Dana Ferguson
West Central Tribune
Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Past articles by Dana:
Minnesota lawmakers to get 7.25% salary bump
Annually, that’ll mean about a $3,500 increase from their current rate. Overall, costs will increase about $894,000 a year for taxpayers. → Read More
The reality of later-in-pregnancy abortion is more complex than Minn. debate lets on
Later-in-pregnancy abortions, which are loosely defined but generally understood to be around 24 weeks of gestation, are fairly uncommon → Read More
Minn. abortion bill set for a vote this week; other DFL wish list items to follow
The bill would cement in law the right to an abortion — as well as other reproductive health care → Read More
Minn. secretary of state calls for election worker protections, automatic voter registration
Simon, a DFLer, won a third term in November and was the top vote-getter in the state. → Read More
Minn. GOP leaders ready to defend against DFL agenda at Capitol
Small-business owners picked to represent their caucuses in St. Paul → Read More
Minnesota Democrats see ‘mandate’ to rewrite election laws
“We ran on democracy and voters, and so did Republicans,” said Rep. Emma Greenman, a Minneapolis Democrat set to serve as vice chair of the House Elections Committee. → Read More
'I deserve the right to choose': Thousands rally for legal abortion access at Minnesota Capitol
The march comes weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal constitutional right to access an abortion and days after a state district court blocked several restrictions on abortion in Minnesota. → Read More
Behind closed doors, Minnesota leaders keep working to wrap up more than $3 billion in spending bills
Legislative leaders and the governor met in private this week to finish bills that didn't get over the finish line before the Legislature adjourned last month. Gov. Tim Walz has said he wants to call a special session if the leaders can finish a deal on the spending bills. → Read More
Minnesota state workers press Senate to approve contracts, block pay cut
The contracts of tens of thousands of state employees were approved last year and the Minnesota House of Representatives approved them but the Senate has not. → Read More
Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman tests positive for COVID-19
Hortman on Twitter said that she had minor symptoms and was vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. → Read More
$65 million veterans services bill could be model for more Capitol compromise, Minnesota leaders say
The Minnesota Senate swiftly passed the funding Thursday after pulling the proposal out of a larger spending bill. It would help finish construction on three veterans' homes and provide bonuses to those who served after Sept. 11, 2001. → Read More
Minnesota sues Utah-based solar panel companies, alleging deceptive, high-pressure sales tactics
The companies offered up tax and incentive benefits to hundreds of Minnesotans who didn't see those credits and used false advertising practices, the state's complaint says. → Read More
Minnesota Legislature sends $1 million emergency bird flu funding to governor's desk
To date, the avian influenza has been detected in 21 Minnesota flocks, affecting 1 million birds. → Read More
After a contentious debate, Minnesota Senate OKs income tax cut, elimination of social security tax
The bill is unlikely to pick up traction in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor-led House of Representatives. → Read More
$500 rebate checks don't make Minnesota House, Senate tax plans, but new credits, rate cuts in the mix
Leaders in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives this week put up their priorities for tweaks to Minnesota's tax laws, and they varied widely. → Read More
USDA emergency response team to aid Minnesota poultry producers following H5N1 cases reported in 3 counties
The teams are set to aid state experts to quarantine infected flocks and surveil for additional cases of the avian illness. → Read More
'Free the growler' provision advances at the Minnesota Capitol
A House committee approved a set of compromise changes to the state's liquor laws on Friday, March 25. → Read More
Minnesota WWII veteran, 96, honored with France's top award for his role in Battle of the Bulge
Minnesota 96-year-old Arnold "Buck" J. Zahratka told reporters that he was amazed by the commendation and reflected on his service in the U.S. Army during the pivotal battle. → Read More
Minnesota prosecutor says GOP bills aimed at county attorneys bring 'answer in search of a problem'
Senate Republicans this year have filed several bills aimed at setting clearer requirements for county attorneys in charging violent crimes. They said they'd grown frustrated with attorneys in the Twin Cities metro not prosecuting in some cases. → Read More
Payroll tax hikes could come next week as impasse stalls Minnesota jobless fund repayment, hero pay
Legislative leaders emerged from closed negotiations without budging on their positions. Republicans wanted to pass a $2.7 billion bill to repay the state's jobless fund and Democrats said they wouldn't agree without first paying checks to front-line workers. → Read More