Good morning and welcome to the new week. Lots to do, so let's get to this Capitol View.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will lead the prosecution of the police killing of George Floyd. He'll work with Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman's office, which last week announced murder and manslaughtter charges against former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin. In announcing Ellison’s role, Gov. Tim Walz praised the attorney general as someone who, while serving with Walz in Congress, “understood the systemic issues that were holding us back . His voice was loud. … This decision is one that I feel takes us in the direction to start getting the justice for George Floyd.”
Three officers on the scene of Floyd's killing have not been charged. “Tonight we’re not prepared to talk about what the charges will be,” Ellison said yesterday. “I want to let you know that we are pursuing justice. We are pursuing truth … and we’re pursuing accountability.”
Jason Lewis officially has Minnesota Republicans' endorsement to take on Sen. Tina Smith in November. Tim Pugmire reports: "Delegates made the selection Saturday during an online state convention that was delayed two weeks due to technical problems. That delay gave Republicans a new batch of current events, and they spent much of the convention time criticizing DFL Gov. Tim Walz and other Democrats for their response to violence and civil unrest in the Twin Cities. Lewis pushed the theme during his speech to delegates. 'Look at what’s happened to the metro area in the last few nights,' Lewis said. 'Not only did they not have a plan, when they had a plan it was to retreat.'"
The next coronavirus bill will be the last, says U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. NPR reports on what would be the fourth such bill: " McConnell said the bill will be narrowly crafted and will focus in particular on jobs and schools. He said there could be funding for small businesses and health care, but he will not support extending the additional $600 per week in federal unemployment benefits that run out at the end of July. 'Unemployment insurance is extremely important, but it is not designed to encourage you to stay home; it is designed to get you through a trough until you can get back to work,' McConnell said. 'I think you can certainly assume we will not be paying people a bonus for staying home in another bill.'"
