Gov. Tim Walz announced plans to remove Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty from prosecuting a state trooper for murder, criticizing her handling of the case. Moriarty had already dropped the charges, citing new evidence and ethical concerns. She accused Walz of political bias and criticized systemic barriers in prosecuting law enforcement. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association disputed her claims, suggesting she acted to avoid embarrassment.
Retired Hennepin County Chief Judge Kevin Burke criticized Gov. Tim Walz for his recent comments on the second-degree murder case against State Trooper Ryan Londregan, stating that it crossed a line and hurt public trust in the judicial system. Burke emphasized the need for politicians to stop talking about the case publicly in order to ensure fair proceedings and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
Gov. Tim Walz emphasized the importance of discussing abortion and reproductive health, particularly for "old white men," and praised Vice President Kamala Harris for using medically accurate terms during her visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic. He highlighted the significance of listening to women on these issues and noted their impact at the ballot box. Walz's comments align with President Joe Biden and the Democratic party's focus on abortion rights and reproductive health care as key campaign issues, despite Biden's infrequent use of the word "abortion" due to his Catholic faith.
Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $982 million plan for public construction projects in Minnesota, emphasizing the need to fund construction and maintenance projects for fundamental services like wastewater infrastructure, roads, bridges, and public safety. The package includes projects ranging from prison fixups to dedicated busway expansions and aims to address the state's $6.4 billion in deferred maintenance of state infrastructure. The proposal is set to kickstart debates over a capital investment bill at the Capitol, with Republican lawmakers advocating for a smaller bill focused on local community projects.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has expressed openness to a possible gas tax increase, which some lawmakers are considering to fund transportation. Walz noted that while he did not propose a gas tax increase in his budget, he believes that roads need ongoing funding and that the gas tax has remained stagnant while the cost of everything else has gone up. Additionally, Walz has made it clear that he does not want Mayo Clinic to be subject to provisions in a nursing bill that would give nurses more say in staffing levels at Minnesota hospitals. Mayo Clinic has threatened to halt investments in the state if it is included in the bill. Lawmakers have five days left to finish their work, including the nursing bill and transportation funding.
