Alex Derosier
West Central Tribune
Saint Paul, MN, United States
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Past articles by Alex:
Minnesota budget surplus stable at $17.5 billion
February budget projections will set the stage for budget discussions in the state Legislature. → Read More
Minnesota Senate to vote on felon voting rights, licenses for those in US illegally
First on the agenda Tuesday was the felon voting rights bill. Currently in Minnesota, felons may not vote until they have completed parole or probation and paid fines related to their sentence. → Read More
Minnesota DEED commissioner to head Star Tribune
Gov. Tim Walz noted Steve Grove's role in overseeing $15 billion in unemployment payments and $300 million in emergency aid to businesses during the pandemic. Grove was previously a Google executive. → Read More
Plan to change Minnesota flag moving through state Legislature
Vexillologists point to several design problems with the current flag, including its busy design that makes it difficult to recognize from a distance. → Read More
House poised to vote on universal school meals
Free school lunch and breakfast is a priority for DFL lawmakers. A House proposal would appropriate $805 million between 2024 and 2027 for school meals. → Read More
Bill to combat catalytic converter thefts moving through Minnesota Legislature
Thefts of the auto parts, which contain precious metals that can sell for hundreds of dollars or even over $1,000, surged during the pandemic. Minnesota ranks third in the U.S. for thefts. → Read More
Audit finds 'pervasive noncompliance' in Minnesota agencies providing grants
Lawmakers asked for a review amid an investigation of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Employees and others are accused of using $250 million intended for meal programs for real estate and travel. → Read More
Minnesota Senate takes up bill requiring 100% clean energy by 2040
Minnesota isn't on track to meet the carbon emission reduction goals it set more than a decade ago. A bill would require utilities to have 100% carbon-free electricity generation within 20 years. → Read More
Walz signs Minnesota abortion rights bill into law
Democrats fast-tracked through the Legislature the Protect Reproductive Options Act, or PRO Act, which supports existing constitutional protections for abortion in Minnesota. → Read More
Second piece of Walz budget proposal covers paid leave, workforce, climate
Billions would go to support a paid family and medical leave program and other projects aimed at improving Minnesota’s competitiveness. → Read More
Gov. Walz signs tax breaks into law with conformity bill, the first of the session
The bill brings Minnesota’s tax code into alignment with the federal code, which underwent several changes in recent years as Congress passed pandemic-relief bills. → Read More
Minnesota House weighs driver's licenses for people in U.S. illegally
The bill would remove the requirement for license applicants to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. → Read More
World Cup exception opens door for middle-of-night serving at Minnesota bars
A “5 o'clock somewhere” provision in the law will give Minnesota bars a chance to serve liquor 30 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after the live broadcast of FIFA World Cup matches. Local governments may issue permits to establishments that want to serve during live broadcasts of games. → Read More
Minnesota GOP governor nominee Scott Jensen stands by remarks comparing COVID measures to rise of Nazism
At an April event held by anti-COVID restriction group Mask Off MN, Jensen drew parallels between pandemic restrictions and the rise of Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. → Read More
Longtime Iron Range Sen. David Tomassoni dies at 69
Tomassoni, an independent lawmaker from Chisholm, was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1992. He revealed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in 2021, and continued to serve as a senator. → Read More
Edibles soon available through Minnesota medical cannabis program
Gummies and edibles from the program are separate from the hemp-derived edible cannabis products that became legal in Minnesota at the beginning of July. → Read More
Gas prices keep breaking Minnesota records. Just how much relief can state leaders provide?
States including Florida, Georgia and Maryland have enacted state gas tax holidays, and while Minnesota has not yet taken action to reduce prices, some leaders and candidates have floated similar ideas. → Read More
Minnesota Legislature begins final push on legal sports betting, but deadline nears
The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, May 19, advanced a betting bill toward a vote of the full Senate, but with a key disagreement with the House on which groups should be able to run mobile and in-person sports betting in Minnesota, it remains uncertain if the chambers will be able to reach a deal by late Sunday night — the deadline to pass any bills. → Read More
Feds announce crackdown on violent crime in Twin Cities
With more than 650 carjackings in Minneapolis in 2021 and shootings at record rates, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said every prosecutor in his office will now handle violent crime cases in addition to their other work. They’ll also hire new attorneys who will join in new efforts to aggressively pursue federal charges in carjacking, armed robbery, firearms and gang cases. → Read More
Here's what Minnesota legislators can do during the rest of the session
The number of issues that can be debated still is constrained and could dim the prospects for legislation on issues such as legal sports betting and loosening restrictions on growler sales in the state. → Read More