Good morning, and welcome to Wednesday.
Gov. Tim Walz’s plan to return a big chunk of the budget surplus in one-time "Walz checks" didn’t get much love at the Capitol where Senate Republicans and House Democrats left it out of their tax bills, but a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows many Minnesotans like the idea.From the KSTP story: According to the survey, 68 percent of respondents say they agree with a plan proposed by Gov. Tim Walz to send direct payments of $500 to single taxpayers and $1,000 to married tax filers. Only 18 percent disagree, and 14 percent are not sure. Those results did not surprise Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier. “When you say here’s $500, do you want it? What do you think most people will say? Yes!,” Schier said with a laugh. Survey respondents also favor a state Senate Republican plan to cut income taxes for nearly every Minnesotan who earns a taxable income by reducing the state’s first tax bracket rate. The plan receives 53 percent support, with just 24 percent opposed. But the most popular idea would be a combination of the two plans. The survey shows 73 percent favor both direct payments and cutting income taxes, and just 16 percent oppose such an idea that no one has formally proposed.
Two Illinois men received federal prison sentences Tuesday for their roles in the 2017 firebombing of a Twin Cities mosque.MPR’s Matt Sepic reports Michael McWhorter, 33, and Joe Morris, 26, were two of three people who carried out the attack on the the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington. Federal Judge Donovan Frank sentenced McWhorter to nearly 16 years. Morris received a little more than 14 years. Frank cited Morris' abusive childhood and mental health challenges as reasons for the lighter sentence. The two men faced 35-year minimum sentences for the crimes. Prior to the sentencing, though, a coalition of more than 100 faith leaders called for leniency. “It’s only through forgiveness that we have a real chance to heal and move forward,” said Imam Mohamed Omar, who was in the room next to where the bomb exploded. The third person involved in the bombing, Emily Claire Hari, formerly known as Michael Hari, is serving a 53-year sentence after being convicted in 2020 for planning the attack. Hari, 51, of Clarence, Ill., led McWhorter and Morris in a far-right terror group known as the White Rabbit Militia.
A Minnesota man who was detained by Russian forces as he tried to leave embattled Ukraine is speaking out about his ordeal.MPR’s Peter Cox reports Tyler Jacob, a Minnesota man who was detained by Russian forces as he tried to leave embattled Ukraine, recounted his ordeal Tuesday as he met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who helped secure his release. "Thank you very much for all of the hard work you both put in," Jacob said to Klobuchar and one of the senator’s staff members, Clara Haycraft, as he sat alongside them to speak to the media in Klobuchar’s Minneapolis office. "I definitely don't believe I would be here if it wasn't for you guys vouching for me. Because they thought I was a spy."
The state needs to do more to attract and retain health care workers or it will face a severe shortage of caregivers. The Minnesota Department of Health released a report Tuesday based on a survey of physician assistants, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, nurses, physicians, mental health providers and others. The survey data indicates alarming projected workforce losses in Minnesota’s small towns and rural areas. Nearly 1 in 5 rural health care providers say they plan to leave their profession within the next five years. The largest projected losses are among physicians. One out of every 3 rural physicians report planning to leave their profession within the next five years. “We are going to need several approaches and solutions aimed at both recruiting the future workforce and retaining the current one,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm in a statement. “We in government and health care must do more to prioritize retention, work with educational institutions to expand clinical training opportunities, and focus more broadly on the care team, including nurses, physicians, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and others.”
The Associated Press reportsa Minnesota court will supervise the dissolution of a nonprofit meals program that's under federal investigation for allegedly defrauding the government of millions of dollars, Attorney General Keith Ellison's office announced Tuesday. A Dakota County District Court judge granted Ellison's petition to have the court oversee the finances and operations of Feeding Our Future, which along with some of its contractors allegedly stole millions of dollars in federal funds. The offices of Feeding Our Future were raided by the FBI in January amid accusations that the group and some of its contractors had defrauded at least $197 million meant for purchasing and providing free meals for needy children from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2021 alone. The search warrant alleged that the group had used the money to buy luxury vehicles, real estate, jewelry and other purchases in the U.S. and around the world. No charges have been filed. Ellison said having the court supervise the process would prevent any further fraud as the federal and state investigations continue.
And the AP also has this:The South Dakota House has impeached the state’s attorney general for his conduct surrounding a 2020 fatal car crash in which he initially told authorities he thought he had struck a deer or another large animal. The Republican-controlled House rejected a majority report from a special investigative committee that had recommended against impeaching Jason Ravnsborg. Gov. Kristi Noem had pushed for her fellow Republican to be impeached, as had Democrats. Ravnsborg will be at least temporarily removed from his office until a Senate impeachment trial that will happen in May. It takes a two-thirds majority in that chamber to convict on the impeachment charges. | 