Good morning, and happy Tuesday.
MPR’s Tim Pugmire has a look at some of the legislative primaries underway: Most of the contested races are between Republicans, and in some of them a relatively new group called Action 4 Liberty is playing a big role in challenging incumbents from the right. Republican Eric Pratt of Prior Lake has served three terms in the Minnesota Senate and chairs the Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy committee. Pratt’s reelection bid suffered a setback earlier this year when he lost the GOP endorsement to Natalie Barnes in District 54. “I absolutely think I’d be an amazing senator. I have what it takes,” said Barnes, a nurse and first-time candidate from Prior Lake who has the backing of Action 4 Liberty. She calls Pratt a career politician and believes people want a change. “He has grown the size and scope of the government and is delivering scraps to conservatives, and I believe we are aware of that,” Barnes said of Pratt. “I firmly believe that all elected officials have to be public servants accountable to the people, and he has regrettably been beholden to special interest groups and lobbyists.” Pratt said he expects a close primary contest but is optimistic about his chances and that turnout will be the key. Pratt said he believes the involvement of Action 4 Liberty cost him the Republican endorsement. “Supposedly we’re not strong enough on tax relief. We’re not strong enough on the 2nd Amendment,” Pratt said. “We’re not strong enough on, name your favorite conservative issue.”
Gov. Tim Walz highlighted the impact of hemp growing on a tour of a farm Monday in the western metro area. MPR’s Brian Bakst reports Walz said he’s inclined to let stand a state court ruling invalidating several abortion restrictions rather than push for an appeal. Walz was a named defendant in the case that struck down a 24-hour waiting period, some parent notification requirements and a limit on where some abortions can be done. Answering his first questions about last week’s ruling by a Ramsey County District Court judge, the DFL governor says he’ll defer to DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison for a final decision. “I think the ruling was pretty clear and well thought out. I don’t think there is one where they would need to, but he’s still assessing it. Our team has looked at it,” Walz said. “I spent some time over the weekend talking with them about it. But I don’t think it needs to be.”
The executive director of MCCL, one of the state’s largest anti-abortion groups, Scott Fischbach said Walz’s position is far outside the mainstream of Minnesota. “The recent Doe v. Minnesota ruling, without a foundation in the Minnesota Constitution, struck down decades-old laws ensuring informed consent prior to abortion and requiring that parents be notified before their minor daughter undergoes abortion. These are important and commonsense policies that have helped support and empower women,” said Fischbach in a statement. “But Gov. Walz has made clear that he will not support them. He has instead repeatedly pledged to fight for abortion and to oppose even the most modest protections."
And Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is expected to hold an event later today with sexual assault survivors and others to criticize the positions of Republican-endorsed candidates Scott Jensen and Matt Birk on abortion.
This is the final week to apply for bonuses for people deemed frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $500 million reward pool will be split evenly among all those who qualify. So far, more than 1 million applications have come in, but not all of those people will prove eligible. The deadline is Friday to submit application materials through frontlinepay.mn.gov. Workers in health fields, public safety, child care, food preparation and retail are just some who could be in line for the bonuses. | 