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Democrats reveal far-reaching agenda in Minnesota Legislature

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Democrats reveal far-reaching agenda in Minnesota Legislature


Democrats who’ve taken management of the Minnesota Legislature launched a sweeping agenda Wednesday that ranges from abortion entry to a baby care tax credit score, however they may face checks whereas attempting to get the measures into legislation.

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Democrats designated a invoice to ensure abortion entry in state legislation as Home File 1 and Senate File 1, a symbolic gesture that alerts every chamber’s prime precedence. A 1995 Minnesota Supreme Courtroom determination holds that abortion is a protected proper within the state structure, however Democrats see laws as a safeguard in case the court docket ever reverses that 28-year-old determination.

Behind the abortion laws are payments starting from local weather change to voting rights. Democrats wish to move some measures by the tip of January and strike shortly after years of divided authorities. However they maintain slim majorities, together with a single-vote benefit within the Senate.

“We don’t wish to wait to move all the pieces on the finish of Might,” Senate Majority Chief Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, instructed reporters. “We’re going to be what can transfer shortly, the place we’ve got settlement and transfer them out.”

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Democrats have energy over a $17.6 billion price range surplus. Republicans who’re largely on the sidelines of state authorities mentioned they opposed most of the DFL’s agenda gadgets.

“The DFL priorities we heard immediately had been what we anticipated: controversial and divisive,” Home GOP Chief Lisa Demuth and Senate GOP Chief Mark Johnson mentioned in an emailed assertion. “Somewhat than attending to work on balancing the price range and giving the large surplus again to the folks, they’re dashing by means of their very own prime priorities with out bipartisan assist.”

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Democrats are looking for an expanded tax credit score for households with little one care bills. Dad and mom would get a $1,500 credit score for every little one ages 5 and older, as much as $3,000. The credit score is bigger for fogeys of youthful kids: they’d get $5,000 for every little one underneath age 5, with a most of $12,500.

The credit are refundable, which means mother and father with no taxable revenue can nonetheless obtain them. Eligibility phases out for married {couples} with incomes greater than $125,000, although {couples} with incomes as much as $400,000 stand to obtain a partial credit score.

Democrats mentioned the kid care tax credit score would encourage extra mother and father to return to the workforce, addressing Minnesota’s tight labor market. They mentioned the identical a few second invoice making a government-run paid household and medical depart program.

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Employees would get 12 weeks of assured revenue in the event that they need to miss work for a household or medical emergency. The profit can be funded by a payroll tax enhance, in keeping with the invoice launched Wednesday. Dziedzic mentioned she was uncertain how shortly the invoice would transfer ahead within the Senate as a result of it requires quite a few committee hearings and votes.

Among the many points that did not make the DFL’s precedence checklist was legalization of leisure marijuana. It is unclear whether or not the Senate DFL has sufficient votes to move a marijuana invoice. Home Democrats plan to unveil laws on Thursday morning. State Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, would be the lead creator.

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“It’s a precedence,” Home Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, mentioned when requested why marijuana was left off the precedence checklist. She known as it a “massive, sophisticated subject.”

Democrats additionally mentioned they’d deal with voting rights laws in 2023. Amongst their agenda gadgets: restoring voting rights for felons who’ve been launched from jail however stay on supervision, pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds in order that they’re instantly eligible after they flip 18 years previous, and automated voter registration for individuals who have already supplied identification to get a driver’s license.

On the tax entrance, Hortman mentioned the kid care tax credit score was their main focus. However 5 Senate Democrats have made a separate proposal to totally exempt Social Safety revenue from state tax a prime precedence. State Sen. Aric Putnam signed onto a Republican invoice Wednesday. 4 different DFL senators, Grant Hauschild, Heather Gustafson, Judy Seeberger, and Rob Kupec, all assist absolutely eliminating the tax legal responsibility. Gov. Tim Walz has mentioned he opposes full elimination.

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Previous fiscal estimates have pegged the misplaced tax income at roughly $600 million per 12 months.

“We all know that has exploding tails which means it’s very costly sooner or later,” Hortman mentioned Wednesday when requested a few full Social Safety exemption, whereas saying the problem stays “within the combine.”



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Minnesota

Blue Cross of Minnesota agrees to legal settlement for better mental health coverage

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Blue Cross of Minnesota agrees to legal settlement for better mental health coverage


Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has reached a settlement with the state attorney general over concerns the Eagan-based health insurer failed to comply with laws insisting that health plans cover mental health services the same as they cover treatments for physical health problems.

The Minnesota Blues plan denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to a series of new oversight provisions. In addition, the insurer will operate under new mental and behavioral health care rules that call for prompt decisions on prior authorization requests as well as applications by health care providers to join the health insurer’s network.

Blue Cross will be required to pay a $300,000 civil penalty if a court finds the insurer has violated terms of the settlement, which was announced Friday. In addition, Blue Cross is contributing $600,000 to a center for rural behavioral health at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

“Mental and behavioral health care is health care, period,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement. “We expect someone with a broken leg to be able to get the care they need, and the same should be true of Minnesotans struggling with conditions like depression or substance use disorder.”

