Ewald at the Capitol

Walz and Flanagan Running Again

This week, Gov. Tim Walz announced that he and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are running for re-election in the 2022 election. His campaign announcement focused on his response to COVID-19, overseeing the passage of police reform legislation, spending on education and child care, new renewable energy initiatives and investments in infrastructure.

A Republican has not been elected as governor in Minnesota since 2006, when Tim Pawlenty was reelected.

Driver's License Exam Stations

When the pandemic hit in 2020, all driver’s license exam stations in the state closed. Only one-third have reopened, and it has caused numerous of issues. The state doesn’t plan to reopen all stations until the end of January 2022.

Minnesota’s residents have been experiencing delays in exams due to low service supply; in many cases, people must drive long distances to find a station that is open. Low density of exam stations was an issue in Greater Minnesota to begin with prior to the pandemic, and it has now been amplified.

The industries of trucking and school bus service have suffered as well. It has been difficult for trucking groups to plan routes when it is unknown how long it will take a driver to get the credentials they need from the state. Similarly, it has been difficult for school bus services to find drivers when in many cases, applicants could have to drive over an hour away to simply complete a driver’s exam.

Members of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee suggest that the state work with the private sector to be more efficient in reopening this vital service that the state should be supplying to residents.

“I have no doubt that you’re working hard at it, I believe that. I really do. But it’s a pretty significant problem for you to solve and perhaps the private sector would be a way to help us help the people of Minnesota,” said Chair Scott Newman.

Minnesota Senate President Elected

When Sen. Jeremy Miller was elected as Majority Leader of the Senate, it left his seat as the President of the Senate vacant. The Senate majority has elected Sen. David Osmek to fill the spot for the remainder of the biennium.

The President of the Senate presides over the chamber. Just like the Speaker of the House, the President makes decisions when there is a dispute on rules during a floor session. However, unlike the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate typically still serves on committees and has less of an outward leadership role in addressing the media, the public and in negotiations with the other body and the governor. In the Senate, the main leadership duties are conducted by the Majority Leader.

Frontline Worker Pay Working Group

The Frontline Worker Pay Working Group met, yet again, to try to come to an agreement on what to do with a relatively small pot of $250 million to be spread among frontline workers in Minnesota in the form of bonuses.

The GOP currently favors moving two opposite proposals out of committee so that the final decisions can be discussed by the full Legislature. However, without a special session, nothing can be done and the full body cannot convene. The DFL prefers that the working group continue to meet and try to come to one agreement to move out of committee instead.

The motion to move proposals out of committee failed. Committee members were tasked to bring compromise language to the next hearing next week.