Alan Smith
MN Government Updates 04.19.2021
Legislative Activity for April 19, 2021
Today, both the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate held floor sessions to debate and pass budget bills and other legislative priorities.
MN Government Updates 04.15.2021
Minnesota Department of Health Briefing
This afternoon, officials from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a media briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 and discuss COVID-19 vaccination.
MN Government Updates 04.13.2021
Walz to Extend Emergency Powers
During a press availability with reporters today, Governor Tim Walz announced that he will be notifying the legislature tomorrow that he will extend his peacetime emergency powers for another 30 days.
MN Government Updates 04.07.2021
Walz Press Availability
Following an event today to highlight state efforts to connect food service works with COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Tim Walz took questions from reporters.
MN Government Updates 04.06.2021
Legislature Returns from Recess
The legislature returned today from the Easter/Passover recess. Committees met throughout the day and both chambers had brief floor sessions at noon.
Boycott Speedway
The St. Paul Park refinery has operated safely for many decades with the help of skilled union trades workers who live and work in the area. But the picture changed in 2019 when Marathon Petroleum Corporation took over the facility and began replacing local workers with lower-wage, out-of-state workforce.
Marathon's decision to abandon local workers and undercut area wage and benefit standards could cost St. Paul Park and surrounding communities millions of dollars in lost wages and economic activity. Worse, the replacement of personnel with decades of experience could end up exposing workers and community members to avoidable hazards.
Marathon currently owns and supplies the Speedway chain of gas stations, and will continue to provide gasoline Speedway with gasoline under a 15- year fuel supply agreement even after the proposed sale of the chain to the owners of 7-11. Please support businesses that support local workers, and let Marathon know that it's time to abandon their failed labor strategy.
We are appealing only to the public. We are not asking any individual to cease performing any services, or to refuse to pick-up, transport, or deliver any goods.
MN Government Updates 03.26.2021
Legislative Recess Begins Tomorrow
The legislature will be in recess for the Easter and Passover holidays starting tomorrow. The recess will continue through Monday, April 5. Legislative activity will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6.
MN Government Updates 03.25.2021
Walz to Announce Vaccine Eligibility Expansion Tomorrow
This afternoon, Governor Tim Walz’s office released the following statement:
“Tomorrow, Governor Walz will announce that all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning Tuesday, March 30. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April, and as Minnesota has become a national leader in getting shots into arms quickly. This week Minnesota was ranked number one in the country for the percentage of vaccine doses administered to Minnesotans. The state has vaccinated 80% of our seniors, outperforming the nation, and has also vaccinated at least two-thirds of our school and child care personnel.”
MN Government Updates 03.19.2021
Minnesota Department of Health Briefing
This afternoon, officials from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a media briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 and discuss COVID-19 vaccination.
MN Government Updates 03.17.2021
Walz to Quarantine After COVID-19 Exposure
Today, Governor Tim Walz’s office released the following statement after the governor and other state officials were potentially exposed to COVID-19 on Monday: