Recent content from J. Patrick Coolican
Sanders draws raucous crowd, but health questions linger
Even as he excited the crowd with his trademark appeal to a more egalitarian America, Sanders will likely face a tougher contest than his landslide Minnesota victory four years ago in the presidential primary.
Here are the inherent problems with polls
A common refrain is that President Donald Trump defied the polls. It's really only half right.
Met Council chair resigning after 10 months on the job
Nora Slawik is the second member of the cabinet of DFL Gov. Tim Walz to leave during his first year, while a third was issued a formal reprimand.
Minnesota Republican Party executive director resigns
Kevin Poindexter has served as executive director since May 2018.
Vaping epidemic complicates pot legalization in Minnesota
Supporters say rigorously regulated market would actually make both safer.
Rep. Tim Mahoney, St. Paul fixture, retiring after two decades
The retirement at the end of 2020 will bring to a close a 22-year career in the Legislature.
Battle brews over the state-ordered shutdown of Water Gremlin plant
While some employees demonstrated with their children at the Capitol to reopen the plant, others who had worked there have spoken out about fears of illness and health risks.
Legislators vow to crack down on teen vaping in 2020 session
Both parties plan measures to get nicotine products out of the hands of teenagers.
Impatient for change, progressives line up to challenge DFL incumbents
A bevy of progressives are challenging longtime Democratic incumbents in the Legislature in next year's elections, potentially sending more women, millennials and people of color to the State Capitol.
![President Donald Trump addressed his supporters at a rally in Target Center in Minneapolis. ] President Donald Trump addressed his supporters at a ral](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5OEOGNZGQT6GKWRAIJBTOYFTGY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
![Safiya Ali voted at the Brian Coyle Community Center on primary election day, Tuesday, August 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES •](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/7BQEBOWBHKYQ2IXTACCE5HT5FQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Portrait celebrates former Minnesota Gov. Dayton's legacy at Capitol
The former governor says the painting honors not just himself, but democracy and state's people.
Gov. Tim Walz hits the road for a major public works package
Tour anticipates a legislative battle over state infrastructure projects.
Minnesota House DFLers prepare to crack down on robocalls
Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, said the legislation would be the "toughest" in the country.
Rep. Omar files for divorce from her husband, Ahmed Hirsi
She has denied allegations of an extramarital affair.
![Quinn Nystrom left showed her dad Bob Nystrom insulin outside Shoppers Drug Market pharmacy Saturday May 4, 2019 in Ft. Frances, Ontario.] Six Minneso](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ITW6YS5SJLVMI73REL5DGCMNG4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Diabetes advocate Quinn Nystrom to run against Rep. Stauber in 8th District
The rising price of insulin has thrust Nystrom, a former Baxter City Council member, into the public eye in recent months.
Gov. Tim Walz blasts nicotine industry as youth vaping soars
Minnesota Department of Health survey finds a 54% increase in vaping among 11th-graders from 2016..
Feehan announces rematch with Hagedorn in First District
Feehan wasted no time opening up attacks on Hagedorn.
Gov. Tim Walz to focus on reducing school dropouts; critics see a diversion from falling test scores
Graduation changes students' lives, he says. Others see a deflection from low test scores.
What is the impact of a presidential visit? Maybe nothing
Among the questions: Can Trump make the significant gains he would need to win in the state?
Top leader at Minnesota union resigns amid investigation
The nature of the allegation has yet to be made public.
Can Iowa-style sports betting pay off for Minnesota?
Legislators travel to Iowa casino to gather facts (and check out the action) following state's newly passed law.
Minnesota state workers, Walz administration reach tentative contracts
State workers get raises and help with student loans.
While Minnesota's population shifts, center of political gravity moves south
Rochester area getting more diverse and younger; grip on Iron Range is slipping.
The big outside groups are playing it close to the vest
Boots on the ground and a smart strategy to direct them come into play in close races.
New DHS leader promises to 'rebuild trust' at agency
Jodi Harpstead told a Minnesota Senate panel Wednesday that her priority is restoring credibility in a sprawling social service agency that has been hit with a revelations of poor financial controls and a chaotic leadership shuffle.
Lawmaker goes from GOP's back bench to leading Omar critic
As the go-to guy for Fox News personalities to talk about U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, Mazeppa Republican Steve Drazkowski has been given a national platform for political fundraising as he mulls a run for Congress.
Loss in court slices millions from Minnesota state budget
The state of Minnesota is potentially out more than $130 million this budget cycle after losing a court battle that will greatly limit the state's ability to collect taxes on trust accounts in other states.
Minnesota Film and TV board makes changes in wake of Jimmy Fallon controversy
Productions around special events no longer eligible for subsidies.
![Jodi Harpstead is announced as the new Commissioner of DHS by Gov. Tim Walz. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATI](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HIZEWWAH2JEHPMOJURWK55SLDI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
DFL politics shaped by Minnesota's Fortune 500 culture
The role of the big corporate sector in DFL politics — and vice versa — is an interesting phenomenon of both political and business life here.
![Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks after the bill signing ceremony. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Na](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/P4ITQJCMXUB3ARHWBC6NJLI3BM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Attorney General Keith Ellison's office sued over Bloomberg-related hiring
Ellison says the case is without merit
State senators demand answers after weeks of problems at DHS
Former medical director said the agency was making too many decisions without doctor input.
Walz names Lutheran Social Service president to head DHS
Monday's announcement ends a period of turmoil in the top ranks of the agency, which serves more than 1 million Minnesotans with the help of roughly 7,300 workers.
'They seem like no-bid contracts': DFLers expose policy rift over state job-training funds
Direct funding of nonprofits calls DEED's opportunity-gap results into question.
![Department heads at Busch Agricultural Resources had the opportunity to ask Collin Peterson questions. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Wednesd](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XR32JOA7ELY7Z4O5JKHOILKTKQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Republicans again hopeful in the Seventh, but Collin Peterson won't be easy to vanquish
The trend line doesn't look good for the sometimes cantankerous but often amusing chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
Walz's inaugural committee took in big money from corporations, unions
More than $700,000 poured in from unions and corporate donors.
Burnout threatens the quality of politics nationally and in Minnesota
It's not clear what the solution is.
New inspector general at DHS named amid fraud probe
Interim manager Bob Jacobson has a law enforcement background.
Complaints: Minn. corrections official lobbied on state time
Sarah Walker, who stepped down last week, vehemently denies claims that she lobbied for husband's nonprofit while serving as deputy corrections commissioner.
GOP lawmakers demand answers on shake-up at Minnesota Department of Human Services
Republican lawmakers put pressure on Walz administration for answers about what happened at the massive social services agency.
Republican legislator continues battle with Rep. Ilhan Omar
Rep. Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa launched a website focused on Rep. Ilhan Omar and also submitted a formal request for an investigation to the U.S. House Ethics Committee.
Al Franken tells New Yorker he regrets resigning: 'Absolutely.'
Seven current and former Democratic senators told the New Yorker that they regret calling for Franken's resignation and not giving him a chance for "due process."
![Pam Wheelock newly appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Thursday,](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UK6GGF5SNNER7R455ZAV4ULZPM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
In Pam Wheelock, Minnesota Dept. of Human Services gets a seasoned leader
Acting commissioner is brought on to calm an agency facing leadership tumult.
Top deputy at state Corrections Dept. resigns amid probe
A spokeswoman said the department has received complaints about Sarah Walker, but "the investigation has not been completed."
Two Minn. DHS deputies return after Lourey, chief of staff resign
Claire Wilson and Charles Johnson rescinded their resignations.
Minnesota DHS head Lourey resigns abruptly in shake-up
State's Human Services head quits after 2 top deputies resigned.
Two top Minn. Dept. of Human Services officials leave posts
The abrupt departures of two veteran administrators set up an early test of the leadership of Commissioner Tony Lourey.
Minnesota Film Board defends $267K for Super Bowl 'Tonight Show' visit
Republicans scoffed at the spending, which is sure to set off a fresh round of debate about the use of state money for favored industries, especially in film and television.
![Rep. Ilhan Omar spoke to attendees of an immigration round table discussion Tuesday in Minneapolis. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TBKYA3ZX6VI7J2KX7VF56IHNL4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
New documents revisit questions on Rep. Omar's marriage history
Although she has legally corrected the discrepancy, she has declined to say anything about how or why it happened.
![Senate leader Paul Gazelka arrived at the Governor's office at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on Friday, May 17, 2019. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/A4W3EFSGX5QOHXSLD775JFI3BM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
In his quiet way, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka is scoring victories
He has scored policy wins that may seem only incremental but have significant long-term ramifications.
Lopsided grants on Iron Range spark questions of favoritism
The program intended to foster economic growth on the Iron Range has given more money per capita in the past five years for projects in influential state Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk's district than any other — by about one-third, according to a review of public records.
Walz will not release his daily calendar, despite promise to do so
Governor's office refuses to make schedule public.
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Rep. Ilhan Omar jointly filed tax returns prior to legal marriage
Questions about Omar's complicated marriage and immigration history resurfaced Thursday when a state campaign finance board revealed that she and Ahmed Hirsi filed joint tax returns in 2014 and 2015 — a period when she was legally married to another man.
State has paid Zimmern $57,000 to promote Minnesota as a destination
Zimmern's contract, which ends this month, required two posts per month to reach his more than 1 million Twitter and other social media followers.
Child care will be a hot political issue for the next decade or more
Ask anyone you know with a child in day care what it costs. And then ask them what their mortgage is. You'll find day care is often more expensive.
New Minnesota law should make filing taxes simpler, cheaper
In rare agreement, both Republicans, Democrats praised the new measure.
Walz fights to a draw in budget battle, comes away with a win
People around the State Capitol, including Republicans who tried to thwart Gov. Tim Walz's election last year, credit him with an agile bit of statecraft, even if it took a special session to wrap up the budget. He fought to a draw and transformed the deal — and his first legislative session — into a victory.
Legislature wraps up $48.3B budget; Walz expected to sign
The Legislature adjourned early Saturday after a 21-hour special session in which they labored through a series of bills to fund Minnesota schools, parks, prisons, public health care and other services for the next two years.
Legislature adjourns, but plans to come back Thursday
With time running out, legislative leaders tentatively planned a special session Thursday to hammer out final budget agreements through a series of conference committees or "working groups."
Budget tensions rise with fiery remarks by Walz, GOP senators
The contrasting scenes with Minnesota senators approving a stopgap bill and Gov. Tim Walz addressing teachers reflected the strains after a week of closed-door budget talks.
What is the impact of the legislative session on 2020? Maybe nothing
"The politics of who wins legislative elections have never been more divorced from what actually happens in St. Paul," one DFL operative said.
'Shame on us' if we can't find way to work together, Gov. Walz says about another long day of budget talks
Closed-door negotiations continue, with less public finger-pointing.
Gov. Tim Walz vows to 'get results' amid long day of budget talks with GOP
Deadline looms on Monday.
State budget dispute endgame: What are they fighting about?
Will Minnesota avert a state government shutdown? It's complicated. Here's a primer on the budget battle.
As deadline nears, who wins and who loses if Legislature can't finish on time?
Negotiations on a state budget are stalled, so what would a stalemate mean for both sides going forward?
