Minnesota Legislature
Panel begins work on proposal to create new state park at State Capitol honoring Hortmans
By Lisa Kaczke
A working group tasked with making recommendations for a proposed new state park within the Capitol Area met for the first time Wednesday.
The park would be named for the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed in June 2025.
“Speaker Hortman had a great love for the Capitol building and the Capitol campus,” House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) told the Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park Working Group. “On long sessions, she was known to walk the grounds. If you joined her, she would share her opinions, both positive and negative, about the way the grounds were kept and what trees were there in particular. She had a very strong feeling about the trees.”
More broadly, Hortman wanted the Capitol to be accessible to the public and for people to understand and appreciate its history as much as she did. Turning the Capitol Area into a state park was her long-term goal to make it even more accessible to people, Stephenson said, and seeing that through would be a way to preserve her legacy.
Recent Dailies
Panel begins work on proposal to create new state park at State Capitol honoring Hortmans
By Lisa Kaczke
A working group tasked with making recommendations for a proposed new state park within the Capitol Area met for the first time Wednesday.
The park would be named for the la...
How well do you know Minnesota's Election Day rules? Take our quiz
By Graham Johnson
Rules for conduct in and around polling places on Election Day impose strict guidelines on what voters are allowed to wear, do, and even say to ensure free and fair elections.
...
Rep. Joe Schomacker, not seeking re-election, announces resignation from House
By Lisa Kaczke
Rep. Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) announced his resignation Friday from the House effective June 21, citing new business opportunities for the decision to step down.
“It has t...
Capitol legends: The truth behind Minnesota State Capitol myths
By Graham Johnson
The most common question posed to State Capitol tour guides is, “Where’s the bathroom?”
The next most common questions often have to do with some of the myths and legends th...
Retiring members give their goodbyes at close of 2026 session
By HPIS Staff
As is tradition, once members have finished months of debating one another over myriad bills, some House members who have opted not to seek re-election said goodbye to the body ...
Evenly-split House compromises to pass major legislation, finish session on time
By Rob Hubbard
The bipartisan burst of enthusiastic applause that reverberated around the House Chamber at midnight felt like a catharsis full of relief and release late Sunday.
For the fi...
HCMC funding passes in omnibus health and human services finance, policy bill
By Winter Keefer
Key funding to keep open Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota’s flagship trauma center and safety net hospital, emerged within the final hours of the 2026 session.
The ...
House and Senate pass $1.24 billion bonding bill, send to governor
By Graham Johnson
Hours after the House Capital Investment Committee unveiled details of the $1.24 billion capital investment bill and shortly before the legislative deadline to complete its work...
Omnibus tax bill headed to governor's desk after lawmakers strike Sunday night deal
By Rob Hubbard
No House tax bill? No problem.
While it’s customary that each chamber of the Legislature fashions its own tax bill, then hammers out compromises between the provisions of ea...
House unanimously passes bill expanding state powers to withhold payments over suspected fraud
By Mike Cook
The ability of state agencies to stop payment to program participants suspected of fraud may be strengthened.
A 2025 law allows state agencies to withhold payments to a prog...
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Could 2026 retirements lead to record turnover in the House?
By Lisa Kaczke
In the final weeks of the legislative session, House members not seeking re-election to the body have taken a turn at gaveling in a floor session.
It’s an opportunity to loo...
How short are the Legislature's short sessions?
By Lisa Kaczke
Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) was ready to end the session March 25, making the motion to adjourn sine die. But not enough of his colleagues shared that sentiment, defeating ...
