Dana Ferguson

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Dana Ferguson

Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion will step down as head of the Subcommittee on Ethics as he faces questions about a possible conflict of interest related to his legal work and funding bills he has sponsored. Champion, a Minneapolis DFLer, said Monday that he will ask the ethics panel to advise on whether he had a conflict of interest “out of an abundance of caution.” During that phase, he'll step aside as the committee's chair.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Dana Ferguson

A top Minnesota tax policy writer is here for the ratio – of social media users. Sen. Ann Rest, a prominent DFLer who chairs the Senate Taxes Committee, is proposing an excise tax on social media platforms that access consumer data. If approved, Minnesota would be the first to tax the companies. The tax rates would be based on how many Minnesota consumers use the sites, with platforms with over 1 million users charged $165,000 each month plus 50 cents for every additional user over 1 million.

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Dana Ferguson |Peter Cox

A top Minnesota tax policy writer is here for the ratio – of social media users. Sen. Ann Rest, a prominent DFLer who chairs the Senate Taxes Committee, is proposing an excise tax on social media platforms that access consumer data. If approved, Minnesota would be the first to tax the companies. The tax rates would be based on how many Minnesota consumers use the sites, with platforms with over 1 million users charged $165,000 each month plus 50 cents for every additional user over 1 million.

3 weeks ago | inforum.com | Dana Ferguson

ST. PAUL — Minnesotans are high on newish hemp-derived products that hit liquor store shelves in 2023. A report released Wednesday, April 2, by State Auditor Julie Blaha’s office underscores the boost that a line of THC-infused beverages and gummies are bringing to profits to Minnesota’s liquor stores owned and operated by cities. Yes, there are still 210 municipal liquor stores in Minnesota. In 2023, the stores made a net profit of $31.6 million on record sales of $437 million .

3 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Dana Ferguson

Three Minnesota statewide elected officials plan to stick with existing telework policies rather than adopting a rule that their employees return to the office at least half of the time. It’s a departure from what Gov. Tim Walz has imposed for executive branch workers that is supposed to take effect in June. Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon and State Auditor Julie Blaha’s offices will maintain rules that allow employees to work remotely.