnesota for purposes of the state primary election in August 2024 and the state general election in November 2024.” Wahl said the ruling is “not about whether any group of citizens can form a political party. It is not about preventing people from voting for any candidate of their choice. … This case is about whether LMNP met, in 2022, the statutory criteria required to receive recognition as a ‘major political party,’ entitling it to retain its status as a major political party for the 2024 Minnesota general elections.” The judge recommended to the state Supreme Court that the party be downgraded, which would cost its candidates automatic ballot access and public campaign subsidies. The Minnesota DFL Party filed a legal challenge last month, citing a law that sets minimum standards to show proper organization. The Legal Marijuana Now Party told the judge in filings that it operates by a different “doobie rule” that is more about consensus than local conventions. 

If the Supreme Court agrees with the judge, it would put Minnesota back to a two major-party state; the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party was demoted a couple of years ago. I’m sure somebody will check us on this (looking at you Eric Ostermeier or Max Hailperin ): If the Legal Marijuana Now Party drops down to minor status, it’ll be the first election year with a statewide partisan race with only two major parties since at least the 1990s. I’m not talking about presidential years because there were only DFL and Republican in 2016 after the Independence Party’s downgrade. There were no statewide partisan races that year. And barring some big showing by a minor party candidate in the Senate or presidential race, it would have a bearing on who is in the picture for the 2026 elections, too.

Legislation is afoot to look out for mistreated pets. A bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature would create an Office of Animal Protection. As Clay reports, the legislation creates an advisory committee to make recommendations to local law enforcement agencies. Former Dakota County attorney James Backstrom supports the bill and told a Senate panel yesterday that there is a link between animal cruelty and violence against humans. “Violence in the form of animal cruelty is often associated with other forms of violence against persons including domestic violence, sexual assault, and even more serious crimes of violence,” Backstrom said. The bill would provide $350,000 next fiscal year to fund the office. It could give grants to state and local governments and nonprofits to promote animal protection efforts. The bill has only DFL sponsors; a House Republican who was briefly a co-sponsor has withdrawn his name.

Expanded insurance coverage for orthotic and prosthetic devices could be required under legislation getting a positive reception at Minnesota’s Capitol. It's in a bill that would compel health plans to include more coverage for a broader range of limb replacement, including models designed for physical activities such as running. Nicole Ver Kuilen, who grew up near Rochester and was treated at Mayo, told lawmakers of her family’s struggle to afford a secondary prosthetic leg for activities after hers was amputated as a child due to bone cancer. “My parents had to choose – pay $10,000 out of pocket for a secondary prosthesis or go without. So I went without. Because let's be honest, that's not really a choice for most Minnesotan families.” She says she wore out standard prosthetics and needed physical therapy because she lacked the proper one to run in. Lawmakers also heard from 10-year-old Vincent Lynick of Burnsville about his athletic passions – from baseball to skateboarding. “I need a leg that has a bendable knee for everyday use as well as a running blade for activities. With my running blade I can do anything. I can always keep up with my friends no matter what I do,” he said. The littlest lobbyists are often the most effective. Six states have laws similar to the one under consideration. It could be included in a broader health policy bill this session.