Alex Derosier

MN Senate DFL has budget targets. They call for $750M in cuts in the next two years and another $1.7B in cuts for 2028-2029. https://t.co/OvR0qfo7ZB

In the background of state employee press conference outside MN capitol today: a group supporting Philippines ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, who’s being prosecuted for crimes against humanity in The Hague. https://t.co/RHzaTqGPGK

And the other news out of the hearing. Eichorn WILL be able to stay in a halfway house ahead of trial. Not enough evidence to show he interfered with the investigation or lied about having a gun, as prosecutors had alleged. Release should happen today.

Biggest news so far out of Eichorn hearing today: person Feds say tried to get laptop from the ex-senator’s apartment was his wife. FBI agent confirmed on cross. It was heavily implied in court docs though now confirmed. Prosecutors were displeased with the “outing” by defense.

Heard from @FrederickMelo: St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says he talked to Gov. Walz for weeks about getting state employees to come back more often. MAPE was aware.

Walz remote work change came as a "total surprise" and "reeks of Musk policies," says Megan Dayton, president of MAPE, the 18,000-member state employee union representing mostly office workers. Dayton says there'll be pushback.

Gov. Walz announces more Minnesota employees will have to return to work starting in June. The move could mean a boost for a struggling downtown St. Paul. https://t.co/Ua5gsEzSDq

Now former Senator Justin Eichorn is getting released ahead of trial and will be staying in a halfway house. His electronic communications will be subject to monitoring. He’ll have to submit DNA. Next hearing scheduled for March 26.

Charge filed in Sen. Justin Eichorn solicitation case. He's scheduled to appear tomorrow at 1:30p https://t.co/dKxFcJY4CW

Senate and House Republicans as well as MNGOP say he should resign. https://t.co/q3d9zTZwi8

As the Minnesota House returns to a 67-67 tie, another front closes in what @CallaghanPeter called the “quorum wars.” It wasn’t likely these petitions were going anywhere. https://t.co/L66iqFZU6P

All results are in. Vacant MN District 40B is in DFL hands again, meaning the House is back to a partisan tie. AP called the race around 830p but results weren't on SOS website until a little later. Gottfried will likely be sworn in next Monday. https://t.co/jWPdeK6L9h

Minnesota Budget Director Ahna Minge says "higher utilization of weight loss drugs" is driving up Health and Human Services costs by $80-90 million. Interesting tidbit as budget forecast shows a shrinking surplus in the near term and deficit of nearly $6 billion in 2028-2029.

Republican bill to open up more MN Attorney General records failed in the first House bill floor vote of session. GOP is one vote short of 68 they need to pass bills and needed DFL backing. Expect more of this in coming weeks as GOP uses what will likely be a temporary majority.

Recall petition against Brad Tabke expected in morning. Here are the 6 DFL-held House seats so far, per MNSOS. 34B-Melissa Hortman 36B-Brion Curran 37B-Kristin Bahner 48B-Lucy Rehm 50A-Julie Greene 50B-Steve Elkins (My typos drove me crazy, so a repost of the list.)