☹ As if losing to the Rams wasn’t bad enough, ABC couldn’t help but rub it in even more on national TV.

Government

Walz Unveils Slimmer Budget Proposal Headlined By Reduction In Sales Tax 💲

The Summary: Governor Tim Walz presented a more restrained budget plan for Minnesota, reducing the state's spending from $70.7 billion to just under $66 billion for the upcoming two-year cycle.

Budget Highlights

Sales Tax Changes: Walz proposed a slight reduction in the state sales tax rate from 6.5% to 6.425%, while expanding the tax to cover financial services like legal, accounting, and brokerage services.

Education Funding: Education remains the largest budget sector, comprising over 40% of proposed spending. The plan includes a 3% increase for early education through 12th grade and a 5% cut to higher education funding.

Key Policy Proposals

Transportation and Licensing: The budget introduces an online driver's license renewal option and proposes revoking licenses for excessive speeding.

Environmental Initiatives: The proposal includes expanded tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel and funding for electronic waste recycling and PFAS chemical detection.

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Next Steps: The budget will undergo legislative review, with final negotiations expected to conclude before July 1 to prevent potential government service disruptions.

“We are not changing that Minnesota is a generous state. Minnesota is a state that cares deeply that every single individual should live the fullest quality of life they can.” -Governor Tim Walz

Vikings

Vikings Season Ends In First Round Of Playoffs After Abysmal Performance 🏈

🤷‍♂️ Maybe we can just have a good laugh about Sunday to ease the pain? Check out this, this, and this.

The Summary: Well, the - certainly didn’t come true on Sunday when the Vikings lost to the Rams by a score of 27-9. The loss ended the Vikings season with a 14-4 record.

Constant Pressure: Sam Darnold was under constant pressure as the Rams forced 9 sacks including a “scoop and score” off a Darnold fumble. After a tough performance against the Lions in the regular season finale, Darnold did very little to avenge himself finishing with just one touchdown.

Looking Ahead

Many questions loom as the Vikings head into the offseason.

• Who will be their QB? Will the Vikings go all-in on rookie QB JJ McCarthy? Or will they re-sign Sam Darnold?

• Who from the coaching staff will remain? Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has already participated in two head coach interviews with the Jets and Jaguars.

• What moves will the Vikings make with their $69M in cap space?

• As his one-year contract expires, will the Vikings re-sign runningback Aaron Jones?

Politics

Showdown In The Minnesota House As Dems and Republicans Clash Over Control 🥊

The Summary: A dramatic political conflict has erupted in the Minnesota legislature, with Democrats and Republicans battling over chamber control and quorum requirements.

Session Day One Breakdown: On Tuesday, DFL lawmakers deliberately boycotted the legislative session to prevent Republicans from establishing a quorum. Despite Secretary of State Steve Simon declaring insufficient members present, GOP representatives proceeded to elect Rep. Lisa Demuth as House Speaker.

Core Dispute: The central conflict centers on quorum interpretation. Democrats claim 68 members are required, while Republicans argue 67 members are sufficient. The disagreement stems from a contested election in Shakopee that has heightened tensions between the parties.

Legal Maneuvers: Both parties have escalated the conflict through legal channels. Secretary Simon petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court, while DFL lawmakers filed a separate challenge against GOP members. Republicans maintain they will continue legislative proceedings despite the ongoing dispute.

What Else We’re Reading…

New Investigation Reveals Minnesota Hospitals Are Slashing Services 🏥

A new WCCO investigation revealed that Minnesota hospitals have been cutting or relocating services since 2022, with 19 facilities affected across the state, impacting areas such as obstetrics, surgeries, and mental health care. The Minnesota Hospital Association reports that 67% of the state's hospitals are operating at a loss, with a median operating margin of -2.7%, largely due to inadequate reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid programs. These financial pressures are forcing healthcare providers to make difficult decisions, potentially leading to more service closures and even hospital shutdowns in the future.

Sports 🏀

🏀 The Gopher Men’s basketball team won an overtime thriller against #20 Michigan. You HAVE to watch the game-winning shot as time expired.

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves lost yet another close game to the Golden State Warriors as they had no answers for Steph Curry.

🏀 The Gopher Women’s basketball team lost their first tough matchup of the season against #8 Maryland. The Gophers entered the game ranked #24, their first time being ranked since 2019.

🏒 The Minnesota Frost lost 3-2 in a shootout heartbreaker to the New York Sirens.

🏒 The Minnesota Wild lost to the Edmonton Oilers as superstar Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist.

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Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ Have you been sick recently? You definitely aren’t alone (MPR)

❯ UHG owes a lot of money for allegedly misleading customers (Reuters)

❯ It could be a while before you’ll be able to get recreational marijuana (KSTP)

❯ Minneapolis Police saved two-month-old twins after fentanyl exposure (Kare11)

❯ A police officer involved in George Floyd’s death has been released from prison (Fox9)

The Final Word: You can’t have our counties, Iowa 🙅‍♂️

An Iowa state senator has brought forward a proposal to buy Minnesota’s southern most nine counties. In my opinion, the only way this happens is if Iowa formally issues a statement admitting their state fair is inferior to ours and that their Hawkeye football team is the Gopher’s little brother. Otherwise, we keep the counties.

-Patrick