Peter Cox

3 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 | Peter Cox

ST. PAUL — Crunch time has arrived at the Minnesota Capitol as the Legislature puts thousands of bills through a funnel, including budget requests and some proposals seeking a state lift for sports stadium renovations. It’s all coming amid repeat warnings from politicians of a tight budget and a partisan layout that could make anything nonessential a tougher endeavor. Leaders of the House and Senate both released their budget frameworks in recent days.

4 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Peter Cox

Minnesota’s two largest state worker unions served notice Thursday they’ll push hard for retraction of a plan requiring state employees to spend more time in their offices. At a rally outside the Capitol, union leaders announced they are planning a protest outside the governor's mansion this weekend. They haven’t ruled out legal action or a potential work stoppage.

4 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Dana Ferguson |Clay Masters |Peter Cox

In about two months, Minnesota state government employees who haven’t been regularly heading to a jobsite or an office will have to rearrange their plans. The change to what had been a flexible telework arrangement was ordered this week by Gov. Tim Walz, who wants tens of thousands of executive branch employees back in person at least half of the time. It starts June 1. It’s a departure from the remote arrangements that took root during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Dana Ferguson |Clay Masters |Peter Cox

In about two months, Minnesota state government employees who haven’t been regularly heading to a jobsite or an office will have to rearrange their plans. The change to what had been a flexible telework arrangement was ordered this week by Gov. Tim Walz, who wants tens of thousands of executive branch employees back in person at least half of the time. It starts June 1. It’s a departure from the remote arrangements that took root during the COVID-19 pandemic.