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Blue Cross said in a statement that it shares Ellison’s commitment to ensuring patients have timely access to “high quality and affordable mental health care.”

“Blue Cross has enhanced our practices related to addressing mental health benefits and access to care to ensure we are meeting the high expectations of members and other stakeholders,” the insurer said. “Today, our strategy is focused on transforming all mental health solutions in ways that can set new industry standards for equitable access to optimal care.”

The settlement is the latest in a series of agreements over the past 18 months between the state and Minnesota health insurers for improved coverage of mental health.

The earlier agreements were prompted by alleged violations of mental health parity laws, which have been adopted over the past two decades to improve patient access to mental health and behavioral health treatments.



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Minnesota Vikings Week 9 playbook: What to know ahead of Colts matchup

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Minnesota Vikings Week 9 playbook: What to know ahead of Colts matchup


The Vikings have lost back-to-back games after starting 5-0. Now they will turn to Cam Robinson, 29, to help protect quarterback Sam Darnold’s blindside after losing standout LT Christian Darrisaw to a torn ACL and MCL. Can they get a win this week against a Colts team that has benched Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco?

Week 9 vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CT (NBC)

Catch up on what you need to know from this week on the Vikings:

Vikings trade for Jaguars LT Cam Robinson
The Vikings addressed their massive void at left tackle by trading for Jaguars offensive lineman Cam Robinson.

Vikings not sweating rookie’s quiet start
“I think Dallas (Turner) is going to be just fine. I think everybody wants everything right now, and he does, too. We’ll get him out there.”

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Meet the former Vikings visionary known as the grandfather of NFL analytics
Retired analyst Mike Eayrs was “so far ahead of the curve” that he is credited with popularizing data science in the NFL in the 1980s.

What Christian Darrisaw’s injury means
Losing their talented left tackle will make it harder for an inconsistent Vikings offense that has already had trouble sustaining drives.

• 📈Power Rankings: Vikings at No. 8
The No. 17 pick in this year’s draft has one sack and three quarterback pressures through seven games.

Scouting the Colts

Joe Flacco will be Colts starting QB ‘going forward’
The decision to bench Anthony Richardson and start Joe Flacco at quarterback is not a temporary one, coach Shane Steichen said.

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Anthony Richardson has hard lesson to learn from the bench
Richardson’s time in Indianapolis may not be over, but his path back to being the Colts starting QB will be a big challenge.

NFL execs debate Colts benching Richardson
“He hasn’t had many live reps in his football career. This season should have been presented as that development and growth across the board.”

Richardson’s benching goes far beyond his play
“What a fascinating management dilemma to be in,” a former executive from one of the Colts’ division rivals said.

Colts GM Chris Ballard has failed to live up to bold promises
Technically, Ballard still has personnel control in Indy, but the chances of him fulfilling the promise proclaimed by his owner are dwindling by the day.

How good are the Vikings?

Check out Austin Mock’s 2024 NFL projections, where you will find each team’s probability of conquering its division, advancing through the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl. The projections are based on 100,000 simulations of the remainder of the season, which factors in each team’s projected strength, current health as well as its remaining schedule.

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(Photo of Justin Jefferson: Harry How / Getty Images)





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Minneapolis man charged in shooting near Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Labor Day

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Minneapolis man charged in shooting near Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Labor Day


FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. —  A 19-year-old Minneapolis man has been charged in the shooting of three teens near the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Labor Day.

The man is charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of drive-by shooting toward a person, according to the criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County on Oct. 23.

At 10:20 p.m. on Sept. 2, officers were called to Dugsi Academy at 1085 Snelling Avenue North in St. Paul on reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers found a teen boy suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. He told police he had been walking to a friend’s car in the parking lot when he heard gunshots. He said he ran toward the train tracks to escape the gunfire and thought he had blown out his knee, but he quickly learned a bullet had struck him.

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The boy told police he did not see who was shooting and had been at the nearby Minnesota State Fair shortly before.

Officers later learned two more teens had been shot and were transported to different area hospitals. The criminal complaint says both victims told police they did not have any issues with anyone and were unsure who would have shot them.

A total of 53 spent casings were found beneath the Snelling Avenue bridge to the east of Dugsi Academy, charges say. An analysis found the casings came from three different guns.

Surveillance video allegedly shows several people exiting a blue sedan before firing their guns from the street and gravel area by nearby train tracks. The suspects then get back into the sedan before leaving the area.

A few hours later, deputies were called to a gas station in Little Canada for a drive-by shooting. Charges say surveillance video showed a blue sedan go out of view shortly before shots rang out. Five more casings from two different guns were recovered from the gas station. Further analysis revealed the casings matched that of those recovered from the shooting near the fairgrounds.

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Investigators learned the blue sedan had been involved in a weapons incident on Aug. 27 where three men pulled a gun on security in Minneapolis. The sedan is owned by the man facing charges in the shooting.

Using license plate readers and phone location data, police were able to place the suspect in the area of both shootings around the time they occurred.

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